Existance Festival, a popular music event in the Cotswolds, has announced it will return in 2027 following the cancellation of this year’s festival with only one week’s notice. The festival, which celebrates psychedelic electronica and ‘space bass’ music, was scheduled for June at Boldridge Farm near Tetbury but was postponed to September due to a “complex legal issue” disclosed earlier in June.
Despite rescheduling, organisers revealed just days before the new September 3-6 dates that the event could not proceed as planned. Key factors included problems with the supply of essential infrastructure and damage at the site caused by a fire over the summer, which affected the venue’s readiness. The cancellation was confirmed on 28 August, shortly after the festival had received council licensing approval.
The organisers expressed regret over the decision, calling it “extremely difficult,” and assured fans that the festival would return from 10 to 13 June in 2027. Tickets purchased for 2026 will be automatically valid for the 2027 festival; anyone unable to attend the new dates is entitled to a refund through their original point of purchase.
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In a statement, Existance Festival detailed the challenges faced this year, including late licence approval following objections, additional fire safety measures due to the summer heat, legal costs, and difficulties in obtaining key festival infrastructure. They emphasised their commitment to maintaining the quality of the festival experience and stated that proceeding under current conditions would compromise that standard.
“Existance has always been about more than just a weekend of music. It’s a community we built together. We know many of you have booked time off, arranged travel and been counting down to September. We are truly sorry and wish we were not in this position,” the organisers added.
The announcement led to expressions of frustration among ticket holders, although many showed support and understanding for the organisers’ efforts. One attendee expressed sympathy for the team’s hard work, while another shared their disappointment, hoping for a successful event next year.