The George Hotel in Hayfield has announced a new three-day festival weekend for 11–13 September 2026, aiming to establish an annual music and arts event in the centre of the Peak District. Organised in partnership with The Tent People, the weekend expands on the venue’s recent Festival Sessions programme that ran between 2022 and 2024.
What to expect at the inaugural weekend
Festival organisers say the site’s outdoor spaces will be transformed with canvas structures to create a festival hub offering live music, DJs, family-focused activities and community events. The weekend is structured into four separate ticketed sessions, each designed to appeal to different audiences across the three days.
- Friday 11 September – Hayfield Vinyl Night Takeover
- Saturday 12 September (day) – Mini Fest, family-orientated activities
- Saturday 12 September (evening) – Cairn You Feel It? (evening music set)
- Sunday 13 September – Brighter Days, featuring Shake the Dust
The George has gained a reputation since reopening under new management for hosting grassroots live music and building a welcoming venue for both locals and visitors. Festival organisers hope the weekend will become a fixture in Hayfield’s cultural calendar, bringing together residents, performers and families.
“From day one, our vision has been to create a place where people can come together to enjoy great food, great music and genuine hospitality. This festival feels like the natural evolution of everything we’ve been building. Running Festival Sessions with The Tent People showed us the appetite for high-quality music events in the Peak District, and now we’re excited to create a new annual festival that celebrates our community”
Local impact and practical information
Organisers expect the festival to support local hospitality and retail by increasing footfall in Hayfield across the weekend. The format — with separate session tickets rather than a single all-access pass — is designed to offer flexibility for families and music fans who may only attend specific parts of the programme.
Visitors should plan ahead for travel and parking, especially on Saturday when the event includes both daytime family activities and an evening music session. Those interested in attending are advised to check The George Hotel’s channels for ticket details, accessibility information and any updates to the running order as the event approaches.
| Day | Session |
|---|---|
| 11 Sept (Fri) | Hayfield Vinyl Night Takeover |
| 12 Sept (Sat) - Day | Mini Fest (family) |
| 12 Sept (Sat) - Evening | Cairn You Feel It? |
| 13 Sept (Sun) | Brighter Days featuring Shake the Dust |
As the festival is a new annual initiative, its success will be measured by local take-up and the degree to which it can be sustained in future years. For residents and regular visitors to the Peak District, the weekend represents an opportunity to access a concentrated programme of live culture without travelling to larger urban centres.
Further details including ticket release dates, full line-up and practical arrangements will be published by The George Hotel and The Tent People in the coming weeks. Those planning to attend should keep an eye on official announcements.
