Y Not Festival 2027 – Pikehall, United Kingdom

Overview

Y Not Festival is an annual independent music and arts festival held in Pikehall, Derbyshire, in the heart of the Peak District. Founded in 2005 as a house party organized by Ralph Broadbent that spilled over into a festival, it has grown into a 40,000-capacity event known for its indie-rock focus, scenic countryside setting, and inclusive community atmosphere.

The festival is set on Mouldridge Lane near Matlock, Derbyshire, offering panoramic countryside views, a fully stocked bar of local ales, a mouth-watering selection of food and more live music than you can shake a stick at. It is a four-day camping festival that balances major headliners with emerging talent and a strong sense of humor and fancy dress.

The event began as The Big Gin Festival, a play on its location near Biggin in the Peak District, and the main stage has retained its name as The Big Gin Stage ever since. The following year it was renamed Y Not Festival and was opened to the public, relocating to its current site at Pikehall in 2007 where it has remained. Late night entertainment includes a dance tent, camp fire singalongs and there will be real ales and local ciders available.

What Makes This Event Special

Homegrown Roots: Launched as an overspilling house party, Y Not has stayed true to its homegrown roots despite growth from 500 guests in a quarry to tens of thousands of visitors in recent years. The original owners regained ownership in 2019 after a period with Broadwick Live, and the festival is now majority owned by Superstruct Entertainment.

Award Winning Grassroots Spirit: The event won Best Grassroots Event and Best Toilets in 2011 and Best Small Festival in 2012 at the UK Festival Awards, recognition of its community vibe and attention to practical comforts often overlooked by larger events.

Scenic Peak District Location: Pikehall is a small village in the Derbyshire Dales consisting of a few dozen households and a handful of farms, surrounded by rolling hills and limestone dales. The setting allows the festival to sprawl over a larger area with incredible views, creating a countryside escape rather than a city field.

Inclusive and Eccentric: All you need to provide is the memories and a killer fancy dress outfit. The festival encourages fancy dress, campfire singalongs, eccentric art, and a friendly crowd where older children, teenagers and parents mingle comfortably.

Weekend-Long Camping Culture: As a music festival with camping format, it offers family camping areas, quiet camping, general camping and premium Paradise Peaks options, allowing attendees to make a full weekend of it with late-night dance tent entertainment.

Lineup / Featured Artists

No acts have been announced for 2027 yet as the festival marks its 20th anniversary edition. The lineup structure typically includes four days with Thursday opening party and Friday to Sunday main program.

Recent editions illustrate the booking policy. The 2025 edition featured headliners The Prodigy, Madness and Courteeners and The Wombats, with appearances from Franz Ferdinand, Sigrid, Shed Seven, Annie Mac and Maximo Park. The 2024 edition included Snow Patrol, The Kooks, Jamie T, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and The Vaccines. The 2023 edition featured Royal Blood, Kasabian, Paul Weller, Bombay Bicycle Club and The Wombats. The 2026 iteration featured headliners The Reytons, Two Door Cinema Club, The Streets and The Libertines, plus Dizzee Rascal, Kaiser Chiefs, The Vaccines, Happy Mondays, Scissor Sisters, Rizzle Kicks, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Pale Waves.

Stages include:

• The Big Gin Stage: Main stage named after the first festival, hosting headliners and major indie anthems.
• The Quarry Stage: Smaller stage named after the location of the 2006 festival, second-largest stage and biggest tented venue, hosting breakthrough acts and heavy hitters.
• The Allotment: Stage dedicated entirely to unsigned acts and local bands, shortlisted by organizers and voted for by public, perfect platform for new bands to be inducted onto festival scene.
• The Giant Squid: Additional stage introduced to expand dance and alternative programming.
• Horsebox and Small Tents: Intimate acoustic and DJ sets.

Expect more live music than you can shake a stick at, with indie, alternative rock, dance, punk, electronic, reggae, folk and hip hop across the weekend.

