Somerset festivals to look forward to in 2024
Somerset festivals are the stuff of legend. The county is something of an expert at putting on a good shindig when it comes to having fun in a field. Yes, we’ve all heard of one particular star-studded Somerset festival, whose tickets fly off the cyber shelves like hot cakes to lucky, well-prepared folk with fifteen laptops and groups of friends (I’m talking about Glasto obvs)…BUT there are so many other festivals taking place in the county.
From belting your lungs out to banging tunes at a music festival in Somerset, rocking out until the early hours, discovering local artists, participating in theatre, tasting the county’s finest produce, learning age-old Somerset traditions, ogling hot air balloons or simply entertaining the kids, there are all kinds of Somerset festivals to suit all tastes.
I’ve rounded up all the festivals in Somerset that I know of in order of date that they’re taking place – I’m sure there’s some I’ve missed, so do let me know if a special event is missing and I’ll keep updating this guide. Keen to join in the fun? Pop these festivals in Somerset in your 2024 diary now!
Beer and cider festivals in Somerset
Yeovil Beer Festival, Yeovil Town FC
- When? 11 May 2024
Yeovil Beer & Cider Festival, Westlands
- When? 17-18 May 2024
Yeovil Beer and Cider Festival offers an array of beers, ales and ciders from local and regional breweries, live music from local bands and musicians, plus a range of hearty food. Cheers to good times and great brews.
Beer & Cider Festival, Somerset Cricket Ground
- When? 4 August 2024
Acoustic musical talent, local producers, a variety of food options and a Somerset V. Warwickshire cricket match will all take place at Somerset Cricket Ground, Taunton.
Music festivals in Somerset 2024
Shindig Festival 2024, Dillington House, Ilminster
- When? 23-26 May 2024
Shindig is a boutique Somerset music festival, combining old-school music legends with rising stars for your dancing pleasure. Festival revelry takes place around a 16th century manor house in the beautiful grounds of Dillington Estate, near Ilminster, which will be dotted with giant mind-bending animal sculptures, interactive fire breathing robots and sublime fire pits. There are several tented stage areas throughout the festival including The Dig Inn, Tutti Frutti, Church of Love and Ghetto Funk Nightclub. Music tends to kick off around noon and last till around 3.30am each day.
The Shindig Festival 2024 lineup features Groove Armada (DJ set), Brand New Heavies, Mad Professor featuring General Levy and Sandra Cross. Along with Kurupt FM, DJ John Morales, Jungle Mania and more.
Shindig offers festival-loving families a dedicated ‘Kids’ Kingdom’ filled with tons of exciting free kids’ activities and workshops which take place from 9am-5pm daily. Activities include breakdancing, graffiti, MCing, Ringworld inflatables sessions, drumming, a climbing wall, puppet show, giant marble run and loads more. Kid-friendly films will also be shown in the Cinema until 10pm.
For more chilled out vibes, visit the Cushy Holistic Sanctuary where a community of therapists offer a range of treatments including reiki, acupressure, aromatherapy, reflexology, trauma informed somatic relief, sound healing shiatsu and more.
*Top Tip* If you live near Dillington Estate you can get a discounted price on tickets (limited number available).
Flashback Festival Yeovil Showground 2024
- When? 15 June 2024
Flashback Festival is back for 2024, but this time it’s a family event for all ages. Expect the same great entertainment, plus fairground rides and a kids zone, hot food, a bar, a silent disco, free parking and camping. Tickets from £12.
Home Farm Fest 2024, Chilthorne Domer
- When? 7-9 June 2024
- Where? Home Farm, Main Street, Chilthorne Domer, Somerset BA22 8RD
Home Farm Fest is a family-friendly, charity festival has grown enormously since the last time I went, back in 2008. eld in aid of School in a Bag, all the bands/artists/performers/volunteers play and work for free to support the cause.
As well as 8 stages of different music, the weekend programme is filled with talks and workshops, plus a large Children’s Area, Market Area, a Wild Play and Wellness Area, talks and workshops, silent discos, children’s discos, a children’s cinema, world food and lots more! Perfect for first timers and festival pros alike, just be sure to dig out something fancy for Friday night’s ‘Posh Wears & Wellies’.
App-Fest Somerset, The Blue Bowl Country Inn, West Harptree
- When? 8-9 June 2024
App-Fest UK, originated in 2008, with a view to bringing together the local communities and raise money for local and national charities through great music. A great value festival, the two-day event is a family-friendly affair featuring circus skills, a funfair, outdoor cinema and more.
