Thousands expected at Solfest as it returns to Silloth for bumper bank holiday of entertainment

Solfest music festival
Up to 10,000 people are expected across the bank holiday weekend Credit: Solfest music festival (2001)

An award-winning festival in Cumbria is expected to draw thousands of visitors to the county this bank holiday weekend.

Solfest, in Silloth, near Wigton, started on Thursday 25 August and up to 10 thousand people are expected to attend the event which runs until Sunday evening.

The 2022 line-up includes The Charlatans, Orbital and the Levellers.

The family-friendly music and arts festival has gone from strength to strength since it was founded in 2003. It was featured in The Guardian's Top Festivals by the Sea for 2021.

This year the event between the Lake District and the Solway Coast is benefitting from a £175,000 boost from the Cultural Recovery Fund which was awarded to help it recover from the pandemic.

Unlike other festivals, it has a 12am mainstage curfew, and a 24-hour licensed arena.

The grassroots Cumbrian festival at the North Lakes Country Park has nine stages for different music, comedy and theatrical acts, in addition to international kite flying and laser shows.

The full line up includes:

  • The Charlatans

  • Seasick Steve

  • The Zutons

  • Ash

  • Pendulum

  • Orbital

  • Gentleman's

  • Dub Club

  • Dutty Moonshine Big Band

  • Rave Circus Unit Slamboree

  • Sugarhill Gang (USA)

  • Fruitbats (USA)

  • The Blue Stones (Canada)

  • Buffalo Nichols (USA)

  • Baskery (Sweden)

  • Jah Wobble

  • Smoove and Turrell

  • The God of Hellfire

  • Arthur Brown

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