Festival Sessions

A community festival of dancing, music, art, and wellbeing in Hayfield, High Peak. Festival Sessions features five curated 'sessions' over one amazing weekend.

Festival Sessions 2023 takes place in a field, down the Sett Valley Trail in Hayfield with spectacular views of Lantern Pike and Kinder Scout. Over one weekend there are 5 curated sessions with the most amazing artists. All events are inclusive of all ages the line up for the weekend is: 

Friday 1st September GHETTO FABULOUS 18:00 - 23:00 Drag, cabaret, and vogue - don't miss this once-a-year phenomenon of drag in a field!! 

Saturday 2nd September MINI FEST 12:00 - 17:00 Something for adults and the younger ones - live music, forest school, story trails, and Interactive Disco. 

Saturday 2nd September DANCE PARTY 18:00 - 23:00 DJs and dancing in the tent - house, Drum and Bass, and the Techno Ceilidh. 

Sunday 3rd September ZEN TENT 10:00 - 13:00 Well-being session including dynamic breathwork, sound healing, and yoga. 

Sunday 3rd September SUNDAY LIVE 14:00 - 20:00 Live music all afternoon with exceptional local bands and musicians. 

Tickets for each session can be bought on the separate event pages and we have a limited number of weekend tickets available for local residents to access all sessions. 

Food and drink on site includes:

Ice Cream: All the way from New Mills, we’ll be serving a range of delicious flavours churned and potted by Ginge and Co!

The Pick Me Up Truck: More than a coffee stop. Coffee. Connection. Positivity. Love. 

Access and Travel Information 

Festival Sessions is accessible on foot from the Sett Valley Car park. There is no vehicular access to site unless by prior arrangement with the production team. 

The closest train stations are New Mills Central and New Mills Newtown and the 358 bus comes to Hayfield Bus Station/Sett Valley Car Park. From here it is a five minute walk down the flat, Sett Valley Trail onto site. Alternatively, you can get a taxi to drop you off at the top of the site on New Mills Road. Lynx taxis are a local company and can be contacted on: 0161 483 1099. 

The festival site is on the edge of the Peak District National Park and the terrain is sloping. For people with mobility issues we have an accessible toilet available near the entrance to the site. There is no formal seating so guests are invited to bring their own chairs and blankets.

The site covers 1.6 acres and we have a maximum of 500 people on site. This means that there are always areas which are quieter and we do our best to ensure the festival stays welcoming and uncrowded.

We have a bell tent available for baby change and feeding.

Guest tickets available for anyone that requires the support of a chaperone.

There are no dogs allowed on site, except for access support. 

We aim to be fully inclusive so if you require further information or would like to talk to us about your specific requirements please get in touch with: lyndsay@thetentpeople.co.uk. 

Festival programme is subject to change. Festival Sessions is part funded by Arts Council England, National Lottery Grant and supported by Conscious Music and Field 19 Ltd.