Taking place from 18-21 July, bluedot is an award-winning festival that fuses music, science and culture, held at Cheshire’s iconic Jodrell Bank Observatory. This year the event is celebrating 50 years since the Moon Landings and festivalgoers can expect a packed programme for all ages.
Here are 5 reasons why you should visit bluedot 2019…
1/ To celebrate a defining moment in history
This year’s festival will include Moon-themed events to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Moon Landings. Throughout the weekend bluedot will relive the Apollo 11 mission in real time with The Moon Landing LIVE using archive audio and video.
2/ To learn about model making from an expert
Bluedot will also be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the release of Aardman’s ‘A Grand Day Out’, the short animated film that made loveable characters Wallace & Gromit household names. An expert model maker from Aardman will guide children as they create their own characters at on-site clay modelling workshops.
3/ Because bluedot cares about the environment
The event features sustainability initiatives and a green programme to help protect the planet. There will be a talk by TV presenter Liz Bonnin on ‘The Problem With Plastics’, which will explore the problem of marine plastic pollution. Plus, festivalgoers can travel in a one-day cycle ride from Manchester to the venue, led by experienced guides.
4/ The music acts are out of this world
From Hot Chip to Kraftwerk and from New Order to 808 State, bluedot 2019 offers a stellar line-up for music fans. Other performers include John Grant, Kate Tempest, and geek-chic superstar and national treasure Jarvis Cocker.
5/ There’s plenty for families to enjoy
Award-winning author and screenwriter, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, will host a talk on his latest book, Runaway Robot. Meanwhile, Big Fish Little Fish will return to bluedot with their energetic family raves and discos, including a special Clangers rave. Also on the bill are a host of hands-on science shows to excite any budding scientist, and lots more.
When is bluedot?
The festival runs from Thursday 18 July to Sunday 21 July, 2019.
Where will it take place?
At Jodrell Bank Observatory at Lower Withington, just off the A535, between Chelford and Holmes Chapel, in Cheshire. The observatory is in Bomish Lane, and festivalgoers should use the postcode SK11 9DW.
How much does it cost?
Day tickets are £59.75 per person, and full weekend camping tickets start from £169. The festival offers accessible pricing for families, including discounted tickets for teens aged 11-15 and children aged 6-10, as well as free entry for under 5s.
How do I book tickets?
For tickets and details, visit: discoverthebluedot.com
Things to note about bluedot:
- The main stage closes at 11pm, and the late night stages run until 2am Friday and Saturday and 1am on Sunday (the Outer Space and the campsite hub run on a little later for those still up)
- Camping is only available with a weekend ticket and standard campsites are included in the price of the ticket
- On-site facilities include phone charging, a general store, safe storage, food, drink, information point, first aid and welfare, and merchandise
- Paid-for showers are available
- Free water points will be located across the site.
- The festival works closely with Attitude is Everything to provide an accessible event site. For information about accessibility, visit: com/info/accessibility
About bluedot
Entering its fourth year, bluedot is an award-winning independent festival by From the Fields and Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre. With a mandate to provide amazing, challenging and entertaining content for all the family, bluedot fuses a mix of artists, speakers, scientists and performers.
About Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
The University of Manchester’s Jodrell Bank Observatory is the home of the world-famous Lovell Telescope and operates e-MERLIN, the UK’s national radio astronomy facility linking seven radio telescopes over 217km. The Lovell Telescope, which dominates the site, was the world’s largest telescope when it was completed in 1957. The Discovery Centre at Jodrell Bank welcomes around 185,000 visitors each year.
By Colette Warbrook
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18 comments
Would you believe I’ve not heard of Bluedot festival? It does sound like something I would enjoy.
I was supposed to be going to Glastonbury this year but unfortunately had to cancel my ticket due to illness. I’m still gutted, but I’m determined to visit more festivals next year when I’m better!
Oh no, hope you get better, festivals are such fun! Especially if the weather is kind, great way to spend the weekend partying and enjoying some good music
I have not heard of this one before but it sounds like a brilliant festival. Would love to camp there for the weekend with the kids.
Hope you get the chance too, their weekend tickets get sold out fast so head to their website to check
I hadn’t heard of this festival before but it sounds great – especially as there’s lots of moon themed things to do!
Oh yes, its going to be so fun, especially for the kids as well
This festival seems like it’s so much more than just the music which is really cool x
Absolutely and it is family friendly too
This is a new festival for me but sounds amazing. I love the array of acts and activities
There is going to be lots happening with fantastic line up of singers
I’ve not heard of this festival before. There seem to be so many these days. I love that it is children friendly and environmentally conscious.
Absolutely! Its gonna be held in Cheshire at the ever so famous Jodrell Bank Observatory
Can you believe we’ve never been to a festival? This one sounds loads of fun for the family.
Oh no, you must Jenny! It is so quintessentially British
Oh wow, what a cool idea for a festival. I love that science is involved too and that its ok for kids. So many aren’t suitable for families xxx
So agree, its important to have kids activities so that they feel like its a great place to be at as well
We took the kids to Jodrell Bank last year and we all loved it. I had no idea they hosted festivals too!
Yes they do, esp music ones. They also use project images onto the satellite dish