October 2026

Events in Bath this October

October is the best month for the Bath Skyline Walk — the beech and oak woodland above the city in peak autumn colour, with long views and no summer crowds. The Film Festival runs across late September into early October. Prior Park is excellent. And the Mozartfest build-up means classical music is in the air before the main November festival arrives.

What's on in October 2026

Bath Farmers Market

Every Saturday in October

Green Park Station, Bath BA1 1JB · Free entry

Year-round Saturday market. October tends to see seasonal produce at its best — root vegetables, apples, and early game. Green Park Station's covered setting is more comfortable than outdoor markets as the weather turns.

Bath Film Festival

Late September to early October (dates TBC for 2026)

Various venues including Little Theatre Cinema · From £8 per screening

Annual film festival running across multiple Bath venues. Features contemporary and independent film alongside special events. The Little Theatre Cinema (St Michael's Place) is the main hub. 2026 dates TBC — check Bath Film Festival website for confirmed programme.

Bath Skyline Walk — autumn colours

Daily throughout October

National Trust, multiple starting points · Free

October is the best month for the Bath Skyline Walk. The six-mile National Trust route runs through woodland above the city — beech and oak in peak autumn colour, with clear long views when the leaves are off the canopy. No booking required.

Bath Mozartfest — build-up

November (preceded by pre-festival events in late October)

Various venues · Varies

The main Bath Mozartfest runs in November, but look for pre-festival events in late October across the city's music venues. Check the Mozartfest website for confirmed October fringe events alongside the main November programme.

Walcot Street Market

First Saturday of October (3 October 2026)

Walcot Street, Bath · Free entry

Monthly antiques, crafts, and vintage market. The October edition runs as seasonal decoration and pre-Christmas crafts begin to appear alongside the usual antiques and vintage.

Prior Park — autumn programme

Daily October (National Trust)

Ralph Allen Drive, Bath BA2 5AH · Adults £9, children £4.50. NT members free.

Prior Park's Palladian bridge and woodland walk in autumn colour. October is one of the best months — the tree-lined approach and lake circuit are particularly good as the leaves turn. National Trust property; check seasonal hours.

Why October?

  • October is peak autumn colour on the Bath Skyline Walk — the best single walking experience in the area is at its best this month.
  • The Bath Film Festival typically spans late September into early October — an annual event with independent cinema across multiple venues.
  • Lower visitor numbers than summer, hotel prices lower than peak season, and the city is noticeably quieter without the July–August tourist crowds.
  • The Mozartfest in November is preceded by some October pre-festival events — classical music ahead of the main festival.
  • Prior Park in October is exceptional — the Palladian bridge framed by autumn-coloured woodland.

Book accommodation for October

October rates are typically lower than summer and above the winter low. Booking.com shows availability for your specific dates.

Hotels in Bath, October → Book experiences →

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Frequently asked questions

What events are on in Bath in October 2026?
October 2026 Bath events: Bath Film Festival (late September to early October, check dates); Walcot Street Market (first Saturday, 3 October 2026); Saturday Farmers Market at Green Park Station (every Saturday, year-round); Bath Skyline Walk in autumn colour (free, all month); Prior Park National Trust in autumn colour (daily, adults £9). Mozartfest pre-festival events may appear in late October — check Mozartfest website for confirmed schedule.
Is October a good time to visit Bath?
October is one of Bath's best months for visitors. Autumn colour on the Skyline Walk and at Prior Park is genuinely exceptional — better in October than any other month. Tourist crowds are lower than summer. Hotel prices are down from July–August peak. The weather is typically 12–16°C with some rain — bring a waterproof. The Film Festival and the run-up to Mozartfest in November give October its cultural anchor. The Roman Baths and Thermae are easier to book than in summer.
What is the weather like in Bath in October?
Bath in October: average daytime temperatures 12–16°C, dropping to 7–10°C in the evenings. Rainfall increases from September — expect some wet days. The city is at the bottom of a valley so can feel damp and misty on grey days, but the autumn light on clear days is excellent. Layering and a waterproof jacket are practical. October can have some very good clear days, especially early in the month.
When is the Bath Film Festival?
The Bath Film Festival typically runs from late September into the first week of October — the exact dates change annually. The 2026 dates are confirmed: 16–25 October 2026, the festival’s 36th edition. The festival screens across multiple Bath venues including the Little Theatre Cinema on St Michael's Place, with some screenings at other venues. The festival now runs as FilmBath; its site is filmbath.org.uk, where the programme is published closer to the date.

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