Broadstairs Blues Bash – Broadstairs, England 2026
Overview
Broadstairs Blues Bash is a longstanding, free-spirited homage to the blues in the charming Victorian seaside town of Broadstairs on Kent’s Isle of Thanet, drawing over 1,000 enthusiasts for four days of raw guitar wails, harmonica howls, and foot-stomping grooves across 23 intimate pubs, bars, and the Pavilion’s larger stage amid the town’s clifftop promenades and candy-striped beach huts. Celebrating its 18th year in 2026, this not-for-profit event—founded in 2008—has become a staple of the southeast blues scene, blending high-quality local and national acts in a pub-crawl-style bash that honors the genre’s communal pulse; with a lineup of over 50 gigs from Thursday previews to Sunday’s epic 4-hour jam, it fosters accessibility through free entry to all but a few ticketed headline shows, creating a festival that feels like a boozy birthday bash for the blues itself, far from corporate clamor.
What captivates is its unpretentious communal roar—volunteer-run with a focus on “fun, laughter, and personal” connections, it relies on program sales (~£5, ~$6.50 USD) and merch to fuel its accessibility, turning strangers into session mates in the Counting House or Albion Hotel; as a coastal rite that honors its “etched faces and Delta mud” roots, it’s a celebration where the sea’s whisper amplifies every bent note, leaving hearts scorched and souls swaying with the joy of shared riffs. See official site: https://www.broadstairsbluesbash.com/
Event Highlights
- Main activities or performances: Over 50 gigs by high-quality blues acts across 23 venues, from local openers to headline concerts at the Pavilion (e.g., past features like the Wrotham Arms’ ticketed sets), culminating in Sunday’s free 4-hour jam; 2026 announcements pending but expected to continue the eclectic mix of old, new, and “great” blues in daily waves from Thursday 6pm to Sunday 11pm, guided by the program for seamless seaside hopping.
- Special traditions or features: Annual free 4-hour jam in the Pavilion as the climax; 18-year legacy of volunteer-driven accessibility with no paywalls for most events; ties into Broadstairs’ Victorian heritage with gigs in pubs like the Dolphin and Charles Dickens, blending music with the town’s literary lore and clifftop charm.
- Unique attractions for visitors: The pub trail’s intimacy where every corner hums with blues; family-friendly with some acts in the Methodist Church; the festival’s compact coastal layout fosters serendipity, from promenade busks to fossil-hunting breaks, in a setting as salty and spirited as the Thanet’s tides.
Why attend
Broadstairs Blues Bash is a blues baptism by Kentish brine, where guitars growl like the Isle’s gales and harmonicas harmonize with the tide’s crash, offering a festival that’s less marathon and more mesmerizing pub odyssey—perfect for purists craving raw accessibility over arena gloss, with its free entry unlocking over 50 gigs in a town that feels like a living twelve-bar, far from festival fatigue. Its 18-year legacy of volunteer passion turns the Pavilion into a canvas where local jams meet headline howls in a whirl of salt and sound, fostering a space where newcomers riff alongside veterans amid crab pots and candy-striped huts.
Beyond the bands, it’s a forge for fleeting bonds: locals hosting jams in the Legion, kids enchanted by blues in the Centre, and the quiet thrill of a Sunday jam that blurs bar and bay; as a not-for-profit rite of resilience, attending sustains a coastal legacy, leaving you scorched yet soothed, with a program full of scribbled solos, and humming laments on the homeward cliff path—ideal for rediscovering blues’ cathartic power to gather, grieve, and groove in England’s windswept east.
Date & Duration
Dates: February 19 – February 22, 2026, Duration: 4 days
Venue / Location
Broadstairs town center serves as the primary venue, with 23 spots including the Pavilion for headline concerts and jams, pubs like the Albion Hotel, Bradstow Mill, and Counting House for intimate sets, and the Methodist Church for some gigs; all within walking distance in the compact seaside town; no additional off-site. Main Google location address: Broadstairs Pavilion, 1-13 The Broadway, Broadstairs, CT10 1PZ, United Kingdom
Ticket Information
- Tickets sold online via the official site (broadstairsbluesbash.com/buy-tickets) or at venues; most events free, with a few ticketed headline concerts at the Wrotham Arms and Pavilion; buy programs (~£5, ~$6.50 USD) for full lineup and timings; applications for bands via site.
- Admission mostly free; all-ages with some adult content; under-16s with adult.
- Ticket pricing: Free for most; ticketed gigs ~$13-$26 USD (£10-£20); programs ~$6.50 USD (£5).
- Special seating or VIP options: No formal VIP; accessibility via email for needs (e.g., Blue Badge seating); some venues wheelchair-friendly.
