Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the Kinecroft. BunkFest is a busy and noisy event so if your dog is of a nervous disposition, we would advise leaving him/her at home with a bone. Please note that the campsite and Sports Park only allow Assistance Dogs.

Technically yes, however, we rely on you to purchase drinks and food to help make the festival financially viable. If you do bring your own, please take your rubbish home with you.

Yes, space is limited so book early if possible. Please see our section on camping.

The festival is free. However, we do ask you to make donations in the buckets and purchase your drinks and food from the festival to help pay for the event.

Baby changing facilities are located by the Kinecroft site office, please ask a steward where this is.

Yes, but they are limited. There is one at the Esso garage, one outside the back entrance of Waitrose and one at Nationwide Building Society. All traders and the beer tent will be accepting card transactions.

Yes! The water is free and there are three water stations on the Kinecroft, one located by the beer tent and one at each end of the Kinecroft. Please bring a bottle.

Please feel free to email us with your information, however, we do not have space for new traders and our existing traders are invited back each year.

To apply to play at BunkFest please complete this form. We are unable to accept applications received via other formats, including email.

Information about our sites and stages can be found below. When you complete the form, we will ask you to specify which stage/s you are applying for.

Please be aware that we receive hundreds of email applications each year and are unable to formally respond to them all.

MAIN STAGE AND BULLCROFT STAGE
The main stage is on our main festival site (the Kinecroft). The line-up is almost finalised for 2026 already but please feel free to apply for future years.

The Bullcroft Stage is our second – and slightly smaller – main stage, located in the family-friendly Bullcroft arena.

BUNKFEST FRINGE
The Fringe is the community heart of BunkFest, taking place across the town over three days. We have up to fringe 20 venues each year, all with their own unique atmosphere – and include pubs, clubs, a theatre, a river boat and a train! They range from large and fully rigged stages (e.g. the Boat House Riverside Stage) to more intimate and informal venues. We welcome a wide range of genres (folk, rock, blues, indie, alternative, jazz, ska, punk and many more) – and applications from all ages and abilities, genders, colours and creeds.

BunkFest is run entirely by volunteers, which helps to keep the festival free for those attending. Our Fringe team works throughout the year to organise the venues, schedule and sound provision for more than 100 artists performing on the fringe each year. We provide a PA and sound engineer support in all venues with the exception of the ’singing train’ which is an acoustic venue. Backline is only provided at a small number of fringe venues.

Timescales for 2026
Applications will need to be received by the end of February 2026 to be considered for the 2026 festival. After that date we may consider applications which fill a gap in our programming (e.g. a genre we are particularly interested in) but cannot guarantee that all applications will be reviewed. We are a small volunteer team and receive hundreds of applications every year so – although we would love to – we can’t write back to everyone individually. If you have not heard from us by the end of March 2026 please assume we would not like to take up your offer for this year.

How does payment work?
Each year we have a set amount of fully paid slots alongside other ‘expenses only’ and volunteer slots. Our aim is to support artists who earn a living from what they do and support the local music scene, whilst also creating opportunities for everyone who would like to play at this amazing local event, and keeping the festival free to attend. Many artists offer us a ‘weekend package’ (e.g. one paid gig plus additional volunteer spots) or negotiate a rate for several performances over the weekend. When you complete the form, you will have a chance to tell us on what basis you are applying – just let us know what might work for you.

BunkFest gets underway from 12pm on Friday 29th August.

The Festival Shop will be open on Thursday afternoon and throughout the festival from 10:00 am.

Toilets (including disabled) are located at both the northern and southern ends of the Kinecroft. There are also toilets in the Cattle Market car park and in the town centre.

Full artists’ schedules and information can be found in the Festival Programme, available to buy in the Festival Shop. Our Artists and Venues pages also have some information.

First Aid is provided during the daytime and evening. The First Aid Post is located by the Kinecroft site office. If you have a problem and cannot get there, please notify a BunkFest Steward who will direct you.

Please hand in any lost items to the Festival Shop. This does not include bewildered Morris people or individuals carrying bodhrans! Any lost property remaining after the festival will be taken to the Wallingford Town Information Centre, and if unclaimed will be disposed of.

The Festival Shop is located on the western side of the Kinecroft (opposite the Coach and Horses) and is the place to go for t-shirts, festival programmes, beer glasses, soft drinks, water and lost property.

The Tourist Information Centre is located on the ground floor of the Town Hall in the Market Place.

Telephone 01491 826972.

Opening times: Mondays-Fridays 10:00 am-1:00 pm and 1:30 pm-4:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am-2:00 pm.