Big Fake Festival logo

Big Fake Festival - East Midlands 2024

  • Fri 30 Aug - Sun 01 Sep 2024
    Walesby Forest, Nottinghamshire
    Walesby Forest, Newark NG22 9NG
  • LIVE MUSIC 3 days, 24 Fake Bands

    Day 1 Fri 30 Aug

    Coldplace

    Oasish

    Fore Fighters

    Ultimate Green Day

    Nirvana Tribute

    Stereotonics

    NEW2

    Alanish

    Day 2 Sat 31 Aug

    Vicky Jackson is Pink

    Antarctic Monkeys

    Kazabian

    Really Hot Chili Peppers

    Blondied

    Aladdinsane

    Bon Jovi Experience

    R.E.M. by Stipe

    Day 3 Sun 01 Sep

    Flash

    The Fillers

    Guns 2 Roses

    Hullabaloo

    Kings Of Lyon

    Pulp'd

    Enjoy The Silence UK

    The Jam'd

  • HUGE CAMPSITE Beautiful setting
    FREE camping for tents
    Family/Quiet zones
    Up to 5 nights camping

What do you get if you cross a Fake Festival, 24 bands over 3 days, a stunning campsite and the loveliest, warmest, most craziest party-rockers you’ll find anywhere? 😜 You get the Big Fake Festival of course… 😆 and the magic is back for 2024! 🤘

Now in it’s 9th season, the Big-Fake-Fest has become our favourite way to celebrate the end of summer – with a bang! 🤪 It’s not just a highlight of the year for our amazing crew, staff and bands, but also for loads of you who make the pilgrimage to Walesby every year – escaping the grind, seeing old festi-friends, and living a long-weekend life of blissful basking in sunshine and sweet sounds. 😍🎸 Some love chilling to classic bands, for others it’s humongus anthems – whatever you’re into, it’s hassle-free, no-nonsense and powered by good vibes only. There’s nothing quite like it!

And whether you call it the “special one”, or the “bestest one”, one thing’s for sure… when we’re all together, loving our festival lives, we really are “one big happy family”! 🥰 In fact, the “big-fake-fest-fam” has grown so “big” that we sold out months eariler in 2023. And that’s cool, ‘cause we’d like to keep it in the family anyway… it’s our little secret. 🤫

So, friends and fam, new and old, grab your tix early and secure your spot with us… it wouldn’t be the same without you. 😘 We’re crossing off the days ‘till the party starts again!

Tickets

SOLD OUT!

Big Fake Festival - East Midlands is now SOLD OUT! No further tickets will be released and no door ticket availability. Please do not contact us for tickets.

TICKET RESALE & WAITLIST

We have partnered with Tixel to provide you with a safe place to buy resale tickets from genuine ticket holders. Tap the logo.

SUBSCRIBE

Get emails about future Big Fake Festival events!

We do not pass details on to third parties. You can opt-out at any time. The Fake Festivals Privacy Policy applies.

Event & Camping

Whether you are camping or visiting daily, these tickets include admission to all 3 days of the event, plus access to the campsite, if you need it.

Camping Vehicles (vehicles used for sleeping, eg. Caravans, Campervans) require their own seperate ticket (see below). Camping Vehicle tickets can be purchased during the ticket scanning process (check in). The person purchasing the Camping Vehicle ticket must have a valid event ticket for themselves.
A Young ticket can be upgraded to Adult ticket by paying the upgrade fee when the ticket is scanned (checked in). A Young person can use an Adult ticket. A Standard entry ticket (campsite access from Thursday) can be upgraded to Early entry ticket by paying the upgrade fee when the ticket is scanned (checked in). Upgrade fees are taken in cash or card.
EVENT & CAMPING [EARLY] Camping from Wed 28 Aug EVENT & CAMPING [STANDARD] Camping from Thu 29 Aug
Adult 18+ yrs EVENT & CAMPING £130.00 Sold Out EVENT & CAMPING £115.00 Sold Out
Young 10‑17yrs* EVENT & CAMPING £110.00 Sold Out EVENT & CAMPING £95.00 Sold Out
Disabled Adult (18+) with PA‡ EVENT & CAMPING £130.00 Sold Out EVENT & CAMPING £115.00 Sold Out
Disabled Young (0-17yrs) with PA‡ EVENT & CAMPING £110.00 Sold Out EVENT & CAMPING £95.00 Sold Out

Camping Vehicles

A vehicle that is used for sleeping in (Motorhome, Campervan, Caravan or Trailer Tent etc.) will require this ticket. A towing vehicle that is not for sleeping in does not require a ticket and may be parked with the towed vehicle (eg. Car and Caravan).

