Jane's Midlife Journey

Xchurch Music Festival is an annual three day music festival, which takes place on Christchurch Quay, or as it is known locally, the Quomps.

How to get to Xchurch Music Festival

The Quomps is just past the bottom of Christchurch High Street, 4 miles east of Bournemouth. By car, drive along the A338/A35.

By Bus

Buses number 1a/1b/1c, X1 and the 70 Breezer Bus all stop at the Town Centre, around an 8 minute walk from the festival site.

Parking

There are several car parks in Christchurch. The closest to the festival site is Mayor’s Mead, where parking costs £2.50 for 2 hours. However, the chances of finding a space during the festival are not great. Further details of all the car parks in Christchurch can be found here.

Note: The festival’s popularity can make parking tricky. Alternatively, parking is somewhat easier to find (and free) in the streets on the other side of the River Stour. You can then walk to the venue (around a mile up to Tuckton Bridge and back down the other side of the river) or take the Wick Ferry straight across the river to the Quomps. Ferries cross regularly throughout the day, with a one way fare costing £1.50.

Times

The event takes place over a weekend in July. In 2025, the dates were:

• Friday 18th July (4 pm – 11 pm)
• Saturday 19th July (11 am – 11 pm)
• Sunday 20st July (11 am – 9 pm)

2026 dates are yet to be announced.

Price

You can buy tickets for Friday (£15), Saturday (£18) or the weekend (£20). It’s not well publicised, but there is no entry fee for Sunday. Early bird ticket offers are also available.

Details

Main Stage

Not surprisingly, the main action takes place on the Main Stage. The day warms up with maybe a choir or a Zumba class before the bands begin. Most acts are local artists, well known within the local music scene. With headliner acts from further afield.

Big Top

During the day, the Big Top hosts a children’s disco. Then, at night it becomes a party venue with top local DJs in action to get you in the mood for dancing. This year, there were also some live bands performing.

Bandstand

There are performances on the Bandstand throughout the day, which plays host a range of young, local talent.

Funfair

There is a Funfair inside the festival site with a range of rides from white knuckle to mini roundabouts.

Food & Drink

There is a selection of food trucks on site including burgers, bratwursts and bao buns. Plus several options for those with a sweet tooth, such as donuts, churros and ice cream.

There are various options for purchasing drinks, mainly bars provided by local pubs.

Note: You are not permitted to take your own food and drink into the venue. However, the festival site does not cover the entire Quomps. There is an area of grass just behind the stage, which is outside the fence, if you want to sit and enjoy a picnic.

Christchurch Music Festival For Children

Festival entry for children under 12 is free and there is plenty to keep children entertained.

Funfair

Obviously, children will enjoy the funfair. There are rides such as roundabouts, dogdems and trampolines to appeal to younger children. Fairground rides operate on a token system and most cost £3-£4.

Kid Zone

The festival has a dedicated Kid Zone area. Most activities take place inside a marquee organised by a local charity. There is a craft station, a bubble machine, dressing up corner and play area stocked with toys, all of which can be played with at any time.

On Saturday and Sunday, there is a schedule of Children’s Activities including dance shows, party games and skateboarding. We attended the sensory dance/ movement session, which was great fun, although Orla wasn’t quit sure what was going on!

Next to the marquee are some stalls which offer sweets, face painting and hair braiding (these are not free).

Big Top

The Big Top hosts a children’s disco on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

The Quomps

In addition, there are a Playground and Splash Park on the Quomps, just outside the festival site.

• Updated: July 2025

I hope you found this information useful. For more inspiration on things to do in and around Bournemouth, check out my 101 Things to do in Bournemouth here.

For more inspiration on things to do in and around Bournemouth with young children, check out my 101 Things to do in Bournemouth with Babies and Toddlers here.