Boardmasters 2026: What you need to know

More than 50,000 people are expected to attend one of Cornwall's biggest surf and music festivals of the year this month.

Boardmasters will take place from 5 to 9 August at Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach in Newquay, complete with music, surfing, skating and wellness activities.

While events at Fistral are free for the public to attend, those taking place at Watergate Bay are for Boardmasters ticket holders only.

Here is a guide to the timings, acts, transport and other useful information to help you plan ahead for the big event.

A host of music acts are set to perform across the festival's four stages.

On Friday 7 August, Fatboy Slim, The Kooks, James Arthur, Rose Gray, Take A Chance On Us and Dizzee Rascal will take to the main stage.

On Saturday 8 August, headliner Lily Allen will join the likes of Nia Archives, REN, Alessi Rose, Kerr Mercer, Cornwall Rock Choir and Example.

Kasabian, Loyle Carner, Joy Crookes, Brooke Combe, Asha Banks and Tinie Tempah will complete the mix on the main stage on the Sunday 9 August.

The arena will be open from 11:00-02:00 BST Friday to Sunday.

Gates on Wednesday will be open from 17:00-02:00, while the arena will be open from 15:00-02:00 on Thursday.

Big Green Coach is this year's Boardmasters travel partner, offering tickets for coaches directly to the site from £20.

Trains meanwhile, will be running to Newquay via Great Western Railway, with a Festival Shuttle available from the station.

Taxis will be also be dropping off at the site, the drop off point being the 'Blue Gate', next to the Shuttle Bus Station.

A Festival Shuttle wristband, which allows unlimited trips around the events sites from £15, will also be available.

The shuttle runs continuously on a loop between three stops at Watergate Bay, Newquay Train Station and Manor Road Bus Stop - a 20 min walk to Fistral Beach.

The buses will be available Wednesday-Thursday 07:00-22:00; Friday-Sunday 07:00-03:00 and Monday 07:00-14:00.

Drivers needing to park at the festival can follow signs for AA/Boardmasters to the festival before following signs for 'Green Gate'.

Pick-up and drop-off is also signed from Green Gate, with parking available from £50.

Limited accessible parking is available for blue badge holders and pre-booked accessibility ticket holders.

Alexandra Road and Watergate Road will be closed during the festival for crowd safety reasons.

The closure will be in place from Porth, at the junction of Alexandra Road and Lewarne Road through to the Junction of Watergate Bay and Trevarrian Hill.

It will be in place between 06:00-03:00 on Wednesday; 10:00-03:00 on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday; and 03:00-14:00 on Monday.

There will also be restrictions on vehicles turning left out of Priory Road and Rialton Road onto the A3059 heading towards the festival.

A diversion will be in place via Nansledan Roundabout to Quintrell Downs roundabout and Halloon roundabout.

You can view more traffic plan details via the Boardmasters website here.

The Boardmasters Open will be held at Fistral Beach from 5 to 9 August this year -with a new Qualifying Series 4,000 status, up from QS 2,000 last year.

It means the winner can get up to 4,000 points towards progressing up the rankings, instead of 2,000.

Skaters can also compete on the Boardmasters Skate Ramp, while the Boardmasters Talk Tent will host a range of talks on surfing, the ocean and sustainability.

The Surf Village in Fistral will be selling surf gear, food stalls, and beach essentials.

Campsite gates are open from 10:00-22:00.

All campsites must be vacated by 12:00 on Monday 10 August.

Food and drink can be bought from a range of vendors at both sites during the festival.

Free water points are also available throughout and festival goers are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle to top up when they need.

Weekend campers aged 18 or over can bring in limited amounts of alcohol to the campsite, but this is limited to 24 cans of beer/lager and/or cider and/or alcopops (max 7% ABV) per person or two bottles of wine in a non glass container (max 12% ABV).

Children will be able to access the festival's Kids Club from 11:00-19:00, offering family craft activities and workshops.

Those with camping tickets wanting to unwind, meanwhile, can book into 'Zennor Haven', a spa in the festival's Cribbar Village offering sauna and cold plunge pools, hot tub and a range of treatments.

Workshops and classes including yoga, breathwork and crafts are available from £5 with access to the spa from £20.

Those staying in the Boutique Camping area will have access to The Boutique Spa - home to a sauna, hot tubs, cold plunge pools and massages. Prices start at £20 per person.

Ticket holders must wear their Wristbands at all times while in the festival venue.

Children aged 15 and under must also be accompanied by an adult aged 21 years and over.

Each adult can accompany a maximum of two children.

As the festival is at the beach, everyone is urged to follow the beach flag system and advice of lifeguards if entering the water.

St John Ambulance said anyone attending should pack sunscreen (SPF 30 or above), a hat and a reusable water bottle and take regular breaks in the shade to avoid overheating.

Festival-goers are also encouraged to look out for the signs of heat exhaustion, which can include headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, sweating and clammy skin.

If someone develops these symptoms, they should rest in a cool place, drink water or an isotonic sports drink, and be monitored closely, the charity said.

If symptoms do not improve within 30 minutes or if the person develops signs of heatstroke - such as a high body temperature, confusion, collapse, reduced responsiveness or loss of consciousness - seek urgent medical help immediately.

The charity has also reminded people to drink alcohol responsibly, stay hydrated, and be aware of other common festival health risks, including sprains and strains, alcohol poisoning and drug overdoses.

Welfare staff will be available 24 hours a day during the event, with mental health practitioners, safeguarding professionals and medical clinicians available.

A team providing specialist support for those affected by sexual violence, harassment or domestic abuse will also be available.

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