FAQs
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Yes, Heptonstall Festival is completely free to attend.
However, it's not free to run.
Our artists, safety and security teams are all paid, and there are costs for licences, staging, sound equipment, insurance and much more. The festival is made possible through grants, sponsorship and the generosity of people like you.
If you've enjoyed the music, performances and atmosphere, please consider making a donation before, during or after your visit.
Every contribution helps keep the festival magic alive and ensures we can continue bringing free arts and music to Heptonstall for years to come.
Thank you for your support!
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The festival is located across various venues in the village. All within a short stroll from the main stage at Weavers Square. Check out our festival map for more information. Parking is very limited in the village, we strongly recommend walking or taking a local bus to visit the festival, Please find information about our local bus services here
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The good news is that both cash and card are accepted at Heptonstall Festival.
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There is very little parking available in the village. We strongly recommend taking advantage of our local bus services or walking. There is limited parking available at the Bowling and Social Club (donations appreciated). Please find information about our local bus services here
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Well behaved pets are welcome but must be kept on a lead.
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Yes! Hepfest is family friendly with lots of activities for children.
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We try our very best to be accessible, however some spaces have limitations. Please be aware of our historic cobbled streets, uneven pavements. Our volunteers would be happy to help guide you to our accessible areas.
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Yes! In addition to our local TownGate TeaRoom and Village Post Office shop and pubs there will also be local food and drink vendors in the main square. Lots of delicious choices to choose from including veggie and vegan options.
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Yes, there are toilets available at St. Thomas Church (donations appreciated)
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We work hard to make the event a safe, welcoming and enjoyable place for everyone.
A dedicated safety and security team will be on site throughout the festival, helping to ensure that all visitors, performers, volunteers and traders can enjoy the day with confidence.
If you need assistance at any point during the festival, please speak to a member of our team. Visit the festival volunteers tent on Weavers Square where a member of our team will be happy to help.
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This is Yorkshire... we'll be carrying on!
Heptonstall Festival is a rain or shine event, so whatever the weather decides to do, the festival will go ahead.
As they say in Yorkshire: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!"
So pack a waterproof, bring your best festival spirit and join us for a fantastic day in Heptonstall.
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Learn more about volunteering or donate to help Heptonstall Festival
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Email us for more information
heptonstallfestivals@gmail.com
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Email us for more information
heptonstallfestivals@gmail.com
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Email us for more information
heptonstallfestivals@gmail.com
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Send us an email and we will try our best to help you! heptonstallfestivals@gmail.com
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As we look forward to welcoming you all to Heptonstall Festival next weekend, we want to share a brief update on our ongoing commitment to protecting our beautiful village environment and its local wildlife. Heptonstall has a rich natural heritage, and our festival team works hard to ensure the event coexists safely with the local wildlife. We are aware of the long-standing community affection for our local bird populations, including the barn owls that have nested in the village for generations. To ensure their continued safety and peace, after consultation with experts we have put the following measures in place for this year’s event: * Acoustic Mitigation: Over the years, the festival has evolved into a predominantly acoustic, folk-based event focused on singer-songwriters and traditional instrumentation. Sound levels are carefully managed, and performance areas are positioned a significant distance away from known, sensitive nesting habitats. * Habitat Protection: To protect the birds from human disturbance, we are explicitly asking all festival-goers to stay clear of the church ruins throughout the event. While expert advice confirms that standard crowd noise and foot traffic do not impact the birds, physical proximity to nesting sites can be more problematic. The festival will not conduct any activity which would require people to come into proximity with potentially sensitive sites. For the safety of the owls, we will not pinpoint or publicise exact nesting locations, as nesting disruption is the single greatest threat to their welfare. The barn owls have successfully thrived alongside the festival for decades (not to mention the church bell ringing!), and by keeping our volume reasonable and giving their habitats plenty of space, we can ensure they continue to do so. Unconfirmed rumours also suggest the owls are actually quite partial to a bit of finger-picked guitar. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep Heptonstall Festival enriching for both our human and feathered friends. If you would like to find out more about these fascinating creatures and their nesting habits please visit the Barn Owl Trust website: https://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-facts/barn-owl-nesting/