Compass Music Festival

About Compass Music Festival

Compass started in 2024 with a free afternoon built on donations. The format has moved on. For 2026, Compass Music Festival runs in Folkestone’s Creative Quarter on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 November as a two-day music showcase.

The 2026 run is its third edition, following Compass Music’s registration as a Community Interest Company in June 2025. Artist applications for this edition drew 364 submissions during a month-long window in summer 2026.

Lineup and Programme

The bill is built from independent artists only, with no covers bands. Forty acts are scheduled across seven small venues, covering indie, alt-pop, folk, post-punk, indie rock, live electronic, singer-songwriter material, alt-folk, soul, blues and alternative hip-hop.

Among the rooms in use are F51, Black Market, The Blind Pig and Quarterhouse. Sets alternate across small rooms, so wristband holders can move on if a venue reaches capacity.

Who Is It For?

Compass is aimed at a discovery-led audience for independent, DIY grassroots music rather than a headline-chasing crowd. The bill carries a gender-balanced pledge, and the ticket model includes concessions for students, under-25s and low/no-income attendees.

Entry starts at 14+. Under-18s must attend with an adult aged 18 or over, and some smaller venues only allow under-18s until 9pm.

The Venue and Site

The festival is spread through Folkestone’s Creative Quarter, with all rooms a few minutes’ walk apart. Wristbands are collected at The Workshop, 32-40 Tontine Street, which acts as the festival hub.

F51, Black Market, The Blind Pig and Quarterhouse are among the venues for the run. Most venues are wheelchair friendly, though access varies by room, and carer tickets are available on request.

Travel to Compass Music Festival

• Train: Folkestone Central is about 15 minutes’ walk from Folkestone 51 and the Creative Quarter. Folkestone West is a step-free alternative if needed.
• From London: High-speed rail from St Pancras International to Folkestone Central takes around 1 hour.
• Regional trains: Dover is about 10 minutes by train from Folkestone, and Ashford is about 15 minutes by train.
• Road: Access is via Tontine Street, M20 Junction 13 and Mill Bay for Quarterhouse.
• Parking: F51 has limited on-site ANPR parking at £1.40 per hour. Nearby paid car parks include Upper Payers Park, Lower Payers Park, Shellons Street and Tram Road, with Quarterhouse also served by limited parking behind the venue and nearby Tram Road, Payers Park and Harbour car parks.