Whether you’re after family-friendly fun, a woodland rave or experimental jazz, it’s finally time to get the party restarted
Fingerlickin’ good
Bringing a bit of the Deep South to the Suffolk countryside every summer, Red Rooster serves up music of the blues/roots/Cajun variety, lip-smacking food and drink to match (think ribs and bourbon), and all kinds of family friendly activities – from pedalo trips on the lake to den making. With this year’s event on August Bank Holiday weekend, you won’t have to worry about Monday at work, either! Tickets available from £89.50.
Wild in the woods
One of the few UK festivals able to go ahead last year (albeit in a socially distant, scaled-down fashion), Wild Wood Disco is back this June – and boy, are we ready for it! With big-name DJs, street food, a woodland dance floor and the ultimate sunset spot, this boutique event is primed to give everyone a party to remember on 26 June. Headlining are Seb Fontaine, Stanton Warriors and Norman Jay, with local talent including funk duo Kontroversi also performing. Food-wise, expect faves like Warm and Toastie and Guerrilla Kitchen, alongside cocktail stalls, craft beer and plenty of surprises hidden in the woods. Tickets are currently available via waiting list only. If you miss out on the June event, a smaller, farewell-to-summer shindig is being planned for 11 September, so keep an eye out.
Ready to Rumpus
From the same team as Wild Wood Disco, Rumpus (18 September) has all the creativity and glittery good vibes as its sister festival – but this one’s for the kids! Entertainment includes circus skills, crafting, and author talks, as well as more adventurous activities such as tree climbing and zip wires (under the watchful eyes of Big Tree Climbing). Visitors will be stomping their feet to Brass Funkeys and The Vegas Girls, and for the grown-ups there’s a well-stocked bar – and bookable creche, so you can enjoy your prosecco in peace. Adult tickets from £25/family tickets from £77.
All that jazz
Presenting the cream of London’s new wave of jazz artists, plus a bit of house and hip-hop, We Out Here has taken over the stunning lakeside setting which used to be home to Secret Garden Party (RIP). Just down the road from Cambridge in Abbotts Ripton, the festival is headed up by Gilles Peterson, known for his left-field musical meanderings on BBC Radio 6 Music. And that’s exactly what you can expect from the WOH line-up: cutting-edge artists, eclecticism and a guarantee of discovering something new. The event runs 19-22 August, and adult tickets start at £154.
Feel-good family fun
After a year off, the Cambridge Club Festival is back, bigger than ever before, and with a new location of Childerley Hall. Taking place 10-12 September, the now multi-day festival will see Rag’n’Bone Man and Jack Savoretti take to the stage along with legends like Shalamar and Soul II Soul, while the all-new ‘Party Time Continuum’ features Horse Meat Disco and tribute act Abba Disco Wonderland. Also new for 2021 is the Auditorium of Intrigue, wellness area and a comedy line-up provided by Footlights. Plus, camping options are available for the first time. Day tickets start at £61.30.
