The countdown is on for Oak Fest, Lancashire’s newest festival, as it gears up to return to Oak Hill Park for its second year this Saturday, July 27.

Gates to the festival officially open at 11am and close at 10pm. Free shuttle buses are being put on from the Accrington train station and will take festival goers directly to the site.

Parking is also available for guests at both the nearby Accrington and Rossendale College, as well as the Accrington Arndale Shopping Centre, just a couple of streets over from the train station.

A host of fantastic, independent street food traders have also been added to the lineup, including: Wood fired Neapolitan pizza slingers, Fratellis, authentic gyros, kebab, and mezze maestros, Just Gyros, fish and chips, courtesy of The Dutch Fishmen Chorlton, fresh and traditional Middle Eastern food from Dine With Saira, and soft serve and homemade ice cream from Manfredis.

Tickets can be purchased via Skiddle. The mainstage will be headlined by national super star Kate Nash, fresh from a set at Glastonbury, she will be performing classics as well as tracks from her brand new album ‘9 Sad Symphonies’.

The full main stage set times have been released:

  • 11:30 AM - 11:50 AM - BB5
  • 12:10PM - 12:40PM - BHANGRACISE
  • 13:00PM - 13:20PM - TONIA
  • 13:50PM - 14:35PM - MR WILSON’S SECOND LINERS
  • 15:05PM - 15:45PM - JESSICA WINTER
  • 16:15PM - 16:55PM - PIP BLOM
  • 15:55PM - 17:35PM - CLINT BOON
  • 17:35PM - 18:25PM - UNTOLD ORCHESTRA: PRESENTS ABBA
  • 19:10PM - 20:20PM - KATE NASH
  • 20:30PM - 21:50PM - BEZ & ROWETTA (DJ SET)

Alongside the Ossy Fest Introducing Stage set times, too:

  • 12:40PM - 13:00PM - Kayleigh Hall
  • 13:20PM - 13:50PM - Maelor Hughes
  • 14:35PM - 15:05PM - Brother Bastion
  • 15:45PM - 16:55PM - Lanterns
  • 16:55PM - 17:35PM - The Social
  • 18:25PM - 19:10PM - The Ruby Tuesdays

The local talent stage, 'The Ossy Fest Introducing Stage' showcases some of the most exciting emerging acts from Accrington and beyond with a mix of energetic folk, indie rock, punk and acoustic artists performing throughout the day.

The line-up this year features The Ruby Tuesdays, Maelor Hughes, Lanterns, The Social, Brother Bastion and Kayleigh Hall.

(Image: Oak Fest)

The stage has been curated by Ossy Fest, a community festival hosted in the neighbouring Oswaldtwistle which supports Lancashire’s burgeoning music scene.

Oak Fest is also proud to have curated one of the strongest female-led lineups in the country with Kate Nash heading up the bill.

The festival is female-fronted and features a lineup where 50 per cent of the artists are female-led or solo female artists, which contrasts sharply with the national average of only 17 per cent.

The festival is bucking the trend nationally where it was recently reported that under 20 per cent of festivals feature a female headliner. It’s also produced and promoted by an all female team.

The full line up includes:

  • BRIT Award winner and acclaimed singer-songwriter, Kate Nash.
  • Happy Mondays’ legends Bez and Rowetta perform a live DJ set, bringing their classic 90s party vibe.
  • Amsterdam indie pop powerhouse Pip Blom fresh from a UK and European tour and playing tracks from her brand new album, Bobbie.
  • Rising London-based electronic popstar Jessica Winter brings her infectious, experimental pop sound and unique style.
  • The Untold Orchestra presents ABBA: Mcr’s freshest orchestra brings their stunning live ABBA set to the park - a magical pop anthem experience awaits.
  • Mr Wilson’s Second Liners: New Orleans brass and 90s dance fusion band Mr Wilson’s Second Liners bring their high octane performance to the stage as well as the audience with stage and walkabout performances planned.
  • Tonia: A dynamic singer-songwriter based out of Liverpool who has recently burst onto the scene. She will be performing her new EP, ‘Different This Time?’.
  • BB5: An electrifying local young duo from Accrington set to light up the festival with their raw, contemporary Indie sound.
  • Clint Boon: Manchester music legend and Inspiral Carpets member, now DJ and Radio Presenter, Clint will be bringing his famous indie disco to the festival for a very special and eclectic show spanning various genres.
  • DJ Simba: The enigmatic Simba is a Producer and DJ hailing from Preston, known for his warm, soulful house concoctions rooted in Jazz, Hip-Hop and Funk. 

Meanwhile, the kids zones are hosting a huge programme of fantastic festival fun for all the family, all included in the festival ticket price too. 

This includes a silent disco, a craft tent, a 'Kids Chill Out Zone', a bubble artist, an interactive Bhangracise performance, and OAK FEST’s onsite Play Park.

Oak Fest is part of a wider vision which places culture at the heart of a strategy aiming to establish Accrington as a place where creatives from Lancashire and beyond can thrive.

Oak Fest will bring this vision to life with a vibrant, high-profile, nationally recognised programme that will attract visitors from across the regions.

The festival has been commissioned as part of a new culture and heritage programme delivered for Hyndburn and Accrington by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.