Stonedead Festival

About Stonedead Festival

Newark Showground, on Lincoln Road by Winthorpe/Coddington, is the site for Stonedead Festival 2027 in Newark, a one-day outdoor rock festival.

The format is fixed: one day, one stage. Classic rock and hard rock sit alongside melodic rock, heavy metal and NWOBHM, with an audience described in recent coverage as around 5,000 capacity.

The festival traces back to social media discussions among 12 rock fans in 2017, before it was created in spring 2018. Its first edition ran on the August Bank Holiday in 2018 at Newark Showground; the 2020 event was postponed to 2021, when Stonedead returned as a sell-out edition.

Who Is It For?

Stonedead is aimed at rock fans, especially classic-rock and new-rock audiences. All ages are welcome.

The festival warns of adult-themed content. Under-16s must enter with an adult, under-14s must be accompanied by an appropriate adult at all times, and under-4s enter free.

The Venue and Site

Newark Showground gives the festival an outdoor arena with on-site camping immediately next to the arena entrance. The official travel guidance uses the Drove Lane/Air Museum entrance rather than the main showground entrance.

Food outlets, merchandise stalls and drinking-water points are listed for the site, with toilets and urinals across the campsite and portable toilets in both arena and campsite. The campsite has no electric hook-ups.

Accessibility facilities include a viewing platform, disabled toilets, accessible toilet and shower facilities, a medication fridge and sheltered indoor premises next to first aid. Festival HQ is staffed 24/7 for the disabled camping area, and eligible guests can receive a free PA/carer place.

Newark Showground sits a few minutes from Newark town centre, with festival arrivals directed to the Drove Lane/Air Museum entrance.

• Rail: Newark Castle Station and Newark Northgate Station are the nearest listed stations.
• Road: access routes include the A1, A46, A17, Lincoln Road and Drove Lane.
• Parking: car parking is free and included with the ticket. Separate disabled parking is available.
• Campervans and caravans: a separate pass is required, with campsite access limited to 600 vehicles.
• Drop-off: a taxi drop-off area sits at the arena entrance.