Cheltenham celebrates the 150th birthday of Gustav Holst - join this free community event celebrating the 150th anniversary of Cheltenham's most famous son.

Saturday 21st September 2024
1pm - 6pm

Mars Stage - Music 1pm - 6pm. Including Cheltenham Philharmonic, Cheltenham Silver Band, Nethra Academy of Performing Arts, Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra and Charlton Kings Choral Society.

Make, Create - 5pm. All ages arts and activities craft area.

Holst's Spaceship Earth - 2pm - 5pm. A multi-sensory, creative technology experience pop up play-lab. 

Celebrations will centre on the Mars Stage, a large music stage programmed from 1pm - 6 pm. Performances will be in range of styles and genres, from classical to folk, to the more experimental. Confirmed acts include Cheltenham Silver Band, Cheltenham Philharmonic and Nethra Academy of Indian Dance.
1.00 pm - Cheltenham Silver Band and percussion workshops
1.55 pm - Edward Derbyshire – Holst: A poetic and musical journey  
2.15 pm - Montpellier Brass Ensemble
2.45 pm - Gary Branch, Piano
3.15 pm - Kingsley Brass
3.30 pm - Nethra  Academy of Performing Arts
4.30 pm - Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra
5.10 pm - Charlton Kings Choral Society
5.30 pm - Cheltenham Philharmonic Orchestre - Strings
5.55 pm - Finale CK Choral Society accompanied by Cheltenham Philharmonic  Orchestra

In addition, there will be the Make, Create area from 2pm - 5pm where families can explore different art and craft workshops, including cut-out lyrebird sculptures, paper planets,  mural making and letterpress printing.  Plus a multi-sensory, creative technology experience zone, Let's Create, where visitors will be invited to explore our interconnected cosmos through sight & sound art, inspired by the incredible life & musical journey of Gustav Holst, featuring:

●      Holst Spaceship Earth “Flower Power” Playtronica Synth
●      Holst Spaceship Earth “Transit of Venus” 360 Video Preview
●      SubPac Bass Sonic Feels
●      Holst Spaceship Earth Seed Planets

Holst Victorian House - Immersive Video & Experimental Soundscape
Experience the Holst Victorian House through DIY VR goggles, inspired by Holst's 19th-century stereoscopic viewer.
Gustav Holst From The Otherside & Feel It! 8 Bit Mars Redux
Hear Gustav Holst's voice for the first time, brought to life using cutting-edge cybernetic software and electronically recorded Holst family DNA from Imogen Holst and Ernest Cossart.
Feel an experimental 8-bit chiptune rendition of Mars (The Bringer of War) through SubPac haptic bass technology,

Holst's Playtronica Flower Synth:
Magically create electronic music sounds by interacting with touch, flowers, and water, forging a cosmic connection with nature.

Holst Spaceship Earth - Pollinator Planet Creators:
Be the change by creating wildflower mini natural planets that provide vital habitats for pollinators. 

Click here to find out more 

The public can bring a picnic – or buy food and drink from one of the numerous cafes and restaurants close to Imperial Square – while listening to this diverse range of performances.
This event is part of the Holst 150 celebrations. For more details go to Holst 150.

The project has been funded by Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grants, Build Back Better Councillor Fund, Cheltenham Borough Council, Cheltenham BID,  Cheltenham Arts Council, West Cheltenham Partnership, The Honourable Company.Skip To Main Content