After an early summer warm-up at the Cornbury Music Festival, the Riverside crew are festival-fit for a fantastic weekend of entertainment on the idyllic Riverside site beside the Evenlode River in Charlbury. The Riverside stage at the Cornbury Music Festival impressed the crowds with incredible performances by some of Oxfordshire’s finest bands and you can expect even more of the same at the Riverside Festival itself. Astonishingly, although the festival boasts more than 40 acts performing across three stages and an activity-packed Kids Zone, it is still absolutely FREE to enter; so it’s hardly surprising that the festival has become one of the most popular events in the Oxfordshire music calendar.

Kids can go wild

This year promises to be the wildest ever for kids with a programme of fun back-to-nature activities. Younger festival goers can use their imagination to create, swords, wands, puppets, even dens from simple sticks with the help of Charlbury’s Little Wild Things, whilst older Riversiders can pick up buschcraft skills from The Wilderness Pioneers.

The Kids Zone also features a willow maze, storytelling, nature trails, music workshops, arts and crafts sessions, outdoor games and a bouncy castle. After all that activity kids can rehydrate with a healthy drink from the Punch and Juicy bar. Hungry youngsters are invited to sit down at a gourmet pasta banquet on Saturday afternoon; and on Sunday, make-your-own pizzas are on the menu at the Riverside Pizza Parlour.

New this summer is a special area where mums-to-be and new parents can relax, with Chipping Norton midwifes on hand to offer advice and support.

Main Stage line-up

Riverside is always an enticing blend of old friends and new acquaintances. In the mix this year are The Epstein and King B, both hugely popular in the past with the Riverside audience, and great bands like ToLiesel and The Knights of Mentis playing at Riverside for the first time. Star booking is probably Candy Says who wowed last year’s Cornbury Music Festival and are making quite a name for themselves in Oxfordshire and beyond. The Standard and Dubwiser, who were real crowd-pleasers at this year’s Cornbury Music Festival, will be perfect for a sunny Riverside weekend.

Saturday 26 July

The Epstein, Candy Says, Zurich, The Shapes, Dubwiser, King B, Tom Like Colours, The Madcaps

Sunday 27 July

The Standard, Grudle Bay, Eyes For Gertrude, Jess Goyder, The Mighty Redox, The Knights of Mentis, The Wonder Beers, ToLiesel

Second stage line-up

Riverside is famed for showcasing Oxfordshire’s music talent and has again invited thriving independent record stores Rapture (in Witney) and Truck (in Oxford) to run the second stage. Two acts to look out for are Balloon Ascents, tipped to be as big as Oxford’s Radiohead, and Sunday night headliners Empty White Circles. Having been forced to abandon stage last year when an almost biblical downpour descended, Empty White Circles are promising to create a different kind of storm this year. A major makeover to this year’s stage with a swanky marquee means that all the acts will be able to play come rain or shine.

Saturday 26 July

Damn Vandals, Be Good, Sean Taylor, Des Barkus, Kid Kin, After The Thought, Maaians, Balloon Ascents, Limbo Kids

Sunday 27 July

Empty White Circles, Vienna Ditto, Pony & Trap, Paul McClure, Little Brother Eli, Bunsen Honey, Tamara, Rainbow Reservoir

Riverside Fringe

Riverside gets so many requests from performers who want to appear at the festival that three years ago it set up a Fringe stage where anyone can apply to take a turn. In past years the Fringe has featured everything from stand-up poets to a contortionist. This intimate stage with its sit-down audience is ideal for solo singers, small groups and acoustic acts which this year includes a harpist playing Celtic harp.

Whistle whetters

Festival goers cannot bring bottles and cans onto the site, but refreshments are widely available at very reasonable prices. The wizards at Witney’s Wychwood Brewery have created another delicious real ale for this year’s festival – Riverside Festivale – a name chosen by the Riverside crew in its committee rooms at Charlbury’s Rose and Crown from record entries to the annual beer naming competition (the three winners who came up with the name - Dan Abbey, Keith Rigley and Simon Patchett - share the prize of a year’s worth of beer). In addition to the usual Riverside bar, the popular Pimms and Tins tent returns along with the Riverside Gin and Tonic lounge. There is also a wide assortment of stalls selling traditional festival fodder from burgers and pizzas to curries and a hog roast.

The Riverside community

Riverside Festival would not exist, and certainly would not be free, without the huge band of local volunteers who make it happen. Charlbury Primary School and the Beer Festival help out with equipment, Charlbury’s Pre-school provides teas, and the local recycling group ensures that 99% of Riverside’s waste doesn't go to landfill. In recent years, Riverside has also built a partnership with the Oxfordshire branch of Mind which provides stewards for the event in return for donations to the charity.

How to get there

Location: The Mill Field, Dyers Hill, Charlbury, Oxfordshire OX7 3QG

Entrance to the Festival site is down Mill Lane, opposite Charlbury railway station. The station is on the London Paddington to Hereford and Worcester line, 15 minutes from Oxford. Free festival parking is available at Charlbury station on both days. On the Saturday there are buses to and from Oxford, Woodstock, Witney and Chipping Norton to the centre of Charlbury, five minutes’ walk from the Festival. Please leave dogs at home, only assistance dogs will be allowed in.

Where to stay

No camping onsite but local campsites are available.