One of the UK's largest independent music festivals and the most theatrically driven, Boomtown Fair is a five-day interactive experience. It combines live art and immersive theatre with a diverse lineup of international superstars and grassroots talent spanning a multitude of genres, from world music, folk, reggae and hip-hop to punk rock and heavy metal, to techno, jungle, drum and bass and house (to name just a few). It's dedicated to providing something for everyone, from families, wellbeing enthusiasts and those looking for a luxury camping weekend to techno revellers and world music fans.
Boomtown is not just a music festival. However, it is a fictitious city comprising twelve distinct districts, each with its theme, 27 iconic main stages and a warren of intimate and unique micro-venues. The audience's experience is underpinned by Boomtown's storyline, which evolves each year and holds a mirror up to the real world. Festival-goers are invited to actively participate in the narrative and The Maze, which offers treasure-hunting, puzzle-solving, live-action role-play and immersive theatre. This is brought to life by 100s of actors and spectacular shows across the festival's duration.
News
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Boomtown’s full reggae, dub, roots and sound systems announced
With fans still absorbing the gargantuan main headliners release from Boomtown last week, the eclectic music and theatrical festival has just unleashed the full reggae, dub and roots line ups across the ‘Lion’s Den’, ‘Hidden Woods’ and ‘Tangled Roots’ stages.
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Boomtown’s beloved hip hop borough Barrio Loco Lineup
we are beyond excited to announce the line-up for yet another of Boomtown's new districts. This time it is Barrio Loco, home to hip hop, garage and grime.
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Boomtown sizzling line-up for new development Paradise Heights
Although all tickets sold out in a record 4 months, Boomtown are continuing the flurry of line-up announcements that have already included Gorillaz, Die Antwoord and Limp Bizkit at the top of an extraordinary bill.
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Boomtown announces Gorrillaz to perform exclusive UK show
Boomtown Fair has released the first act to headline the tenth Chapter Gorillaz, in a one-off, UK exclusive 2018 performance , at the 60,000 capacity festival taking place over 9th - 12th August 2018
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Boomtown's Full Ska and Punk line up released
The Specials / Sublime With Rome / Skindred / Slightly Stoopid / Reel Big Fish / Hoffmaestro / Hepcat / Eskorzo / Ska'N'Ska / Chainska Brassika / The Ska Vengers
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Boomtown launches Chapter 9: ‘Behind the Mask’ in mini film
Whilst many festivals choose a single theme to base each event around, Boomtown goes that bit further with its ever evolving chapters in the ongoing Chronicles.
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Boomtown announce HEADLINE ACT
Boomtown has set the tone for what’s in store at Chapter 9 of the immersive and theatrical festival with 2tone ska legends The Specials revealed as the first act for 2017.
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Boomtown Releases All Forest Party Line Ups
Sector 6 has grown without abandon. Expansion in production and theatrics has resulted in set to rival that of the Bang Hai Palace and now has a line-up to reflect its new status.
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Deekline, Ed Solo And More On The Bill For The Mayfair Extravaganza
Following the incredible London show last year, the Mayfair Avenue Extravaganza is back to treat you to a sample of some of their favourite acts
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BoomTown fair release over 500 artists and 2016 Trailer
All 9 districts announced with over 500 artists plus Chapter 8 trailer released!
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BoomTown Fair Chapter 8 - DSTRKT 5 Lineup Announcement!
Completing the BoomTown Chapter 8 district announcement schedule is the full line-up for DSTRKT 5; the neon-lit, underground epicentre of the wild and the weird!
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BoomTown Fair Chapter 8 - Mayfair District Lineup Announcement!
Fresh off the back of BoomTown’s first major headliner release and OldTown district announcement, the festival has unleashed the full bill for its Mayfair district.
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BoomTown Fair Chapter 8 - OldTown District Lineup Announcement!
Following BoomTown’s massive first major line-up release, the festival kicks off five weeks of artist announcements for the nine districts that make up the weird, wild and wonderful fabric of the city.
