The brainchild of renowned music specialist Rob da Bank and creative director Josie da Bank, and founded in 2008, Camp Bestival is known as the UK’s ultimate family festival, having won Best Family Festival at the UK Festival Awards multiple times.
Taking place over the summer holidays at Lulworth Castle on Dorset’s stunning Jurassic Coast, Camp Bestival offers hundreds of things for families to do from circus skills, science explorations, bushcrafts and immersive theatre journeys through to amazing live acts and DJs, family raves, comedy, cocktails, award-winning street food, and flamboyant evening cabaret, all shared with likeminded people.
Camp Bestival has a legendary 2025 lineup featuring debut headline appearances from the one and only
Sir Tom Jones and pop icons Sugababes, plus a full live show from electronic music duo Basement Jaxx. Additional acts include Lightning Seeds, The Zutons, DJ Annie Mac, drum and bass legend Goldie and the original Queen of reggae Dawn Penn.
Elsewhere on the lineup, families can expect to join in with national treasure Josie Gibson, the king of
school assembly James Partridge, Iraina Mancini, Vanity Fairy, Daft Punk tribute act Daft Funk Live, Barrioke (aka TV icon Sean Williamson), Junior Jungle, Big Fish Little Fish and more. Music aside, 2025 sees the return of family favourites such as Andy and The Odd Socks, Mr Tumble, Mister Maker, CBeebies Bedtime Stories, Horrible Histories and Dick and Dom.
Camp Bestival 2025 also marks the world’s biggest Pyjama Party on Saturday 2 August, encouraging
families to rock up in their PJs for a debut back-to-back DJ set from Rob da Bank and rugby legend Joe
Marler.
2025 also sees the launch of Slomo Wellbeing Festival: a festival-within-a-festival and the latest venture
by Camp Bestival co-curators, Josie and Rob da Bank. The first of its kind, the inaugural Slomo Wellbeing
Festival invites families to embrace Slomo’s fun and inclusive approach to Next Generation Wellbeing with a programme of breathwork, meditation, yoga, contrast therapy and more.
Camp Bestival is more than the music—there’s a whole world of free activities to dive into: theatre,
amazing food, immersive shows, author talks, live podcasts, wellbeing and fitness workshops, outdoor
adventures, circus spectacles, arts and crafts, sideshow commotions, comedy and firework finales.
New for 2025:
For more info and weekend tickets visit campbestival.net.
Acts included McFly, Orbital live, David Rodigan, Gok Wan, The Magic Numbers, Paloma Faith, Jake Shears, The Darkness, The Amy Winehouse Band, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Roger Sanchez, Craig Charles Funk & Soul House Party, James Arthur and closing the epic weekend on Sunday evening with a UK festival exclusive was PETE TONG IBIZA CLASSICS – Jules Buckley & The Essential Orchestra.
View photo gallery of Camp Bestival 2024
The birthday extravaganza began on Friday 28 July with headline acts spanning from indie favourites The Kooks, to pop stars Ella Henderson and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Also joining the party were crowd favourites Scouting for Girls and the iconic Elvana: Elvis Front Nirvana.
The party continued on Saturday as the iconic, pioneering queen of pop, Grace Jones headlined the main stage with a huge back catalogue of hits. The nation’s favourite Space Man Sam Ryder and DJ legend Gok Wan also appeared. The Cuban Brothers impressed with both tunes and legendary outfits, and families saw appearances from Chris Packham, Dick & Dom, Mr Tumble and many more.
The special weekend closed with Craig David Presents TS5, Confidence Man and Jo Whiley’s Festival Anthems. 90s Pop star Melanie C is also performed, before the weekend closed with a fireworks spectacle.
View photo gallery from Camp Bestival 2023
View photo gallery from Camp Bestival 2022
View photo gallery from Camp Bestival 2021
View photos of Camp Bestival 2019
The theme was superheroes and heroines. Acts included Jess Glynne, The Human League, Nile Rodgers & chic, Annie Mac, Sister Sledge, Sara Cox, Goldie, Vengaboys, Ash, David Rodigan, Greg Wilson, Melancie C’s 90s Mixtape, Rak-Su, Morcheeba and Shed Seven acoustic.
View photos of Camp Bestival 2018
The theme was Camp Bestival Sets Sail! Main acts included Rick Astley, Clean Bandit, Orbital and Basement Jaxx (DJ Set)
View pictures of Camp Bestival 2017
What a weekend! Camp Bestival’s 10th birthday had it all. With crowd-smashing headline performances from Mark Ronson, Madness, and Brian Wilson presents Pet Sounds, and amazing sets from Leftfield, Holly Johnson, All Saints, Anne-Marie, Louise Johnson, Ray BLK, Kate Nash, Becky Hill, Los Pacaminos feat Paul Young, Skream, David Rodigan, School of Rock – The Musical, The Cuban Brothers, Louis Berry, Big Fish Little Fish, Raindance and so many more, the crowds never stopped boogying. Add in all the fabulous antics for all ages and entertainment from the Insect Circus and the Tudors on Tour to forest delights in The Dingly Dell and action-packed awesomeness in the Sports Park and Julian Clary & David Roberts and Reginald D Hunter to Kidocracy and the Scummy Mummies, it was non-stop good times.