Event Experience

Y Not Festival offers a vibrant celebration of music and community set against picturesque backdrop of Pikehall. Since its inception, the festival has grown from humble gathering to major event on UK festival calendar with unique blend of music, art and culture.

Camping and Community: The site is split between arena and campsites with general camping, family camping for family groups only, and Paradise Peaks premium camping. Non-family groups are required to camp elsewhere if they have not booked family camping. Family camping tickets are for family groups only.

Food and Drink: Fully stocked bar of local ales, real ales and local ciders, plus mouth-watering selection of food from independent traders. Late night dance tent and camp fire singalongs keep energy after headliners.

Family Friendly but Not Child-Centric: This isn’t an exclusively family festival but there is a family camping area and plenty for families to enjoy. It is popular with teenagers and their parents, giving older children a little more independence while remaining safe.

Eccentric Extras: Fancy dress parades, secret sets, impromptu performances, art installations and comedy create an eccentric, family friendly, wonderful world that catches any punter’s attention.

Sustainability Efforts: In 2010 organizers encouraged public transport and car sharing to cut carbon footprint, offering rewards like lanyards, programmes, posters and showers for those who complied, plus free shuttle bus connecting Buxton-Ashbourne bus route and Matlock railway station to festival.

Date & Schedule

Event Dates: 29th Jul – 1st Aug 2027. The 20th anniversary of Y Not Festival will take place from Thursday to Sunday at Pikehall, Mouldridge Lane, near Matlock, Derbyshire. The official ticket site lists Friday to Sunday as core weekend with Thursday as optional entry.

Daily Schedule:

• Thursday: Early entry night with limited arena. Opening party acts include indie favorites and special guests, with bars and food open. All tickets only allow entry from Friday unless you purchase a Thursday Entry ticket or standalone Thursday upgrade.
• Friday: Full arena opens from late morning. Big Gin Stage hosts afternoon acts leading to evening headliner. Quarry, Allotment and Giant Squid operate until late with dance tent after headliners.
• Saturday: Full program from midday across all stages, with major headliners on Big Gin Stage in evening and camp fire singalongs late night.
• Sunday: Closing day with final headliners, family-friendly afternoon programming and late-night farewell sets.

Doors typically open around 11am and music runs until 11pm on main stage with late night entertainment in dance tent beyond.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Location & Venue

Y Not Festival takes place at Pikehall, Derbyshire, specifically at Mouldridge Lane, near Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 2PG, GB. The venue is also listed as Pikehall, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 2PH in some directories, located in the Peak District, England.

The site is a working farmland with natural quarry features, allowing stages to be set in natural amphitheaters. The Big Gin stage is situated with panoramic countryside views, while The Quarry stage sits in a former quarry bowl providing natural acoustics and shelter.

Site Layout:

• Arena: Contains Big Gin Stage, Quarry Stage, Allotment, Giant Squid and dance tent.
• Campsites: General camping adjacent to arena, family camping separate area, Paradise Peaks premium camping on higher ground with views.
• Facilities: Real ale bars, local cider bars, food traders, welfare, first aid, phone charging and compost toilets.

Pikehall village itself consists of a few dozen households and handful of farms, providing quiet rural backdrop that transforms into 72 hours of great music for one weekend a year.

Event History

The festival began in 2005 as a house party organized by Ralph Broadbent, taking bands, friends, a gazebo and a portaloo to an abandoned quarry in Derbyshire, resulting in Big Gin Fest. Around 500 people attended over three days with many unsigned or local bands, and a DVD documentary was made about this festival.

In 2007 the second festival was held at new venue Pikehall, allowing sprawl over larger area with around 1000 people attending. In 2008 third edition again at Pikehall expanded to around 2000 people with bigger acts such as Mystery Jets, Cage the Elephant and Frank Turner, though some acts did not show.