VEHICLE CAMPSITE ACCESS For the entire duration
Camping Vehicle Vehicle used for sleeping (Motorhome, Campervan, Caravan or Trailer Tent etc). VEHICLE CAMPSITE ACCESS £35.00 Sold Out

Children (0-9yrs) enter for FREE (no ticket needed) when accompanied by a paid adult.

*Under 16 year-olds must be accompanied by a paid adult to enter the festival. 16-17 year-olds must show proof of age if entering the festival alone, or otherwise must enter with a paid adult.

‡ Disabled tickets admit both the disabled adult (18+) or young person (0-17yrs) and an additional PA (personal assistant or carer, an adult aged over 16yrs) on the same ticket, at the same time (conditions apply). Disabled tickets include access to the disabled campsite, if required.

Please see the Help & Contact page for further ticket information.

Terms & Conditions apply.

Fake Bands

Wait 'til you see how our Fake Bands look, sound and move. Almost the real deal, these guys really know how to play a festival crowd – it's an incredible feeling being so close to the bands!

Our finest Fake Bands will take turns to impress you with their mind-blowing performances and classic anthems. Could you handle 8 bands a day, for 3 days of live music - rocking from 12:00 NOON until 12:00 MIDNIGHT? Plus, we use arena-level sound and lighting inside our giant big-top marquee to give you an unbeatable festival experience, whatever the weather tries!

Day 1 - Fri 30 Aug

10.45 PM

Coldplace

9.00 PM

Oasish

7.30 PM

Fore Fighters

6.00 PM

Ultimate Green Day

4.30 PM

Nirvana Tribute

3.00 PM

Stereotonics

1.30 PM

NEW2

12.00 PM

Alanish

Day 2 - Sat 31 Aug

10.45 PM

Vicky Jackson is Pink

9.00 PM

Antarctic Monkeys

7.30 PM

Kazabian

6.00 PM

Really Hot Chili Peppers

4.30 PM

Blondied

3.00 PM

Aladdinsane

1.30 PM

Bon Jovi Experience

12.00 PM

R.E.M. by Stipe

Day 3 - Sun 01 Sep

10.45 PM

Flash

9.00 PM

The Fillers

7.30 PM

Guns 2 Roses

6.00 PM

Hullabaloo

4.30 PM

Kings Of Lyon

3.00 PM

Pulp'd

1.30 PM

Enjoy The Silence UK

12.00 PM

The Jam'd

How it all started

It all started back in 2014 when we wanted to mark the end of our UK Tour season by treating our Fake-Fest Fam (staff, crew, bands and yourselves) to ONE BIG PARTY! 🎉

It was a bit of a ‘thank you’ and a way for us all to see the bands that had played for us over the summer. This meant running over 3 days, inside a giant ‘big-top’ tent, with camping sorted for everyone – quite a step! But it was totally worth it… it was beyond incredible! 🤩

From then on, the ‘Big Fake Festival’ became our annual ‘end-of-season’ finale and most anticipated event, eventually outgrowing its original site, down the road at Thoresby.

Party with the Fam

Our ever-growing 'Fake-Fest Fam' are a special kind of groovers. You won't meet a nicer crowd anywhere, and we're not just saying that. Come and see for yourself, or check-out the Facebook Group!

At the Big-Fake-Fest the vibe is relaxed, fun and exciting. Rocking with your fellow live music lovers is such a pleasure, it’s a party atmosphere that’ll keep you buzzing for weeks! We don’t tolerate nonsense behaviour, chilling and camping with 'the Fam' is an organised, clean, respectful and positive experience.

Join the Facebook Group for pre-fest buzz, tips and info. Everyone welcome.

