Ten wonderful days of celebrating all things Austen in the beautiful city of Bath
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Jane Austen Festival Newsletter April 2026
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To our dear fellow Austen fans,
In this email you will find… The perfect Austen quote for the moment! The sale date of 2026 Promenade wristbands. Details of delicious food events at the 2026 Jane Austen Festival. Our fashion themes for 2026. Do remember they are just for fun, there is no need to sew a new wardrobe unless you want to.
In this email you will not find…
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Things are moving apace towards the 2026 Jane Austen Festival. We couldn’t put it better than Mrs. Elton in Chapter 17 of Emma:
“…the time is drawing near; here is April, and June, or say even July, is very near, with such business to accomplish before us.”
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2026 Promenade Wristbands will go on general sale at 13:00 BST on Thursday 30th April, via our dedicated Jane Austen Festival Promenade website page.
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We are pleased to announce that we again have Postscript Books as our Promenade Sponsor, and official Festival bookseller for 2026, supporting the Jane Austen Festival with the ever-growing running costs. Anyone wishing to find out more about this wonderful company head to their website, or visit their stand at the Festival Fayre.
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"Welcome to Postscript – an independent bookseller established in 1987 and based on the edge of Dartmoor. From ancient history to contemporary fiction, our free monthly catalogue features over 500 hand-picked titles across a range of genres as well as publisher spotlights, author highlights and books of the month. We are thrilled to be sponsoring the Jane Austen Festival’s Grand Regency Costumed Promenade once more and supporting the work they do to keep literary
heritage at the forefront of conversations."
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We are still finalising one or two aspects of the 2026 Festival, and hoping to put the rest of our tickets on sale soon. So, while you endure in Anne Elliot-style patience and fortitude, we are happy to announce some new events in the 2026 Jane Austen Festival programme based on your 2025 feedback requests for more food-themed events…
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We have been working alongside our dear friends at the Pump Rooms in Bath to bring you an evening of dinner, accompanied by (returning by popular demand from 2025) the music of the 1995 Pride and Prejudice alongside an abridged narration re-telling of the story. This event will be hosted on Monday 14th September, beginning at 8pm…and before you ask- yes, of course boiled potatoes are in discussion to be served!
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We know we have many attendees who would “infinitely prefer a book”, so the Jane Austen Festival is delighted to welcome historian, author and broadcaster Dr Amy Boyington on Monday 14th September at 14:00 to speak about her new book The Country House Dining Room: A History of Georgian Feasting, available for pre-orders here!
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The time has come to share our 2026 Jane Austen Festival Fashion Themes. Thank you to the fashionistas who shared their ideas with us on social media and via email.
As always Fashion themes are just for fun, and we like to think we've picked themes that can be embraced even with a small costume detail. So, no pressure to sew a whole new wardrobe - unless you’ve been looking for an excuse to!
Those of you who have been attending the Jane Austen Festival for a few years will notice some new themes, as well as some old favourites from the past (or should that be… from behind the black veil?).
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Friday 11th
Frilly Friday
Think frilly caps, chemisettes and ruffles on dresses!
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Saturday 12th
Promenade Finery
An opportunity to show off your best outfit as we promenade through the town.
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Sunday 13th
Sleevils Sunday
We love a fancy sleeve - although sewing them can sometimes be a challenge. Tassels, pintucks and trimming galore! Show off your fanciest sleeves on Sleevil Sunday
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Monday 14th
Millinery Monday
A day dedicated to hats and bonnets! Perhaps you might even have a new one to show off, purchased at our Festival Fayre?
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Tuesday 15th
Gothic Day
By overwhelming popular demand, gothic day is back!
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Wednesday 16th
On Wednesdays, we wear PINK
It wouldn't be Wednesday at the Jane Austen Festival if we weren't wearing pink!
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Thursday 17th
Redcoats and Red Cloaks
In honour of our Thursday excursion to Lacock, a.k.a Meryton! We invite you to embrace your Lydia and Kitty, or perhaps even Wickham?
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Friday 18th
Fun Fabric Friday
Tartan, stripes, florals! Show us your fun fabric.
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Saturday 19th
Second Chance Saturday
We would love to see any dresses made out of second-hand fabrics, or perhaps a rewear of an outfit already worn this week.
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Sunday 20th
Botanical Beauty
Take inspiration from all things Botanical as we finish the festival with a promenade around the beautiful Botanical Gardens.
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Those looking to sharpen up their Regency wardrobes for this year might also be interested to hear about some fashionable workshops hosted by the Jane Austen Festival this year, including some gentlemen’s fashion workshops…
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Make It Sew: Waistcoats at Warp speed - demonstration from Mark Hobson. Hosted in the BRLSI, Queens Square on Wednesday 16th September.
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Cut, Fit, and Cloth. These were the tenets Beau Brummell pioneered as he upended men’s fashion during the Regency Era. Following a Laughing Moon Waistcoat pattern, Mark will demonstrate each step with ample examples on what to watch out for and what works. You will learn about seam allowance, clipping curves, how to read a pattern, and the appropriate fabric to use. When finished, you will be instilled with the
confidence to make your own waistcoat that is cut for your body and fits your shape. If you ever felt unsure about sewing men’s clothing, this is the class for you! Suitable for 18+.
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Bling It On: Fobs, Cravats & Snuff Rings - workshop from Mark Hobson. Hosted in the BRLSI, Queens Square on Friday 18th September.
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When planning your outfit, the accessories are just as important as the fabric. One of the most important accessories for a gentleman was the fob, which he would carry with him at all times. His fob was unique and as essential as a modern day smart phone. Join this one hour workshop where you will make your very own fob to use during the festival. Select from an array of ribbons, clasps, stones, and chain to craft
a fob as unique as you are. Fobs do not come with a watch and participants are encouraged to bring one to attach to their finished fob. Ages 18+.
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Dorset Buttons: An elegant button for a more civilized age - workshop Sunday 13th & Friday 18th September
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Dorset buttons have been a staple for Hollywood costumers’ and were used in Little Women, Wicked, and Harry Potter! These hand-made buttons allowed women to earn a stable income at home and a good buttoner could make 3x the salary of a soldier! In this hands-on workshop, we will explore the history of thread buttons originating from Dorset, England and you will learn this 400 year old craft as you make a set of
your very own buttons that can be used on an outfit. All supplies will be provided to make a complete set of 4 buttons. Additional kits will be available for those who wish to adorn additional ensembles. Suitable for ages 14+.
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You have reached the end of this email, so if you’ve been feeling peckish since you read about the food events, go and grab a biscuit or crumpet now!
Looking forward to seeing you on the sunny streets of Bath,
The Jane Austen Festival Team
Bath, UK
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© JaneAusten.co.uk
40 Gay Street, Bath, United Kingdom, BA1 2NT
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