There are some brilliant festivals in Melton Mowbray. Whether you love pies or dance music, there’s something for all ages and tastes here. If you fancy a short drive, you can widen your options and enjoy the finest rock and cheese. Here’s a glimpse at the festivals happening from May to November. Please note, that ticket prices for events like Noisily, Glastonbudget, Back2Festival, etc., are expected to rise, so secure those tickets ASAP to snag them at the best price. Additionally, some festivals are 18+ only, so please keep that in mind while marking your calendar.
Festivals in the Melton Mowbray Borough
40s Weekend:
Date: 10th and 11th May
Cost: TBA, but anticipate low costs or even free entry.
Payment Plans: Not available, but unnecessary.
Location: St Mary’s Church, Melton Mowbray town centre, and Play Close Park.
Overnight Stay: Not available unless you’re a trader/reenactor, but plenty of hotels/campsites nearby.
Highlights: If being a finalist for the best free event in Leicestershire isn’t reason enough, then maybe the lineup will win you over. Expect themed areas, vintage musicians, and a cake/preserve contest courtesy of yours truly. History enthusiasts will appreciate the theming, while the fairground offers something for all ages, including a picturesque Ferris wheel.
Glastonbudget:
Date: 22nd-25th May
Cost: Standard weekend camping at £132.50 per adult, £106 per teen (ages 13-17, must be accompanied by an adult), and £5.30 per child under 12. Day tickets: £53 per adult, £42.40 per teen, £5.30 per child. Additional upgrades available:
- Camping Plus: £84.80-£106 per pitch, depending on occupancy.
- Club GB: £100 annually (first buyers get 25% off).
- Bell Tents: £500-£800 depending on the package.
Payment Plans: Not available.
Location: Turnpost Farm.
Overnight Stay: Yes.
Highlights: Glastonbudget’s acts are consistently stellar. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the UK’s largest tribute festival will bring back fan favorites like Oasish, Jilted Generation, and Flash A Tribute To Queen. With all weekend tickets now covering 4-day camping, expect enhanced offerings across two stages.
Artisan Cheese Fair:
Date: 24th and 25th May
Cost: £6 per adult, kids 16 and under enter free with a paying adult.
Payment Plans: Not available, but keep an eye on Groupon for potential discounts.
Location: The Stockyard, Melton Mowbray Town Centre.
Overnight Stay: Not available.
Highlights: A delightful celebration of all things cheese. Enjoy tastings and cheesemaking workshops alongside informative talks and live entertainment.
Forbidden Forest:
Date: 29th May to 1st June
Cost: TBA, expect around £150-£250 per person, depending on camping and VIP options. Note: 18+ only.
Payment Plans: TBC, but available for 2024’s event.
Location: Belvoir Castle.
Overnight Stay: Yes.
Highlights: A major dance music festival with elaborate staging in a stunning woodland setting. Join 21,999 others (assuming no capacity increase) in one of Melton’s largest events. Can’t wait? Check out their Halloween event at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena on 26th October.
Hosenbury:
Date: 5th July
Cost: TBC, but likely no more than £50 per adult.
Payment Plans: Not available.
Location: Hose village.
Overnight Stay: Yes, for an additional fee.
Highlights: A cozy festival blending tribute acts and local bands, while raising funds for the village. Perfect for testing the festival waters due to its accessibility, and this year’s bar proceeds supported local schools.
Noisily:
Date: 10th-13th July
Cost: Weekend tickets at £200 per adult, plus booking fee. 18+ only. Day ticket prices announced closer to the event.
Payment Plans: Available for weekend tickets.
Location: Barkestone Woods.
Overnight Stay: Yes, highly recommended.
Highlights: More than just “thud thud” music, this event runs from sunrise to well past sunset, offering a range of activities. From Alter workshops (dance, yoga, mindfulness hybrid) to live podcast recordings, there’s much to experience. Don’t miss the artwork by day and stunning visual displays at night—must-see highlights from my visit.
PieFest:
Date: 2nd and 3rd August
Cost: £6 per adult, kids 16 and under are free with a paying adult.
Payment Plans: Not available, but check for Groupon deals closer to the event date.
Location: The Stockyard, Melton Mowbray Town Centre.
Overnight Stay: Not available.
Highlights: A paradise for pastry lovers, with stalls offering pies and accompaniments like chutneys and beer. Catch folk festival performances throughout the day.
East Midlands Food And Drink Festival:
Date: 4th and 5th October
Cost: TBC, around £7-8 per adult, kids 16 and under are free with adult supervision.
Payment Plans: Not available, but Groupon deals might be available.
Location: The Stockyard, Melton Mowbray Town Centre.
Overnight Stay: Not available.
Highlights: From samosa extravaganzas to chili challenges, if it’s edible or drinkable, this festival covers it. Kids can enjoy workshops like butter making and chocolate lollipops—always a hit. Don’t forget the onsite entertainment.
Chocfest:
Date: TBC, likely 15th and 16th November.
Cost: TBC, but expected around £6-7.
Payment Plans: Not available, but check Groupon for deals.
Location: The Stockyard, Melton Mowbray Town Centre.
Overnight Stay: Not available.
Highlights: A chocoholic’s dream featuring talks, tastings, and stalls from the UK’s best chocolatiers. Don’t miss the chocolate-coated pork pie, an innovative creation that has become a beloved feature.
Festivals Slightly Further Afield but Still in Leicestershire
Download:
Date: 13th-15th June
Cost: £289 per adult for a 3-day ticket, £299 per adult and £139 per child for a 5-day ticket.
Payment Plans: Available.
Location: Donnington Park, Leicestershire.
Overnight Stay: Yes.
Highlights: A must for fans of rock, metal, and emo music. With four stages full of rising stars and top names in the industry, 2024 featured acts like Scene Queen, Babymetal, Bowling For Soup, and Sum 41. Mosh pits and safe crowd surfing highly recommended.
Back2Festival:
Date: 7th-10th August
Cost: £137 per adult, £72 per child for a standard weekend camping ticket. £235 per adult and £85 per child for VIP camping. Daily tickets: £49 per adult (Saturday), £29 per child; £29 per adult (Sunday), £19 per child.
Payment Plans: Available.
Location: Cattows Farm, Coalville, Leicestershire.
Overnight Stay: Yes.
Highlights: Ideal for 80s, 90s, and 00s music enthusiasts. Returning to its original home at Cattows Farm, the festival features two stages with top acts from days gone by. 2025 acts include Darren Styles, B*Witched, and The Cheeky Girls, among others.
There you have it, 9 festivals in Melton Mowbray and a couple more based in other parts of Leicestershire. I hope to cover as many of these as my diary and non-existent budget will allow so follow me on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Youtube and of course, this blog, if you haven’t already done so. I also post other Melton Mowbray content like weekly guides, interviews with local icons and more so join my lovely follower folk if that’s your jam. Next post will be part 2 of must do Halloween events in Melton Mowbray, you can read part 1 now if you haven’t already.