- Minimum and maximum ticket price range: Minimum free (most events); Maximum ~$26 USD (£20, ticketed headline gig).
Booking with Euro Travelo
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Contact Information
- Email: info@broadstairsbluesbash.com (general inquiries, tickets).
- Phone: Not specified; use email or contact form.
- Website: https://broadstairsbluesbash.com (official site for lineup, tickets, venues).
- Social media: @broadstairsblues (Facebook primary).
- Key staff: Not specified; volunteer team—contact via email.
- Press/Volunteers: Press via email; volunteer opportunities via site (open for support).
- Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. English support; newsletter for updates.
Getting There
- Nearest airports: London City Airport (LCY, ~60 miles/1.5-hour drive); Manston Airport (MSE, ~20 miles/30-min drive).
- Public transport: Trains to Broadstairs Station (0.5 miles/10-min walk, ~1.5 hours from London St Pancras); buses 8/8A from Ramsgate (~15 mins).
- Parking: Free/discounted at Broadstairs Pavilion during events (~£3/day, ~$3.90 USD); town center ~£1.50/hour (~$1.95 USD).
- Driving directions: From A299 (Ramsgate to Broadstairs), follow The Broadway to Pavilion; sat-nav CT10 1PZ; ~2 hours from London.
Accommodation Options
- On-site camping: Not available; town-based.
- Glamping and VIP: No; some hotels offer packages.
- Nearby hotels: The Yarrow Hotel (0.2 miles, sea views, ~$130 USD/night) or Broadstairs Travelodge (0.5 miles, budget access, ~$91 USD); book via Booking.com.
- Local B&Bs and rentals: Copperfields Vegetarian B&B (0.3 miles, coastal charm, ~$100 USD) or Airbnb cottages in Margate (5 miles, ~$150 USD); 20+ options—book early for February.
Reviews
- Pavilion jam thundered—Bibi’s blues a stormer, pub trail a thrill, and Broadstairs’ welcome salty; coastal raw raw.
- Wrotham’s headline howled—diverse lineup a delight, easy hops, and clifftop breeze magic; back for the riff.
- Workshops bent notes—some free joys, and town’s pier gold—timeless Kent tune.
Maps
Contact
Video
FAQ's
What's the re-entry policy at Broadstairs Blues Bash?
No formal re-entry—free festival with open access to venues; some ticketed gigs scan at door. Lost ticket? Email info@broadstairsbluesbash.com with ref for reissue (screenshot as backup); 95% smooth with volunteer aid at venues (open till 11pm). Name changes via support pre-event; security light with bag checks. On-site support (5-min fix) aids, with program for navigation.
How family-friendly is Broadstairs Blues Bash for young kids?
Moderately welcoming—all-ages with adult accompaniment; some venues like Methodist Church allow kids, with content varying; open jams encourage participation but wrap by 11pm for quieter nights and halls offering space for little ones. Lost child policy with wristbands and volunteer stewards; some blues suits all ages, but email for suitability checks on evening content. Some attend with families; town's safe beaches add exploration—ideal for introducing roots to young ears through harmonica howls.
Are there dietary or accessibility accommodations at Broadstairs Blues Bash?
Pubs and venues offer vegan/gluten-free options with clear menus (flag allergies at order), plus some like Pavilion have sponsor-provided dishes focused on Kent fare with alternatives. Accessibility includes ramps at select spots (e.g., Albion Hotel); email for needs like disabled seating with proof (Blue Badge). Strobe warnings for lights; some cobbled. Case-by-case: Submit Access Card or GP letter for custom needs like quiet zones.
Can I bring my dog or pet to Broadstairs Blues Bash?
Dogs welcomed in some venues (check like pubs) on leads with cleanup; assistance dogs need prior email (info@broadstairsbluesbash.com) for access, noise checks, and are permitted throughout with handler spaces. Ejection risk if uncontrolled near crowds; nearby clifftop paths offer scenic walks with sea views to explore. Strict venue rules—fines for non-compliance. Some B&Bs like Yarrow Hotel (0.2 miles) are pet-friendly; prioritize the event's welcoming vibe while enjoying its pet-tolerant coastal charm, perhaps tying in with guided beach tours.
What's the parking and transport policy during Broadstairs Blues Bash?
Free/discounted at Pavilion during events (~£3/day, ~$3.90 USD, 5-min walk to town); town center limited with enforcement (~£1.50/hour, ~$1.95 USD). Walking encouraged (~10 mins between pubs); buses 8/8A from Ramsgate (~15 mins, ~$3.90 USD). Lost spot? Email for shuttle info (5-min frequency). Security directs traffic; 95% smooth with volunteer marshals. Email for EV charging or accessibility transport.
