Arts & Fashion
5 May 2026
This article first appeared in our World Environment Day 2026 issue of My Green Pod Magazine, published 05 June 2026. Click here to subscribe to our digital edition and get each issue delivered straight to your inbox
Main image: Valley Fest’s Luke Hasell has been named one of Europe’s Top 50 Farmers
Something is shifting in festival culture.
For many people, music and escapism alone no longer feel like enough; alongside celebration, there’s a growing desire for experiences that offer connection – to nature, to community and to more meaningful ways of living.
Valley Fest was rooted in these ideas long before ‘regeneration’ became a thing. Overlooking Chew Valley Lake in the Somerset hills, the independent festival, founded by Luke Hasell, has always been shaped by a close relationship with farming, food, music and the landscape itself. What began as a celebration of place has steadily deepened to reflect Luke’s passions for regenerative farming, environmental storytelling and creating spaces where people can come together to reconnect.
That ethos is perhaps most clearly reflected in Valley Fest’s new partnership with Greenpeace, which will host a takeover of the Save Our Scene stage on Sunday 02 August.
Bringing together artists, DJs and activists including DJ Format, DJ Paulette, Gracie Friel, J. Animalism, Lynks, Mr Bruce, Nuala and Rumac, the collaboration places environmental engagement firmly at the heart of the festival experience.
Rather than separating activism from culture, the partnership reflects a growing belief that festivals can play a meaningful role in creating space for conversation, collective action and hope.
At a time when many audiences are looking for cultural experiences aligned with their values, the Greenpeace collaboration feels both timely and in keeping with Valley Fest’s long-standing identity.
That vision extends into the launch of Wake The Valley – a new immersive area to spark curiosity, creativity and collective imagination through storytelling, participation and sensory experiences.
Rooted in the belief that environmental conversations need to engage people emotionally as well as intellectually, the space adds another layer to the festival’s regenerative approach.
Across the weekend, conversations around soil health, rewilding, food systems, sustainable fashion and climate resilience will unfold alongside music, creativity and wellbeing.
Voices from farming, conservation, nutrition and community-led climate action include Transition movement founder Rob Hopkins, rewilding advocate Derek Gow and Countryfile podcast host Fergus Collins. Sustainable fashion advocate Amelia Twine and clinical nutritionist Eva Humphries will explore how everyday choices – from clothing to food – connect to wider environmental change.
Elsewhere, Bristol Fungarium’s fungi specialists will delve into the hidden ecological intelligence of fungi and mycelium networks, while hands-on ReGenCraft sessions will encourage festivalgoers to reconnect with making, creativity and learning.
The atmosphere will remain joyful and accessible rather than overly earnest. Comedian and broadcaster Phil Hammond will bring his blend of humour and social commentary, while 6 Foot Stories will create opportunities for reflection, participation and shared storytelling.
Valley Fest is also deepening its focus on wellbeing. In partnership with Sivo Wellness, the new Valley Fest Spa will feature wood-fired saunas, hot tubs and ice baths overlooking the Somerset landscape, alongside breathwork, yoga, meditation, sound healing and creative wellbeing sessions.
What makes Valley Fest feel distinctive is the way these ideas are woven naturally throughout the experience rather than existing as a separate ‘green’ agenda. Regeneration here is not treated as a trend or marketing exercise, but as an ongoing conversation about how people gather, celebrate and care for both themselves and the environment.
At a time when many are experiencing climate anxiety, digital fatigue and disconnection from nature, Valley Fest points towards something more hopeful: cultural spaces that nourish as much as they entertain. In many ways, the festival reflects a broader shift away from passive consumption and towards experiences rooted in participation, community and a deeper sense of place.
Tickets for Valley Fest are available here.
Regenerative farming on this family Estate is supporting one of the world’s most sustainable distilleries.
’Regenerative’ is the new buzz word in food and farming – but what does it mean, and how is it different from organic?
