Original Culture Festival was born from a simple belief: that the music, style and spirit of Black British culture deserves a platform as bold as the culture itself.

For five years we've held space for the sounds that built communities - sound systems, MC culture, roots reggae, dancehall, UK garage, jungle and dub - performed by the artists who lived it, not just sampled it.

OCF is not a corporate festival. It's a community gathering with a world-class lineup. Every year we come back louder, stronger and more original than ever.

"Original Culture Never Dies" - OCF MANIFESTO · EST. 2022

5th

Year Running

20+

Artists This Year

Stages · Cultures

Day · All Out

🔊

SOUND SYSTEM HERITAGE From Kingston to Handsworth - the lineage of the selector runs through everything we do.

🌍

COMMUNITY FIRST Local talent, local traders, local pride. OCF exists because of Birmingham, for Birmingham.

🎤

LIVE CULTURE · LIVE ENERGY No backing tracks. No gimmicks. Just artists, crowd and sound - the way it was meant to be.

GOT QUESTIONS?

FAQ

Original Culture Festival 2026 takes place at Priory Country Park, Barkers Lane, Bedford, MK41 9DJ. Parking is limited - we recommend public transport. Bedford Station is approx. 2 miles away (taxi ~5 min). Bus routes 5 and 6 stop at Barkers Lane. Parking on site is limited - arrive early or use park & ride.
Gates open at 12:00 noon. Music starts from 12:30. Last entry is 9:00 PM. The event runs until 11:00 PM. Full stage times will be published closer to the date - follow our Instagram for updates.
Tickets are available exclusively via TICKXTS. We strongly recommend buying in advance - previous years have sold out. No tickets will be sold on the door. Your e-ticket can be shown on your phone at the gate.
OCF (Saturday) is an 18+ event with a strong community atmosphere. On Sunday we run the Original Family Festival (OFF) - a fully family-friendly day with kids' entertainment, food village and live music for all ages.
You may bring: sealed water bottles, small bags (searched on entry), a jacket for the evening. Not permitted: glass, alcohol, illegal substances, professional cameras with detachable lenses, drones, chairs or umbrellas. Full T&Cs are on the ticket page.
Yes - we have a curated food village with local traders serving Caribbean, West African, halal street food, vegan options and more. Licensed bars are on site. No outside alcohol is permitted.
Trader enquiries: visit our Traders & Caterers page. Artist and talent applications for the Local Talent Competition are open - check that page for submission details.
Tickets are non-refundable, but they are transferable. You can change the name on your ticket by contacting TICKXTS directly via their support desk. We recommend purchasing ticket protection via TICKXTS at checkout.