Black Deer Festival 2025 axed amid rising costs

Organisers of one of Kent's biggest music festivals have announced the event will not take place in 2025.

Black Deer Festival said due to "rising production costs and general economic conditions" the independently run event has been "postponed" with the aim of returning in 2026.

The annual festival, which has been running since 2018, takes place in Eridge Park on the Kent-East Sussex border and has drawn headline performances from the likes of Sheryl Crow, The Pretenders, Bonnie Raitt and Van Morrison.

Gill Tee, co-founder of the festival said: "This is certainly not the end of the Black Deer story. We are so proud to have built one of the most wonderful festival communities."

The festival, which focuses on 'Americana' music, attracted 5,000 people in its first year and has had a capacity of about 10,000 each year following.

Ms Tee thanked fans for their continued support and said: "I loved watching the joy on all your faces at the festival and to see you soak up the most wonderful festival atmosphere."

In June 2024, the Black Deer Group launched two new channels - Black Deer Live, a live touring programme, and Black Deer Radio.

Chris Russell-Fish, managing director of the group, said despite the festival being cancelled, live music events will still take place across the UK.

He said: "We are tremendously excited and looking forward to welcoming our current community and new fans to the genre, as we roll-out our other activities."

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