Roman Baths to host summer evening music beside Great Bath

The Roman Baths will stay open late again this summer for a new programme of evening music sessions beside the Great Bath.

The Roman Baths | Photo © Bath & North East Somerset Council

Summer Lates will run from 20th July to 31st August, with the historic site opening until 10pm every day and live performances taking place each weekend.

The after-hours programme will bring vinyl DJs and live acoustic artists to the Grade I-listed attraction, creating a more relaxed and sociable atmosphere after daytime visitors have left.

Organisers say the idea reflects the original role of the Baths in Roman times, when people would have gathered there not only for bathing but also for socialising, eating, drinking and relaxing together.

Amanda Hart, Director of Archaeology at The Roman Baths, said: “People came to the Baths in Roman times for many reasons, including socialising.

“They would have met friends, shared food and drink, and perhaps listened to music. While we can’t say for certain what music was performed, it was likely part of the sensory experience.

“Summer Lates taps into the social aspect, offering people a chance to experience the site in a different, more informal way.”

Fridays and Saturdays will focus on vinyl DJ sets curated by Bath Carnival, with music ranging from funk, soul and Latin jazz to global sounds.

The line-up includes Pete Cunningham of Bristol’s Ishmael Ensemble, broadcaster and DJ Tina Edwards, Poly-Ritmo, Awon, Katie Novo and Beavs. One evening will also feature Ethiopian jazz and reggae in partnership with Fairfield House to mark the 90th anniversary of Haile Selassie’s arrival in Bath.

The vinyl sessions will be hosted by Stu Bacana and use a specially designed sound set-up intended to create a surround-sound listening experience, without a fixed stage or audience area.

On Sundays, the focus will switch to acoustic performances curated by 7 Hills Festival, with artists including Steve Cradock, Hannah White, Robert Vincent, Gia Ford and True Foxes, alongside Young Martyrs, Matt Owens, Izzie Yardley, Jazz Morley and McGrath.

Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for economic and cultural sustainable development, said: “The Roman Baths is one of the UK’s most significant heritage sites, and it’s important that we continue to share it in ways that feel open, engaging and relevant today.

“Summer Lates invites people to experience this extraordinary place differently, bringing history to life not just through what we see, but through how we spend time here together.

“We’re proud to support cultural experiences that celebrate Bath’s heritage while welcoming new audiences, and we look forward to seeing both residents and visitors enjoy the Baths in the evening this summer.”

Tickets include entry to The Roman Baths and museum, with a bath-side bar also open during the evenings. Live music will run from 5.30pm to 9.30pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.