Stroud and the wider district have a packed programme of events from Monday 2 to Sunday 8 November 2026, with the return of Stroud Book Festival coinciding with a series of bonfire and fireworks celebrations across the area.
The week offers literary events in venues around Stroud, family activities linked to Bonfire Night and an exhibition continuing at the SVA’s John Street Gallery. Several displays are being staged by village organisations or local businesses, including events supporting a school and a community celebration at France Lynch Pleasure Ground.
Stroud Book Festival returns
Stroud Book Festival runs from Wednesday 4 to Sunday 8 November, with more than 40 talks and workshops planned. The programme brings well-known names and local talent to venues around town.
Tickets remain available for a number of events. The listed programme includes a session with Rachel Morley, an ecclesiastical heritage advocate, exploring the hidden histories of English churches.
Another event examines the childhood of Mark Haddon, author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Irish foreign correspondent Sally Hayden is also due to discuss her new book about how love can thrive even in conflict zones.
Bonfire Night events around the district
Horsley Fireworks is on hiatus this year, but the team at the village pub, the Hog, is staging an event on Friday 6 November from 6pm. The evening is set to include a bonfire, a fire performer, live music from Big Joe Bone, street food, mulled wine, cider and hot chocolate. A candy shack will serve traditional toffee apples and candy floss.
The Daneway Inn at Sapperton is also holding a Bonfire Night event on Friday 6 November, starting at 7pm. The pub has reopened under new management and is planning a large bonfire, fireworks from 8pm, hot cider and mulled wine, as well as its usual bar drinks.
On Saturday 7 November, Miserden’s annual fireworks event begins at 4.30pm. It is being held in aid of the village school and will include food options, a bar serving mulled wine, beer, cider and hot chocolate, and a bonfire. A professional display by the Skyburst Firework Company is planned, followed by a glow-in-the-dark disco.
Painswick’s Croft School Fireworks Night starts at 5pm on Saturday. The school’s parents and teachers are organising the event, with a barbecue, a fully stocked bar and other entertainment for families before the firework display.
Chalford’s community celebration also takes place on Saturday from 5pm at France Lynch Pleasure Ground. Organisers are planning a giant bonfire, a professional firework show and a barbecue, alongside activities for families.
The weekly guide also points to lower-key pub-based options at the Daneway in Sapperton and the Hog in Horsley, as well as displays at Painswick, Chalford and Miserden.
Exhibition and final chance to see a play
May and Mark Darbyshire’s exhibition They Are Content continues at the SVA’s John Street Gallery until Saturday 7 November. The father-and-daughter artists’ work brings together ceramic objects made by and for May Darbyshire’s Kingdom of Imagined Animals project and Mark Darbyshire’s collection of found animal images.
Further afield, there is still time to see Lanny at the Bristol Old Vic before its run ends on Saturday 7 November. Bea Roberts and Nancy Medina’s stage interpretation of Bath-based author Max Porter’s 2019 novel follows Lanny and his parents as they move to a country village, with themes including folklore, myth, landscape and history.
The event guide invites organisers to submit community events for possible inclusion in future weekly listings for the Stroud area.