FAQs
Saturday 12th September 2026, in Burton upon Trent. The free Main Stage area runs midday to 8pm, followed by our Aftershock venues from 8pm until late.
Sonic Boom is packed with artists across the Main Stage and Aftershock venues. The free Main Stage area in Burton Market Place runs from midday to 8pm. BBC Radio 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins hosts, and its completely free.
From 8pm the Official Aftershock events takes over the town. Expect national festival names alongside brilliant regional rising talent, plus acoustic sets and signings in the Market Hall during the day.
Full lineups, set times and venue details will be published in good time.
The Main Stage area is in Burton Market Place.
Aftershock venues are spread across the town centre.
No. Main Stage area is completely free and open to everyone from midday and closes at 8pm with our headliner performing from 7pm.
Absolutely! Sonic Boom is for everyone, kids included. It’s family friendly, totally free, and open to all, so bring the whole family and make a day of it. From around 8pm, things start to move into the Aftershock venues, some are 16+ or 18+, so the evening is more for the older children and grown-ups.
We’d recommend you don’t bring pets. The festival is busy and the music can be loud close to the stages, which isn’t fair on animals. Assistance dogs are of course welcome.
There are no barriers or ticket gates, Burton Market Place is open to everyone.
The area opens at midday.
TBC for 2026.
TBC for 2026.
TBC for 2026.
TBC for 2026.
The Main Stage is all ages and family friendly, and children are welcome. Aftershock venues may have varying restrictions. Please check directly with the venues. All venues that serve alcohol operate a Challenge 25 policy, and under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.
The Main Stage closes at 8pm. Aftershock venues run from 9pm. Most venues have curfews at 11:15pm. Some afterparties may run until 2am.
Our interactive map will go online at the start of September 2026.
Click a venue to get walking directions from your location. The Map is colour coded so when locators are green, the venue has space, when they are amber the venue is nearly full, when they go red, the venue is full.
Set times will be published on our website and Clashfinder in good time. They may change on the day, this is a live show so keep an eye on our website and social media for live updates.
Feel free to bring along snacks and soft drinks for the Main Stage, it’s an open town square and we want you to be comfortable. We just ask that you don’t bring alcohol. Instead, enjoy our brilliant festival bars serving local beers, ciders and more.
Please don’t bring glass bottles, camping chairs, barbecues, gazebos, inflatables or anything that could block space or cause safety issues. Alcohol can’t be brought to the Market Place, but you can bring soft drinks and snacks to the Main Stage. Assistance dogs are welcome, but otherwise please leave pets at home.
Yes. The Main Stage and Market Hall are accessible, and most evening venues are too. We have an accessible viewing space inside the Market Hall overlooking the Main Stage. We cannot install a viewing platform in the Market Place. Venue-by-venue access details will be on the map and on each listing. Blue Badge parking is available in all town centre car parks. For specific needs, email accessibility@sonicboom.org.uk.
There are several town centre car parks within 3–10 minutes’ walk of the Main Stage. Set your sat nav to Coopers Square Car Park ///unable.charmingly.rigid. From there it’s a two-minute walk to the Main Stage area through a covered shopping centre.
Trains run direct from Derby, Birmingham and Nottingham. Burton train station (BUT) is a 10-minute walk from the Main Stage (past plenty of good pubs). Buses stop in the town centre and local taxis are easy to book.
If you’re driving, roads around the Main Stage will be closed. Set your sat nav to Coopers Square Car Park ///unable.charmingly.rigid. From there it’s a two-minute walk to the Main Stage area through a covered shopping centre.
Burton has plenty of hotels, B&Bs and Airbnbs within walking distance of the festival. You’ll find chain options like Premier Inn and Travelodge, as well as independent guesthouses. There’s no camping at Sonic Boom, so you’ll need to book local accommodation.
Go straight to the Market Hall Office – https://w3w.co/image.passes.crowd - it’s the hub for lost property and our designated lost children point. Security and event staff are trained to help and will make sure people and belongings are reunited quickly. If you lose a child, staff will help and, if needed, announcements from the stage PA.
Tickets are non-refundable. If plans change and you can’t make it, you can resell your ticket securely through Gigantic’s resale system. Our events go ahead rain or shine. The Main Stage is outdoors, so bring waterproofs if rain is forecast. The Market Hall is indoors if you need shelter.
Most vendors, bars and stalls take card, though some merch sellers may prefer cash. Bring a little just in case, but card will work for almost everything.
Every penny from donations goes back into Sonic Boom Music CIC’s work with young people and the local music scene.
You can donate on our Goodhub page https://www.goodhub.com/go/sonic-boom-music-cic
Apply now on our application page