10 of the best VW festivals in the UK

For many, the sight of a VW campervan instantly brings up thoughts of summer, sun, sand and surf. For more enthusiastic Volkswagen fans, the sight of a campervan (or any other VW car!) instantly brings up thoughts of the next VW Festival! If you’re interested in VW, the cars they’ve made over the years or you’re just looking for a fun event to go to, check out our list of the best VW Festivals in the UK.

Family friendly festivals

Unlike typical festivals which can sometimes attract an unfriendly crowd, there are many VW festivals suitable for all ages. Number 1 on our list is Camper Jam in Shropshire. There are children’s activities and a fun fair, plus live bands the parents will love and a ‘food village’ to keep you well fed. Another great bonus to this festival is that children under 16 enter for free! Adult day tickets cost £15 on the day or £12.50 in advance. The event takes place in July and tickets usually go on sale the October before.

Kids will enjoy the street parades of the Beetle Drive, which comes in at Number 2 on our list. Each year in September, the cobbled streets of the picturesque Crich Tramway Village in Derbyshire play host to a wide array of VW campervans and beetles. A similar event, the Brighton Breeze, comes in at number 3. Organised by the Split Screen Van Club, this one-day show takes place each October in East Sussex.

Number 4 is Busfest, which takes place at the Malvern Showground in Worcestershire. Held over 3 days, this large event has plenty to keep the family entertained, including over 8000 vehicles to see! Plus there are indoor amusements such as circus skills lessons, outdoor funfair rides and even a ‘Vancy dress’ event, which really is campervans in fancy dress! The day ticket price to enter is £15 per adult.

Music lovers

Some VW festivals also have a great range of music events to go alongside the vehicles, such as our number 5, Bug Jam. This Northamptonshire event has four music arenas, which host a wide variety of music acts. The 2013 Bug Jam included performers such as The Hoosiers and Toploader. Bug Jam is also great for those that love drag racing. Anyone with a VW car or engine can enter the races. Some safety requirements must be met, but you can check their website for full details and categories if you fancy trying your hand at racing! Kids under 13 get in free to the Bug Jam, adults cost £20 for the day or £15 in advance.

If you’re holidaying in the south west, you could try our number 6. The Cornwall Volkswagen Owner’s Club Jamboree sounds like a serious event, but it also has a party atmosphere, with live music from local bands. Entry for the day costs £5, although kids under 5 years old are free.

Way over in in Norwich, Norfolk, is VW Whitenoise, number 7 on our list. This three-day event offers a mix of live music events, plus fun and games such as ‘wife racing,’ an event where you carry your partner in a race in an attempt to win your weight in beer.

Number 8 on our list has less to do with winning beer and more to do with helping others. Dub Aid is a charity event in Wiltshire, which hosts lots of different musicians, singers and bands to get you dancing! Children under 16 are free to enter, while admission for adults is £5 per day.

Dedicated events

VW campervans are iconic, and easily recognisable. But it’s not just the vans that get the attention. If it’s the bus you love, there are several other festival events dedicated solely to it including our number 9, the Bus Types VW Show at Owestry Showground in Shropshire. This springtime show draws in all kinds of VW vans, including the classic Split Screens. This outdoor event also allows dogs, though they must be kept on a lead.

Our final place on the list goes to Beach Buggin’ in Southsea, Hampshire. Taking place on the seafront, this event welcomes all types of VWs but Beach Buggies get in free, so you’re sure to see Buggies in all styles and colours! This event takes place in August and you can enter for free by walking in.

So there we have it! 10 of the best VW Festivals the UK has to offer. Whether you are a VW owner or just an admirer, you’re sure to have great fun at these events!