1250 attendees are expected to attend, with Starsailor, Chesney Hawkes, The Wurzels, Gabriella Cilmi and more serenading the crowds.
Redstock, Redhill
- When? 22 June 2024
Redstock is a small festival based in North Somerset featuring local traders, six bands, fire dancing, a kids fun zone, and more. All profits go towards supporting the community of Redhill and Children’s Hospice South West.
South Petherton Folk Fest 2024, South Petherton
- When? 15 June
South Petherton folk festival is a free one-day event in the picturesque village of South Petherton. The Somerset folk festival takes place in venues across the village, kicking off with the Procession Dance and the Ceremony of the Glove – an ancient folklore tradition which dictates that as long as the glove remains airborne, no one can be arrested for drunkenness (please drink responsibly though people I’m not sure this rule stands today!)
As well as musical acts, there is food and drink, stalls, Morris dancers and shows to entertain the kids.
Glastonbury Festival Somerset, Pilton
- When? 26-30 June 2024
- Where? Worthy Farm, Pilton
I, I know, I know, this famous festival in Somerset doesn’t really need any introduction (and to be honest I’m still feeling miffed I missed out on tickets), but I can’t not mention the world’s largest greenfield music and performing arts festival.
Somerset’s Glastonbury Festival is not only a music lovers’ paradise it’s also a 24-hour city of entertainment, with everything from cinema to circus, art and performance on offer for five days straight.
Porlock Weirfest 2024, The Ship Inn
- When? 4-7 July 2024, 6pm-10pm
From humble beginnings, this little beer festival in the pretty coastal town of Porlock has grown and grown and is now in its 12th year! With live bands everyday, over 50 real ales and ciders, plus a hog roast, it’s no wonder Porlock beer festival weekend is popular with locals and visitors.
Priddy Folk Festival 2024, Priddy Village Green
- When? 12-14 July 2024
Set high up in the Mendip Hills, this village folk festival is said to be the friendliest in Britain. What started as a fundraiser for the local primary school has grown to a seven stage extravaganza, showcasing both the traditional and emerging folk scene.
2024 marks the 31st year of the community festival, so it’s set to be a good’un! Alongside an exciting programme of ticketed events there is also a free fringe, children’s festival and dance line-up.
Keith Fest, Henstridge Airfield
- When? 12-13 July 2024
Now in its third year, the family-friendly music festival, Keith Fest, is held in memory of Yvette and Paul Bowler’s son Keith. With 12 live bands, food vendors, two licensed bars, a bouncy castle, face painting, hair braiding and stalls, the event aims to entertain as well as raise much-needed funds for mental health charity, Brave & Determined.
Friday: Adult, £8, child £4 (5yrs and under 16yrs.), Saturday|: adult, £15, child, £5. Weekend ticket without camping Adult £20 Child £6. Weekend inclusive of 2 nights camping: adult, £35, child £6.
Somerton Music and Arts Festival 2024
- Somerton festival 2024 – fortnight in July TBC
Events for Somerton’s fortnight-long music and arts festival include music, crafts workshops, art and photography exhibitions, wine tasting, chocolate making, talks and walks. The festival concludes with Somerton’s Somerstock Festival (see below for more details).
Somerstock 2024, Somerton
- When? 12-13 July 2024
- Where? The Rec, Somerton
Somerton’s Music and Arts Festival (see above) culminates in Somerstock, kicking off with a an extra evening of music from 7pm on Friday night, before the main event on Super Saturday. Festi-goers are under orders to bring your sunscreen and your dancing feet!
As well as a full rosta of bands on two sound stages, street food and attractions, there’s also a Kids’ Zone (under 12s’ tickets are free).
This not-for-profit event is run by a team of unpaid volunteers and the festival donates money to local charities and organisations.
Godney Gathering 2024, Garslade Farm, Glastonbury
- When? 19-20 July 2024
- Where? Garslade Farm, Godney, Somerset, BA5 1RU
Didn’t get tickets to a certain other festival in Glastonbury? Party on in the same postcode (well, almost) at microfestival, Godney Gathering on Garslade Farm. Now in its 12th year, the two-day extravaganza features big bands and local musical talent, comedy and cabaret on its seven stages.
Headliners on the Godney Gathering lineup this year include Embrace, The Entitled Sons, and Dutty Moonshine Big Band.
