When is Solfest 2021?
Solfest returns to North Lakes Country Park Saturday Friday 27th & Saturday 28th August 2021.
Where is Solfest?
Solfest is located in North Lakes Country Park which is around 4 miles north of Silloth town centre, in Cumbria. It takes 35 minutes to get there from Carlisle, and 50 minutes from Penrith, by car. The postcode is CA74NQ.
Does Solfest have onsite camping?
Yes! Solfest has free camping, included with weekend tickets. There is a quiet campsite and noisey option, the Shoreside, which opens early from 5pm on Thursday 26th August.
Does Solfest have any age restrictions?
There are no age restrictions to attend Solfest. All ages and families are welcome.
Can I bring my own food and drink into Solfest?
Yes, you are free to bring your own food and drink to Solfest. Glass is not permitted within the main festival arena. There will be a wide variety of food and drink stalls inside the festival, serving up organic, vegetarian and vegan options.
What time does the festival start?
The campsites will open at 9am and close at 8pm on Thursday to those of you with a Thursday Camping Ticket. The campsites will reopen on Friday at 9am. The main festival arena opens at 1pm on Friday.
Can I pay on the gate?
Tickets will be available on the gate as long as we don’t sell out in advance.
Will there be a cash machine on the festival site?
No. But a free bus runs to Aspatria and Silloth over the weekend if you need to withdraw extra cash. The bar will have contactless cashpoints this year.
Is there an online program showing which acts are on when?
No. Solfest wants you to enjoy the whole of the experience which is why they publish a programme of events prior to the festival starting. Solfest will tell you who is performing but never when.
Will you have programs / timetables for the weekend?
Yes. Programmes will be available at the information area on site over the weekend. Solfest doesn't publish information in advance, mostly because instead of coming just one-band, they'd like people to come for the whole weekend. But, also, owing to the nature of the event, timings are subject to a bit of change, hence leaving the publishing to as late as possible.
What time is “my favourite band” playing?
Because we want people to come and enjoy the whole festival experience and not just cherry pick one band, we do not release the times and days acts will perform until the start of the festival. Our Programme Policy has more details.
Can I arrive on Thursday?
Yes, but adults (18+) will need to purchase advance Thursday Camping tickets. This is a £15 supplement which must be purchased at the same time as your tickets. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket and thursday camping pass. You must get to the site between 9am and 8pm on Thursday because moving vehicles around the camping areas as it gets dark poses a significant safety risk. The gates will be closed at 8pm on Thursday and reopen on Friday at 9am. The main arenas will open at noon on Friday.
What time do I have to be off site at the end of the festival?
You must be off site by sunset on the Monday Bank Holiday.
Is there somewhere I can park so that I can leave site early?
If you need to get your car off site during the weekend, please explain to the stewards, you’ll need to leave your car in day parking, as we don’t allow any vehicle movements on the campsites over the weekend wherever possible.
Is the festival family friendly?
Yes. We pride ourselves on having something for everyone, from workshops and events in the Healing Garden to activities in the Children’s Arena, and a vast array of music and performance spaces around the site. We want grans, granddads, brothers, sisters, mums, dads, aunts and uncles to join in the fun and have a brilliant time together.
Can I bring my dog?
No. At the request of the landowner, pets are not permitted for safety reasons.
We recommend a local boarding kennels, Grass Roots Kennels who offer a great service for our festival goers dogs.
Can I bring or buy alcohol?
Yes, but it’s exactly the same at Solfest as anywhere else. We would ask that you do not bring glass into the arena and that you use our recycling points when you’re finished. Under-age drinking is not permitted. Your adult ticket/wristband has nothing to do with the sale of alcohol or any other licensed products. The law is the law. If you are asked for ID and you do not have any, you will not be served alcohol.
Can I charge my mobile phone on site?
Yes. You can charge your phone in the Information Tent just inside the main entrance to the arena, ask a steward for directions.
I’m disabled, what help is there?
There will be as much assistance as we can provide on a case-by-case basis. There is no concession for a disabled person but you may bring a carer free of charge. Please purchase the tickets you require (adult, young persons, children and Thursday camping) from skiddle and upload the relevant forms to them. We can provide electric hook ups for powered wheelchairs but please contact us in advance to arrange this, or for more information.
camping faqs
Does the ticket price include camping?
Yes. Friday, Saturday and Sunday night camping is included in the ticket price. You can arrive on Thursday if you add one Thursday Camping supplement per adult to your order.
Is there a family camping area?
Yes. we have a family campsite, close to the kids arena and designed for families.
Is there a quiet camping area?
Yes. Townside (Quiet Camping) is the place to go if you want to sleep when you return to your camp, but remember wherever you are camped, it is unreasonable to expect absolute silence all night – it is a music festival after all!
Can I bring my campervan / caravan / trailer tent?
Yes. We do allow live-in vehicles, vans, caravans, campervans, motor-homes and trailer tents. There’s a small extra charge for your live-in vehicle, van, caravan, campervan, motor-home or trailer tent. We would always encourage you to share transport where possible (for the environment’s sake), arrive early to get a decent spot and travel in convoy to help reduce traffic disruption in the local area. We can’t guarantee a level pitch and we do not provide electric hook ups. If you intend to arrive on Thursday, you will need one additional Thursday camping ticket for each adult, as well as the vehicle pass.
Does it cost more for a campervan / caravan / trailer tent?
Yes, to encourage people to use public transport wherever possible there’s a small additional fee per vehicle.
Can I camp with my friends?
Yes, but we cannot guarantee it, so it’s best to arrive early and as a group. We do not allow people to reserve, hold, mark, cordon off or otherwise claim a specific camping space so please all arrive together to avoid disappointment.
Can I park where I camp?
Due to changes in licensing regulations all vehicles must be parked separately from tents. We aim to keep camping and parking as convenient as possible while still complying with out license. This condition has been added to the license for your safety and we hope you will help by following the new directions when on site.
Can I have a campfire?
Unfortunately, due to significant damage to the land during 2013, the land owner has requested that there are NO CAMPFIRES within camping areas. We are planning to have a large communal campfire in each camping field.
Will there be showers and washing facilities?
A limited number of hot showers will be available operating just outside the entrance to the festival site next to disabled camping and close to family camping. Showers are limited in number and are token operated for a small fee. Taps are located at regular intervals around the perimeter of the camping fields.
