Exile Music Festival is a weekend event showcasing 15 to 20 local and independent music's best bands in Derbyshire. Family friendly and reasonably priced!
By the middle of June each year we are gearing up for our annual round of site preparation, fence construction and stage manufacturing in preparation for the influx of hundreds of visitors, both new and old. The Exile Music Festival is now firmly established at Sabine Hay just outside Darley Dale with its gently sloping verdant tree lined camping area, contained by beautiful Derbyshire woodland, a
ll ready for your tent. We have a well stocked real ale/cider bar with a huge variety of teasingly tasty beers, a variety of stalls, various activities to engage and a selection of food & drink stalls and cafes on site and available around the clock.
30/06/2025
What a fabulous time we've had! The Team have been working hard in the heat today to return Sabine Hay back to how we found it. It's almost there, a big part of which is down to our super tidy campers who left the field spotless. 😁
We'd like to thank you for making Exile the wonderful little festival it is.
If you were lucky enough to be able to stick around for Sunday afternoon, the small change to the programme (IYKYK!) worked really well, and it's something that will be considered in the future. Obviously with amplification and the beer tent next time! 😂
From the bottom of our hearts, the Exile Team are so grateful for your support. Here's to 2026!
25/06/2025
Our stripey marquee is going up today! This is very exciting!
20/06/2025
It's just a week today to Exile, and we're so excited. The forecast is looking good, ticket sales are looking good, and most importantly, you're all looking good! We couldn't be happier. All the hard work and planning for this year's festival, all done by a small team of volunteers, is starting to slot into place. By this time next week, we will have a fully fledged festival ready to welcome Exilers. Whether you've been coming for years, or it's your first time - we can honestly say, it's gonna be a cracker! See you there!
13/06/2025
It's a hive of activity at Sabine Hay today. The beer tent has been erected, the floor is being laid. Next step - build the bar!
06/06/2025
Do you want a Limited Edition 2025 Exile T-Shirt? In order to make that wish come true, pre-orders must be received by 18th June. We will have T-shirts for sale at the Festival, but we cannot guarantee that we will have your size. Medium and Large sizes are the most popular and selling fast! It really is a case of "when they're gone, they're gone.
The countdown is now just 34 days. As it's the last Bank Holiday before Exile, it's definitely the right time to start getting really excited!
Why not take advantage of this long weekend by getting up into the loft or wherever the festival camping gear is stored to ensure you've got everything you need. Here's a very brief checklist to help you on your way:
Tickets (it's not too late to get them): https://www.exilemusicfestival.co.uk/tickets
Receipt to collect pre-ordered Festival T-Shirt (order now to avoid disappointment): https://www.exilemusicfestival.co.uk/2025-t-shirts
Tent
Sleeping Bag
Airbed/Mattress
Stove, pots & pans
Power pack to charge phone etc.
Instrument to play at Firepit Sessions
Coolbox (to be filled with food and beer)
Method of payment, so you can visit our lovely traders and beer tent
Torch
Festival Clothes
Bonkers hat
Warm layers
Sun cream
Everything else you can cram in the car!
*Thanks to Garry Gadget for permission to use the photo. 😴
16/05/2025
It's just 42 days until Exile and we're truly excited about that!
If you're bringing Little Exilers this year, we've got lots on offer to keep them entertained.
As usual we'll have our Krafty Kids Zone doing all things crafty, such as making sun catchers, painting jars, modelling air-dried clay, and making bird mobiles.
We've also got Eliza from Oopsadaisy Circus & Face Painting who will be offering face painting throughout the Festival (apart from the bit where she's performing on the Garden Stage!)
Michelle and The Braiding Bike will be doing hair braiding and glitter tattoos all weekend.
After all that excitement, get some calming vibes from Lena's Holistic Healing Tent with free family holistic sessions each morning.
Order and pay now, and collect your T-shirt from the Info Hub once you arrive at the Festival.
05/04/2025
Look how happy this chappie looks. That's because he's an Exile Steward! If you fancy being this happy, then why not join our team of volunteer Stewards?
If you can commit to 8 hours over the Festival weekend, then we'll give you free access to sit back and enjoy the rest of the Festival, with free camping.
We're also looking for volunteer set-up/take-down Crew to work either side of the Festival. We'll need you all day Thursday and Monday in return for free entry and camping during the Festival.
If this sounds interesting, please message us, and we'll put you in touch with the right people!
28/03/2025
Public service announcement: Clocks go forward this weekend! This means it's the start of British Summer Time, which also means it's Festival season. There are just 91 days until Exile, the best little music Festival in Derbyshire. Are you joining us this year?
14/03/2025
We've been busy getting the Exile catering organised.
This year, we welcome back Pop Top Kitchen who will be with us all weekend. Whether its breakfast, lunch or dinner, Matt and his team have got you covered.
We're also happy to introduce two new traders:
The Roaming Kitchen will be with us all day Friday and Sunday serving up yummy wood-fired pizzas. They will also have a selection of sweet treats to tempt you further.
On Saturday, we have Dee Licious Curry's serving from lunchtime until late. Dee is passionate about her authentic Punjabi food, and only uses fresh ingredients, cooked from scratch.
08/03/2025
With just 111 days to go, let's set those musical taste buds a-tingling!
Our line-up on both stages is now complete, and there's so much to choose from. Right now, though, let's talk about our closing act for Friday night.
We've got Derbyshire's one and only Big Sur. Well known on the Derbyshire music scene, this 5 piece band consists of Saxophone, guitars and drums. Superlatives include immersive, skilful, contagious, dynamic, energetic, and electrifying.
What a way to close Friday night!
Address
Sabine Hay, Off Oldfield Lane, Darley Dale Matlock DE42LN
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Exile Music Festival is a firmly established small, family friendly festival held at Sabine Hay just outside Darley Dale in the grounds of a private house, set in a tranquil tree-lined valley away from hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Our little festival is fully self-contained with camping right next to our main marquee. So, wherever you are on site, you are never more than a two-minute walk away from the action.
Exile Music Festival hosts an eclectic mix of bands each year with the likes of 3 Daft Monkeys, Apple of My Eye, The Hut People, Kabantu and Herron Brothers having graced our stage in the past.
As well as the music there’s lots to do; guided walks with the promise of an ice-cream stop en route, various activities for the children including story-telling, games and a fancy-dress parade.
Several traders will be present to tempt you with their wares. As usual, Oxfam will set up their pop-up shop, a real Aladdin’s cave of things you absolutely cannot do without.
Hosted by The Fishpond (Matlock Bath), our well-stocked bar carries a selection of traditional beers, continental lagers, fine wines, spirits and soft drinks and our on-site caterers provide hot food from early morning to late evening.
Many Exilers will tell you that the late-night music sessions around our massive communal fire pit are an experience to behold. It’s not unusual to find artistes who have been on stage earlier come and join in the fun into the early hours.