Rock n Ribs Festival 2024, Wincanton Racecourse
- When? 19-21 July 2024
Howdy pardners! Rock n Ribs 2024 lineup celebrates the best of the USA with tribute rock bands, barbecue, cars, big rigs, Red Dragon monster trucks, Megaslam Wrestling, fairground rides, and more. Rock out this summer to main stage headliners, Livewire, Metallica Reloaded and Knotslip at this family-friendly festival.
Leading UK country music acts will also be dazzling the crowds while line dancing and eating competitions (including donut and watermelon – for kids, and burgers and chilli for adults) take over the Food Trial stage.
Buy Rock n Ribs 2024 tickets here.
Curry Rivel Live 2024, Westfield Playing Fields, Langport
- When? 13 July 2024, 12pm-11pm
Curry Rivel Live is back for 2024. Save the date and get ready to be entertained! The kids’ area is open until 6pm.
Taunton Pride 2024, Vivary Park
When? July TBC
A celebration of arts, culture, diversity and inclusivity in Taunton. New website coming soon with all the deets! Watch social media channels for updates.
Rimpfest 2024, Rimpton
- When? 6 July 2024
Rimpfest is a small charity festival with live music, a hog roast and camping.
Valley Fest 2024, near Bristol
- When? 1-4 August 2024
This impossibly scenic family-friendly Valley Fest takes place on Luke Hasell’s organic farm, 9 miles outside Bristol. As well as the cracking music, food is very much on this Chew Valley festival agenda, so make sure you arrive hungry to make the most of the street food and scrumptious sit-down feasts from fine local producers. All to be washed down with your favourite West Country tipple and some festy-neon Somerset vibes of course.
Valley Fest is also a wonderland of fun for children with veg picking, mini raves, crafting, circus games, face painting and ride-on tractors for young’uns.
Don’t miss the new Alchemist’s Playground – a new Valley Fest Arcadia and Woodland Tribe collaboration! By day, kids can construct the playground of their dreams from reclaimed materials, by night, the Afterburner stage fires up and adults get a look-in!
The cracking Valley fest lineup for 2024 features The Feeling, Tinie Tempah, Sister Sledge, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Fabio & Grooverider, Stanton Warriors and Huey Morgan to name just a few!
Weston Shanty and Folk Festival 2024, Weston-super-Mare
- When? 2-4 August 2024
- Where? Multiple venues across WSM
The Weston Sea Shanty Festival is organised by Weston’s own shanty band, The Steepholmers. It’s all about folk music and pirates – fancy dress encouraged!
Over 40 bands are expected to play across a variety of bars and venues in the town centre, with a centre stage at the Italian Gardens – check the website for a full list of performers.
Entry to all venues is free (except for The Grand Pier) although donations to the charity buckets (raising for RNLI and The Lions Club) are appreciated.
Chard Rock Festival 2024, Crewkerne Road, Chard Town
- When? 10 & 11 August 2024
Chard Festival 2024 has three headliners planned for each day. Ion Maiden, Not Guns n Roses and Van Hailen will be serving festival goers a rockin’ auditory feast.
ArcTanGent 2024, Compton Martin
- When? 14-17 August 2024
Attention heavy metal and experimental rock lovers, this one’s for you! ArcTanGent is a critically-acclaimed festival that takes place on the idyllic Fernhill Farm in the Chew Valley.
During the exhilarating three-day event, over 100 acts play across five alternating stages, with each night ending in a silent disco (from 11pm to 3am). Food and drink comes from a range of independent and local breweries.
Watchet Summertime 2024
- When? 19-24 August 2024
Street market stalls, workshops, live music, open air cinema and fireworks are just some of the summer holiday activities happening during Watchet Summertime.
Live in Somerset 2024, Taunton
- When? Taunton Vivary Park concerts: 23-26 August 2024
Sing and dance under the Somerset stars at this multiple-night Taunton music festival held in Vivary Park. Status Quo, JLS, Ministry of Sound Classical and Busted have all been announced, with other acts still to be confirmed by organisers.
Somerset Tribute Festival 2024, Yeovil Showground
- When? 24-25 August 2024
South Somerset’s tribute festival line-up is looking corking with Alanis Morissette, Bowie, Oasis, Sting and The Police and Fleetwood Mac tributes all on the bill (plus lots more!) Look forward to three days of back-to-back tribute artists, posh camping, food and drink vendors and summer party vibes. 18+
The Sand Cider Festival 2024, Wedmore
- When? 30-31 August 2024
Shimmy the night away at Sand Cider Festival Wedmore to an amazing line-up in a beautiful candle-lit orchard overlooking Tealham Moor and Glastonbury Tor. In addition to great music, there will be cooking demos, wellness activities, family fun, food vendors and a bar serving a wide range of spirits and locally-produced beers and ciders, including Ashgrove Farm’s very own artisan cider, ‘Old Jollop’.
