THE BIG WEEKENDERS STORY
Butlin’s has been the home of entertainment for decades - we’ve always known how to show people a great time. But we offer way more than family fun. Over the years we’ve also become legendary for something pretty extraordinary - Butlin's Big Weekenders!
A Must for Music Fans
Our adult-only Big Weekenders are dedicated to incredible music, great times, and making memories with your best mates. Our history of huge headliners, themed weekends that dive deep into modern music’s greatest eras, and our commitment to always keeping the party going, has turned Butlin’s into a must-visit destination for music lovers across the UK.
So, how did Butlin’s, the nation’s host, become such a hot spot for music fandom? Let’s take a look.
The Beginnings of Something Big
Music has always been a massive part of the Butlin’s story. So in 2009, when indie rock festival All Tomorrow’s Parties was seeking a new location that had everything a music lover needed for a good time, Butlin’s Minehead – with its comfy accommodation, quality entertainment venues and great choice of bars – was the ideal choice.
The weekend was a huge hit. Several more ATPs followed at Minehead, and electronic festival Bloc Weekend soon got in on the action too. By the middle of the following decade we were partnering with Shiiine On and the Great British Alternative Music Festival – and, by then, we’d caught the festival bug for good.
Weekends Tailored To Your Taste
What began as a few themed weekends has grown into something huge, with Big Weekenders dedicated to every kind of modern music you can think of – from the smoothest soul to rock and roll. We host headliners as diverse as Fatboy Slim, Echo and the Bunnymen, Mica Paris, Paul Oakenfold, Billy Ocean, Kim Wilde, Blue, DJ Spoony and Soul II Soul.
So do you want indie anthems? Superstars of the 70s? Love your UK Garage, or are you all about the big hair and even bigger tunes of the 80s glory days? We’ve got all that and more. And it’s not just names that everyone knows – we also include loads of cult favourites from every era or genre, and brand new or current talent features on many Weekender line-ups too. That means hardcore music lovers can always get that all-important deep cuts fix.
It's All About The Atmosphere
The music is incredible – that can’t be denied. But what separates Big Weekenders from festivals is the atmosphere. As our Weekender guests raise the roof with like-minded music fans in a smaller, more intimate setting than at the big outdoor festivals, each event brings a real sense of community.
A Big Weekender is about being part of something special, celebrating the music you love with people who really get it, as well as those who’ve come for the party vibes or to discover something new. No wonder that music fans, whether casual or hardcore, come back time and time again.
Affordable For Every Fan
What else keeps music fans booking Big Weekenders? One is how affordable they are, as your accommodation is included in your ticket price. Whether you want a standard room that brilliantly covers the basics, or to stay in a lodge with all mod cons, there’s a choice to suit everyone’s budget – so nobody needs to get left at home.
Secondly, you don’t waste all day in painful online queues trying to buy tickets, and being able to spread the cost of your Weekender makes the experience available to almost every music fan around. On top of that, there’s no need to worry about the weather, expensive food trucks, or pitching a tent – you’ve a bed, a shower, and everything else you need right on resort. That means you can focus on loving every minute.
The Gig Experience Redefined
Butlin’s is famous for having changed the face of British family holidays, and thanks to Big Weekenders we’ve done the same for music festivals too. By offering affordable, inclusive weekends packed with live performances and legendary headliners, by catering to every musical taste, and by bringing it all together boutique-style in our brilliant resorts, we’ve upgraded the festival experience for good.
So, are you ready an unforgettable celebration of sound, style, and shared experiences with other music superfans? Discover your perfect Big Weekender and get it booked today.