Yes, it’s the middle of August and it feels like we’ve got weeks and weeks of lazy summer days where we can soak up the holiday atmosphere, before we need to brush off our briefcases / office passes / smart shoes, for that new ‘term’ feeling that September always brings (regardless of how long ago we actually left school!).

But in reality September is only just over a fortnight away, so we are already looking at the calendar for fun events to attend once we are ‘back to reality’.

One such event is the Purley Festival delivered by Purley BID, which returns for its second year, for two days of live music, food & drink and activities on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September on the Rotary Field in Purley.

Continuing that summer festival feeling is right up my street, so we have the weekend earmarked in our diaries to head on over. Purley (near where I grew up) has its own distinct vibe, with a bustling restaurant scene and a BID set up by Purley businesses to invest in services, projects and events for Purley. Hence this festival.

The Rotary Field (a great green space a stone’s throw from Purley’s high street) will be transformed for the weekend, with a stage packed with acts from the ‘must-have’ festival tribute acts such as ABBA, to local stars including Ten Tonne Ska and Doctor Funkenstein. It wouldn’t be a festival without a choice of food and drink stalls to keep your dancing fuelled throughout the weekend (with the local culinary scene getting involved, including The Jolly Farmers and 4 Locos Steakhouse). And don’t worry if you’re bringing kids, as there are plenty of activities to keep them busy from circus skills workshops and a bouncy castle to face-painting, glitter art and a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party (I’m intrigued).

Croydon celeb Adam Pearson will also return to compere this year’s festival.

First back-to-school weekend of September sorted. See you there at the party in Purley.

Purley Festival runs on Saturday 7 September from midday until 8pm; and on Sunday 8 September from 11am until 6pm on Purley’s Rotary Field – easily accessed by one of the many buses that travel down the Brighton Road (the nearest bus stop is Montpelier Road) or a short walk from Purley train station. Find out more on the Purley Festival website and follow them on Instagram and Facebook 

Photos from last year’s event courtesy of Purley Festival. Header design by the Croydonist with illustration by Ayub Irawan and photo by Purley Festival.

Posted by Julia