14th - 16th June 2024
Location: Eridge Park, Kent, TN3 9JT
Size: 10,000
Website: blackdeerfestival.com/
2022 review here and 2019 review here
The multi-award-winning Black Deer returns for a weekend celebration of Americana and Country to the stunning Eridge Deer Park in Kent. Showcasing music of an independent spirit across multiple stages, exquisite live fire cooking, layers of custom motorcycle culture and a curated marketplace of artisans and makers, Black Deer is a family destination festival with a community ethos. Expect to find some of the biggest names in live music plus emerging UK Americana artists.
Highlights for Families
At Black Deer you’ll discover a festival within a festival with the emphasis on giving kids endless opportunities to explore. Whether that’s through music, craft, or the great outdoors.
An ever-growing list of exciting activities includes things such as:
– Den building and adventure play with FestivalKidz favourite masters of outdoor play The Woodland Tribe
– Art & craft workshops
– Music lesson workshops
– Face painting & dressing up
– Live music performances
The Young Folk area of Black Deer is dedicated to the young where everything is geared to inspire the next generation and to wow those slightly older in years. Skateboarding, treeclimbing, circus and silent disco just a few of the activities.
Music & Culture
Black Deer celebrates a culture like no other and is more than just a music festival. It’s more than an appreciation of a musical genre. Black Deer is a celebration of a way of life. A way of life rooted in, and respectful of, the rich cultural heritage of America – a movement that’s become known as ‘Americana’.
Black Deer has been widely acclaimed as a truly authentic experience, an independent festival born from passion, and built from experience – thanks to its two female founders whose love and respect for the genre shines through every facet of the festival.
A cashless system is in place so you top up your wristband before arrival or at top up desks at the festivval. Lots of food options are available and day tickets are also sold. Worth noting no food and drink can be bought into the arena so budget accordingly.
Live Fire offers an array of country culinary delights – a soul food lovers’ heaven where festival-goers can watch the BBQ world’s best chefs, pitmasters, butchers and woodsmen work their magic, spreading the gospel of American BBQ. With a Smokehouse Cooking Cookout Competition, Food Demos, Gospel Brunch, Renowned Chefs in tow, Vegetarian & Vegan Campfires and Craft Beer, there’s something for all tastes.
The Roadhouse stage welcomes the best custom bike builders in the world down to Eridge Park, and the mighty Desertscene will be taking the music reins with a loud dose of low and slow desert rock and heavy blues to shake up the dust.
Master makers using selvedge denim, leather and other authentic materials will feature at the Black Deer Mercantile, alongside campfires, a kids and teens area that allows younger ones the chance to learn new skills, explore and engage with nature and be creative.
“Black Deer is not just about hearing the music you love, it’s about discovering music you’re going to love and experiencing the unique cultural richness that surrounds this popular way of life we call Americana. The natural ingredients that complete this simple melting pot can all be found at Black Deer – from authentic smokehouse BBQ cooking and a righteous Sunday gospel brunch to the thrill of custom motorcycle culture and a connection with nature to inspire the young folk, the festival is a community gathering for those who love to get it together in the country…”