Camp Bestival presented by Debenhams 2026 Closes an Iconic Festi-Holiday

Monday 3rd August: The UK’s favourite family festival delivered all the seaside ‘festi-holiday’ vibes with an unbeatable four days of fun at Lulworth Castle, Dorset.  30,000 festival-goers – among them Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet, Joe Marler, Joe Wicks, Sara Cox, Aston Merrygold and Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim – joined festival curators Josie and Rob da Bank for an unforgettable weekend of great music, immersive arts, outdoor adventure, next gen wellbeing, amazing food and general joyful mayhem.

With memories made and next year’s adventure already calling, eager fans can already snap up 2027 Early Bird Weekend Tickets from 10am on Friday 7th August 2026. 

This year’s epic line-up included Sunday’s very first Fatboy Slim & Friends All Day Castle Stage takeover featuring Fat Tony, De La Soul and others; Saturday’s chart-topping Bastille featuring surprise appearance from loveable family favourite Bluey alongside dance music icon Example; and Friday’s fearless pop icon and cultural force Self Esteem alongside living legend Billy Ocean. On Thursday – the biggest opening day in the festival’s history – Rob da Bank smashed his opening set in Caravanserai.

Throughout the weekend, across The Castle Stage, The Big Top, Bollywood, Caravanserai, Pig’s Big Ballroom and the festival’s many smaller stages and sideshows, the UK’s best artists played alongside up-and-coming indie talent and much-loved on-stage family favourites. Highlights included: Cuban Brothers, Isabelle Mettle, mariachi band Vote for Pedro, Leftfield, Fabio and Grooverider, DJ Cassia, Armagh Rhymers and the Tibetan Monks of the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery to name a few.

Family favourites Dick and Dom (of high-energy In da Bungalow fame), Mr Tumble, Blippi, Mister Maker, MC Grammar, Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer, Dan The Hat and the stars of the CBeebies Bedtime Story tent – including special story-reading guests Bastille and Self Esteem were a firm hit with young festivalgoers.

As ever, Camp Bestival presented by Debenhams was all about families making memories and having fun in the sunshine with spellbinding theatre, circus spectacles, arts and crafts, science experiments, immersive theatre, dance workshops, family sports and much more. New for 2026, Camp Earth featuring August Beth’s beautiful Allotment, The Earth’s Crust Bread School, beekeeping classes and heritage craft workshops; Shakespeare’s Globe theatre workshops; The Royal Society Summer Science pop-up exhibition and Taskmaster Education sessions were a hugely popular addition to the 2026 line-up.

The 2026 At the Seaside Fancy Dress Competition was a full-blown celebration of British seaside spirit: swimmers, mermaids, jellyfish, lobsters, sailors, and a Baywatch themed lifeguard flashmob.

The Library’s weekend programme included highlights such as Teen Commandments with Sara Cox and Clare Hamilton, Rugby vs Raving with Joe Marler and Rob da Bank and talks by Scummy Mummies and Lou Bekett: all filling a packed-out tent.

Tucked away in a haven of calm amidst the festival buzz, Slomo Wellbeing offered a three-day programme of free wellbeing session designed for all ages. Headliners Jasmine Hemsley, Joe Wicks, Zita West, Trish Whelan, Rosie Underwood, Jonni Pollard, Carla DiMattina and Mama Shrooms lead a wellbeing programme featuring soundbaths, meditation, breathwork, mindful movement, dance, yoga and food workshops, alongside a range of one-on-one treatments and, of course, Slomo Wellbeing’s hugely-popular saunas, ice baths and hot tubs.

Reflecting on Camp Bestival presented by Debenhams 2026 festival curator Rob da Bank says: “What a ridiculously fun and sun kissed weekend we’ve had, bringing families together in proper Camp Bestival style. It’s always blows us away  to see 30,000 revellers get stuck in to so many activities, dancing  to the beats and bands, getting arty and active with their families across our amazing site,. There’s nothing Josie and I love more than to see all generations enjoying time together. We can’t wait for 2027 and are thrilled to announce that Early Bird Weekend Tickets go on sale this Friday! See you in Lulworth next year, campers!”

Camp Bestival by Debenhams will take place from Thursday 29th July – Sunday 1st August 2027. Early Bird Weekend Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 7th August. For more information and to buy tickets visit campbestival.net.  

2027 Early Bird Prices:

• Adult Weekend Camping: £225

• Teen Weekend Camping: £157.50

• Child 10-12 Weekend Camping: £130.50

• Child 5-9 Weekend Camping: £110.50

• Child 2-4 Weekend Camping: FREE (but ticket required)

• Babes In Arms Weekend Camping: FREE (but ticket required)