Beltain

Celtic Fire Festival: Burning the Wickerman

Saturday May 4th 2024, 4pm - 10pm || Butser Ancient Farm, Waterlooville, Hampshire

An incredible afternoon & evening of spectacular entertainment! Join us for the Celtic festival Beltain (also known as Beltane), and welcome in the summer with live folk music, reenactor battles, local craftsfolk, and the burning of a 40ft wickerman.

Celebrate the ancient May Day in this unique Hampshire fire festival!

Sorry, Beltain 2024 is now sold out.

 

burning the wickerman

performances

Activities

traditional crafts

living history

Tickets

 

To help with rising costs faced by everyone, we’re releasing a much larger proportion of tickets at the lowest price, and lowered our top price from 2023.

Sorry, Beltain 2024 is sold out.

Some parking tickets are still available!

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Butser Ancient Farm is an independent not-for-profit, and Beltain is our biggest fundraising event of the year.

Thank you for your support!

 

About the Festival

THINGS TO SEE

Experience spectacular entertainment, with live folk music, morris dancing, storytelling, and living history! See performances by the UK’s premier drumming troupe Pentacle Drummers, meet the Green Man and May Queen, and watch combat displays. Plus see master craftsfolk at work with traditional skills, and explore encampments of reenactors bringing 10,000 years of our ancient past to life!

things to do

Heaps of fun for adults and kids alike! Try your hand at axe throwing and fight a Roman legionary, or get your face painted like a Celt and make a May Day headdress. Browse stands from small and local creators, join a drumming workshop, and get hands-on learning some ancient skills. Don’t forget to make a wish and tie it to the wickerman before he’s burned!

the burn

Gather at dusk to welcome in the summer with fire and flame as we burn a 40ft tall wickerman. Every year, we redesign our wickerman to create a truly unique burn — will he be an Iron Age spearman, the antler-headed Cernunnos from Celtic myth, a Viking warrior, or something else… ? Watch this year’s design burn set to a live drumming performance, and bask in the glow of the flames!

Food & Drink

Feast on plenty of food and drink! Get your supper from a food stand — do you fancy barbeque, hog roast, dahl, crêpes, pizzas, or flatbreads? — and enjoy hot and cold drinks including local cider and several varieties of local mead! Non-alcoholic, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options will all be available. Don’t forget to pick up a commemorative Beltain cup to help reduce waste!

Bartenders at Beltain Celtic fire festival showing off a variety of mead flavours at the Celtic mead bar.

Handfasting

Celebrate the bonds between people with special handfasting ceremonies! Bear witness to engagements, renewals of vows, adoption ceremonies, and more with the Beltain community, or strengthen your bonds with your own bespoke ceremony led by an experienced celebrant. Anyone is always welcome as a witness, or book your own ceremony here!

 

what is Beltain Celtic Fire Festival?

Butser Ancient Farm is a unique experimental archaeology site in Hampshire, and Beltain Celtic Fire Festival is our biggest fundraising event of the year. We’re an independent not-for-profit, and we absolutely rely on the support we get through Beltain to allow us to continue our research and educational work in the coming year.

Beltain (also spelled Beltane or Bealtaine) is an ancient Iron Age precursor to May Day celebrations, celebrated by Celtic peoples in Ireland and the UK. We don’t know exactly how people celebrated, so this festival at Butser isn’t a historical recreation. Instead, it’s an opportunity to carry on some part of this ancient tradition and celebrate the beginning of summer with a spectacular festival of activities, performances, and fire!

To many, Beltain is a spiritual celebration, part of the pagan Wheel of the Year and a Celtic cross-quarter day. Butser Ancient Farm isn’t a religious or spiritual organisation, and our Beltain celebration isn’t intended as a ritual event. But you can bring to it whatever meaning you would like — historical, spiritual, communal, or just a bit of fun! Our festival welcomes all comers.

 

information

  • ENTERING: First entrance is at 4pm, and last entrance is at 7:30pm.

    GROUP BOOKINGS: If your group is arriving separately but are all under one booking, please ensure everyone has a copy of your tickets and let us know on the gate to expect the rest of your party.

    CARERS: If you need a carer, you’re entitled to a free adult ticket to cover them. Please book your other ticket(s) as normal, and then email admin@butserancientfarm.co.uk with your order number and one of the following: evidence of Middle or Higher rate DLA for care and/or mobility; PIP receipt; Access Card +1; evidence of Armed Forces Independent Payment or War Disablement Pension; D/deaf or blind registration; evidence of carer registration; a medical professional’s letter.

    RETURNS: If you are unable to attend the event after all, you may return your ticket to us for a 75% to 90% refund. Please see our returns and resales page here.

