14 Feb 2020
Tags: #Festivals, #summer, #Staycations, #shortrbreak
It is never too early to start planning for some summer festival fun. The South East offers a range of festivals to suit all tastes. Here's a round-up of some of the best in 2020.
ISLE OF WIGHT
Isle of Wight Festival (11to14 June)
In the only UK festival appearance headliners will include Lionel Richie, Snow Patrol and Duran Duran. The Festival hosts four days of music to suit all tastes. Day tickets are £70 each, or stay for the whole experience for £185. Camping and glamping is available on site. https://isleofwightfestival.com
Rhythmtree Festival (10 to 2 July)
A family friendly event with an emphasis on world music, Rhythmtree Festival offers an incredible line-up. Headliners will include The Skatalites and Badly Drawn Boy. Discover pockets of hidden treasures in Jill's Woods, an extensive children's area, and a healing zone. Festival-goers will be able to set up tent or bring a campervan. Adult weekend tickets are £125, teens go for £50. www.rhythmtree.co.uk
The Wight Proms (17 to19 July)
The annual open air proms festival on the Isle of Wight celebrating classical music, musical theatre and comedy, and free arts workshops for children. Set in the stunning grounds of the historic Northwood House with a back drop of the Solent. Tickets from £4.99 with some FREE child tickets available. www.wightproms.co.uk
Ventnor Fringe Festival (28 July to2 August)
Recognised as one of the best up and coming festivals on the circuit set in the picturesque seaside town. The multi award winning event hosts UK and European acts including music, theatre, poetry, comedy, cabaret and more in venues such as a laundrette, an old Parisian bus, or on the streets and by the beach. Some events are FREE, others are ticketed. https://vfringe.co.uk
Isle of Wight Garlic Festival (15 and 16 August)
Try the famous garlic beer, garlic ice cream, garlic sweetcorn, garlic bread, garlic mushrooms, garlic scones, garlic Bloody Mary and more. Sample the flavours in the Theatre Kitchen with special guest, enjoy live music and browse stalls selling local produce for a packed weekend for garlic lovers (and non garlic lovers). Adults weekend ticket £20, child weekend ticket £10. www.garlicfestival.co.uk
HAMPSHIRE
B LOVE (11 and 12 July)
A weekend of live music, arts and family fun held in Basingstoke's War Memorial Park, this year B LOVE will see an incredible line-up of global household names perform alongside emerging and local talent across multiple stages. Headliners include: British DJ and producer DJ Shy FX (Saturday); and popular indie rock band, The Pigeon Detectives (Sunday). Many festival performances/workshops are FREE of charge but some are ticketed. Early bird ticket prices until 31 March 2020: adult day £10; adult weekend £15; child 13-17 years day £2; child13-17 years weekend £3. www.basingstokefestival.co.uk
Portsmouth 29th International Kite Festival (8 and 9 August)
The skies above Southsea Common on the Seafront will come alive with kites of all shapes, colours and sizes, from spritely dancing models to large-scale character kites. There are also shows throughout the weekend where flyers will showcase their talents and wow the audience with their skills, as well as stalls selling kites and related accessories, food and drink. Entry is FREE. www.portsmouthkitefestival.org.uk
Victorious Festival (August Bank Holiday weekend)
Held on the seafront at Portsmouth the festival headliners include The Streets, Royal Blood, Nile Rogers and Ian Brown with more acts to be announced. A Family Arena will be featuring live music stages, funfair rides, stalls, interactive displays. There will be off-site camping at Farlington Fields with a free, regular shuttle buses service. Day tickets are currently: adult, Friday £30; Saturday and Sunday £35; child (under 5s) £1; child (5-12) £8. Weekend tickets are available and a premium upgrade option available to gain access to the undercover viewing platform and VIP bar area.
KENT
Tom Kerridge's Pub in the Park (10 to 12 July)
The laid-back summer celebration will see pop-up pubs serving food throughout the weekend including Tom's The Hand & Flowers. Chef demonstrations from national names as well as some local flavour. Bars serving every tipple from craft beer to artisan gin as well as foodie shopping and cracking music from household names such as James Blunt, Craig David, Roland Gift, Beverley Knight and Craig Charles. Tickets include: adult; Friday night £48; Saturday night £48. For more info see website. www.pubintheparkuk.com/tunbridge-wells
Tunbridge Wells Cricket Festival (26 to 31 July)
Three day's worth of cricket (Royal London Cup) and tasting local food and drink. The ground has a cameo role in the new Bollywood film 83 coming out in April 2020 about Kapil Dev the famous Indian Cricket Captain who scored a huge 175 not out to win the World Cup for India in 1983. Tickets adult £20 and child £5.
