Reviewed: Mucky Weekender 2026

Now that the dust has settled on festival season and I’ve just about got my faculties back, it’s time to talk about the incredible festival that is Mucky Weekender 2026. The festival took place last weekend, 10th – 12th September, at Vicarage Farm, Woodmancott, Winchester.

The last 2 years have definitely lived up to the name, and we’ve had torrential rain and have waded through almost knee-deep mud…not this year! We were truly blessed with perfect festival conditions. We had very light rain (the really misty stuff) on Thursday night, which kept dust levels low for the rest of the festival.

If you have been to Mucky, I don’t need to tell you how good this festival is. If you missed it this year, I’m sorry to say…you missed the best one yet!

Let’s start with the theme. This year it was Circus of Freaks! The outfits on show were just phenomenal. So much thought, time and effort went into a lot of these costumes. From conjoined twins to bearded ladies, ringmasters to clowns, and everything in between, it was covered and more!

The production. As with every Mucky Weekender, they left nothing out. They levelled up and added a fire arena, a really nice “chill-out” zone where you could sit and chat to randoms, keep warm, and rest your legs…and backs. The ravers at Mucky are generally Generation X, and god knows, no matter how young we still feel mentally…after 3 days and nights of raving, our bodies definitely don’t feel 25 anymore.

The lineup. Each year this gets better. I was lucky to have quite a few friends play, including Sammy C, who made her debut. I met Sammy 4 years ago after we were camp neighbours, and I’ve been rooting for her to play there ever since. This year her dream came true. Sandwiched between Aries and Aphrodite on Friday night (while Goldie was playing on the Crazy Diamonds stage!), she absolutely smashed up the gaff and had the UFO stage absolutely rammed from start to finish! Other highlights for me were MC Enamie, who smashed multiple sets across the site and was the MC of the weekend, not just for me but for everyone I’ve spoken to, Madame Electrifie, Micky Finn, Hype, Euphonique, JFB, Kleu, GAWP, Goldie Lookin Chain, Speaker Louis, Hobbs, Carlos Van D, DJ Amiah and, of course, The Dub Pistols. One artist was sorely missed: our very own Ron Mexico, who unfortunately was too sick to attend.

If you haven’t experienced the awesomeness of Mucky Weekender yet, then trust me when I say it is absolutely the BEST way to end festival season. The attention to detail is second to none, the ravers are the best I’ve had the pleasure of skanking it up with, the artists always bring their absolute A game, the security are friendly and get the job done, everyone backstage is a joy, and the location is simply glorious. Open fields surrounded by woods. There are no massive hills to tackle, just the odd small one, which is more than doable multiple times a day. You’re never far from your tent, a stage, food, bars, independent stalls (2 of my favourites are Fairylove and Olipops) or random silliness.

Huge shouts and thanks go to the organisers, especially Ilona Porter, who quite literally puts blood, sweat, and tears into Mucky Weekender year in, year out!

A friend of mine had the best quote: “Do you know what I love most about this place? It’s normal to be weird here!” Nailed it!

Mucky Weekender 2027 will take place 9th to 11th September. The priority launch opens on 25th September for everyone on their mailing list, plus anyone who’s signed up in advance.

General sale will be available to everyone else from 28th September. Payment plans will be available.

Sign up for the priority launch here: https://mucky-weekender2027.co.uk/

Feature image photo by Ant Penny Photography @antpennyphoto/

All other photos by Fran Hennessy @shimmyshimmy.yay/