We’d heard Solstice, at Reading, was a festival of interest. Seeing it celebrates the rites of summer and vaguely interested we went along on Fri.  

Wow. 

What a beautiful festival.  From entering through a leafy canopy of trees and jungle-covered ‘corridor through to the main ‘stage’ – a creation of the tallest of trees surrounding the band and their entranced audience.  Honestly, of all the festivals we have been to over the years, this is one of the prettiest.  

Things we particularly loved.  

• The wild swimming and sauna – we loved the idea of it,but book early or you’ll be disappointed. And the idea of welcoming the sunrise in at 3, – Oh well, next year….

• The Sweet and stylish independent sellers – We particularly loved the clothes by Challo

• Salif Keita – hearing that richest of voices ring out amongst the shades of green was particularly amazing

• Anoushka Shankar’s spellbinding set – a mesmerising journey through her trilogy of mini-albums, blending classical sitar with bold, contemporary sounds. Her performance beneath the trees created a moment of pure magic.

• Moonji’s ice-cream – it’s the smallest touches that this festival has an abundance of, and the taste of Moonjiicecreams has my mouth watering at the memory of them…

• The ambiance – characterised by respect, softness in the best of ways, friendly, clean, Solstice largely seems toattract a different kind of crowd, not looking for the usual excess. (No judgement there on our part, – ever). 

The candles and coves, the perfectly choreographed havens and hammocks. This intimately special festival really is a stunner.

On Friday, June 20th, people around the world will be celebrating the summer solstice under the same sky — truly an event that connects us all, regardless of borders or time zones. Wasing’s secluded forests offer the opportunity for a weekend filled with live music, shared experiences, and pure elemental magic.

From lush grooves to soulful melodies, the team has curated a rich and vibrant programme made up of artists from all over the world. Some of the key acts include James Blake, Anoushka Shankar, Salif Keita, Alex Serra, Âpe Chimba, The Egg, Sam Lee, Nubiyan Twist, K.O.G., The Turbans, Afrosideral, Tritha, Skyrager (Psychemagik), Omer Gonen-Haela, ÆVERY, Di-Pod, Mira Khanya, Rebecca Dennis, Chris Park, Jill Purce, Rupert Sheldrake, Soul Revolution, Wonderment and Wider Horizons. For the full line up head to www.wasing.co.uk/solstice,

A highlight of the weekend will be the Sunrise Ceremony; a ceremony of people together to receive the first rays of the sun – to celebrate renewal, oneness and nature’s power to inspire awe. As day yields to night, the Sacred Glade awakens a midnight fire, with intimate performances under a sky filled with stars bringing together wilderness, art and community.

We’re proud to be supporting Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) — an extraordinary humanitarian organisation delivering life-saving care all over the world, wherever it’s needed most. With every ticket you buy, we’ll donate £2 directly to Médecins Sans Frontières (UK) (registered charity number 1026588), helping them continue their vital work across more than 70 countries.

Tickets
Grab your spot for the weekend — whether you want to come just for a day or stay for it all.

Vehicle Pass
If you’re driving to the festival, please make sure you book a vehicle pass in advance.

Tipi Accommodation
Tipis can be reserved here and are completely set up with beds, linen, lighting and a supply of local water, toilet and shower facilities. Take your own towels and provisions, and reserve your festival and vehicle passes separately.

Camping
Access to our campsite is included with all Solstice festival tickets on a bring your own tent or campervan basis. The campsite opens at 12pm on Friday 20th June and closes at 4pm on Saturday 21st June.

If you are bringing a vehicle, please purchase a campsite vehicle pass here
The campsite facilities include toilets & access to drinking water.

Accessibility
For all access information, please see the [accessibility guide]. Tickets for accessible events must be accompanied by appropriate documentation and submitted to events@wasing.co.uk 3 weeks from the booking date. All ages are welcome; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Picture this: you’re standing at the top of a hill with a cold drink in hand, music floating through the air, the London skyline stretching out in front of you, and the sun (hopefully!) shining down. That’s what a day at Kaleidoscope Festival feels like—and it’s coming back to Alexandra Palace on Saturday 12 July for one brilliant day of music, comedy, food and family fun.

The Music? Top Tier.

Whether you’re there to dance your heart out or just vibe in the sunshine, the music line-up is a total treat.

Legendary dance act Faithless will be performing live, alongside Goldie, a true icon in the drum & bass world. Sara Cox is bringing her crowd-pleasing 80s/90s party anthems, and Eats Everything will keep the energy sky-high with his genre-blending DJ set.

Also hitting the stage: Britpop favourites Sleeper, and the king of UKG himself, DJ Spoony. It’s a proper mix of sounds—nostalgic, fresh, loud, and joyful.

But It’s Not Just About the Music

There’s plenty more to explore between sets. The comedy line-up is seriously good—with sharp, funny sets from Shappi Khorsandi and Andrew Maxwell guaranteed to lift your spirits.

Feeling adventurous? You have to check out the secret Victorian basements under Ally Pally. They’re rarely open to the public, and they’re filled with surprises—from ghostly tales to low-key live performances in a hidden speakeasy vibe. It’s spooky, cool, and a little bit surreal.

Bringing the Kids? You’re Sorted

Kaleidoscope is totally family-friendly. There’s a whole area just for kids and parents, packed with shows, workshops and weird and wonderful things to try. Think circus skills, giant bubbles, interactive theatre and music, science-meets-song performances, and loads more.

Acts and activities include:

• Circus Sensible
• African Acrobatics Circus
• John Hinton’s Ensonglopedia
• Spare Room Arts
• Sohan Kailey
• World’s Tallest Bubbleologist (yep, that’s really a thing)

So, Who’s This Festival For?

Honestly? Anyone looking for a great day out. Whether you’re heading there with a group of mates, your partner, your kids, or even flying solo, there’s something to keep you smiling all day long.

It’s a proper summer celebration—laid-back but full of life, packed with things to see and do, and set in one of the best spots in London for a festival.

Kaleidoscope Festival – Saturday 12 July, Alexandra Palace Park.
Grab your tickets, gather your people, and get ready for a day to remember.