Music and the Cornish coast

Boardmasters is shaped by its location as much as its lineup. The main music and camping site at Watergate Bay sits within a wider festival identity connected to Newquay and surf culture, making the coast part of the reason to travel.

Five days in 2026

The completed edition ran August 5 through 9. Camping opened from Wednesday, while the main arena programme concentrated later in the week. The bill crossed major live acts and electronic music, so the festival works as a broad destination weekender rather than a specialist dance event.