All roads lead to Donington, on the Derbyshire / Leicester border, for the splendid Off The Tracks Festival 2026.  The 4th-6th September weekend is the date to experience this absolute grandaddy of the UK festival scene, as the event is well into it’s fourth decade.  Things have longevity for good reason; fashions change, the circus moves on to next big thing, trivia dominates, but quality and class prevail. And Trust FFA here, quality and class form the very essence of OTT – it always has. 

Our FFA Reviewers adore OTT, and with good reason, it you are new to this absolute beauty, take a read of the FFA Off The Tracks 2025 Review, for just a hint of all the malarkey they manage to conjure up year upon year.

Artists booked for 2026 include Alabama 3, The Beat, The Egg, These Wicked Rivers, Galdercraeft and Dub Catalyst amongst a plethora of fine acts across all the stages.

The performers on show in any given year are transitory of course, but the very core of OTT is a potent, intoxicating mashup of VIBE and LOCATION. At the very heart of the OTT buzz is its people – FFA doubt there are many more knowledgeable, open, friendly souls on the festival circuit than at OTT. Any bias or prejudice is left at the gate, there is an openness to new experiences, people and sounds, such a strong comradery and sense of community that you can almost taste it. Once experienced, you are overwhelmed by the sheer power of the thing, and driven to return. The OTT vibe gets into your blood, and you are truly hooked, my friends. OTT is a heady mixture of returning old stagers and newbies, and it’s a wonderfully chilled scene.

The Location helps of course, with the festival set in, and around, Donington Park Farm. The festival takes over the farmyard, courtyard, and various out-buildings, plus the Farm’s own large pub and diner (yep, it’s got its own on-site boozer!). Throw in the use of the farm’s year-round camp site with hardstanding and permanent brick-built facilities, and Donington Farm is a location made in heaven. Don’t forget that, importantly, everything is under cover at OTT, save for the lovely courtyard... home for the mythical and magical 2am sax player! You can expect stuff for the kids, enough stalls, happenings, and healing fields… oh, and a real ale/cider festival to boot!

All this for only a hundred and twenty-five quid including camping – get in!  Late ticket availability HERE.

Small, intimate, bijou …. An old school vibe, with 21st century facilities. OTT is the best Weekend House Party you will ever experience.

Article by Barrie Dimond

Image by the excellent Mr Graham Whitmore