Deva Fest 2026: The North West's Favourite Family Festival Returns to Cheshire

Every August, the grounds of Cholmondeley Castle in south Cheshire transform into something quite extraordinary. Thousands of families pitch their tents, children run loose on fairground rides, and the Cheshire countryside fills with live music, laughter, and the smell of wood-fired food. This is Deva Fest, the North West's award-winning family festival and one of the most genuinely joyful events on the Cheshire calendar.

Back for 2026 and bigger than ever, Deva Fest takes place 6–9 August at Cholmondeley Castle, near Malpas. With headliners Jessie J, Ronan Keating, and James Morrison confirmed across six stages of music and comedy, and an activities line-up that would make other festivals blush, it's fair to say summer is sorted.

Why Deva Fest?

Deva Fest is proudly independent and fiercely family-focused. It has twice been named Visit Cheshire Event or Festival of the Year at the Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards (2025 and 2026), and has been featured by National Geographic as one of the best UK summer festivals for families.

What really sets it apart from the average festival weekend? The atmosphere. Reviewers consistently describe it as electric but never overwhelming. One reviewer from Weshootmusic put it well: for anyone who has never been to a festival before, Deva Fest would be their top recommendation. It is built for families, run with care, and it shows in every detail, from the famously clean facilities to the thoughtful programming across every age group.

The Line-Up

Friday 7 August

James Morrison headlines Friday night, joined by Symphonic Ibiza, N-Trance, The Christians, EMF, Bingo Bango and more.

Saturday 8 August

Ronan Keating tops the bill on Saturday alongside the Vengaboys, A1, Dave Pearce, Dick and Dom, and Rattlesnake Johnny, among others.

Sunday 9 August

Jessie J closes the weekend in style, with Ash, Gok Wan, K Klass, The Stickmen Project, Apache Indian and more completing a Sunday line-up worth staying for.

Across six stages, there is live music and comedy running throughout all three days, including the brand-new Back in the Day Time big top, a daytime rave spinning wall-to-wall dance and indie anthems with Seb Fontaine, Clint Boon from the Inspiral Carpets, and LOTTIE.

Tickets are selling fast. Saturday is near sell-out, and prices rise on 16 June, so if you're thinking about it, now is the time to book.

The line up

What's Included in Your Ticket

One of the things that makes Deva Fest genuinely great value is how much comes with your admission price. This is not a festival where the ticket gets you through the gate and everything else costs extra.

Free fairground rides run from midday to 10pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Ride as many times as you like. For families with young children, this alone can save hundreds of pounds over a weekend.

Beyond the rides, your ticket includes:

Wonderland: a new Alice in Wonderland-themed zone with the Cheshire Cat Stage, the Back in the Day Time daytime rave big top, and the Mad Hatter and friends to welcome you in.

Chester Zoo Rangers: games, animal science shows and face painting from the team at Chester Zoo.

Chester Zoo Lanterns & Light: spectacular handcrafted animal lanterns illuminating the site on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Circus Workshops: with Guinness World Record holder Chris Marley, with a nightly fire and juggling show as the sun goes down.

Superpirates: inflatables, wild group games and a daily water slide for younger children.

Cholmondeley Castle Gardens: open to explore noon to 5pm each day, with the Temple and Folly Water Gardens, Lavinia Walk and ornamental woodland all free to wander.

Silent Disco: at the Wrexham Lager Big Top, running from 8.30pm until close on all three evenings.

Deva Laughs: family-friendly comedy hosted by Danny McLoughlin, running 5pm to 8pm Friday to Sunday.

Explore

Bookable Experiences

For something extra special, several experiences can be pre-booked in advance:

Deva Rest Wellbeing with Wild Feather Wellness: lakeside yoga, wild sauna, hot tub, sound baths, massage, Reiki and a cacao ceremony.

Watersports on the Deer Park Mere with Dee River Kayaking: stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking, with all equipment and tuition included.

Alice's Parlour Afternoon Tea from Oddfellows Chester, served inside the Wonderland zone.

Magical Mermaid Experience: a land-based mermaid encounter for young children (ages 2 and up), featuring stories, photos and tail-swishing lessons.

Experiences

Camping at Deva Fest – 95% SOLD OUT!

Camping is what makes a festival weekend, and Deva Fest takes it seriously. There are several campsite options across the Cholmondeley estate:

Polo Fields: a great option for tent campers, a short walk from the festival field.

Deer Park: closer to the festival, with electric hook-up options available for campervans and motorhomes.

Alan Field and Longhorn Meadow: additional tent and vehicle pitches.

Camp Deva: glamping bell tents managed by Glamping Adventures, for those who want to turn up and find their home-from-home already set up.

All campsites have free to use showers, toilets, bins, water and waste water points. Each pitch is allocated an 8m x 8m space. Pitches are available from Thursday arrival (6 August) for those who want an extra night, with standard arrival from Friday.

