Kingsgate Park was alive with music, dance, and community spirit on the 27th and 28th of June 2026, as Yate Town Council, supported by the Friends of Kingsgate Park, hosted the highly anticipated Yate Rocks! In the Park. Celebrating its 20th year, the festival proved to be a resounding success, drawing large crowds who enjoyed a weekend of sunshine and spectacular entertainment.
Saturday’s festivities showcased a vibrant line-up of musicians, including Rose Brusford, 4 Imaginary Boys, Renegade, The Naughties, Limited Edition and the popular Take That tribute act ‘Let it Shine.’ The performance area was equally electric, featuring choreography from Street Cred, Stapleton School of Dance, 5678 Dance, LA Dance, ROKH Dance, and the South Gloucestershire Chinese Association Dance group.
Beyond the performances, the park was transformed into a festival-hub featuring fun fair rides, inflatables, a football skills area, and various games. Families flocked to the Yate Town Council’s free arts and crafts stall, while the Armadillo and the URBIE Youth Bus provided engaging activities for the younger generation.
Sunday morning began on a reflective note with a well-attended “Praise in the Park” service, where local churches joined together in song and prayer.
The afternoon highlight, “The Great Choir Showcase,” was a massive hit. The audience enjoyed performances from junior choirs — Raysfield School and Woodlands Primary — followed by senior ensembles including the Bromley Heath Community Choir, Rock Choir, Bristol Show Choir, Inunity Choir and Frampton Cotterell Male Voice Choir. The weekend reached its emotional peak with a grand finale, as all choirs joined together for a rousing, collective rendition of “A Little Respect.”
Mayor of Yate, Councillor Ray Perry, reflected on the milestone:
“It was an honour and a privilege for me to welcome so many residents of all ages to our 20th festival. We were fortunate to enjoy warm, sunny weather, fabulous talent, and to watch families and friends come together to dance, relax, and picnic. The sense of friendliness around the park gave the festival ambience the event deserved, and we hope everyone enjoyed the festival as much as we did.
I’d like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who participated and to the teams who worked so hard to make the event a success.”
The festival also marked the retirement of Rob Goodwin, the event manager who has worked alongside Yate Town Council for over two decades. In recognition of his long service, he was presented with a commemorative photo book documenting the event over the past 20 years.
Yate Town Council would like to thank all the businesses, charities, performers, and volunteers who made the event possible. The Town Council looks forward to welcoming the community back in 2027 for the 21st annual Yate Rocks! festival.
Save the Dates! The community is invited to continue the celebrations at the Yate Ageing Better Festival, taking place on Wednesday, 15th July 2026, and at the Youth Festival, which takes place on 5th August 2026, both in Yate Shopping Centre.
