Chalfest will mark its 10th anniversary with a two-day festival at France Lynch Pleasure Ground in Chalford on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 July 2027.
The independent Gloucestershire event has announced a line-up led by Huey Morgan, former frontman of the Fun Lovin’ Criminals, who is returning a decade after headlining the inaugural Chalfest. His appearance is expected to provide a link between the festival’s first event and its anniversary celebrations.
Huey Morgan will be joined by singer-songwriter Newton Faulkner, ABBA tribute act Mania, Rick Parfitt Junior and returning family favourites Dick & Dom. Gardna, who headlined the festival’s Upstage in 2023, will also return after establishing himself as an international star.
Entertainer Tweedy will make his Chalfest debut, bringing comedy and family entertainment to the programme for the first time.
More than a weekend of headline acts
Although the anniversary line-up is designed to attract music fans, Chalfest is presenting the 2027 event as a celebration of the community behind it as well as the performers on its stages.
The festival has grown from an ambitious local project into a popular fixture on Gloucestershire’s summer calendar while retaining its roots in Chalford. Alongside live music, the event offers comedy, children’s entertainment, creative workshops, local food and drink, community stalls and opportunities for emerging performers.
Its hilltop site has become an annual destination for families. Children who attended the earliest Chalfest events are now teenagers or young adults, while generations of families have continued to return and make memories together.
Local businesses, charities and community organisations are also part of the festival’s wider impact. The event gives them opportunities to showcase their work, raise funds and connect with visitors. Organisers say support for local talent and independent businesses remains central to Chalfest’s ethos.
Volunteer-run festival reaches a decade
Chalfest remains independent, not-for-profit and volunteer-run. The people involved work across the event’s practical operation, from fundraising and building the festival site to coordinating traders, arranging entertainment and welcoming visitors.
Reaching the tenth anniversary is a significant milestone for the organisers because independent events are facing rising production costs, financial pressures and uncertainty. Keeping tickets affordable while dealing with the logistical demands of staging a large public event has presented challenges over the years.
Jon Finch, who has been one of Chalfest’s chief organisers since its beginning, said the festival combined the atmosphere of a village event with the scale of a music festival.
“What I love about Chalfest is that it’s this amazing mix of a traditional village fete and a full-on music festival, with brilliant stages, bars, food trucks and something for everyone.”
He said the community’s involvement was a defining part of the weekend and that the work carried out by volunteers made the event especially meaningful.
“There’s such a fantastic atmosphere, and for me, the best bit is seeing the whole community come together. It’s all put on by local volunteers, which makes what we achieve even more special.”
What happens next for Chalfest 2027
The announced acts bring together established performers, nostalgic favourites, family entertainment and a returning artist with a direct connection to the festival’s launch. Huey Morgan’s return is described as a full-circle moment for organisers and festivalgoers who have supported Chalfest since its earliest days.
Further announcements are expected in the coming months, meaning additional performers and programme details have yet to be confirmed.
Super Early Bird and Early Bird tickets have already sold out. General admission tickets are now on sale, with ticket information available through www.chalfest.co.uk. The festival also directs potential visitors to @chalfest.official on Instagram for updates.
As Chalfest looks towards its next decade, organisers say the festival’s future will depend on the volunteers, local businesses, sponsors, performers and festivalgoers who have helped it grow.
They hope the anniversary will recognise what has been achieved while encouraging a new generation of volunteers and supporters to become involved. The stated ambition is not simply to stage another weekend of entertainment, but to maintain a community event built around local participation, friendship, family memories and shared purpose.
Chalfest 2027 will take place at France Lynch Pleasure Ground in Chalford on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 July.