Facebook Group

Site Itinerary

After rocking 6 years of Big-Fake-Fests with you guys, we've listened and learned so much. We're as organised as possible and go that extra mile for a special fest feel you will always remember.

After many years at Thoresby, we moved this event to Walesby in 2021, for the extra space. It's a stunning location, within 250 acres of woodland, unspoilt scenery and great camping facilities. There’s so much space, you’ll easily find your perfect campsite spot, whether that’s in amongst the party or tucked out the way in one of the many quiet corners. Dib dib dib!

Site entry

The site is easy reached because of its UK midlands location and access near the A1. Set your sat-navs for Walesby Forest, Nottinghamshire NG22 9NG and you'll be delivered right to the gates! For large vehicles and towing, beware the bridge on Whitewater Lane.

Site Map

New arrivals

HAVE TICKETS READY for immediate check-in at the site gates. No valid ticket, no site access.

Site gates will open for newcomers (require ticket check-in) between 10:00 and 22:00 daily. Both PERSONAL and VEHICLE tickets will be scanned and checked in and site access wristbands provided (you may be asked to show ID to prove your age).

Day visitors

If you are not camping, your access wristbands allow you to enter daily. A secure day carpark will be provided and access is daily from 10:00.

Camping

For tents, look for the drop-off areas to offload your equipment. Parking is not permitted with tents.

For camping vehicles, display your vehicle ticket and follow the signs.

Leaving & re-entering

Your access wristbands allow you to leave and enter the site as you wish, within reason.

Site times

EARLY WED SITE ACCESS - Wed 28 Aug

Access only for those with an 'EARLY WED SITE ACCESS' ticket.
10:00 Site opens
22:00 Site closes for new arrivals

STANDARD THU SITE ACCESS - Thu 29 Aug

10:00 Site opens for new arrivals. Breakfast food traders, Merchandise Shop and Camping Shop open in the Event Garden area.
22:00 Site closes for new arrivals, Event Garden area closes

Event day 1 - Fri 30 Aug

08:00 Breakfast food traders, Merchanise Shop and Camping Shop open in the Event Garden area
10:00 Site opens for new arrivals
10:30 Breakfast food traders and Event Garden area closes
11:00 Event 'Big-top' doors open, event bar and day food traders open
22:00 Site closes for new arrivals
23:45 Event 'Big-top' bar closes
Midnight Event 'Big-top' doors close, food traders close

Event day 2 - Sat 31 Aug

08:00 Breakfast food traders, Merchanise Shop and Camping Shop open in the Event Garden area.
10:00 Site opens for new arrivals
10:30 Breakfast food traders and Event Garden area closes
11:00 Event 'Big-top' doors open, event bar and day food traders open
22:00 Site closes for new arrivals
23:45 Event 'Big-top' bar closes
Midnight Event 'Big-top' doors close, food traders close

Event day 3 - Sun 01 Sep

08:00 Breakfast food traders, Merchanise Shop and Camping Shop open in the Event Garden area.
10:00 Site opens for new arrivals
10:30 Breakfast food traders and Event Garden area closes
11:00 Event 'Big-top' doors open, event bar and day food traders open
22:00 Site closes for new arrivals
23:45 Event 'Big-top' bar closes
Midnight Event 'Big-top' doors close, food traders close

Post event - Mon 02 Sep

08:00 Breakfast food traders open in the Event Garden area
10:30 Breakfast food traders and Event Garden area closes
12:00 Site closes, everyone must be vacated

Event area

Performances are held inside a 'Big-top', with plenty of access outside into the event garden area. During the event days, doors open at 11:00, close 12:00 MIDNIGHT. Use your access wristband to come and go as you like.

Food & Drink

Food & drink you bring must only be consumed in the campsite. Do not bring it to the event area 'Big-top', bags will be checked when you enter.

Quality food traders will be located inside the event garden area, offering delicious types of food to keep you going all day and throughout the night. The licensed bar inside the event 'Big-top' will serve the usual Fake Festivals range of chilled bar and soft drinks. The bar and food traders are open from when the event 'Big-top' doors open at 11:00. The bar closes at 11:45 and the food trading finishes at 12:00 MIDNIGHT.

