Kasabian and Royal Blood will headline the Lake District’s Kendal Calling 2023 festival, along with Blossoms and Nile Rogers and Chic, it was announced Wednesday.
The four-day music festival will return to the stage in 2023, having grown from a small two-day event in 2006 to one of the most anticipated festivals in the country.
With a lineup that includes big stars and old favorites, this 2023 festival is bound to be a hot ticketwith 15,000 people reportedly already signed up for ticket pre-sale this week.
The festival has accessibility tickets available, but only for those with ‘permanent disabilities’: attendees with broken bones, who are pregnant or recovering from surgery do not qualify.
Here’s the ultimate guide to everything there is to know about the festival, from travel arrangements to dates and how to get tickets.
Calling Kendal 2023: Lineup
Kasabian is among the stars headlining Kendal Calling 2023, which features surprises and special guest Annie Mac.
Royal Blood joins headlining Kasabian aka Ben Thatcher (left) and Mike Kerr (right)
The festival lineup was announced at 8am on Wednesday and is packed with musical talent.
Headlining the four day event will be Kasabian, Royal Blood, Blossoms and Nile Rogers and Chic.
Also taking the stage will be the Kaiser Chiefs and Scouting For Girls, as well as individuals Rick Astley and Mel C.
Over 100 acts have been announced so far, as well as special guest and radio DJ Annie Mac.
Joining well-known pop stars, Dick and Dom will also take the stage over the weekend, as will DJ Yoda and The Thingujamigs.
Other acts include The Lathums, Example, Frank Turner, Confidence Man, Happy Mondays and Circa Wave.
When is Kendal Calling 2023?
This year’s festival will take place from July 27 to 30, from Thursday to Sunday.
For those wishing to attend the entire festival, a weekend ticket and a Thursday ticket will be required.
How do I buy tickets?
All tickets will be released online and will be available starting at 10am Friday for those registered for pre-sale.
The organizers have confirmed that more than 15,000 people have already signed up for the pre-sale
The best way to secure festival tickets is to sign up for the pre-sale event to gain access to them before the general release.
All tickets will be released for purchase online only. The pre-sale is available for registration until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday and will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 27.
The remaining tickets will go on sale at 10 am on Saturday.
The organizers have confirmed that more than 15,000 people have already registered for the presale, but there is still time to register.
What types of tickets are there?
There are two main types of tickets available, Thursday and Weekend. The Weekend subscription gives its holder access only from Friday to Sunday.
There are four age categories that can be booked, from under five to over 16. There is no independent ticketing system for people over 65 years of age.
All weekend tickets include access to the site’s standard camping facilities.
Where is Kendal Calling 2023?
The festival is held at Lowther Deer Park in Cumbria and was attended by 25,000 people in 2022.
It’s close to the town of Kendal, but it’s actually closer to nearby Penrith, which also has the closest train station to the festival site.
How can I get to Kendal Calling 2023?
The nearest station to the park is Penrith North Lakes (Pictured: Manchester Parklife festival)
The nearest rail station to the festival site is Penrith (also known as Penrith North Lakes), which is a 15-minute drive away.
The organizers will set up a special shuttle bus service from the station to the festival.
Fast direct hourly services are available from Scotland, Birmingham and London, and from Manchester and the North West (with a quick change at Preston or Crewe).
By train, it takes 2.5 hours from Birmingham New Street, three hours from London Euston, one hour and 20 minutes from Glasgow, 1.5 hours from Edinburgh and just 34 minutes from Lancaster.
Festival-goers can also buy tickets for bus services to the festival from locations across the UK.
Coaches will travel from Barrow-in-Furness, Ulverston, Kendal, Manchester, Bolton, Blackburn, Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford, Liverpool, Warrington, Preston, Edinburgh, Sunderland, Newcastle, Carlisle, Whitehaven, Workington, Keswick, Blackpool, Morecambe. , Glasgow and Dumfries.
Attendees can also drive to the venue, though the festival charges for car parking and it can be a long walk from the car to the stages.
Is the festival accessible?
Kendal Calling advises that muddy and uneven terrain should be considered for attendees with mobility issues.
Festival-goers with disabilities or additional needs have until April 28 to apply for accessible tickets, which are released separately from main ticket sales.
But the tickets are not open to everyone. The Kendal Calling website says, “Accessible facilities are only available to festival-goers with permanent disabilities, so broken legs, recent injuries, recent operations, seniors and pregnant women do not qualify.”
Therefore, accessible services, such as an accessible campsite, restrooms and showers, will not be available to people without “permanent” disabilities.
Kendal Calling 2023 was contacted for comment on the festival’s accessibility rules.
Is Kendal Calling family friendly?
There is a dedicated family campsite at Kendal Calling 2023, away from the rest of the campers.
There are ticket options available for children under five, children 5-11 and 11-15, so it is available and open for families to visit.
But there are rules about where children can go depending on their age.
Weekend tickets ages 11-15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 30 who holds the ticket, and must camp in the same area as their families or guardians.
There is a dedicated family campsite away from the rest of the campers.
Children ages 11-15 are not allowed to enter the sand field unaccompanied after 10 p.m.
Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
There are a limited number of tickets for children up to and including 5 years of age who can attend for free, but their parent or guardian must obtain a ticket for them and accompany them at all times.
By purchasing a ticket for infants (up to five years), the person making the reservation confirms that they are the parent or legal guardian of the child.
What camping options are available?
Kendal Calling has campsites for families, for all-night ravers, and even a quiet area for those who value a good night’s sleep.
Kendal Calling 2023 has several camps for each group or person that attends.
The standard camping facilities are:
- Great Holmes/24 Hour Party People: Conveniently close to parking lot and Village Green. Home to those who want to stay up late and keep the party going.
- The Shire – A more laid back campsite than Great Holmes/24 Hour Party People for those who want a good night’s sleep.
- Haye Parks – Mountain views located to the left of the field for internal vehicles.
- Family Camping/Saddleback View – Just like it says on the tin! Our family campsite boasts fantastic views of the Lake District and is perfect for those looking to take their children for the weekend.
- Quiet Camping – For those looking for a good night’s sleep.
For those who want a more ‘glamping’ style, there are also upgraded campsites with more amenities such as hot showers. They also have their own entrance to the arena.
What facilities are on site?
In addition to toilets and drinking water points at all campsites, there are also practical services such as secure storage and tents.
Campers can use ATMs, a Co-op Festival store, bars and food stalls. Secure storage can be booked in advance of the festival, and information centers will also be available throughout the four days.
How much do the tickets cost?
Ticket prices for 2023 have not yet been released, but there are different price levels depending on the campsites chosen.
Last year tickets started from £144 plus fees.