www.tunbridgewellscc.org.uk/kent-cricket-week
Local & Live, Tunbridge Wells (August Bank Holiday Weekend)
A lively town–centric music festival in Royal Tunbridge Wells will make the most of the long weekend. The railway station is in the heart of the festival happenings and is only 55 minutes from London. FREE. www.localandlive.org
East Hampshire
Watercress Festival (17 May)
The nationally acclaimed independent festival in the historic market town of Alresford celebrates local watercress. Visitors will be able to enjoy a day of musicians and street performers, circus skills workshops, face painting, Punch & Judy shows and the World Watercress Eating Championships, now in the Guinness Book of World Records. Well known chefs will be demonstrating watercress inspired dishes. FREE entry. A FREE shuttle to and from Ropley and Alresford stations will operate on The Watercress Line.
Gilbert White's House Nature Festival (24 May)
The Nature Festival offers talks on nature, walks from the site and activities on stands. Visitors will be able to discover how to make simple changes to live in a more environmentally and ethical way. NEW for 2020 will be an eco section with stallholders selling products and offering tips on how to make a difference. Tickets will be released shortly. Gilbert White's 300th Birthday Celebration (18 July) will offer a day of entertainment to commemorate the pioneering naturalist and gardener's anniversary.
FREE admission. www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk
Jane Austen Regency Week (20 to 28 June)
An annual festival of events celebrating all things Jane and the Regency period with events in and around the market town of Alton, and the nearby village of Chawton where Jane lived and wrote. The festival boasts a unique line-up of activities and events including Regency period dancing, music, dining, exhibitions, talks and discussions, garden trails and tours, guided themed walks and more. Events are subject to change and full line up to be announced. Prices vary. www.janeaustenregencyweek.co.uk
The Beggars Fair (11 July)
The annual free community festival in the historic market town of Romsey is run entirely by a team of enthusiastic volunteers. The festival showcases local talent in a friendly and welcoming environment. The day will include over 90 acts featuring music, dance and arts across venues in the town. www.beggarsfair.org.uk
Butser Ancient Farm Festival of Archaeology – Life in the Past (24 July)
The festival, held each year by the Council for British Archaeology, offers a range of ancient skills and archaeological activities to try. Last year activities included making bread, weaving textiles, digging for artefacts, Roman cooking, blacksmiths at work and more. This year will include friends from: Wessex Archaeology, the biggest archaeological unit in the country; and UCL, the largest academic archaeological department in the country. Cost: Normal admission. Adult £9, child (3 – 16) £5, child under three FREE.
Test Valley
Trout 'n' About Festival (2 August)
The annual food and craft festival will showcase the best of local food, produce and crafts in a family friendly outdoor market environment. The event will be situated in the historic market town of Stockbridge where the River Test runs under the High Street. Parking will be provided in fields at either end and a FREE King Alfred's bus shuttle service.
Test Valley Borough of Culture 2020
Test Valley Arts Foundation year-long festival of events will be spanning arts, culture and heritage including exhibitions, competitions, fetes, festivals, markets, crafts, music, and spoken word performances, as well as plays, films, talks, lectures, study days and workshops. See the full line up at https://testvalley2020.org
Maidstone
Pop the Mote (23 May)
Pop The Mote comes to Maidstone's Mote Park on Saturday 23 May to bring some of the UK's best tribute acts including Ed Sheeran, Abba Tribute, Little Mix Tribute, Michael Jackson Tribute, Olly Murs Tribute and a Take That Tribute. Tickets: adult from £19.50, child from £9.50. Camping is available at separate off site venues. www.popthemote.com
Ramblin Man Fair (17 to 19 July)
Billed as a 'proper Rock Festival' with Rock Music. Classic Rock, Outlaw Country, Blue and Prog Rock. The headline act will be Lynard Skynard. Tickets: Adults from £65.
Camping and Glamping available. www.ramblinmanfair.com
Rock the Mote (1st and 2nd August)
Visitors will be able to enjoy tribute bands providing some of the most popular music and celebrating artists from both the past and present. Tickets: adults from £14.50, child from £9.50. Camping is available at separate off site venues. www.rockthemote.com
Lets Rock Kent, Mote Park (29 August)
Featuring Wet, Wet, Wet, Bananarama, ABC, Howard Jones, Sister Sledge, Go West, Midge Ure's Electronica, Nik Kershaw, Heaven 17, The Real Thing and Hue & Cry and more. Tickets: adults from £36.00, child (3-12 years) FREE, plus booking fee. https://letsrockkent.com
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Notes to Editors
Tourism South East is a not-for-profit organisation with a mission to provide services and expertise that supports the performance and growth of tourism businesses and destinations.
Contact For further information, and to learn more about opportunities for press trips,
Irene Caswell, Destination PR Manager, 02380 625475 icaswell@tourismse.com
