Faerie Festival 2025, Alfriston, community event portrait photography
Making portraits at Faerie Festival 2025 - fun and frolics with fairies in the Sussex countryside
A member of the Raven Drummers walking through the stalls at Faerie Festival 2025
If you’ve never heard of Faerie Festival - then like me you have been missing out for almost 20 years! When an opportunity came up to visit the festival as a photographer, I had no idea that this event was such a Sussex springtime staple - but a few minutes chatting to the visitors quickly got me up to speed as many visit year after year for a weekend of camping, music, alternative therapies and, most importantly, dressing up!
The clientele is diverse, from families with tiny tots, through elder goths and rockers to bemused tourists, and the vibe is super chilled. On a very sunny but not terribly warm Saturday afternoon many visitors sat on blankets with their picnics to listen to the drummers and see the dancing while others took in the crafting and other workshops.
Lots of people stopped to chat and were happy to stay for a quick portrait. We chatted about their outfits, their history with the festival and about the beauty of the overall atmosphere of the place. The overall impression is of a thoughtfully crafted festival with a local but inclusive vibe. Not too big as to be overwhelming, and with a connected to nature feel that embraces the local pagan heritage and traditions. Dressing up is encouraged but not required and I saw plenty of different interpretations on the fairy theme - with personal expression being a bit part of the variety encouraged by the festival’s openness.
If you missed out this year, plans for the 2026 festival are under way and you can find out more at https://www.magicalfestivals.co.uk/
Thank you so much to Matthew (who started the festival and runs and organises the whole thing) for inviting me, I had a great day!
Forestwalker at Faerie Festival 2025
If you see an image of yourself here, thank you so much for stopping for a moment, do email me sian@siantphoto.com and I will happily send you a copy.