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BoomTown Fair Chapter 8 - First Major Lineup Announcement!
BoomTown Fair has announced the first batch of headline artists for Chapter 8 of the fully immersive, genre-spanning festival.
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Boomtown Chapter 7: The Palace Has Risen - After-Video Released
The immersive and interactive experience of BoomTown Fair returned to Hampshire’s Matterley Estate over 13th – 16th August, welcoming a record amount of ‘citizens’ as the festival grew by 10,000 from 2014, expanding the metropolis to 50,000 capacity.
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BoomTown Fair Full Line up and 2015 Official trailer
Check out the eight district line-up announcements for BoomTown Fair along with brand new Chapter 7: Official Trailer!
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BoomTown Unleashes Its TrenchTown District Line-Up!
BoomTown can now reveal the massively anticipated line-up for one of the most popular districts at the Fair; the bass rumbling, soul shaking sounds of TrenchTown!
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BoomTown Fair’s Wild West District Line-up Announced
The saloon doors have been swung open for BoomTown’s Wild West District, which with the addition of the Old Mines stage is now an almighty powerhouse of thigh slapping, Stetson slinging, cider swigging sounds with the very best in folk, roots, world,
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BoomTown Fair’s May-Fair Avenue District Line up Announced
Top of the bill for May-Fair are Parisian electro-swing superstars Caravan Palace, the pioneer of chap-hop Mr B the Gentleman Rhymer, mash-up DJ collective Dutty Moonshine big band who lace bass heavy sets together with a vintage sound and many more.
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BoomTown Fair’s First major headliners released!
BoomTown Fair has released the first wave of headliners for Chapter Seven of the massively genre expansive festival.
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First District Line Up Announced At Boomtown Fair 2015
BoomTown Fair: DSTRKT 5 line up and colossal new dance stage announced!!! Feat. Squarepusher, Spor, Noisia and more…
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BoomTown’s final acts announced!
Chapter six of BoomTown’s annual Fair is set to surpass anything they’ve done before, and that is no mean feat for the UKs most boundary pushing festival!
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Over 400 acts announced for BoomTown Fair!
Over the past month the world’s biggest pop-up city festival, BoomTown Fair has unveiled the 400 plus artists set to perform within the make-believe metropolis this summer.
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BoomTown Fair First Acts Announced
BoomTown have issued some pretty exciting news so far this year and now to add to the ever mounting anticipation for one of the summer’s most immersive and theatrical events, BoomTown has revealed the initial wave of artists for the sixth instalment
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BoomTown Fair’s fancy dress theme revealed!
The UKs only fully interactive and theatrical music festival, BoomTown Fair can now unveil this year’s event will be revolving around the fancy dress theme of Carnival!
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All the Fun of the Fair at BoomTown 2013!
BoomTown Fair has again wowed its attendees by putting on one of the most diverse and eclectic festivals of the summer!
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BoomTown Fair Sold Out for Fifth Year and Julian Marley Announced!
With exactly one month to go until BoomTown Fair returns, the festival has now sold out for the fifth year running and over 26,000 eagerly expectant residents are gearing up for four days of unadulterated escapism in the UKs maddest city!
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BoomTown Fair: Over 80% of Tickets Sold!
With three months to go until the irrepressible BoomTown Fair returns for four days and nights of mind-blowing festivities and paradoxical parties, there are now less than 20% of tickets left and the festival is looking to sell out faster than ever!
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Boomtown Fair Announces Full Line-up including Bad Manners
The unstoppable force of BoomTown Fair has now announced its full line-up consisting of over 300 of the best, bonkers and boom-tastic acts this planet has to offer!
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Boomtown Announce its First Major Line-up Release for 2013
The roller coaster ride of BoomTown Fair has well and truly been set in motion… With the all the excitement of the recent Ski-Lift announcement still buzzing in the air, it is now time to unveil the first bunch of acts for Boomtown 2013..
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BoomTown Fair presents The Magic Carpet Ride!