At Fake Festivals the bar is operated on a drink token system. A single drink token can be exchanged for a bar drink or two soft drinks. Drink tokens can be purchased at the token desk inside the event 'Big-top' during its open times and are also available from the Merch Tent in the garden area from Thursday onwards and for the duration of the weekend. Both cash and card are accepted at the token desks and 'cash-back' is available.

Campsite

Camping in tents is FREE for all ticket holders and no tent permits or additional tickets are required.

Camping Vehicles (Caravans, Motorhomes, Campervans and Pods etc) require their own ticket. You must display a Camping Vehicle ticket on the dashboard, above the steering wheel, of the camping vehicle or the towing vehicle, at all times. If you leave the site you must display this ticket to return to your campsite pitch. You may be refused access or asked to leave the camping area if you do not display it. If you cannot print your ticket please ask for a copy when you first scan your tickets. Camping Vehicle tickets can be purchased during the ticket scanning process (check in), but the person purchasing the Camping Vehicle ticket must have a valid event ticket for themselves. There are no reservations and pitches are provided on a first-come-first-served basis.

Site access for new arrivals is from 10:00 - 22:00 daily. You must vacate the grounds by 12:00 NOON on Mon 02 Sep.

Camping areas

You'll love the luscious space and greenery, with dedicated camping zones.

  • QUIET AREA - this area is tucked out the way, for families or anyone wanting to enjoy a relaxed and quiet campsite. No shouting or loud music permitted and we ask for extra-extra quiet during the hours of midnight to 8:00AM. No cars. Security will patrol and move anyone not adhering to the area rules.
  • CAMPING VEHICLES - for motorhomes, campervans and caravans only. Cars can park with caravans.
  • GENERAL - for tents only. Cars must be parked in the car park, not with the tents.
  • MIXED - for motorhomes, campervans and caravans (with cars) and tents (cars not permitted) and for those wishing to camp in groups. No group pitch reservations and caution when moving vehicles around tents must be shown.
  • DISABLED - situated in a convenient place near facilities. To use this area somebody in your group must have a disabled ticket and have shown proof of disability. Please read our Disabled Information sheet.

Food & drink

You are welcome to bring your own food and drink with you, but it must only be consumed within the campsite area. Please remember that no glass is permitted on the site at any time.

Breakfast food traders will be open from 08:00 to 10:30 in the garden area ready to cook up a full breakfast and fresh coffee for all the Fake Festival campers. Once the event area opens at 11:00 the food traders will be available inside the garden area until close at midnight.

Shops

Walesby operate a small shop onsite stocking essentials such as milk, bacon, bread etc.

There will also be a small camping shop in the garden area (next to the big-top) which will sell those forgotten camping essentials, pump-up airbeds and provide phone charging. They will also sell some additional items such as cigarettes and vape fluid.

Rules & facilities

NO GLASS is allowed anywhere on the site.
NO PETS of any type allowed on the site.
NO GENERATORS of any type allowed on the site.

Parking cars next to tents is not permitted, but we do allow the drop-off of gear before you park. You are able to retrieve items from your car at any point.

FIRES & BBQ'S - that are sat at ground level are not permitted, for fire risk reasons. We do allow BBQ's and stoves that are raised off the ground to about 0.5m-1m on legs or by such other means and must be fully extinguished after use, with all waste/ashes removed from site in the appropriate manner.

SHOWERS - the site will have two types of warm water showers with individual cubicles. The site's own permanent showers will run 24hrs daily and our temporary shower placements will run between 07:00 and 14:00 daily.

ELECTRICAL HOOK-UPS - will not be provided.

STANDING WATER - will be provided around the camping areas.

TOILETS - will be provided all around the camping areas.

DISABLED FACILITIES - disabled toilet and shower facilities can be accessed with a Radar Key. Please read our Disabled Information sheet.

Parking

There will be adequate FREE parking for both those who are camping and for anyone staying outside the site and visiting daily.

The camping and parking areas will have 24 hour patrolling security to ensure everyone can relax and have a great weekend and by all means leave your vehicle on site overnight if you need to. If you do leave your car overnight on the last day then please ensure you collect your vehicle by 12:00 NOON on Mon 02 Sep.