    RESALES: We will be reselling any returned tickets in two batches. See our returns and resales page here. Please do not buy tickets touted via any other reseller as they may not be genuine and we cannot honour fake tickets.

    ON THE DOOR: There will be no tickets available on the door.

  • WHEELCHAIRS: Butser Ancient Farm is a completely wheelchair accessible site, although please be aware that paths are rustic and many areas are grass. For more accessibility information, see our accessibility page.

    MOBILITY SCOOTERS: If you use a mobility scooter, please be aware that we don’t recommend using large or bulky scooters if possible due to large crowds.

    DOGS: Service dogs are welcome everywhere on site! Please don’t bring your pet dogs, especially not to leave in the car.

    SENSORY INFORMATION: You can find detailed sensory information about the site on our accessibility page. Please be aware that this is a busy festival, and may be more overwhelming than a regular visit.

    QUIET SPACE: We will be setting aside one of our roundhouses as a quiet space. Please feel free to use it as much as you need.

    FOOD & DRINK: This event will have a variety of delicious food and drink options that are non-alcoholic, vegetarian, vegan, and/or gluten free. Please ask the vendor if you are concerned about allergies.

    ACCESSIBLE PARKING: Blue badge holders are entitled to free accessible parking. Please book your ticket(s) as normal, and then email admin@butserancientfarm.co.uk with your order number and a photo of your blue badge to apply for your parking pass. Please be aware spaces are limited; we’ll do our very best to accommodate you.

    CARERS: If you need a carer, you’re entitled to a free adult ticket to cover them. Please book your other ticket(s) as normal, and then email admin@butserancientfarm.co.uk with your order number and one of the following: evidence of Middle or Higher rate DLA for care and/or mobility; PIP receipt; Access Card +1; evidence of Armed Forces Independent Payment or War Disablement Pension; D/deaf or blind registration; evidence of carer registration; a medical professional’s letter.

    Any evidence sent to us for accessible parking spaces or carer tickets will be deleted when our correspondence with you is complete.

  • TICKET: Please bring your ticket — on your phone is fine, or you can print it if you prefer.

    CASH: This is a cash-preferred event as we can’t guarantee signal to pay by card, so please bring cash if you’d like to purchase anything while on site.

    FOOD & DRINK: You are more than welcome to bring your own food, but please don’t bring any alcohol.

    DRINKING VESSELS: If you have your own drinking horn or tankard, please feel free to bring it! We will also be offering reusable commemorative cups to reduce plastic waste — or bring yours back from 2023!

    CHAIRS: Many people like to bring chairs and blankets. Please be considerate of others when bringing and placing your chairs and consider the view of people behind you.

    TORCH: You may want to bring a torch as the car park can get quite dark at night!

    PETS: Unfortunately we cannot welcome pets to this event. Service dogs are of course always welcome. Please do not bring a pet and leave it in the car.

    PHOTOS: Feel free to take photos and videos of this event for personal use! Tag us on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook and use the hashtag #ButserBeltain and we may share your pictures. If you’d like to take images for commercial or media use, please email us on admin@butserancientfarm.co.uk to discuss.

    DRONES: Please do not bring a drone to this event. This is a legal concern and you may be asked to leave.

    BONFIRE: Please do not bring anything to add to the fire. This is a safety concern and your items may be confiscated until the end of the event.

    KNIVES: According to UK law, we cannot allow locking knives over 3 inches long.

    Please be aware bag checks will be in operation on arrival.

  • CLOTHING: Please dress warmly, as this event can get quite chilly at night!

    SHOES: This site is a working farm, so please wear practical shoes.

    COSTUME: Many people like to dress up for Beltain, and we love it! Please feel free to wear historical dress and fantasy costumes — show us your best!

    HEADDRESS: The Beltain headdress is a classic part of the festival! Help us promote natural arts and reduce plastic waste by making your own at the festival with locally-foraged greenery.

  • Sorry, we cannot allow camping or overnight parking at Butser. Here are some alternative places to stay that we can recommend:

    QUEEN ELIZABETH COUNTRY PARK: This lovely country park has several camping pitches for tents, and is a half hour walk or five minute drive from Butser.

    SUSTAINABILITY CENTRE: The Sustainability Centre is about a 10 minute drive from Butser and offers a variety of accommodation, from camping pitches and hireable yurts to an eco hostel and B&B.

    THE HAMPSHIRE HOG: The Hampshire Hog is our local pub and hotel, and is just a two minute drive or 15 minute walk from Butser. Please be aware that the walk includes sections on the road without pavement.

