Have you booked your tickets? Dusted off your tent? Topped up on face glitter and sparkly spandex? If the answer to the above is yes – then you, my friend, are ready for festival season 2024! The rest of you, do not stress, I have the lowdown on where to head to this summer. This year sees big names such as Sheryl Crow and Chaka Khan headlining two of the big events, as well as a number of local festivals such as Chiddfest and Lewes Music Festival offering a more intimate vibe.
May Camping Weekend at Crockstead Fields
24 – 27 May at Crockstead Fields, Halland
Get yourselves down to the fields this May bank for a family friendly 3 day event filled with music, activities, food and dancing. Garden games and treasure hunts by day, live bands, funk & soul dj’s and fireside jams by night. A ticket gets you a camping pitch for the full 3 nights or if you want a fancy upgrade there’s also the option of staying in a Yurt, log cabin or bell tent village.
Elderflower Fields – Pippingford Park
24- 27 May
Elderflower Fields is a family festival held in Pippingford Park just outside Nutley. The event combines stunning views with gorgeous woodlands giving visitors a combination of festival fun as well as a beautiful escape into nature. Perfect for families with young children Elderflower Fields offers the freedom to explore whilst enjoying crafts, performers and live music.
Highlights – Mellowmatic, Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer, Big Fish, Little Fish.
2nd – 3rd June
Back for a third year Lewes Music Festival and Lewes Rugby 7’s is back on the 1st & 2nd June 2024. The event will kick off with a rugby tournament in the morning followed by a music festival starting at 12pm. Camping is available with family activities to include arts and crafts, bouncy castles, face painting and more.
Highlights – Gentleman’s Dub Club and Krafty Kuts
Black Deer Festival – Eridge Park
14th – 16th June
The Black Deer Festival is celebration of all things Americana and Country. An excuse for many to don their finest cowgirl or hilly billy attire and say a big YeeHaa to life for the weekend. Founded by Gill Tee and Debs Shilling the event has been born out of a desire to not only bring real roots-inspired music to the UK, but also the way of life.
Highlights – Sheryl Crow, Seasick Steve, The Shires and Joe Bonamassa
Read my 2022 review here.
5th – 7th July
Love Supreme is one of Europe’s biggest Jazz festivals hosting some of the biggest names in music. In addition to their outstanding music line-up festival goers can indulge in wellbeing, yoga, secret swims, children’s area, pop up eateries and funfair.
Highlights – Chaka Khan, Olivia Dean, Dionne Warwick, Joss Stone, Kool and the Gang.
Read my 2023 review here.
19th – 21st and 26th – 28th July
Back for another summer session On the Beach has an epic line-up – including, for the fourth year in a row DJ legend Carl Cox. Taking place on Maderia Drive the 6 day event has some of the biggest names in dance and rock on the bill. Check it out…
Highlights: Bicep, The Kooks, Carl Cox, Underworld and The Libertines.
19th – 21st July
Chiddfest has a local beer festival vibe but with an awesome music line-up to boot. The 3 day event takes place just outside of Chiddingly village with a host of camping, food & drink, kids activities and of course, good music on the agenda.
Highlights: Turin Breaks, The Dualers, Dario G, The Blow Monkeys.
Good Vibrations Society, Pippingford Park
2nd – 4th August
Good Vibration Society is a festival offering music, comedy, wellness, wild swimming, ecology and local food & drink all set against the stunning back drop of the Ashdown Forest. Good vibes only here guys – get involved.
Highlights: Leftfield, Goldie, Morcheeba.
Read my 2022 review here.
