With just one month to go until ButeFest 2024, the much-loved boutique family-friendly music festival on the Isle of Bute, is gearing up for this year’s edition with a fun-filled weekend. There will be a host of interactive activities for all ages held across the weekend which children under 13 can experience for free.
Taking place between Friday 26th – Sunday 28th July 2024 at the stunning Ettrick Bay, the festival offers three days of family activities, live music and festival atmosphere.
The festival welcomes back the Astral Circus where audiences can watch breathtaking shows of aerial performances, fire- juggling and balancing acts. The Magic Lantern have prepared a bespoke shadow puppetry performance and they will also be showcasing singing and ukulele sessions, alongside enchanting storytelling sessions.
Families will be able to enjoy Professor Pumpernickel’s scientific performance, storyteller Ian Douglas, Gift of the Gab’s comedy show and Gacko Trunks with his captivating songs and tales.
There will be a host of interactive activities for all ages held across the weekend in the Vespertine Area, including giant bubbles, face-painting, family-friendly yoga, arts and crafts workshops, 80s discos and family parties each evening to get everyone in the festival spirit.
Elsewhere, the festival will welcome a number of craft exhibitors including Shanty Cove’s upcycled home decor, jewellery, paintings and candles handmade using driftwood, seaglass and shells, Handmade by Heather and her new range of chain maille and haematite jewellery, a unique collection of silver jewellery handcrafted from hallmarked cutlery by Silver Spoonery and the renowned Yvonne’s Hair Boutique.
The usual quality of local food and drinks will be available across the weekend with food stalls including street food vendors Taberu with their array of authentic Japanese cuisine, Scottish festival favourite Fried Guys, Yella serving submarine sandwiches and loaded fries, Jammin Jerk’s Jamaican themed eats and Food 2 Go specialising in a variety of delicious sandwich options.
As always the festival sees an incredible line-up of artists performing over the weekend. There are over forty pop, indie and folk acts set to perform with top Scottish musicians and bands dominating the headline slots, including acclaimed singer-songwriter Callum Beattie, genre-bending trio Talisk, and Isle of Skye fusion legends the Peatbog Faeries.
Award-winning electro-trad duo Valtos, celebrated pop pairing The Eves, and returning festival favourites Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 complete the line-up.
Caroline Swan, ButeFest Chairperson, said: “We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Ettrick Bay next month. Our expanded programme of events ensures there’s something for the whole family to enjoy from music and comedy to circus shows and puppetry. We want to say a huge thank you to the artists, performers and entertainers who have made this possible and look forward to seeing everyone in July!”
First held in 2014, ButeFest has grown from a local event attracting 600 people to a 2000-capacity festival, attracting people from all over the UK to make the 35-minute crossing over the firth of Clyde.
The full lineup for ButeFest 2024, as well as tickets and further information, are available at www.butefest.co.uk.
