Kendal Calling 2023 line up, dates, tickets and how to get wristbands

Kasabian and Royal Blood are to headline the Lake District’s Kendal Calling 2023 festival, alongside Blossoms and Nile Rogers and Chic, it was announced today.

The four-day music festival is set to return to the stage in 2023, having grown from a small two-day event in 2006 to one of the country’s most anticipated festivals.

With the line-up including big stars and old favourites, this 2023 festival is set to be a hot ticket, with 15,000 people reportedly already signed up to the pre-sale of tickets this week.

The festival has accessibility tickets available, but only to those with ‘permanent disabilities’: attendees with broken bones, who are pregnant or are recovering from surgery do not qualify. 

Here follow the ultimate guide to everything known about the festival, from travel arrangements, to dates and how to get tickets.

Calling Kendal 2023: Line-up

Royal Blood are joining Kasabian as headliners – also known as Ben Thatcher (left) and Mike Kerr (right)

The festival line-up was announced at 8am on Wednesday, and is filled with musical talent.

Headlining across the four-day event will be Kasabian, Royal Blood, Blossoms and Nile Rogers and Chic.

Also taking to the stage are Kaiser Chiefs and Scouting For Girls, as well as individuals Rick Astley and Mel C.

More than 100 acts have so far been announced, as well as special guest and radio DJ Annie Mac.

Alongside familiar pop stars, Dick and Dom will also take to the stage during the weekend, as will DJ Yoda and The Thingujamigs.

Other acts include The Lathums, Example, Frank Turner, Confidence Man, Happy Mondays and Circa Wave. 

When is Kendal Calling 2023? 

This year’s festival will take place from July 27 to July 30, from Thursday to Sunday.

For those looking to attend the entire festival, both a weekend ticket and a Thursday ticket will be required. 

How do I buy tickets?

All tickets will be released online, and will be available from 10am on Friday for those registered for the pre-sale

Organisers have confirmed more than 15,000 people have already signed up for the pre-sale

The best way to secure tickets for the festival is to sign up for the pre-sale event to get access to them before general release.

All tickets will be released for purchase online only. The pre-sale is available for sign up until 8pm on Thursday, and will begin at 10am on Friday, January 27. 

Any remaining tickets will go on sale at 10am on Saturday. 

Organisers have confirmed more than 15,000 people have already signed up for the pre-sale, but there is still time to register. 

What types of tickets are there? 

There are two main types of ticket available, Thursday and Weekend. The Weekend ticket grants the holder access from Friday to Sunday only.

There are four bookable age categories from under fives to 16 and over. There is no separate ticketing system for over 65s.

All weekend tickets include access to the site’s standard camping facilities.

Where is Kendal Calling 2023?

The festival takes place at Lowther Deer Park in Cumbria, and was attended by 25,000 people in 2022. 

It is near to the town of Kendal, but is actually closer to nearby Penrith, which also has the nearest train station to the festival site. 

How can I get to Kendal Calling 2023?

The nearest station to the park is Penrith North Lakes (Pictured: Manchester’s Parklife festival)

The nearest train station to the festival site is Penrith (also known as Penrith North Lakes) which is a 15 minute drive away. 

Organisers will put on a special shuttle bus service from the station to the festival. 

Fast and direct hourly services are available from Scotland, Birmingham, and London, and from Manchester & North West (with a quick change at Preston or Crewe). 

By train, it takes 2.5 hours from Birmingham New Street, three hours from London Euston, one hour 20 minutes from Glasgow, 1.5 hours from Edinburgh and just 34 minutes from Lancaster.

Festivalgoers can also purchase tickets for coach services to the festival from locations across the UK.

Coaches will be travelling from Barrow-in-Furness, Ulverston, Kendal, Manchester, Bolton, Blackburn, Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford, Liverpool, Warrington, Preston, Edinburgh, Sunderland, Newcastle, Carlisle, Whitehaven, Workington, Keswick, Blackpool, Morecambe, Glasgow and Dumfries. 

Attendees can also drive to the venue, although the festival does charge for car parking and it can be a long walk from the car to the stages.

Is the festival accessible?

Kendal Calling advises that muddy and uneven ground should be taken into account for attendees with impaired mobility.

Festival-lovers with disabilities or extra needs have until April 28th to apply for accessible tickets, which are released separately from main ticket sales.

But the tickets are not open to everyone. Kendal Calling’s website states: ‘accessible facilities are only available to festival goers with permanent disabilities, so broken legs, recent injuries, recent operations, elderly and pregnant women do not qualify.’

Accessible services such as an accessible campsite, toilets and showers will therefore not be available to those without ‘permanent’ disabilities. 

Kendal Calling 2023 has been contacted for comment about the festival’s accessibility rules. 

Is Kendal Calling family-friendly?

There is a dedicated camping site for families at Kendal Calling 2023, away from the rest of the campers

There are ticket options available for under fives, 5-11-year-olds and 11-15-year-olds, so it is available and open for families to visit.

But there are rules about where children can go depending on their age. 

Age 11 to 15 weekend tickets must be accompanied by a ticket holding parent or guardian over the age of 30, and must camp in the same area as their families or guardians. 

There is a dedicated camping site for families, away from the rest of the campers. 

Children aged 11-15 are not allowed in the arena field unaccompanied after 10pm.

Children under 10 must be accompanied by a parent of guardian at all times.

There are a limited amount of tickets for children up to and including the age of 5 to attend free of charge but their parent or guardian must obtain a ticket for them and accompany them at all times.

By purchasing an infant ticket (up to five years old) the booker confirms they are the parent or legal guardian of the child. 

What camping options are available?

Kendal Calling has campsites for families, for all-night ravers and even a quiet zone for those who value a good night’s sleep

Kendal Calling 2023 has multiple campsites for every group, or individual, attending.

The standard camping facilities are: 

• Great Holmes / 24 Hour Party People: Handily close to the carpark and the Village Green. Home to those who want to stay up late and keep the party going.
• The Shire: A more laid back camp than Great Holmes / 24 Hour Party People for those who want a sound nights sleep.
• Haye Parks: Mountain views located to the left of the live-in vehicle field.
• Family Camping / Saddleback View: As it says on the tin! Our family campsite comes with fantastic views of the Lake District and is perfect for those looking to bring their children along for the weekend.
• Quiet Camping: For those looking to get a solid nights sleep.

For those wanting a more ‘glamping’ style, there are also upgraded campsites with more amenities such as hot showers. They also have their own arena entrance.

What facilities are there on-site?

As well as toilets and drinking water points in all campsites, there are also practical amenities such as safe storage and shops.

Campers can use ATMs, a Co-op Festival store, bars and food stands. Safe storage can be booked in advance of the festival, and information centres will also be available during the four days.

How much do tickets cost?

Ticket prices for 2023 have not been released yet, but there are different tiers of prices depending on chosen campsites.

Last year tickets started from £144 plus fees.