Busted, Kim Wilde, Squeeze and Sam Ryder join Rita Ora, Travis and Madness at Chris Evans’ Carfest 2025!

More stars, more sparkle and more showstopping moments across music, food, wellness and family fun

Summer is fast approaching and Chris Evans’ CarFest presented by bp pulse has just unveiled the latest acts set to join the UK’s biggest family fundraising festival – making 2025 its most exciting year yet. Returning to Laverstoke Park Farm in Hampshire over the August Bank Holiday weekend (22nd–24th August), the festival is gearing up for a spectacular celebration with a brand-new wave of performers bringing even more energy, nostalgia, and hands-in-the-air moments to the Main Stage.

Leading the latest announcement are pop-rock icons Busted, whose feel-good hits and livewire performances promise a full-throttle festival set. They’ll be hitting the stage alongside already announced favourites like Rita Ora, Travis and Madness – three huge names, three massive headline moments.

Also joining the party are British new wave heroes Squeeze, Eurovision legend Sam Ryder, and BRIT Award-winner Tom Walker, whose emotive anthems have captured hearts around the world. But the lineup doesn’t stop there. Kim Wilde, The Boomtown Rats, Seasick Steve, Lightning Seeds, Reef, Hackney Colliery Band, and Si King’s Groovetrain will all bring their own flair to the weekend. Plus, expect pure disco energy from Kimberly Wyatt’s Don’t Cha Disco, Britpop singalongs with Noasis, and festival favourites Rick Parfitt Jnr – with even more still to be revealed.

After dark, Club CarFest cranks up the volume with an electrifying DJ lineup including MistaJam, Marcella Woods, Swiftogeddon, Chris Watson, Dakota, DJ Tobes, Ellie Sax, and James Carpenter. From Euphoric dance floor fillers to Taylor Swift pop anthems, there’s a soundtrack for every mood. And for those who love discovering tomorrow’s stars, The Wigwam Stage once again champions rising talent with a vibrant mix of indie, pop, and feel-good favourites. Catch Michael Aldag, Alice Pisano, Deco, Bryony Dunn & The Forest, Carley Varley, Harry Eley, Matt McClafferty, Two Ways Home, and Rhythm of the 90s across the weekend.

Beyond the music, CarFest delivers seven magical festivals in one. StarFest, crafted by Mazda, brings together the UK’s most beloved personalities and performers. Rob Brydon, Su Pollard, Billy Billingham MBE, Tom Parker Bowles, and more will take to the stage alongside hosts Vassos Alexander, Steve Denyer, and Olivia Jones for a weekend packed with stories, laughter and inspiration.

At The Author’s Stage, expect heartfelt conversation and powerful storytelling with appearances from Adam Frost,Julia Bradbury, Holly Bourne, Shaparak Khorsandi, Dom Joly, Dr Julie Smith, Rev. Richard Coles, and more – all led by host Bryony Gordon.

SpaFest returns with a re-energised programme, welcoming wellness experts across the weekend. Friday sees appearances from Anisha Joshi, Jason Grayston, Lewis Crompton, Rhiannon Lambert and Sally Gunnell OBE DL. Saturday’s lineup includes Kate Rowe-Ham, Dr Philippa Kaye, TJ Power and The Gavin Sisters, while Sunday features Dale Pinnock, Mark Whittle, Julia Bradbury, and Ed Byrne, along with the much-loved Outta Puff Daddys.

And now, on to FoodFest, where the lineup of culinary talent is nothing short of a feast for the senses. Festival favourite Si King of The Hairy Bikers returns alongside Tom Parker-Bowles, joined by Atul Kochhar, Michael Caines, Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Glynn Purnell, Cherish Finden, Rosemary Shrager, Molly Robbins, Claire Andrews, and Kate Quilton.

Across multiple live cooking spaces, including the Chef’s Stage Prepped & Served by Cuisinart, the Napoleon Grills Big BBQ Cookout, The Kitchen Table with Cuisinart and The Cook’s Companion, festival-goers can expect sizzling demos, candid conversations, hands-on tips and unforgettable food moments from the country’s best culinary talent.

And for the first time ever, as the sun sets and the festival buzz continues, The Chef’s Stage transforms into a magical Silent Cinema—where kids can relax with a family-friendly film via silent headphones, while grown-ups unwind nearby with live music and a well-earned drink at The BarFest Arms.

From musical icons to inspiring speakers, delicious food, cars, comedy, wellness, and more, CarFest continues to bring something for everyone. And with 100% of profits going to UK children’s charities, it’s fun you can feel good about.

Tickets are on sale now at www.carfest.org – don’t miss the ultimate summer celebration!

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Editors notes

About CarFest 

CarFest is the brainchild of radio presenter Chris Evans. Featuring an incredible combination of cars, food, live music and family entertainment, the inaugural weekend event was staged at Laverstoke Park Farm in Hampshire in August 2012. 

Fundraising details: All profits from CarFest, including a percentage of the price of each ticket, will be donated to UK children’s charities.  

·       BBC Children in Need (a charity registered in England and Wales under number 802052 and in Scotland under number SC039557) will receive 50% of the total funds raised.  

·       The following six charities will each receive 7% of the total funds raised:  

o   Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust (Registered Charity No.1096491 in England & Wales and SCO44013 in Scotland) 

o   Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity (Registered Charity No. 1070532)  

o   Starlight Children’s Foundation (Registered Charity No.1062559 in England & Wales and SC039757 in Scotland)  

o   Teenage Cancer Trust (Registered Charity No.1062559 in England & Wales and SC039757)  

o   Young Epilepsy (Registered Charity No. Charity 311877 in England & Wales).  

·       Local Hampshire based hospice, Naomi's House & Jacksplace (Registered Charity No.1002832), will receive 2% of funds.  

·       The remaining 6% will be donated to a number of other charities that will be confirmed over the coming months, including charities local to CarFest event sites.  

2025 HEADLINE PARTNER: bp pulse 

bp pulse is bp’s electric vehicle (EV) charging business. It is one of the leading rapid and ultra-fast public EV charging networks in the UK and operates one of the largest number of sites with ultra-fast charging in Germany. 

Focused on fast, reliable charging, bp pulse is rolling out charge points to consumers wherever they need them: destination, on-the-go and bp forecourts. 

EV charging is one of the key growth engines driving bp's transformation to an integrated energy company. The company aims to grow its network of public EV charging points by 2030 to over 100,000 worldwide. 

bp’s here for your travel needs – mostly with petrol and diesel – but bp pulse already has over 3000 rapid and ultra-fast charging points 

2025 FEATURE PARTNERS 

• CarFest is supported by a number of key partners: 
• Cuisinart is the Official Food Experiences Partner incorporating The Chef’s Stage, The Kitchen Table and The Cook’s Companion 
• Napoleon Grills is sponsor of The Big BBQ Cookout 
• Timothy Taylor’s is the Official Beer Partner and hosts the BarFest Arms at the festival 
• Prestige Flowers is the Official Floral Partner and Sponsor of The Designer Village   
• Protyre Autocare is the Official Track, Paddock & Driver’s Lounge Partner
• Westcourt Retreat is the Official Premium Lounge Partner 

SUPPORTED BY: 

• Aspall is the Official Cider Partner 
• Domaine Des Jeanne is the Official Wine Partner 
• Staropramen is the Official Lager Partner 
• Village Hotels is the Official Hotel Partner 
• Virgin Radio UK is the Official Media Partner 
• Nirvana Spa is the Inspiration Hub Partner