FIRE UP THE GROUP CHAT!
You deserve a Big Weekender with your very best mates, and now it’s easier to plan than ever. Our in-depth guide is here to help you make the very most of your break, with tips on everything from booking the perfect room to packing to snacking. Whether you’re celebrating a big event, just want an epic escape or are all about the music (maaan), our handy guide will have you ready for the weekend in no time.
1. GATHER YOUR TRIBE
First things first: rally the troops! Grab your phone, hit up your group chat, and get everyone on board.
Go with your usual bunch of ride or dies, or maybe mix and match the party people you’ve met along the way (it’s always fun to have a new crew). Just make sure everyone’s up for it (who wouldn’t be?), available, and knows how to have a good time. The more the merrier, as long as you’re all set to have a blast.
2. CHOOSE YOUR VIBE
Whether you’re a UK garage crowd, a gang of indie kids, a clubbing crew, or are looking to step back in time, the music sounds better with you. Check our weekends and choose your favourite together.
If your party tends to like all kinds of everything and can’t agree on a particular genre, maybe check out Replay. The nostalgia route is always great for pleasing the whole gang – everyone loves looking back to the glory days!
3. BOOK IT EARLY
The early bird gets the best price. Check the Big Weekender calendar – as we host them almost all year round, it’ll be easy to find a date that works for everyone. Once you’ve decided, agree to lock it in ASAP. Butlin’s Big Weekenders are always popular, so booking early means you’ll get the best choice of accommodation, best prices, and avoid any last-minute stress.
Don’t worry about having to stump up for the whole thing then and there - you can choose to pay a small deposit then spread the cost over a few months, which makes it nice and easy on the bank balance.
4. GET THE BEST ROOM
No mud, tents or queuing for showers – it’s comfy accommodation all the way on a Big Weekender. We offer chic seaside apartments, cosy chalets, luxury lodges and even quality caravan accommodation – something for every taste and budget. Make sure to pick somewhere that suits your group’s vibe, and only hit the button once you’ve got the nod from everyone (no flakes!)
Don’t forget to ask if anyone has any special requests, as nobody wants the bottom bunk if they were expecting their own double. You can even pick the exact room you want when booking, so you’ll always know exactly what you’re getting.
5. DECIDE ON DINING
Eating’s not cheating! And we make it easy with so many delicious dining options on site. If you’re bothered by budgeting, take a look at our Big Weekender dining plans – you can choose from breakfast only, food court dining, or a premium dining plan that means you won’t have to worry about forking out when you arrive.
Already booked your Big Weekender? You can add a dining package anytime before you arrive – just log in to your account. The joy of knowing it’s all paid for when you get there is priceless.
6. ADD YOUR EXTRAS
There’s so much included on a Big Weekender – accommodation, daytime fun and activities, and the brilliant live music you’ve been dying to see. But if you want just a little bit more, now’s the time to get it sorted!
Log into your account and choose from early check-in and late check-out; book a bottomless brunch (prosecco anyone?) or a spa treatment or two; and, if you're heading to Bognor Regis, buy your Tokens for any paid experiences you fancy including those in PLAYXPERIENCE. Or do you feel like you deserve the full rockstar treatment? Add on some VIP passes to jump the queues, access exclusive bars to get your booze, and make sure you get the best seats in the house. Fabulous.
7. PLAN YOUR ACTIVITIES
With so much to do on resort, making a decision on what to do and when can be a real headache on the day. Sure, you’re on holiday – and there’s nothing more boring than sticking to a tight schedule – but it’s always good to have a rough itinerary in mind, including stage times, so you don’t miss the headliner of your dreams. You can head to the app to see what's happening when, or check out timings on our Before You Go pages for each resort.
If any of your gang want to go off and do their own thing, maybe plan a time for dinner or pre-show drinks to get together and share stories from the day. And make sure you check through the Big Weekender calendar and website so you always have something in mind... no loose ends allowed!
8. DOWNLOAD THE APP
If you haven’t got the Big Weekenders app already, what are you waiting for? You’ll find an app for each resort in the Apple or Android Stores – and each one is packed with info and inspo to check while you’re here.
Discover all the line-ups (and the ability to set reminders); you can book daytime activities in advance; find your way around Butlin’s with interactive maps; and even book your next Big Weekender while you’re here… well, you might as well have something to look forward to when you get home.
9. GET PACKING
All rooms at Butlin’s come with beds already made up, but you may need to bring a towel depending on the accommodation you’ve booked. Don’t worry too much about bringing tea bags and treats – each resort has a fully-stocked supermarket and hire shop so you can pick up or borrow any bits you need when you arrive.
Don’t forget your swimsuit so you can join our pool party, but other than that, just concentrate on packing what you’ll need to serve some looks. Feel free to keep it comfortable, but we love to see you in your party threads. Also, Butlin’s Big Weekenders are the ultimate destination for fancy dress - go for flares and glitter on a '70s weekender, glowsticks and white gloves for that '90s Ibiza vibe, or even something completely random and unhinged! Over the years we’ve truly seen it all… or have we?
10. STAY FLEXIBLE AND HAVE FUN
Even though you think you’ve planned every detail of your Big Weekender, be ready to go with the flow. If people change their minds about where to eat, what to see, of if you discover a new activity you all want to try, just go with it.
What you’ll remember from your weekends is how much fun you had, not how many things you ticked off on your clipboard, so embrace the unexpected, enjoy the moment, and let the good times roll.
Please note that not all activities are available on all Big Weekenders, and not all facilities are available at every resort.