The 2009 edition sold out with lineup including The Sunshine Underground, The King Blues, Noah and the Whale and Beardyman. By 2010 it was headlined by The Futureheads, The Subways and Mystery Jets with estimated 50 acts across two stages at Mouldridge Lane. In 2011 festival was held with capacity at 5,000 people, headlined by The Go! Team, Feeder and Maximo Park, theme Good vs Evil, with three stages Big Gin, Quarry and new Allotment named via Facebook and Twitter competition.

The event won Best Grassroots Event and Best Toilets in 2011 and Best Small Festival in 2012, headlined by The View, The Wombats and We Are Scientists. Subsequent years saw headliners including White Lies, Dizzee Rascal, Frank Turner, Snoop Dogg, Basement Jaxx, Primal Scream, Editors, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and Madness.

In 2017 adverse weather caused cancellation on final day after consultation with authorities, with refunds given. As result, 2018 was relocated to Aston Hill Farm close to old site, hosting The Libertines, Manic Street Preachers and Jamiroquai. The event was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to lockdown measures during COVID-19 pandemic and failure to make government-sponsored Event Research Programme. It returned in 2022 with The Kooks, Stereophonics, Courteeners and Blossoms.

Getting to the Event

By Car: Access via Mouldridge Lane, near Matlock. Follow A6 to Pikehall signs, then local signage. Parking must be purchased in advance. Parking price around $42 USD based on £33. Chargeable on-site parking available with general parking adjacent to general campsites.

By Public Transport: Free shuttle bus historically connected Buxton-Ashbourne bus route and Matlock railway station to festival, reducing carbon footprint and increasing accessibility. Matlock station is nearest rail hub with connections to Derby and Nottingham. Local buses serve Pikehall from Matlock and Buxton.

By Coach: Organised coach travel offers convenient option from selected towns and cities. National Express and private festival coaches operate from Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and London. Previous packages included seat on coach plus ticket from $64 USD.

On Foot: Walking from Pikehall village is possible, but site is rural with limited lighting, so bring torch for late-night returns.

Accessibility: Site has some steep gradients due to Peak District terrain. Accessible camping and viewing platforms available on request via hello@ynotfestival.com.

Where to Stay Nearby

On-Site:

• General Camping: Included with Weekend + Camping ticket, bring your own tent, access from Friday.
• Family Camping: Dedicated area for family groups only, quieter and closer to facilities.
• Paradise Peaks: Premium camping option offering pre-pitched bell tents, upgraded facilities and better views, from $381 USD based on £300 tier.
• Paradise Peaks + Thursday: From $444 USD based on £350 tier.

Off-Site:

• Matlock Hotels: New Bath Hotel, White Tor Guest House and boutique B&Bs in Matlock Bath from $85 USD to $170 USD per night.
• Buxton Accommodation: Hotels in Buxton such as Palace Hotel and Old Hall Hotel within 20 minutes drive.
• Peak District Cottages: Self-catering cottages in Biggin, Hartington and Monyash for groups, from $120 USD per night.

Most attendees camp on site due to rural location and late-night entertainment.

Things to Do Before or After the Event

Peak District Exploration: Dovedale stepping stones, Thor’s Cave, Heights of Abraham cable cars in Matlock Bath, and Carsington Water reservoir for walking and cycling are all within 30 minutes.

Matlock Bath: Victorian spa town with arcades, fish and chip shops, Gulliver’s Kingdom theme park for families, and Lumsdale Valley waterfalls.

Buxton: Opera House, Pavilion Gardens, Poole’s Cavern and Buxton Crescent spa.

Historic Sites: Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall and Arbor Low stone circle provide cultural day trips.

Wellness: Peak District spa hotels offer recovery after festival, with hot tub lodges popular for extended stays.

Restaurants & Dining Nearby

On-Site: Fully stocked bar of local ales, real ales and local ciders, plus mouth-watering selection of food from independent traders including burgers, wood-fired pizza, vegan bowls, loaded fries, crepes and coffee stalls.

Near Pikehall:

• The Horse and Jockey, Pikehall: Village pub serving traditional pub fare and local ales, walking distance from site.
• The Red Lion, Wirksworth and The Boat Inn, Cromford: Gastro pubs with seasonal British menus from $16 USD to $32 USD per main.
• Matlock Restaurants: Stone’N’Roll pizza, Something’s Cooking bistro and Loopy’s Bar for craft beer and small plates.

