Irish Broadcaster Ryan Tubridy Returns to Chris Evans’ CarFest This August Bank Holiday!

Beloved Irish broadcaster and Virgin Radio UK presenter Ryan Tubridy is set to return to CarFest presented by bp pulse 2024, the UK’s biggest family fundraising festival, taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend (22nd–24th August) at Laverstoke Park Farm in Hampshire. 

A national treasure in Ireland and an increasingly familiar face in the UK, Tubridy will once again take to The Author’s Stage, in StarFest to chat with a brilliant lineup of literary and cultural voices, including Ben Miller, Dom Joly, Ed Byrne, Rev. Richard Coles, Cecilia Ahern and Adele Parks, amongst a host of others. Author and journalist Bryony Gordon will join Ryan to co-host this increasingly popular stage and offering festivalgoers a packed weekend of insightful and entertaining discussion. 

In addition to hosting The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy podcast, the former Late Late Show host has captivated a new generation of fans with his popular weekday show on Virgin Radio UK – and this year’s CarFest gives Irish fans in Britain a unique opportunity to see him live, up close and in action. 

CarFest 2025 promises three unforgettable days of live music, cars, comedy, food, wellness and more, all while raising vital funds for UK children’s charities. The Main Stage lineup features Busted, Rita Ora, Travis, Madness, Tom Walker, Sam Ryder, Kim Wilde, Squeeze, The Boomtown Rats, Seasick Steve and many more, performing across the weekend.  

Now in its thirteenth year, and founded by Virgin Radio presenter Chris Evans, CarFest offers more than just cars. Festival-goers can experience six distinct festivals sited across the 500-acre site: StarFest (celebrity guests and expert talks), FoodFest, SpaFest, KidsFest, RetroFest, and CarFest itself - showcasing breathtaking vehicles and high-octane experiences. 

StarFest, one of CarFest’s most beloved areas, will also welcome a host of familiar personalities at The StarFest Stage crafted by Mazda. Also hosted by Virgin Radio favourites Steve Denyer and Olivia Jones, guests will include Rob Brydon, Su Pollard, Billy Billingham MBE, Ed Byrne, and Tom Parker Bowles for a weekend of stories, laughter and inspiration.  

Meanwhile, SpaFest returns with a revitalised wellbeing programme featuring experts such as Jason Grayston, Julia Bradbury, Sally Gunnell OBE DL, and Dr Julie Smith. 

FoodFest brings a mouth-watering schedule of live cooking shows, tastings, and chef Q&As led by Si King of The Hairy Bikers, with culinary legends like Rosemary Shrager, Atul Kochhar, Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Glynn Purnell, and Tom Parker Bowles appearing across the weekend. 

At its heart, CarFest remains committed to raising money for vital UK children’s charities. Since its launch in 2012, the festival has donated 10% of the ticket price, as well as 100% of its profits, raising an impressive £1.26 million in 2024 alone. The 2025 edition will continue to support BBC Children in Need, Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Teenage Cancer Trust, Young Epilepsy and local Hampshire hospice Naomi House & Jacksplace. 

With an unbeatable mix of entertainment, family-friendly experiences, and a powerful charitable mission, CarFest 2025 promises to be one of the summer’s most unmissable events. 

Don’t miss Ryan Tubridy and a weekend full of stars. Tickets are on sale now at www.carfest.org 

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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: 
• Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust (Registered Charity No.1096491 in England & Wales and SCO44013 in Scotland) 
• Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity (Registered Charity No. 1070532) 
• Starlight Children’s Foundation (Registered Charity No.1062559 in England & Wales and SC039757 in Scotland) 
• Teenage Cancer Trust (Registered Charity No.1062559 in England & Wales and SC039757) 
• 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 13% 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 ysoul stretch 

our 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