Truckfest South West, Shepton Mallet
- When? 31 August & 1 September 2024
Be amazed by Monster Trucks and Arena Stunt Shows, meet children’s characters, enjoy exhilarating rides and see some incredible trucks at the Bath and West Showground.
Wedmore Real Ale Festival
- When? 13-15 September 2024
Wedmore Beer Festival has been running for 23 years, raising money for worthy causes, spreading the word about great real ales and entertaining festival-goers. It’s not all about the ale though, there are ciders, craft beers, a wine and gin bar, plus food stalls to help fuel the merriment.
Priston Music Festival, near Bath
- When? September TBC
Priston Festival 2024 celebrates local music and artistic talent as well as nationally-renowned acts. All types of music feature on the festival programme as well as film, literary events, singing and dancing workshops and children’s art activities.
When it comes to venues, no public village amenity is left unturned – you’ll find events taking place in the parish church, pub, village hall, car park, as well as the village green.
Weston-super-Mare Pride 2024
- When? 29 September 2024 tbc
Join the celebrations at Weston Pride – the biggest Pride event in the UK on the Beach Lawns in Weston-super-Mare!
Somerset food festivals
Somerset Food Trail 2024
- When? tbc
The Somerset Food Trail Festival celebrates the farms, landscapes, people and variety of places behind the Somerset’s most flavourful and nature-friendly food. Farmers, growers and food producers open their doors to the public at set times in July – think cheese tasting, vineyard tours, cider festivals and foraging workshops.
The 17-day-long programme of events and experiences is designed to raise awareness of the importance of farming regeneratively, and eating seasonally whenever possible.
To help trail-goers discover the wealth of incredible food and drink producers on their doorstep, this year’s trail is focused on a series of ‘Somerset Feasts’. Participating venues are challenged to host a memorable meal or tasting event that puts the spotlight on ingredients grown, or made, within a 30-mile radius.
YUM!
eat:Festivals
eat:Festivals bring the best West Country food and drink producers and artisans to markets in town centres across Somerset, Devon, Dorset, South Gloucestershire and Bristol. All are free, non-ticketed events where you can buy local food and drink directly from the producers. Put these 2023 Somerset eat: Festivals dates in your diary:
- eat:Yeovil – 18 May – town centre, 21 Sept – St John’s Churchyard, Quedam Centre and Silver Street, 30 Nov – Quedam Centre
- eat festival Weston super Mare – 28 Sept WSM – on the Italian Gardens, 23 Nov – inside The Winter Gardens and outside on the Italian Gardens
- eat festival Taunton – 11 May – around Taunton minster, Hammet Street and all up East Street, eat Taunton – 14 December
- eat:Burnham-on-Sea – 25 May and 26 October
- eat:Portishead – 26 May, 10 August
- eat:Wellington – 7 Sept
Somerset arts festivals
The Bath Festival 2024, Bath
- When? 17-26 May 2024
The Bath Festival is England’s longest-running arts festival and a 10-day celebration of music, books, science, politics, live music and poetry. The full 2024 line-up includes big names like Simon Mayo award-winning spoken word artists, a Literature Lounge, pop-up performances, Shakespeare-themed lunchtime lectures and performances by household names and rising stars.
Wedmore Arts Festival 2024, Wedmore
- When? 11-19 May 2024
The village of Wedmore (nestled between the Mendips and the Somerset levels) plays host to the Wedmore Arts Festival in May. The festival is back for 2024, with a brilliant new programme and some exciting innovations.
Featured performers include a mixture of high profile household names as well as up-and-coming local talent.
Wells Comedy Festival 2024, Wells
- When? May 24-26 2024
From England’s smallest city comes a jam-packed weekend of comedy, bringing the finest comedians in the country to the heart of Somerset. This year’s line-up includes Nish Kumar, Flo & Joan, Priya Hall, Harry Hill, Alan Davies, James Acaster and more.
Three days of hilarity, four Wells venues, over 40 comedy shows.
Frome Festival 2024, Frome
- When? 5-14 July 2024
This 10-day community arts festival is run as a hybrid fringe, with an eclectic range of events and performances showcasing up-and-coming local and national talent in music, art, wellbeing, food and drink. The Frome Festival Programme 2024 includes exhibitions, workshops, comedy, walks, art trails taking places across over 40 venues in the town.
