15 May 2024

Family-friendly festival returns for 2023

CarFest South is back for 2023 at its home around 25 miles northeast of Salisbury.

The brainchild of radio presenter Chris Evans, CarFest will be entering its 12th year next August, bigger and better than ever. For 2023, CarFest is revving up for one huge party, with enough activities and attractions to keep the whole family entertained – from live music, adventure and comedy to classic cars, famous faces and cookery demonstrations.  

The family-friendly festival features seven festivals within the festival, including KidsFest. KidsFest is described as Fun, Fun and even more fun for kids, both big and small.

The festival team have created a dedicated area to celebrate everything great about being a kid.

As CarFest supports Children in Need, there is a Pudsey’s Spot with a host of friends from CBeebies and CBBC joining the fun over the weekend.

On top of that, there are lots of fun activities and entertainment for everyone to get involved with.

As well as KidsFest there is StarFest, FoodFest, SpaFest, RetroFest, AdventureFest and of course, CarFest!

Whether visitors love exploring the great outdoors, watching cars performing jaw-dropping stunts, or just want to hear from some of their favourite celebrities and wellness gurus, CarFest will have something for everyone. At every corner, there will be an endless supply of fun, including the chance to get up close and personal with the thrilling collection of cars at CarFest, or daring to try something new like climbing to great heights or holding a bird-eating spider at AdventureFest. 

There’ll be talented music acts taking to the main stage, too – some of the big stars confirmed for 2023 include The Feeling, Village People, BoyzLife, Rick Parfitt Jnr, Texas, The Bootleg Beatles and The Dolly Parton Experience, as well as superstar speakers including Russell Brand, Jimmy Carr, Ben Miller and Rob Brydon – with more favourites to be announced in the coming months. And, of course, it wouldn’t be CarFest if there weren’t a few surprises and special guest appearances in store for CarFesters to enjoy! 

Created in 2012, CarFest’s sole purpose has been to raise funds for UK children’s charities. Since its conception, the festival has raised millions for its partner charities.

In 2023, CarFest will raise funds for BBC Children in Need, Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, My Black Dog, Rainbow Trust, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Teenage Cancer Trust, Young Epilepsy and local Hampshire-based charity Naomi House & Jack’s Place.

Love Salisbury sent Beth Doherty to last year’s CarFest – here is what she found!

The highly sought-after tickets for cinch presents CarFest, one of the UK’s most family-friendly festivals, are on sale now! 

Tickets are available to purchase via the CarFest website: www.carfest.org

Written by
Andy Munns
View all articles
Written by Andy Munns