Colne gears up for Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival weekend

Music fans planning to make a weekend of this year’s Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival are being urged to book soon, with only limited places now remaining at the official festival campsite.

The hugely popular campsite at Colne & Nelson Rugby Club will open from Thursday August 27 until Tuesday September 1, giving visitors the chance to settle in and enjoy the full August Bank Holiday festival experience.

Set in a picturesque location with stunning views across Colne and the surrounding area, the campsite has become a big part of the festival weekend and welcomes visitors back year after year.

Campers have access to a range of facilities, including hot showers, toilets, food and drink, while a free shuttle bus will run between the campsite and the festival throughout the weekend.

The music starts at the campsite too. As one of the festival’s official Fringe venues, it will host its own live entertainment, adding to the atmosphere for those staying there.

Places are available for small tents, large tents and campers and caravans, with five nights in a small tent working out at just £9 per night.

Nathan Cutler, Events and Facilities Officer at Colne Town Council, said: “The campsite is always incredibly popular and has a brilliant atmosphere, with festivalgoers coming from near and far to stay for the weekend and enjoy everything Colne has to offer.

“There is so much happening this year, from 50 fantastic artists across our three main stages to the Official Fringe and a huge amount of family entertainment throughout the town. Add in all of Colne’s brilliant independent businesses, places to eat and drink and the entertainment happening around the streets, and there’s a real festival atmosphere wherever you go.

“With only limited campsite places remaining, we’d encourage anyone who wants to make a full weekend of it to get booked in as soon as possible.”

There will be plenty happening away from the main stages too, with Colne set to come alive across the Bank Holiday weekend.

Family-friendly attractions will include busker performances, stilt walkers, face painting, fairground rides, a rodeo bull, a giant games area, glitter tattoos, a 360 photobooth, street food and much more.

Festivalgoers will also have the perfect opportunity to explore Colne and support its fantastic local businesses, with a wide variety of independent shops, food outlets, pubs and other venues to discover throughout the weekend.

All of this will add to what promises to be a memorable Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival as the event celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2026.

A total of 50 artists will perform across three main stage venues, helping to make the Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival one of the best-value music festivals in the UK.

Some of the world’s finest blues talent is heading to Colne for the anniversary celebrations, including Walter Trout, Ray Beadle and many more.

Festival tickets are selling fast, but there is still time to secure a place, with afternoon and evening session tickets available alongside individual day tickets and full festival tickets.

Festival and campsite tickets are available at https://www.bluesfestival.co.uk/tickets/

The 2026 festival is proudly sponsored by Barnfield Construction, continuing their support of Colne’s thriving cultural and creative scene. Learn more here: www.barnfieldconstruction.co.uk