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.
Friday 26 July will see a headline main stage performance from pop favourites McFly, Big Top headliners the iconic electronic duo Orbital live, the original Reggae selector David Rodigan and all-round family favourite Gok Wan. Alt rock band The Magic Numbers and hip hop star Hak Baker also be taking to the stage. Elsewhere families can enjoy, Hacker T Dog & Katie Thistleton, Mister Maker and Old Time Sailors plus the original family ravers, Big Fish Little Fish.
Saturday will see pop Queen Paloma Faith make her Camp Bestival debut with a mesmerising set of back-to-back hits and Scissor Sister’s frontman Jake Shears also takes to the stage on Saturday evening. The Darkness will take the crowd through hits such as “I Believe in a Thing Called Love”, whilst The Amy Winehouse Bandwill play through the icon’s multitude of hits. Up and coming 16-year-old singer songwriter flowerovlove will make an appearance alongside Coach Party, Dogshow, Ffion Rebecca, L Dot and Tina Edwards. Saturday afternoon will see the king of singalongs Mr Tumble takes to the stage as well as Camp Bestival family favourites Dick and Dom, Brainiac Live and a second day of family raving with Big Fish Little Fish.
Closing the epic weekend on Sunday evening with a UK festival exclusive will be PETE TONG IBIZA CLASSICS – Jules Buckley & The Essential Orchestra. James Arthur joins Sunday’s line up as Special Guest as well as the re-born superstar Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Elsewhere on the line up, families can expect Roger Sanchez, Craig Charles Funk & Soul House Party, House Gospel Choir, indie kings The K’s, Dagny, Tom Aspaul, Mitch Santiago, Snayx and Bobbin.
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.
