2025 marks 250 years since the birth of Jane Austen
On 16 December 1775, Jane Austen was born in Steventon Hampshire. The year 2025 marks 250 years since this remarkable author came into the world, and to celebrate this momentous year in Austen history there will be some extra special events taking place throughout 2025.
This milestone anniversary presents a significant opportunity to bring Jane Austen’s legacy to even greater prominence.
Many meetings and collaborations are already underway, and for regular updates and insider information, find out first by signing up to the Newsletter ->
Jane Austen 250 Events
From dressing up with fellow Jane Austen fans as one of her much-loved characters, learning more about Jane’s connection to Bath with special talks, tours and trails, exploring Bath locations used in screen adaptations of Jane’s novels, or staying at one of the city’s most luxurious hotels on a Jane Austen themed package, here Visit Bath highlights ways to celebrate 250 years of one of the world’s most renowned authors – follow in Jane’s footsteps and imagine the Regency-era Bath she vividly brought to life on the pages of her novels.
If you are looking for a tour through England to celebrate Jane Austen 250, Strictly Jane Austen are hosting six days around Bath tours.
Jane lived in Southampton for a short time between Bath and Chawton. The Jane Austen 250 celebrations kick-start with an exhibition of the writer’s travelling desk on November 14 running to 23 February 2025 at God’s House Tower, but there will be scores of workshops, dance and music performances and a host of other events right across the city.
Starting in January, Jane Austen’s House Museum are running a series of festivals based on Jane Austen’s novels throughout the year, ending on Jane’s Birthday on 16 December 2025, see Jane Austen 250.
Their permanent exhibition starts in October 2024 and is titled, ‘Jane Austen and the Art of Writing’. It features first editions of her novels, film and surviving manuscripts including The Watsons, and will run until the anniversary of Jane’s birth on 16 December.
Winchester, where Jane Austen spent the last months of her life, are running a series of events through the year. The most special is that 8 College Street where Jane Austen died is allowing visitors for the summer months. The house is owned by Winchester College, and a don or two usually lives there!
Winchester Cathedral announced that the Year 2025 marks 250 years since the birth of Jane Austen. This milestone anniversary presents a significant opportunity to bring her legacy to even greater prominence – in Hampshire, where she was born and spent most of her life, and in Winchester, where she died.
“Winchester Cathedral has the enormous privilege of being the final resting place of Jane Austen, and her life and her legacy live on. We are working with regional and local partners to ensure that Jane’s 250th anniversary celebrations are truly memorable, leaving a legacy for generations to come. I look forward to seeing this most loved of English novelists, daughter of a clergy household, standing in the surrounds of the Close and providing another focal point within Hampshire for visitors.” The Very Revd Catherine Ogle, Dean Of Winchester
Visit Hampshire run a website which they will be updating through the year, and also list hotels and restaurants to help you book your travel.
Jane Austen House Museum, Chawton
Jane Austen House Museum has a dedicated webpage and promises 2025 will be a truly special year as it marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth. Join us for brand new exhibitions, special events, collaborations and more. We’re excited to say that our 2025 admission tickets are now on sale! Book now to enjoy best availability and early-bird pricing!
We celebrate Jane Austen 250 with a year of festivals starting with Pride and Prejudice Festival in January, our celebratory festival series will run throughout 2025: Sense & Sensibility Festival, 1-11 May, Emma Festival, 12-20 July, Persuasion & Poetry Festival, 12-21 September. 2025 events end with Jane Austen’s Birthday Festival, 13-21 December.
“ 250 years of Jane Austen is really something to celebrate and there will be no better place to celebrate this milestone than here at Jane Austen’s House. As well as brand new exhibitions and events, there will be lots of ways to get involved and be a part of this extraordinary year commemorating this exceptional woman and her ongoing living legacy and influence. Sign up to our newsletter, follow us on social media and make sure you don’t miss anything that’s going on in this special place in this special year!” Lizzie Dunford, Jane Austen’s House Director
The village is also home to Chawton House, owned by Jane’s brother Edward and what she referred to as ‘the Great House’, which will be marking the anniversary. Visitors can through the grounds, see Austen heirlooms, such as the dining table at which Jane would have enjoyed family meals, and explore the historic collection of early women’s writing. Their series of events will be announced soon.
Jane Austen’s Birthday 16 December 2025
The events and celebrations throughout the year will end on 16 December 2025, Jane Austen’s 250th year of her birth.
Find a full events listings and details of how to book on the Jane Austen 2025 page.
