Bath is set to celebrate its rich and often overlooked LGBTQ+ heritage with Queer Bath, the city’s inaugural festival dedicated to queer culture, history, and creativity. Running from Monday, May 26 to Monday, June 30, this citywide event brings together a dynamic programme featuring drag performances, community gatherings, museum trails, film screenings, and much more.
Queer Bath is a collaborative effort among Bath’s foremost museums and cultural venues, spearheaded by Bath Arts Collective and the queer cabaret group WIG!. Participating institutions include The Holburne Museum, The Roman Baths, the American Museum & Gardens, and the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (BRLSI). Together, they aim to uncover and celebrate the city’s hidden LGBTQ+ narratives through events and archival research.
A standout event is the Pride NOT Prejudice Ball, a lavish drag cabaret commemorating Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. This vibrant celebration will take place in the historic Pump Room on Friday, June 6, blending Regency elegance with contemporary queer flair.
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Spencer Hancock, Head of Operations at The Holburne Museum, explains: “Queer Bath grew from the passion of our young adult volunteers in The Holburne Future Collective. Creating an inclusive space where diverse stories thrive is central to our mission. Supporting our volunteers as they drive positive change across the city is truly inspiring.”
The festival expands upon the success of Holburne Pride, a 2024 initiative developed by The Holburne Future Collective and Bath Arts Collective. This year’s citywide expansion reflects strong partnerships between cultural leaders committed to amplifying LGBTQ+ voices in Bath’s heritage.
Launching the festival was a Regency-themed photoshoot featuring local drag kings and queens set against the Roman Baths’ iconic backdrop. Nik Jovčić-Sas, director and host at WIG!, describes Queer Bath as “one of the most thrilling cultural projects Bath has ever seen — blending Georgian grandeur with a fierce queer perspective, revealing the city in a whole new light.”
Jasmine Barker, co-director of Bath Arts Collective, adds: “Queer Bath is more than a series of events — it’s a transformative effort to reshape how Bath’s museums and heritage venues embrace LGBTQ+ arts, culture, and stories.”
Highlights throughout the month include a Rainbow Family Day at the American Museum on May 26, a talk on the Stonewall Uprising on June 3, and a Queer Comedy Night at The Roman Baths on June 11, featuring comedians Catherine Bohart and Andrew White.
Participating venues are also spotlighting queer-coded and forgotten narratives within their collections. Initiatives include a Queer Holburne Trail with an interactive app, a co-curated exhibition at the Roman Baths, and in-depth research on William Beckford’s life at Beckford’s Tower.
Alana Wright, Visitor Programming Manager at Bath Assembly Rooms, shares: “Our research reveals a far more inclusive and diverse Bath than many imagined. As we reimagine the Assembly Rooms for modern audiences, sharing these queer stories helps create a welcoming space for everyone.”
Queer Bath promises a vibrant celebration that honors Bath’s LGBTQ+ past while inspiring a more inclusive cultural future.
