Faerie Festival

Faerie Festival 2026

Faerie Festival 2026 takes place in spring in the historic village of Alfriston, Sussex, surrounded by meadows and ancient woodlands. This enchanting event invites visitors of all ages to celebrate folklore and nature over a magical weekend.

Music & Entertainment

The festival features live folk bands blending Celtic melodies, drum circles, acrobats, fire-dancers, stilt-walkers, and storytellers throughout the day and into the night.

Workshops & Activities

Creative workshops include nature-inspired yoga, face-painting, circus skills, puppet shows, and communal art projects. Children can explore a whimsical Faerie Trail in the woods.

Food & Market

The vibrant marketplace offers handmade crafts such as crystal jewellery, floral crowns, and carved wands, alongside local vegetarian and vegan food stalls serving wood-fired bread and sweet treats.

Atmosphere & Community

Camping onsite beneath the stars with facilities like flush toilets and hot showers, attendees enjoy campfires, impromptu drumming, lantern-lit paths, and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere that lasts through Sunday’s finale.

By car: Alfriston is easily reached via the South Coast roads. If you’re driving from London or the north, take the M23/A23 south to the A27, then follow signs for Lewes and Polegate. Turn off the A27 onto local roads for Alfriston and follow directions to Pleasant Rise Farm (Cuckmere Road, BN26 5TN). The festival site provides parking for cars and campervans, but spaces can fill up quickly on busy days. We strongly recommend car-sharing to ease traffic. Once in Alfriston village, the route to the farm is well-signposted – just look for the festival flags and signs.

Public transport: There is no train station in Alfriston itself, but nearby towns have good connections. Lewes (on the Brighton–London line) and Polegate (on the Brighton–Hastings line) are the closest stations. Both have frequent trains from London, Brighton and the South Coast. From either Lewes or Polegate, catch the local No. 26 bus (Eastbourne–Polegate–Alfriston–Seaford) which stops in Alfriston village. The bus ride from Polegate to Alfriston takes about 10–15 minutes. If you arrive at Eastbourne station, you can also transfer to the No. 26 bus. Taxis are available from Lewes, Polegate or Eastbourne if you prefer a direct trip.

Airports: The nearest major airport is London Gatwick, about a 50-mile drive north. From Gatwick you can rent a car or take a direct train to Lewes or Eastbourne, then continue by bus or taxi to Alfriston. Heathrow is farther away (roughly 2–3 hours by road), so Gatwick is usually more convenient. Long-distance coaches (National Express) serve Eastbourne and Brighton from London – from those towns you can transfer to local buses or trains for the last leg. Remember to allow plenty of travel time, as the final stretch to the countryside can be slower during event weekends.

Accommodation: Options near Alfriston are limited, so book early. Onsite camping (tents, caravans and glamping pods) is very popular and convenient. If you prefer a room, Alfriston has a few charming B&Bs and inns, but they book up fast (reserve months ahead). Otherwise consider nearby towns like Eastbourne, Seaford or Lewes (all about 20–30 minutes by car) where hotels and guesthouses are more plentiful. Many visitors arrive on Thursday or early Friday to settle in before the festivities begin. Wherever you choose to stay, check that you can easily get back to the festival site after evening events