Exile Music Festival – Derbyshire, England 2026
Overview
The Exile Music Festival is a small, intimate, non-profit family-friendly gathering that transforms a private residence in the Derbyshire countryside into a cozy haven of eclectic music, community vibes, and laid-back summer joy over three days. Established as a grassroots event, it brings together attendees for a mix of folk, indie, rock, and acoustic acts on multiple stages, emphasizing relaxation, affordability, and all-ages fun amid the rolling hills north of Matlock, where attendees can pitch tents, form impromptu tribes, and dance freely under the stars.
With no commercial pressures, the festival prioritizes eclectic lineups that inspire both chilled listens and full boogies, complemented by reasonably priced food, beer, and traders. Free for children and run by passionate volunteers, it creates a nurturing space where parents unwind while kids roam safely, earning rave reviews for its ease and heart—truly a hidden gem in Derbyshire’s pastoral embrace that leaves families recharged and eager for annual returns.
Event Highlights
- Main activities or performances:Â Eclectic lineup of live bands and acoustic sets on multiple stages, featuring folk-inspired acts like The Young’uns and indie rock tributes; open mics and late-night sessions blending genres for a diverse auditory adventure.
- Special traditions or features:Â Annual family tribe-forming at the festival site, with community bonfires and sing-alongs on Sunday nights echoing its non-profit roots; kid-led freedom zones where children create their own play villages, rooted in the event’s ethos of relaxed, trust-based gathering.
- Unique attractions for visitors:Â Private countryside setting with panoramic Derbyshire views, including trader stalls for crafts and local brews; interactive family workshops on songwriting and drumming, plus pop-up chill areas with hammocks and storytelling circles for a multi-sensory rural retreat.
About This Event
- Focuses on eclectic, non-mainstream music to create a supportive, non-commercial environment for families and friends in a private, intimate field setting.
- Relies on volunteer passion and community donations to keep it affordable and authentic, collaborating with local artists for a truly grassroots vibe.
- Embraces eco-conscious elements like minimal waste and carpooling, tying into Derbyshire’s natural heritage for a sustainable, heartfelt escape.
Why Attend
Embracing the Exile Music Festival means surrendering to a weekend of unhurried bliss, where eclectic beats stir your spirit from dawn folk whispers to dusk indie dances, all in a tent-friendly haven that’s free for kids and easy on the wallet—perfect for families letting little ones roam wild while parents sip affordable ales. The three-day rhythm at Sabine Hay crafts those rare “just right” moments, from tribe-forming playdates to bonfire harmonies that recharge without overwhelm.
Deeper still, it’s a sanctuary for souls seeking genuine connection, nurturing local talents through non-profit magic while escaping screens in Derbyshire’s dales. Solo dreamers uncover quiet acoustic gems, couples sway to sunset sets, and parents rediscover joy through kid-led adventures—emerging heart-open, hill-hugged, and hooked on this cozy corner of festival freedom.
Date & Duration
- Dates: June 26 – June 28, 2026
- Duration: 3 days
Venue / Location
- City: Derbyshire (near Darley Dale and Matlock), England; a private countryside site with easy access to Peak District trails.
- Main venues: Sabine Hay main stage (headline acts and family sets), camping fields (overnight stays with communal areas), trader village (crafts and food stalls), bonfire circle (late-night sing-alongs).
- Main event Google location address: Sabine Hay, off Oldfield Lane, near Darley Dale, Derbyshire DE4 2LN, UK
Ticket Information
- How tickets are sold:Â Online via the festival website or email inquiries; on-site availability for walk-ups; family bundles available.
- Whether admission is free or paid:Â Paid for adults and older children, free for under 10s to encourage family attendance.
- Ticket pricing in USD only: Weekend passes $65–$91 USD; day tickets $26–$39 USD; child (10–17) $13 USD.
- Any special seating or VIP options: No formal VIP; reserved family camping spots via email ($0–$13 USD add-on).
- Minimum ticket price:Â $0 USD (under 10s); maximum $91 USD (adult weekend with camping upgrade).
- Camping included in weekend tickets; refunds up to 48 hours prior; accessible seating reserved on request.
Booking with Euro Travelo
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Contact Information
- Email: enquiries@exilemusicfestival.co.uk (general inquiries); bands@exilemusicfestival.co.uk (performers); traders@exilemusicfestival.co.uk (vendors).
- Phone:Â Not specified; contact via email for festival office.
- Website: https://exilemusicfestival.co.uk; https://www.facebook.com/ExileMusicFestival (updates and gallery).
- Social Media:Â @ExileMusicFestival (Facebook and Instagram); @ExileFestUK (X/Twitter).
- Key Staff:Â Not specified; community volunteer team via email.