  • DRIVING: Click here to get directions in Google Maps. We are in Waterlooville, Hampshire, and are a two minute drive from the A3. Take the A3 between Petersfield and Portsmouth, and come off at the Clanfield exit. Follow the brown signs to Butser Ancient Farm, or directions to Chalton. Beltain signs will direct you to Hilltop car park, or the Premium and Accessible car parks halfway down the hill.

    PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Take the train to Petersfield. Catch the Number 37 bus from Petersfield to Clanfield, and come off at the Hampshire Hog in Clanfield. We are a 10 minute walk down the hill from the Hampshire Hog. Please be aware that parts of this walk are on the road with no pavement.

    ENTERING: First entrance is at 4pm, and last entrance is at 7:30pm.

  • PARKING: We have three car parks for this event, and all will be signposted. The main Hilltop car park is at the top of the hill, about 1/4 of a mile’s walk from the farm. The Premium and Accessible car parks are both right by the farm on flat ground.

    MAP: Parking map coming soon.

    PARKING SPACES: You need to book a parking space if you are parking. You will not be able to park without a pre-booked space.

    CAR SIZE: Due to space limitations, we can only park vehicles of under 5m long. If you want to come in a larger vehicle, please email us at admin@butserancientfarm.co.uk with the size of your vehicle to discuss options.

    CAR PARK OPENING: The Hilltop car park will open at 3:30pm. The Premium and Accessible car parks will open at 3:45pm. All three will be closed and locked after the event at 11pm.

    DROP OFF & PICK UP: If you are being dropped off for this event, please direct your driver to the drop off and pick up layby directly opposite the farm entrance. Please do not drive onto site if you are not parking in the Premium or Accessible car parks.

    PARKING CHARGES: Standard parking in the Hilltop car park costs £2 per car. Premium parking costs £10 per car. Accessible parking is free (please apply for a parking pass).

    ACCESSIBLE PARKING: Blue badge holders are entitled to free accessible parking. Please book your ticket(s) as normal, and then email admin@butserancientfarm.co.uk with your order number and a photo of your blue badge to apply for your parking pass. Please be aware spaces are limited; we’ll do our very best to accommodate you.

    OVERNIGHT PARKING: Sorry, we cannot allow overnight parking at Butser.

  • BUTSER PLUS: Please note we will be filming this event for our supporters on Butser Plus. This is a key part of our fundraising and helps us stay open!

    SOCIAL MEDIA: We’d love to see your pictures! Tag us on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook and use the hashtag #ButserBeltain. We’ll also be taking and posting images ourselves.

    MEDIA & COMMERCIAL: If you’d like to take images for commercial or media use, please email us on admin@butserancientfarm.co.uk to discuss.

  • PRESS: If you would like to cover this event for the media, please contact us on admin@butserancientfarm.co.uk to discuss. If your request has been accepted, you will be issued a free press pass when you arrive at the event.

    PERFORMERS & CONTRIBUTORS: If you would like to help us make Beltain amazing by performing, holding a demonstration, or offering an activity, please contact us at admin@butserancientfarm.co.uk.

    TRADERS: If you would like to discuss having a stand at Beltain, please email admin@butserancientfarm.co.uk.

  • REFUNDS: Tickets returned before the 12th February will be refunded 90% of the original transaction (less any booking fees). Tickets returned before the 15th April will be refunded 75% of the original transaction (less any booking fees). Tickets returned after the 15th April will not receive a refund, but your kindness will allow someone else to enjoy the festival.

    FAKE TICKETS: We are unable to honour fake tickets.

    ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE: The car parks will open at 3:30pm; first entrance is at 4pm. Last entrance is at 7:30pm, the event ends at 10pm, and the car parks will close at 11pm. Overnight parking is not permitted.

    COVID-19: This is a primarily outdoor event and will be held in accordance with Covid rulings at the time. If you have any Covid symptoms or have been asked to self-isolate, please do not attend. You may want to wear a mask if you enter a building. Please respect other people’s safety and keep your distance where possible.

    FIRE: Please be aware this event heavily involves fire. Many of our buildings also feature an open fire. By attending you take responsibility for ensuring your party behaves sensibly.

    CANCELLATION: This event will take place whatever the weather. If we have to cancel the event for some other reason, you will receive a full refund of your ticket (less any booking fees).

    ITEMS NOT ALLOWED: You will not be allowed to enter the site with the following: a pet (excluding service dogs), alcohol, a drone, locking knives/knives over 3 inches, or anything to throw onto the bonfire.

    LEAVE NO TRACE: Please help us to respect the earth and reduce plastic waste and litter on site by finding one of our bins for your rubbish!