The Wilkswood Reggae Festival 2025

Sweet, Sweet Reggae Music in the Purbeck Countryside

Held in wooded Purbeck farmland in Langton Matravers on the outskirts of Swanage, Wilkswood Reggae 2025 presents four days of reggae and with four nights camping on the Jurassic Coast from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 July. This year’s festival will again see reggae legends rub shoulders with upcoming artists and DJs from the UK and abroad with over 50 acts performing across three stages. The 2025 line-up will be announced in January.

Founded in 2016, Wilkswood Reggae is very much a family-friendly festival and there is plenty to keep your little ones entertained including a dedicated kid’s field and a wooded clearing featuring storytelling, nature trails and music. There will also be free workshops in beatboxing, urban dance and rap performance. To encourage the whole family to come along, there are reduced prices for children up to the age of 18 and under-3s are free. With a capacity limited to 2,500, the festival is relaxed and intimate with plenty of camping space and is perfect for families with young children or people who just don’t like huge crowds. Both the Main Stage and the Soundsystem Arena are under cover so the music carries on whatever the weather.

Elsewhere there’s a chillout zone, street food stalls (including a Jamaican jerk barbecue, wood-fired pizza and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options), the main bar serving draught beer, ice cold lager and a varied selection of ciders and scrumpies as well as the Rumshak’s infamous rum cocktails. Merchandise stalls selling hats, clothing, jewellery, bells and whistles complete the festival experience.

The Wilkswood Roots Reggae Festival has been presenting some of the best UK and international roots, dub, lovers, ska and ragga artists since 2016. Previous headliners on the main stage have included Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Mad Professor, Horace Andy, Dennis Bovell, Johnny Clarke, General Levy, Brinsley Forde, Twinkle Brothers, Tippa Irie, Mikey General, Joe Ariwa, Earl Sixteen, Carroll Thompson, Janet Kay and Festus Coxsone.

Organised by Bournemouth’s Hard Way Promotions, the festival takes place over four days at Wilkswood Farm in Langton Matravers and the ticket price includes full admission as well as camping and parking for four nights. There is a glamping field with pre-pitched tents and campervans and caravans are welcome (for a small additional fee).