The Big Kahuna is a new, 3 day family-friendly music festival taking place on August Bank Holiday at Holmbush Forest in Horsham, Sussex.
Set in stunning countryside and woodland, The Big Kahuna will run from 26th to 29th August and will feature outstanding entertainment, amazing music, 9 themed areas in the forest, comfortable camping, theatre, kids’ (and adults’) activities, silent disco, fully themed Frozen cinema, delicious and fairly priced food, a multitude of bars (craft ale, rum, vodka and beyond), kids’ bar, interactive arts and crafts experiences, workshops, and much more. There’s plenty for Big and Little Kahunas to do, and all in a unique and beautiful setting.
STAGES, TENTS & AREAS AT THE BIG KAHUNA
The first bands and DJs announced for The Big Kahuna are Happy Mondays, Paul Hartnoll (Orbital), Dub Pistols, English Disco Lovers, 808 State (DJ set), Tankus The Henge, Farley Jackmaster Funk, Carnival Collective, Faze Action (Live), Norman Jay MBE, Marshall Jefferson, X-Press 2, Fable, Bushwacka! Utah Saints, Rhythm Masters, Cuban Brothers, The Ska Toons, and many more.
Headline bands and artist will perform on The Big Kahuna Main Stage, which is situated in the middle of the forest in a large clearing surrounded by floodlit trees (and with plenty of space to dance, stand, or sit on the grass). DJs and dance acts will play at Bravo Zulu, an abandoned military base created in the forest – expect outstanding laser and light displays throughout the night. Please see below for current main stage and tent line-ups.
Further areas across The Big Kahuna site include Happy Jacks, a glorious mix of German Bierkeller meets British craft ale tent, with a packed line-up of energetic entertainment and light hearted amusement – from Cornish folk bands to tremendous tribute acts, including bands Black Friday, The Meow Meows, John Crampton, The Skimmity Hitchers, and Die Dorf Fest Kapelle. The bar will include locally produced beers, wines and ciders.
The Chief Kahuna Village is the heart of the festival with interactive entertainment to entice all ages. This bustling village has bars, a pottery school, painting classes, bushcraft, shops, smoothie tents, circus skills, entertainment, wood carving, great food and much more. Guarded by giant tikis to ward off boredom (and other evil spirits), the Chief Kahuna Village is in the forest beyond a mysterious, abandoned military airfield, with plenty of seating to sit back and relax.
Secure and alcohol free, the Little Kahuna area is dedicated to children’s entertainment and enjoyment, with an arts and crafts tent, face painting, balloon modeling, story tellers and beyond. The main attraction is a fully themed Frozen cinema including falling snow, frosted trees, polar bears and snowmen. Films will include the ever-popular Frozen, Lion King, Minions and an array of children’s classics. The kids’ bar will include healthy smoothies, pick and mix, popcorn and candyfloss, fruit bar, hot dogs and 'Little Kahuna burgers'.
Within the forest is Alice’s Garden – a fantastical, out of this world playground for all ages, featuring white rabbits, giant toadstools, human-sized chess pieces, and glittering roses set amongst the trees. Attractions include a Co2 frozen champagne cocktail bar, nitrogen ice cream bar, beanbag shisha lounge, smoothie bikes, stalls, and more.
Under the forest canopy is the Forest Lights Bar selling rum, specialised vodka and beyond. The trees will be decorated with fairy lights with festoon lighting along the pathways and on the surrounding areas. Music will play from the morning until the small hours, and at night the centrepiece will be a roaring campfire.
Further amongst the tall pine trees is the Psychic Garden, featuring palm and tarot card readers, a psychic workshop, fortune-tellers, crystal shop, and possibly a witch or two.
One of the most unique woodland experiences at The Big Kahuna is the Silent Disco. As dusk approaches, festoon lighting will direct Kahunas into the forest and under a canopy of fairy lights and colourfully lit trees. Once arrived, they can choose their channel and DJ, and dance like nobody can see (or hear) them.
FOOD & DRINK
The Big Kahuna’s bountiful offerings include high quality and locally produced food alongside a fine selection of world cuisine. Pop up stalls will serve amazing prime Sussex free-range burgers from Love Fayre, healthy smoothies, frozen yogurt, wood fired pizzas, Mexican street food, salad bars, sweet and savoury crepes and much more. As a special treat for campers, breakfast is available with free range eggs laid fresh on the farm that morning (subject to availability).
Bars will serve craft beer and ales, wine, cider, cocktails, frozen champagne, rum, vodka, and more.
CAMPING, CAMPERVANS & CARAVANS
The Big Kahuna’s campsites (including glamping and family only camping options) are close enough to all the main action and the car parks, but not too far to walk between. Expect luscious greenery with plenty of space to socialise and room for the kids to run around (not wall to wall tents!). All standard camping sites offer oak studded Sussex countryside, toilet facilities, showers, wash areas, lockers, charging points, breakfast bar with fresh coffee, drinks bar, fresh eggs from the farm (subject to availability), well lit pathways, camping shop, and 24 hour security.
Within the site The Big Kahuna have set aside a large area for campers and caravans. Facilities within this enclosed area include hot showers, toilet facilities and access to a fantastic breakfast bar.
GLAMPING
Glamping at The Big Kahuna is an experience in itself, the bell tents are enclosed in a private area with its own service counter that supplies drinks, snacks, coffee and breakfast. The glamping comes in the form of 4 berth canvas bell tents. Facilities include luxury toilets, hot showers, camp bar, snack and breakfast bar, gourmet coffee bar, welcome hampers, tipi lounge, and a beauty tent.
ARTISTS & PERFORMERS
• Happy Mondays • Paul Hartnoll (Orbital) • Dub Pistols • Utah Saints • Norman Jay MBE • 808 State • The Cuban Brothers • Faze Action • X-Press 2 • Bushwacka! • Farley Jackmaster Funk • Marshall Jefferson • Rhythm Masters • Fable • Tankus the Henge • Carnival Collective • Seamus Haji • Black Friday • The Meow Meows • The Ska-Toons • John Crampton • The Skimmity Hitchers • Die Dorf Fest Kapelle • English Disco Lovers
Published on 10 February 2016 by Ben Robinson
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