No dogs allowed. The festival is not a suitable environment for dogs.
Christchurch Music Festival has the following policy.
- Friday 16 July 2026: Over 18s only
- Saturday 17 July: Over 18s only
- Sunday 18th July: Under 18s welcome all day
Other notes.
- Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult at all times
- Under-18s are not permitted to leave and re-enter the festival after 3pm
- Under-18s may not purchase alcohol, or any age-restricted products
Small umbrellas are fine as long as they don’t block views or cause obstruction. Gazebos, marquees and large umbrellas are not permitted.
Folding chairs and picnic blankets are welcome, so make yourselves comfortable and enjoy the music. To keep things fair for everyone, there’s a no chair/blanket zone directly in front of the stage reserved for standing guests. Designated areas with spacious walkways for festivalgoers will be marked out and clearly signposted on-site, and we ask all guests to keep chairs and blankets within these zones and be mindful of each other’s space across the weekend.
No outside food or drink is permitted.
Our fully stocked bars and brilliant food traders have you covered all weekend. If you have dietary requirements, speak to the traders on-site or drop us a message beforehand.
Yes. You will receive a wristband on entry which allows you to leave and re enter during the day, or for the whole weekend depending on your ticket type. Please note there is no re entry after 8pm.
This is a strictly non-refundable event. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this with a member of the tickets team, please contact us via office@christchurchmusicfestival.com. Please bear in mind our team will be focusing on the festival during the weekend, we will aim to respond as quickly as possible, whether that be during or after the festival.
Friday 16 July: Gates open midday – 11pm (last entry / re-entry 7pm)
Saturday 17 July: Gates open midday – 11pm (last entry / re-entry 7pm)
Sunday 18 July: Gates open midday – 8pm (last entry / re-entry 6pm)
Our qualified first aid team will be on-site throughout the weekend. If you need assistance, speak to a steward or head to the clearly marked First Aid point.
Christchurch Music Festival is a cashless festival.
Yes. Christchurch Music Festival is held on Christchurch Quay, which is a mostly flat and accessible site. We aim to make the event welcoming and comfortable for everyone. There are accessible toilets, stewards available to assist, and viewing areas near the main stage.
Friday: 20:00
Saturday: 20:00
Sunday: 18:00
Please arrive in good time — entry after these times is at the discretion of our gate team and cannot be guaranteed.
If you lose something during the festival, check with our Info Point or ask a steward. After the weekend, you can email us at office@christchurchmusicfestival.com to see if it’s been handed in.
There is no allocated parking at the festival, so please plan ahead.
If you’re driving, there are several public car parks in Christchurch town centre within walking distance of the festival site, including Mayors Mead and Wick Lane.
We recommend walking or using public transport where possible. If you’re coming from across the river, you can even hop on the Wick Ferry and arrive in true festival style.
Photographers and videographers will be capturing moments throughout the weekend for festival marketing and social media. By entering the site, you give consent to be photographed or filmed. If you’d prefer not to be included, just let a member of our team know.
Smoking and vaping are permitted outdoors, but please be considerate of those around you and use bins for cigarette ends.
Pre-purchase bundles include exclusive merchandise, a donation to Julia’s House, and guaranteed access to the main event area, along with a smoother, priority arrival experience. Capacity within the event area will be managed throughout the day. Sunday remains a free-to-access community day; however, entry to the main event area without a pre-purchase is subject to capacity and cannot be guaranteed, operating on a first-come, first-served basis.
We’re a rain-or-shine event, so check the forecast, dress for the weather, and embrace the festival spirit.
For the safety and enjoyment of everyone, the following items are not permitted:
- Campfires or open fires
- Animals (assistance dogs permitted)
- Drones
- Glass bottles, glasses etc. (fragrance bottles permitted)
- Balloons
- High-vis clothing
- Personal generators
- Professional filming or photography equipment
- Drugs, controlled substances or legal highs
- Firearms, knives, blades or replica weapons
- Laser pens
- Fireworks, flares, smoke canisters or Chinese lanterns
- Flagpoles (flags permitted)
- Liquid fuels
- Klaxons, airhorns, megaphones or amplification equipment
- Hand-held communication devices including radios, radio jammers and scanners
- Scooters, skateboards and bicycles
- Unauthorised promotional materials
- Spray cans, marker pens or stickers
- Any other hazardous materials or items
Our security team carries out searches on entry and reserves the right to refuse admission or confiscate any prohibited items.
There’s no camping or overnight stay on-site. If you’re travelling from further afield, there are plenty of nearby hotels, B&Bs, and campsites in and around Christchurch.