The ever boundary busting BoomTown Fair is proud to unveil their latest madcap installation that is set to enrich the lives of many a BoomTown resident.
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BoomTown Fair 2013 Early Birds Sell Out in record time!
The crazy, interactive world of BoomTown Fair has sold out of the first two ticket tiers in record time, shifting thousands of tickets in the first hour!
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Boomtown Fair By Far the Best Yet!
The untameable beast of BoomTown Fair once again took over the Matterly Estate in Winchester last weekend (9th – 12th August).
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Beanie Man For Boomtown Fair
BoomTown Announces 'King Of The Dancehall' Beenie Man as Saturday Reggae Headliner and Tickets onto Final Tier!
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BoomTown Announce Out Of This World Fancy Dre
Known for its fully immersive environment, BoomTown’s theme is not merely reserved for one day of the festival, but provides a starting point for the towns folk to create the character they wish to become for the whole festival
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Caravan Palace Added to The BoomTown Fair Lineup Plus more Acts!
Summer is in the air at BoomTown HQ... With last week’s first dollop of astonishing acts announced including; Reel Big Fish, Alborosie and Tanya Stephens the festival spirit is riding high, and now BoomTown are on the brink of combustion by announcin
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A Feast of Festive Fancies from Boomtown Fair
It’s time to put down the mulled cider and jump head first into the Boomtown Christmas bonanza!
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Choose the top act for Boomtown 2012 and WIN Residency Passes
With preparation fully underway the Boomtown committee would like to ask fans of the festival who they would like to perform in 2012, with their favourite idea being chosen to headline the Town Centre stage.
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Boomtown Fair 2011 sold out
With one day to go Boomtown 2011 has now fully SOLD OUT for the third time in its three year history!
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UK EXCLUSIVE Boomtown Fair confirms ska legends Bad Manners
Boomtown Fair have bagged ska legends Bad Manners for a 2011 UK exclusive show at this summer’s festival!
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Boomtown Fair calls for a mass of people in fancy dress
Boomtown’s Mayor and his officials have a vision of unparalleled grandeur; a vision to create the most outrageous and extravagant town on the planet! To do this Boomtown is calling for all to don their fanciest of dress and transform into a pillar of
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Babylon Circus to close Boomtown Fair plus more
Boomtown are giddy with excitement to announce the return of Babylon Circus to close Sunday on the main stage. Plus Overkill Crew and Arcadia.
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Capleton To Headline Reggae Stage at Boomtown
Boomtown Fair have bagged an exclusive UK festival first and confirmed the voice of dancehall Capleton will headline the Reggae Stage.
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Gogol Bordello will Headline Boomtown Fair
Gogol Bordello and Caravan Palace are confirmed to headline the main stage at this years Boomtown Fair plus more acts announced
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Toddla T, Ratpack play Boomtown Fair Dance Stage
Boomtown announce there massive Bassline circus dance stage line up for 2011!
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Boomtown Fair Announce Early bird Tickets
This years Boomtown Fair is back with new areas to explore, early bird tickets are on sale from Tuesday 1st February.
Past & Future Events
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BoomTown Festival
6 August - 10 August 2025 -
BoomTown Festival
7 August - 11 August 2024 -
BoomTown Festival
10 August - 14 August 2022 -
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BoomTown Fair
11 August - 15 August 2021 -
BoomTown Festival
11 August - 15 August 2021 -
BoomTown Fair
12 August - 16 August 2020 -
BoomTown Fair
7 August - 12 August 2019 -
BoomTown Fair
9 August - 12 August 2018 -
BoomTown Fair
10 August - 13 August 2017 -
BoomTown Fair
11 August - 14 August 2016 -
BoomTown Fair
13 August - 16 August 2015 -
BoomTown Fair
7 August - 10 August 2014 -
BoomTown Fair
8 August - 12 August 2013 -
Boomtown Fair
9 August - 12 August 2012 -
Boomtown Fair
11 August - 14 August 2011