Fortress Festival

About Fortress Festival

Scarborough Spa puts the festival under one seaside roof on South Bay. Fortress Festival 2027 runs there from 28-30 May 2027, with the Scarborough venue split across indoor rooms for a black metal event. It began at the same site in 2023 and marks its fifth anniversary in 2027.

Lineup and Programme

The bill leans into black metal, atmospheric black metal and dungeon synth, with UK-exclusive and world-exclusive appearances part of the booking pattern. Announced acts include Emperor, Stormkeep, Ninkharsag and Slagmaur. Emperor is the first announced headliner.

Sets run across the Grand Hall and Ocean Room, with the Theatre also used. Between rooms, the music market connects the stages, and food vendors and venue bars handle the rest of the site.

Who Is It For?

The crowd is primarily black metal and dungeon synth fans rather than a general multi-genre weekend. Entry is 14+, and under-18s must attend with an adult. It is an indoor event, with free pass-outs across the weekend.

The Venue and Site

Scarborough Spa sits on South Bay and uses multiple indoor spaces for Fortress. The venue layout puts three stages under one roof, with the music market connecting them. A restaurant and multiple bars sit inside, while the sun court area handles food vendors.

Access facilities include ramps, lifts and limited wheelchair spaces. Several disabled parking bays are available on a first-come basis.

Travel

Scarborough Spa sits on South Bay in Scarborough, with rail access through the town station and road routes in from the A64, A170, A171 and coastal roads.

• Rail: Scarborough station is about 15 minutes' walk or a taxi ride from Scarborough Spa.
• From the north: road access runs via the A1/A19 to the A171 or A170.
• From the south: routes include the M1 to A1 to A64, or M1/M18 to M62 towards Hull, then A63/A165.
• From the west: routes include the M62 to Hull then A63/A615, or M62 to M1 then A64.
• Parking: options include Scarborough Spa forecourt long-stay pay-and-display, Spa Approach Road, South Bay Underground on Foreshore Road, and South Cliff / Albion Road. The Spa car parks are free after 6pm.