BELTAINE’S BLESSINGS

The Courage to Come Alive

Saturday 1 May 2027 · 11am–11pm
Dummer Down Farm, Basingstoke · RG25 2AR

Come and step into the light half of the year.

Beltaine is a celebration of the turning of the seasons — a time of fire, fertility, growth, courage and coming alive. A time to leave behind the winter months and turn our faces towards the warmth, colour and opportunities of summer.

Beltaine’s Blessings is a small, grassroots gathering created around that feeling.

A day to come together, make memories, share stories, sing, dance, laugh, reflect, challenge yourself and perhaps step across a few thresholds of your own.

Our theme for 2027 is:

The Courage to Come Alive

Because courage isn't always about being fearless.

Sometimes it's about choosing to live a little more fully.
To let go of something that has been holding you back.
To take a risk.
To be seen.
To say yes.
To follow the pull of your heart.
To step into something new.

And sometimes, it's simply about remembering that you are alive.

Throughout the day we'll explore courage, connection and transformation through fire, ritual, music, story, movement and shared experience.

This isn't a big commercial festival with rows of stages and crowds of thousands.

It's intentionally small.

A gathering where you can actually meet the people around you. Where music and stories can happen around the fire. Where you can wander into a workshop, join a song, sit beneath the trees, dance barefoot, share food, make an offering, or simply find a quiet place to breathe.

Join in as much or as little as feels right.

🔥 FIRE, RITUAL & TRANSFORMATION

Fire has always been a powerful symbol of Beltaine — warmth, vitality, transformation and the spark of life returning to the land.

Throughout the day we'll gather around the fire for ceremony and shared experiences, including:

🔥 Firewalking
A powerful facilitated rite of passage and an opportunity to explore what courage means to you. Firewalking is completely optional — you can take part in the wider ceremony whether or not you choose to walk.

🏹 Arrow Breaking
Another opportunity to explore courage, intention and the moment we choose to step beyond a perceived limitation.

🌿 Seasonal Ceremony & Ritual
Gatherings to mark the turning of the Wheel, set intentions and welcome the energy of the coming season.

💚 Handfasting
A beautiful traditional-inspired ceremony celebrating love, commitment and connection.

🔥 Bonfire & Evening Celebration
As daylight fades, we'll gather around the fire for music, song, drumming, dancing and the simple magic of being together beneath the stars.

🎶 MUSIC, STORY & COMMUNITY

Expect live music, storytelling, song, dance and opportunities to join in.

We'll be joined by Visy Bloodaxe, alongside other musicians, storytellers and facilitators.

There will be space for workshops, movement, meditation, drumming and connection — with more to be announced as the programme comes together.

Bring your drum, rattle, acoustic instrument or simply your voice. There is always room for another song around the fire.

🌿 THE LAND

Dummer Down Farm gives us something increasingly precious: space to gather outdoors, surrounded by nature.

The event will unfold around the fire circle, the copse and the open land rather than around a large festival stage.

There will be a small, curated community market and local mead, alongside food and drink options.

You can spend the day moving between activities, sitting around the hearth, exploring the land, meeting people or simply being.

There is no pressure to experience everything.

Sometimes the best moments happen in between.

⛺ STAY FOR THE NIGHT

Why rush home when the sun goes down?

Camping is available on the land for those who want to stay and experience the evening celebration beneath the stars.

This is wild-style, rustic camping — simple, peaceful and close to nature.

There are basic portable toilets on site, but no showers and no large artificial site lighting.

Bring everything you need to be comfortable, including your tent or campervan, bedding, drinking water, warm clothing and a headtorch.

After the main bonfire and firewalk, we'll let the evening unfold naturally — with song, dancing, drumming, conversation and gentle togetherness around the embers.

Camping: £15 per person for the night of 1 May.

💚 WHAT TO BRING

You'll be outside for most of the day and into the evening, so come prepared for the British weather!

Layers & warm clothes
Bring sturdy footwear, coats, blankets and anything else that will keep you comfortable as the temperature drops.

Something to sit on
A blanket or low fold-out chair is ideal for workshops and relaxing around the hearth.

Your instruments
Drums, rattles, acoustic instruments and voices are all welcome.

Something for the altars
We'll have four elemental altars — Earth, Air, Fire and Water. You're welcome to bring a small natural offering, crystal or meaningful object to place upon them.

Food & drink
You are welcome to bring your own food, snacks and drinks. There will also be food and drink stalls on site, including local mead.

If you're camping
Please bring everything you need to look after yourself overnight.

Headtorch or lantern
Essential once darkness falls.

And if you fancy dressing for Beltaine...
Go for it.

Flower crowns, cloaks, velvet, glitter, greenery, wild colours or whatever makes you feel a little more magical are very welcome.

🌸 A GATHERING

Beltaine's Blessings is a invitation to participate 

You don't need to be Pagan.
You don't need to know anything about ritual.
You don't need to be experienced with meditation, firewalking or ceremony.

Come curious.

Come open.

Come ready to meet some lovely people and try something a little different.

Whether you dance around the fire, break an arrow, walk across the embers, listen to a story beneath the trees, sing with strangers, sit quietly in the grass or simply watch the flames...

you are part of the gathering.

This is a day to remember that we don't have to do everything alone.

We come together.

We share the fire.

We tell the stories.

We encourage one another.

EVENT DETAILS

Saturday 1 May 2027
11am–11pm
Dummer Down Farm, Basingstoke, RG25 2AR

Free parking on site.

Most workshops, ceremonies and activities are included in your ticket, including firewalking and arrow breaking. Some craft activities may have a small charge to cover materials.

TICKETS

Adult: £35
Child: £10
Under 5s: Free

Overnight camping: £15 per person

Capacity is intentionally limited to keep the gathering small, welcoming and connected.

More music, workshops and programme details will be announced soon.