BRITPOP TO BBQ: FIVE BIG FEASTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2025

Each summer, Big Feastival transforms Alex James's Cotswold farm into a heady weekend of live music, incredible food, and family-friendly mischief. But this year, it’s not just back, it’s back with strings attached. Whether you’re a foodie, a music lover, or just someone who enjoys cheese with your dancefloor, here are five unmissable highlights at this year’s Big Feastival.

ALEX JAMES' BRITPOP CLASSICAL

For the uninitiated, imagine the swagger of the ‘90s Britpop era reimagined with the cinematic flourish of a full orchestra. Add a dash of eccentric English charm and a roll-call of cultural icons and you begin to understand what’s in store. Blur’s very own Alex James will take centre stage alongside a glittering line-up including Phil Daniels, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Gary Stringer of Reef, and Fran Healy & Dougie Payne of Travis. This all-star symphonic spectacular promises orchestral takes on era-defining anthems like Girls and Boys, Place Your Hands and Bittersweet Symphony. Quite the crescendo to cap off the weekend.
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​WOODLAND DINNERS AND FIRE PIT FEASTS 

Dining is a serious affair here. The Big Kitchen plays host to culinary royalty, with Raymond Blanc (Friday), Simon Rimmer (Saturday) and Si King (Sunday) cooking up a storm in front of live audiences. For those in search of more immersive indulgence, Fire Pit Feasts and Lazy Lunches by Ben Quinn promise four-course revelry under canvas, with smoke, fire and finesse in equal measure.

Thursday’s Woodland Feasts will see intimate gatherings amidst the trees, serving up Cotswold-reared beef and James’ own Blue Monday cheese, a nod to terroir and tradition alike. Meanwhile, a brand-new BBQ Cook School invites budding firemasters to get hands-on with the grill, while Little Cooks with Prept keeps younger chefs entertained, informed and very well fed.
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THE CHEESE HUB

As dusk falls, the party continues. What began as a quirky tent filled with Alex James’ cheeses has become one of the festival’s hottest nightspots. The Cheese Hub returns with a DJ line-up that’s equal parts nostalgic and wildly entertaining: Simon Pegg, James Buckley, Chris Stark, Edith Bowman and more. 
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One of our highlights from last year was Woody Cook who returns again to The Cheese Hub on the Sunday. 
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STREET FOOD, OBVIOUSLY 

We don't know another music festival where the food as just as popular as the music, but Feastival absolutely nails both. What sets Big Feastival’s street food scene apart is not just the quantity, but the quality.

Whether you're craving something charred, spiced, slow-smoked or plant-based, there’s something for every palate and enough variety to make even the most indecisive eater deeply content. From bao to brisket, ramen to roti, it's a global tour of bold flavours without having to leave the farm.

​THE BIG TOP

The Big Top returns as the beating heart of Big Feastival’s family fun and a vibrant hub packed with entertainment and activities for younger festivalgoers.

It's the place ypu will find Barrioke, an hour-long sing-a-long with Eastenders star Shaun Williamson. Highlights for 2025 include School of Beatbox, Mad Science Live, Little Yogi Festival Flow and Ninja Masters, promising music, movement and interactive learning. New for 2025, kids will also get to enjoy the world’s biggest bouncy castle, which will be on site for the first time.

Across the weekend, families can enjoy live shows from favourites like MC Grammar, Evie Pickerill, The Marvellous Myth Hunters and Bubblemania. Big Feastival will also welcome back children’s TV legend Justin Fletcher, Strictly star Oti Mabuse, and introduce the daring thrills of Chris Bullzini’s High Wire – a jaw-dropping spectacle high above the festival fields. This year also sees the biggest comedy line-up in the festival’s history including Lucy Beamont, Lou Sanders & Bridget Christie to name a few.


The Big Feastival takes place on Alex James' Farm in Kingham from Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th August 2025.

bigfeastival.com