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
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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
Tickets are only available from this website, at the button below. Once tickets are processing, we’ll email them to you. No hidden fees or delivery charges!
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.
EVENT & CAMPING [EARLY] Camping from Wed 28 Aug | EVENT & CAMPING [STANDARD] Camping from Thu 29 Aug | |
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Adult 18+ yrs | EVENT & CAMPING £130.00 | EVENT & CAMPING £115.00 |
Young 10‑17yrs* | EVENT & CAMPING £110.00 | EVENT & CAMPING £95.00 |
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 | |
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Camping Vehicle Vehicle used for sleeping (Motorhome, Campervan, Caravan or Trailer Tent etc). | VEHICLE CAMPSITE ACCESS £35.00 |
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.
We have partnered with Tixel to provide you with a safe place to sell your tickets if you are not able to attend.
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
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

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.
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.
New arrivals
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
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
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
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.
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