PRESS RELEASE
Christchurch Music Festival is set to return bigger and better in 2027, following a sell-out 2026 event which welcomed 15,000 people to Christchurch Quay across three days of music and entertainment.
The ambition for 2026 was to establish Christchurch as a genuine destination on the South Coast’s summer music and events calendar – bringing together the local community while attracting new visitors into the town.
With 15,000 attendances across the weekend, packed stages and audiences travelling from across the region and beyond, organisers believe that ambition was firmly achieved.
Attention has now turned to Christchurch Music Festival 2027, taking place from 16–18 July, with an internationally acclaimed line-up already beginning to take shape and further announcements still to come.
Among the acts confirmed so far are Boney M, Boyzlife, Heather Small, Marvin Humes, Odyssey, DJ Luck & MC Neat, The George Michael Singers, Rick Parfitt Jnr and his RPJ Band, Ibiza Classics Live, Sweet Female Attitude and Brandon Block.
The programme will also feature major celebration shows including Michael Jackson: King of Pop starring Navi, The Dolly Parton Show and The Luke Combs Experience, alongside festival favourites Wonderband and a strong contingent of local talent.
Returning local names include Mike Artwell, Jon Coomer, Bob Povey, Martyn The Hat, Niall Moloney and Abi Lemon, with Jay Rachet and Heart FM’s Jonny Meah hosting across the weekend.
The festival will once again have a strong local flavour away from the stage, working with businesses, suppliers and organisations from across the area. Frettens Solicitors will return as Main Stage sponsor, with partners including The Captain’s Club Hotel & Spa, Chicken & Blues, Flamingo Café Bar and Cocoloco already confirmed.
Sophie Christy, Non-Executive Director of Christchurch Music Festival, said:
“When we set out to deliver the 2026 festival, one of our biggest ambitions was to put Christchurch Music Festival firmly on the South Coast music and events calendar. To welcome a sell-out crowd of 15,000 people across three days showed us just how much appetite there is for an event like this in the town.
“What was particularly special was seeing local people enjoying the festival alongside visitors coming into Christchurch specifically for the weekend. The atmosphere across the Quay was fantastic and we want the festival to be something that benefits and showcases the wider town as well as delivering great entertainment.
“For 2027, we want to build on those foundations. We’re incredibly excited to be bringing an internationally acclaimed line-up to Christchurch Quay while continuing to showcase brilliant local performers and work alongside fantastic local businesses.
“The support we receive from partners including Frettens and The Captain’s Club, the local community and the council is hugely important to us. It feels like Christchurch has really embraced the festival, and we’re determined to make 2027 another weekend the town can be proud of.”
Organisers say the aim is to continue developing CMF as an event that combines major national and international entertainment with local talent, businesses, hospitality and community, while bringing thousands of visitors into Christchurch.
More artists, entertainment and festival experiences will be announced over the coming months.