information

FAQs

General FAQs

I can’t find the email with my tickets!

If you’ve lost or accidently deleted your eticket email please contact eastfest@talk21.com with the name and email address that tickets were booked under

Is the festival suitable for young children?

Absolutely. We pride ourselves on being a family-friendly festival with plenty of activities and amenities for children of all ages. Parents can sample the music, the wide choice of beers and freshly-prepared food or browse the craft stalls secure in the knowledge their children can roam freely and safely enjoying their own entertainment.They can enjoy a wide range of family entertainment including: storytelling, puppet theatre and make ‘n’ take crafts tent. In addition there are bouncy castles and children’s entertainers – and all are free once people are in the festival arena.

How safe is it?

Very. Probably our greatest selling point and the thing which brings people back year after year, is the unique relaxed atmosphere and family feel.
Last year we had more than 20,000 people over four days and there was not a single theft or crime of any kind. The previous year we had one theft reported – a bag of jelly babies, which just sums up this event.It really is the perfect introduction to festivals for young children and a way for families to enjoy an event together but with the freedom to give youngsters some independence.

Can I bring my dog?

With the exception of guide dogs, we do not allow dogs in the main Festival arena. However there will be a small additional campsite for campers with dogs. Please notify gate staff on arrival that you wish to camp in the area reserved for people with dogs. If bringing a dog please ensure it is well looked-after at all times.

What amenities are on site?

There are craft stalls, real ale bars, an international food fayre, children’s entertainers, dance displays stage and many other attractions plus excellent amenities including indoor and outdoor toilets and washing facilities, ‘Posh Wash’ showers and plenty of water taps. It’s a very safe and secure site with friendly staff and 24-hour security.

Can I bring my own food to the campsite?

You are very welcome to take your own food and  drink onto the campsite which will have good facilities and 24-hour security. There is a farm shop nearby and other shops in Wickham just a few minutes walk away. ‘Posh wash’ showers are available on the campsite. If camping please note no open fires or barbecues are allowed on the campsite. The festival site has a no glass policy and visitors are strictly not permitted to bring alcohol onto the festival site.

Can I park my car easily?

There is ample car parking right next to the festival site which is free for the entire weekend. Please be considerate to our neighbours when leaving and when driving through the village.

Can I park my car alongside my tent?

Due to Health & Safety and Fire Regulations we can’t allow vehicles onto the tented camping fields to unload equipment this year. There will be an unloading area alongside each field and free chauffeur-driven buggies available for anyone needing help with heavy equipment. You will be able to drive onto the fields at the end of the Festival to pick-up your equipment.

What are the toilets like?

We know how important this is so we have plenty of onsite toilets which are regularly attended. The camp site has both indoor and outdoor toilets and washing facilities. Please use these rather than the bushes! If you do see anyone sneaking a pee elsewhere please feel free to point and shout loudly!

Can I charge my phone?

There will be a stall which offers a phone charging service onsite.

Do you have Wi-Fi?

There is no Wi-Fi on site.

Do I need to worry about the weather?

It is England, it is summer – of course you do! But, with a few sensible precautions, it won’t spoil your enjoyment.We have a big top which can house most of the crowd even for the headline acts so you can keep dry if it rains, the second stage is also under cover. If it does rain – and we have been blessed with good weather in recent years – then we have astroturf to protect the main walkways and a deep bed of straw prevents the site from turning to mud. More likely, you will need sun cream which you should apply regularly. If camping, bring warm clothing as it can turn cold at night.

What kind of catering is onsite?

We pride ourselves on the quality of food and drink available. There is a wide range of food from stonebaked pizzas to noodles, burgers, Mexican food, curries and much more. Drinks range from quality coffee and afternoon tea (it is a very civilised festival) to a wide selection of beers and real ales.

Are there cash machines on site?

There are no cash machines on site, however there is a free-to-use cash machine in The Square, Wickham, at the Co-Op. Cash can also be withdrawn from the Post Office counter inside the Co-Op. Please note most on site bars and stalls will accept card payments, however this is not guaranteed and we recommend bringing some cash to allow for signal issues.

Can I smoke?

Smoking is not permitted inside the Big Top or any other covered area. Please be considerate to those around you when smoking, especially to children and the disabled. Please note we have a zero tolerance policy on drugs though this has never been an issue.

Do you have good facilities for the disabled?

The site is fully accessible for people with disabilities and there is a covered side-of-stage viewing area for people in wheelchairs with a wheelchair-accessible toilet and washing facilities nearby. We offer a half price carer ticket for every full price disabled ticket purchased. Please include proof of disability which will be handled in total confidence. Please also inform us of any special considerations we should be aware of.Click here to read more.

Can I bring a deckchair?

You are very welcome to bring blankets, deckchairs, folding picnic chairs etc. onto the Festival site in order to sit and enjoy the music during the afternoon and early evening. Please note we have ‘Seated’ & ‘Standing’ areas in our main Big Top. Please don’t put your seats in the ‘Standing’ area and out of respect to other festival-goers please don’t leave seats unoccupied and taking up space for long periods of time. Please, no glass bottles, cans or alcohol etc – and please use the bins provided for your rubbish.

How do I buy tickets?

Click here to read our Tickets page. Tickets can be bought online, by phone, by post, or in person from Wickham Wine Bar during opening hours. Evening only tickets can not be purchased from Wickham Wine Bar. Please note tickets cannot be refunded once purchased unless the event is cancelled.

Can I get to meet the artists?

Many of our performers will meet fans and sign autographs after their sets but this will vary from artist to artist and time constraints.

How do I get regular updates on artists, running times etc?

Follow us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/WickhamMusicFestival and twitter @festivalwickham for additions to the bill, changes to running order and times during the festival as well as special offers and competitions.

How do I get to perform at Wickham?

We receive several thousand applications to perform at Wickham each year and only have a very limited number of performance slots available so please don’t contact us, we’ll contact you if we want to book you. For local artists (25 mile radius) wishing to perform on our ‘Local & Unsigned’ Stages visit https://soundlevel.co.uk/wickham-festival-2023 and follow the instructions.

Please note we do also have an Open Mic Stage this year and an informal sessions area where anyone can perform at any time. Bring your instruments!

Any other questions?

If you need any other information please tweet @festivalwickham or email eastfest@talk21.com. For all media enquiries please email grahamlewishiley1959@hotmail.com