The Exmouth Arms on Bath Road in Cheltenham is bringing back its beloved music festival, ExFest, from Friday, June 6 to Sunday, June 8, 2025. This lively event combines live music, family activities, and a wood-fired pizza oven, offering a weekend full of entertainment for all ages.
ExFest 2025 promises an exciting lineup of local bands performing both indoors and outdoors across the weekend. The festivities kick off Friday evening with rocking duo Flash Back playing outside, followed by SlowJin’s performance inside at 9 pm. Saturday features a full roster of homegrown talent, including The Leon Daye Band, Hot Tubes, The Love Train, Charlton Blues Kings, Run Yoshi Run, and Masterplan.
Sunday is designed for family enjoyment, with Roaming Reptiles showcasing friendly reptiles and other intriguing creatures, plus Cheltenham Face Painting adding creative fun for children. The highlight of the day is the Annual Dog Show, supported by Nicky’s Contented Canines, with competitions such as Waggiest Tail, Best Youngster, Golden Oldie, and Best Rescue category. The festival will close with a relaxed acoustic set from Jack Taylor.
READ MORE: Live: M5 Closed Near Gloucestershire Airport Following Serious Crash
READ MORE: Rare Opportunity to Explore Stunning Cotswolds Gardens in Box
Throughout the weekend, guests can indulge in freshly made pizzas from the festival’s own wood-fired oven and visit the Horsebox Bar for a selection of drinks. More importantly, all proceeds will support the Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, which provides vital care and support to local families.
Mike Huysinga, Exmouth Arms owner, said, “Sue Ryder means a lot to us, and we’re proud to raise funds through ExFest. It’s always a fantastic weekend of music, great beer, and family fun—and entirely free to attend. We encourage everyone to come along and donate generously to this wonderful cause. Let’s hope for some sunshine too!”
Alysia Cameron-Price, Community Fundraising Manager at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, added, “ExFest embodies community spirit and generosity. We’re grateful for the support from everyone involved, which helps us continue delivering expert, compassionate care to those who need it the most.”