All the World’s our Playground Festival, Shepton Mallet
- When? 13-14 July
From a 50m life sized sperm whale (with a theatre shows inside) to pop-up swing dance workshops, immersive walkabout Blockbuster movie scenes to a thrilling six piece acrobatic circus, the FREE family-friendly All the World’s Our Playground Festival aims to put young people’s creativity at the heart of the town and is fuelled on imagination-rich experiences for all the community.
Bath Carnival 2024
- When? 13 July 2024
If you’re looking for free family festivals in the area, head over to Bath to celebrate carnival culture with this vibrant street procession of fabulous costumes, dynamic dance moves and live music.
Starting at The Bath Recreation Ground, the carnival will make its way through the city, ending in Sydney Gardens with live bands, DJs, food and drink stalls, drumming and dance workshops, a super pirates kids’ zone and lots more! The theme is Mother Earth – Natural Habitats.
Wells Theatre Festival 2024, Wells
- When? 20-23 June 2024
Complementing the current Wells Literary, Arts, Comedy and Food festivals, the Wells Theatre Festival aims to attract a theatre-going public of all ages, whilst also encouraging young people to participate in theatre. Oscar winning actress, Dame Judi Dench and renowned director, Sir Richard Eyre are patrons for the festival.
Somerset literary festivals
Calling all word wizards, book worms and masters of spit and wit, as well as all those who like to sit back and have their eardrums electrified, senses stimulated and minds motivated…
Yeovil Literary Festival 2024
- When? 24-28 October 2024
Yeovil Literary Festival has been bringing inspirational writers, speakers, comedians and thinkers to entertain, inspire and enlighten audiences for 11 years. Last year’s line-up included Delia Smith, Melanie C, Hugh Bonneville, Anton du Beke andTom Kerridge. This year’s is yet to be announced, so watch this space!
Events take place at The Octagon Theatre, Westlands Entertainment Venue and Yeovil Library.
Jane Austen Festival Bath 2024
- When? 13-22 September 2024
Every September, Bath’s splendid Georgian cityscape provides the perfect backdrop for a celebration of the life and work of one of its most famous former residents, Jane Austen.
During the ten-day festival, over 80 Austen-themed events take place including guided walks, readings, concerts, dance classes, theatrical performances and workshops, with one of the highlights being the Grand Regency Costumed Promenade, when hundreds of fans fill the city’s streets clad head-to-toe in splendid Regency dress.
Bath Children’s Literature Festival 2024
- When? 27 September-6 October
Europe’s largest children’s literary event features a fantastic array of world-class authors, illustrators, literary megastars, storytellers and poets.
The kids’ Bath literary festival gives young book lovers a chance to meet the minds behind their literary heroes, watch fun-filled poetry performances, take part or attend a poetry slam, discover the power of poetry alongside published authors, plus lots more.
Wells Festival of Literature 2024
- When? 18-26 October
Wells Literary Festival began 32 years ago, and aims to promote the love and enjoyment of books, reading, and the written word. The 9-day festival takes place in Cedars Hall, a state-of-the-art performance venue situated in the beautiful grounds of Wells Cathedral School.
You can typically hear from a wide range of novelists, speakers on politics, ecology, travel, history, biography and philosophy. Events include literary lunches, poetry, short story and kid’s book competitions.
Other Somerset festivals 2024
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2024, Ashton Court
- When? 9-11 August 2024
One of the most famous Bristol festivals on the calendar, this free four-day family-friendly event is the largest of its kind in Europe. Mass ascents of over 100 hot air balloons are scheduled for early morning and late afternoon, wind permitting.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2024 daytime visitors can look forward to fairground rides, entertainment, live music, kid-friendly activities (including a family foam party!) and awe-inspiring aerial displays, all set in the beautiful grounds of North Somerset’s Ashton Court Estate.
Evenings bring spectacular nightglow shows (9pm on 9 and 10 August) – when balloons illuminate their burners to a soundtrack provided by BBC Radio Bristol – with a firework finale.
Somerset Festival of Transport 2024, Frome Showground
When? 28-29 September 2024
Showcasing tractors, steam engines, military vehicles, classic cars and motorbikes, the Somerset Festival of Transport is going straight into my two-year old’s diary!
Alongside the machines there’s a whole host of entertainment, including the Tiger’s Children’s Motorcycle Display Team, dog shows, birds of prey and trade stalls selling crafts, car parts, tools, food and drink.
Read more:
2 Comments