Dogs are welcome in all camping areas (on leads), with the exception of the Camp Deva glamping tents. Under-5s attend free. There are family ticket options for parties of two adults and one or two children.

Weekend camping start from £38.48 per person per day (based on a family of four in the Polo Fields).

Camping

Getting to Deva Fest

Deva Fest takes place in the grounds of Cholmondeley Castle, near Malpas, south Cheshire, approximately 13 miles south-east of Chester. The postcode for sat nav is SY14 8AH, or simply search "Deva Fest" in Google Maps.

By car: Cholmondeley is accessed directly from the A49, a short drive from the A41. Day parking on site costs £20 per vehicle; parking is included in camping pitch prices.

By shuttle bus: Deva Fest runs shuttle services from Chester station, Ellesmere Port, Wrexham, Crewe and Nantwich on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Bus tickets can be added when booking. Dogs travel free if sitting on a lap; under-5s travel free.

By train: The nearest mainline stations are Chester and Crewe, both served by direct trains from Manchester, Liverpool, London, the West Midlands and North Wales. Taxis from either station cost in the region of £30–35. Shuttle buses serve both stations.

If you plan to get a taxi home at the end of the evening, the organisers strongly recommend booking it in advance, as Cholmondeley is in a rural location and on-the-night ordering may not be possible. Entertainment finishes at 11pm; allow until 11.30pm for a pick-up.

Travel

Make a Weekend of It: Stay and Explore South Cheshire

Deva Fest is at its best when you stay longer, and the beauty of being based at Cholmondeley is that you are right in the heart of some of Cheshire's finest countryside. Whether you are staying on-site or based nearby, there is plenty to fill the days around the festival.

Where to Stay Near Deva Fest

Carden Park Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa is the closest luxury option, sitting within a 1,000-acre Cheshire estate just a short drive from Cholmondeley. Two championship golf courses, an award-winning spa, multiple dining options including the AA 3 Rosette Vines Restaurant, and 197 bedrooms make it a genuinely complete destination.

The Lion at Malpas is a four-star hotel in the heart of the village, with a restaurant, free parking and comfortable rooms, ideal for those who want to be based in a proper Cheshire market town.

The Cholmondeley Arms (The Chum), right on the Cholmondeley estate, offers six en-suite bedrooms in the adjacent Headmasters House, alongside what is widely considered one of the best pub gin collections in the region (over 366 gins). Worth a stop even if you are not staying.

Cheshire Boutique Barns is the Winner of Best Self Catering Accommodation in Cheshire 2026. Offering a beautifully converted, peaceful barn with unique style and character, perfect for families.

Millmoor Farm Cottages near Malpas offers contemporary, family-run, self catering cottages set on a working farm in the rolling Cheshire countryside. A lovely option for families who want a rural base with a bit of comfort.

Bradley Hall Escapes is a 126-acre farm based in South Cheshire on the Shropshire/Wales border, where Anthony & Jane have a small flock of sheep, a 5-pitch caravan site and a range of comfortable glamping pods.

Egerton Dairy Farm is a family dairy farm based in rural Cheshire in close proximity to Cholmondeley Castle.

Egerton Manor Farm Bed and Breakfast and Cottages are situated on the Sandstone Trail in the beautiful countryside of rural Cheshire. This stunning Bed and Breakfast offers a peaceful and comfortable stay where guests can enjoy one of our 5 en-suite rooms, with patio areas where you can enjoy the glorious Cheshire countryside including the Bickerton Hills section of the Sandstone Trail where you will experience some of the best views across the Cheshire Plains.

More accommodation

Things to Do Around Cholmondeley and Malpas

Cholmondeley Castle Gardens are quite something, even outside of festival season. The estate's 70 acres of ornamental gardens, with their temple, folly water gardens, Lavinia Walk, arboretum and ornamental woodland, are among the finest in England, and the castle tearoom is a wonderful spot for a lazy lunch.

BeWILDerwood Cheshire is a short drive away along the A49, an award-winning outdoor adventure park built around the magical stories of Tom Blofeld. Zip wires, slides, mazes and storytelling shows make it a full day out for families. Prebooking is essential.

Chester is around 13 miles north and easily accessible from Cholmondeley. Roman walls that are the most complete in Britain, the unique Rows, Chester Zoo, independent restaurants, boutique shopping and a racecourse: it is a city that rewards a proper day.

The Sandstone Trail begins nearby, offering some of the best walking in Cheshire through the Central Sandstone Ridge, with views to the Welsh hills and across the Cheshire Plain. Whether you want a gentle afternoon stroll or a longer hike, the landscapes here are beautiful in August.

Plan Your Visit

Deva Fest 2026 6–9 August 2026 Cholmondeley Castle, Nr Malpas, Cheshire, SY14 8AH

Tickets and full information: devafest.co.uk

Camping is 95% sold. Ticket prices rise on 16 June 2026. Book early to avoid disappointment.