The rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ lives, stories and creativity in Bath will be celebrated during five weeks of activity in a citywide campaign — the first of its kind — as iconic venues and cultural institutions join forces for Queer Bath 2025.
Running from 26 May to 30 June, Queer Bath is supported by a growing coalition of Bath’s leading heritage sites, museums and creative organisations. The initiative brings together events and fresh interpretations of collections — all rooted in authenticity, research and co-creation with LGBTQ+ communities.
The campaign emerged from the success of Holburne Pride in 2024, devised by the Holburne Future Collective, the museum’s young adult volunteers with support from Bath Arts Collective. Since then, the vision has been developed collaboratively by the Holburne, Bath Arts Collective and Nik Jovčić-Sas and Remy Melee from WIG! (Bath’s queer cabaret), working together to shape the programme and partnerships that underpin Queer Bath.
Programme highlights at the Holburne include:
- Sebastiane on 19 June, a powerful screening of Derek Jarman’s queer reimagining of St Sebastian, introduced by Holburne curator Hannah Mills
- Holburne Pride Up Late and Pride Party on 27 June, featuring live drag performances, creative workshops, a queer artist panel, and access to exhibitions
In addition to events, venues are also exploring their own collections, archives and histories to uncover hidden queer stories — identifying artists, historians, writers and intellectuals who may have been LGBTQ+ or had queer-coded histories, and sharing these findings through trails, talks, exhibitions, and digital content:
- The Holburne will present a Queer Holburne Trail and Bloomberg App experience, linking objects on display and in storage through queer themes and alternative interpretations created in collaboration with the Holburne Future Collective and Bath’s LGBTQ+ community
“We are proud that Queer Bath originated from our young adult volunteers, The Holburne Future Collective. Creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space when we open our doors is central to Holburne’s mission. Uncovering new narratives to enhance our stories and engage with diverse audiences is essential to our work. Supporting our young volunteers as they make such positive changes — not just in our Museum but throughout our city — is truly exciting.”
— Spencer Hancock, Head of Visitor Services, The Holburne Museum
“At Bath Arts Collective, we’re thrilled to be coordinating and helping to produce and market Queer Bath. This initiative is about more than just events — it’s about transforming how Bath’s museums and heritage spaces engage with LGBTQ+ arts, culture, and history. Through Queer Bath, we’re helping to uncover hidden queer narratives, making these spaces more welcoming, and proving that Bath can be a living, diverse, and vibrant city.”
— Jasmine Barker, Co-director, Bath Arts Collective
Participating organisations include:
The Holburne Museum, The American Museum & Gardens, Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (BRLSI), Bath Assembly Rooms, The Roman Baths & Pump Room (Bath & North East Somerset Council), Bath Preservation Trust (Beckford’s Tower and the Museum of Bath Architecture).
Thank you to partners Bath Arts Collective,WIG!, Clearly PR, FilmBath and Fez Comedy Club.
Information and tickets for Queer Bath events will be available via Bath Arts Collective