Dietary: Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options available on site, with clearly marked traders.

Ticket Information

Tickets are now on sale for 2027 edition, tier 5 prices as follows plus fees. All prices converted to USD using previous edition pricing where 2027 not yet fully announced.

Ticket Types:

• Weekend + Camping: $228 USD based on £180 tier 5 price, includes general camping from Friday.
• Weekend + Thursday Entry: $292 USD based on £230, allows entry from Thursday with additional opening party.
• Weekend + Paradise Peaks: $381 USD based on £300 tier for premium pre-pitched camping.
• Weekend + Thursday + Paradise Peaks: $444 USD based on £350.
• Adult Weekend Camping from Early Tiers: From $214 USD based on £169 plus booking fee, rising to $254 USD based on £200 weekend camping tickets from 2026 listings.
• Child 6 to 12 years: $6 USD based on £5.
• Child under 5: Free but requires ticket.
• Parking Pass: $42 USD based on £33.
• Thursday Upgrade: Standalone Thursday upgrade available if you already have weekend ticket.
• Payment Plans: Available from $50 USD per month based on £39.87 plans.

Family, child and youth tickets available. Tixel is official resale partner with capped prices and buyer guarantee. Under 12s can attend free of charge but not guaranteed entry without child ticket.

Tips Before You Go

Buy Early and Use Resale: Weekend camping tickets start from lower tiers and increase closer to festival, so sooner you get tickets the better. If sold out, use official resale partner Tixel with safe-scan technology to avoid fraud.

Prepare for Weather and Terrain: As seen in 2017 cancellation due to muddy conditions, Peak District weather can change quickly. Bring wellies, waterproofs and layers, plus fancy dress outfit for themed days.

Pack for Quarry Camping: Ground can be uneven due to former quarry, so bring sturdy tent pegs, sleeping mat and trolley for gear. Family camping is for family groups only, so choose correct camping area.

Travel Light and Sustainable: Organizers encourage public transport or car sharing to cut carbon footprint. Use free shuttle bus from Matlock station if available, and bring reusable water bottle and cup.

Stay for Late Night: Late night entertainment includes dance tent and camp fire singalongs beyond main stage curfew, so bring warm layer for late-night and torch for campsite navigation.

Official Event Information

Official Website: https://ynotfestival.com/
Tickets: https://tickets.ynotfestival.com/ for Y Not Festival 2027
Contact: hello@ynotfestival.com for general enquiries, info@ynotfestival.com referenced for camping upgrades in some editions.
Location: Pikehall, PIKEHALL DERBYSHIRE, Derbyshire, DE4 2PG, GB, also listed as Mouldridge Lane, near Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 2PH.
Genre: Rock, alternative rock, indie rock, dance, world, punk rock, electronic music, reggae, folk, hip hop.
Capacity: 40,000 capacity independent festival, weekend-only camping format.
Owner: Majority stake acquired by Superstruct Entertainment in November 2022.

Attendee Experiences

Attendees describe Y Not as fun, eccentric and family friendly, wonderful world enough to catch any punter’s attention. Reviews note panoramic countryside views and friendly crowd, with highlights including Youth Killed It on The Allotment stage with sheer energy and passion, and local band The Reytons progressing from tiny tent to main stage.

Day three reviews highlight Stockport teenagers No Hot Ashes bringing youthful funk-infused indie rock to Jack Daniels Allotment tent and French based feel-good rockers Sunset Sons bringing expansive pop rock to main stage. The Quarry stage is noted as second-largest stage and biggest tented venue with photographer-friendly lighting, showcasing acts like Home Counties, Seb Lowe and The Guest List.

Many appreciate best festival gear displays, flocking down to arena in fancy dress, and campfire singalongs that ensure sleep is just an afterthought, creating 72 hours of great music and campsite parties.