- Press/Volunteers: Email press@exilemusicfestival.co.uk (media); volunteer sign-ups via website form (open spring).
- Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. English support available; volunteer briefings in May.
Getting There
- Nearest airports:Â East Midlands Airport (EMA), 30 miles/45-min drive via A6; Manchester Airport (MAN), 50 miles/1 hour.
- Public transport:Â East Midlands Railway to Matlock station (from London St Pancras, 2 hours) then taxi to site (10 minutes); local buses from Bakewell.
- Parking:Â Free on-site for ticket holders; carpool encouraged with shuttle from Darley Dale village.
- Other access:Â Peak District cycle paths; rideshares like Uber from stations; pedestrian-friendly fields with ramps for accessibility.
Accommodation Options
- Budget stays: On-site camping included with weekend tickets ($0 extra); nearby hostels like YHA Matlock ($26–$39 USD/night shared).
- Mid-range hotels: The Devonshire Arms at Beeley (10-min drive, $65–$91 USD/night, countryside views); The Rutland Arms at Bakewell ($78 USD/night with parking).
- Luxury options: Chatsworth House lodges ($117–$143 USD/night, estate access); The Hilt Farm at Hathersage ($130 USD/night, spa).
- Other: Airbnbs in dales cottages ($52–$104 USD/night); book via Booking.com early for June; pet-friendly camping at most sites.
Reviews
- Cozy folk vibes in the fields had us all swaying—kids formed their tribe instantly, parents finally relaxed; Exile’s magic is real.
- Indie sets at bonfire were transcendent, food and beer spot-on affordable—small scale, big heart, Derbyshire’s best-kept festival secret.
- Eclectic lineup kept us dancing dawn to dusk; intimate and inspiring—already packing tents for next year’s tribe reunion.
Maps
Contact
FAQ's
What makes Exile Music Festival unique compared to larger events?
This intimate 3-day gem stands out with its non-profit, private-field coziness since inception, packing eclectic folk and indie beats into Derbyshire dales without commercial chaos, creating a 20-acre tribe haven rarer than a clear Peak sky. Free under-10 entry and included camping democratize joy, while volunteer passion shines in the non-competitive fun from open mics to bonfire shanties. The June weekend paces your playlist amid moorland calm, with eco-car shares nodding to rural roots. It's less frenzy, more family—harmonies hug hills, drawing devotees for the evolving grassroots groove. Families appreciate the kid freedom, repeaters the local lore that turns Sabine Hay into a kindred sanctuary.
Is the festival family-friendly, and what activities for kids?
Absolutely, with free entry for under 10s and wristbands for safety, plus dedicated play zones boasting tribe-forming freedom, drumming workshops, and gentle acoustic circles that spark without overwhelming. Parents love the flat fields for easy roaming, short family sets at the main stage, and volunteer-monitored chill areas for breaks. Open mics welcome young troubadours, while trader crafts double as playtime. No dogs policy keeps it serene, and feedback highlights the joyful, low-stress chaos that bonds generations under dales skies. It's a soft festival starter, nurturing mini-melodists in a supportive, sunlit field.
How can I get involved as a volunteer or performer?
Volunteering's easy—email enquiries@exilemusicfestival.co.uk for roles like stage crew or trader support, with spring training and perks like free weekends and artist hangs. No pro chops needed; just festival fervor—alums rave about forged tribes and field vibes. Performers submit demos via bands@exilemusicfestival.co.uk by April for stage slots; priority for eclectic folk/indie originals. Traders email for stalls boosting local crafts. It's hands-on harmony, tuning the fest from the tents. Follow Facebook for 2026 calls, as spots fill like a rising riff—join to jam the joy.
What accessibility features are available for visitors?
Field-friendly inclusion: Flat 20-acre pastures ensure easy wheelchair/pushchair access, with disabled toilets and water points at stages and camping. Free companion tickets via email, volunteer escorts for navigation, and quiet dales nooks for sensory needs. Large-print maps at entry, and BSL for key sets (book ahead). Feedback praises helpful staff and ground-level stages. Contact pre-event for custom plans like reserved camping or priority trader access—ensuring every beat bounces for all in true exile spirit.
What should I pack or prepare for a weekend at the festival?
Derbyshire June swings 55–68°F with shower risks—layer tees under waterproofs, pack wellies and sun hats for dale dances. Comfy layers conquer grass; reusables for eco bar, cash for traders (cards spotty), and the app for set swaps. Campers: stakes for tents, sleeping bags for cool nights. Families: kid wristbands, sun cream for play zones. Locals tip early arrivals for prime pitches, post-bonfire dales dawns. Casual festival flair fits—wellies optional—and dive in; the music weathers any whisper into wonder.
