In a surprising turn of events, organisers of the Highest Point Festival in Lancaster have announced a hiatus for the year 2025. The festival, which has been a staple in Williamson Park since 2018, has been forced to pause due to a combination of rising costs and logistical challenges.
This year’s festival featured top acts such as Tom Odell and Busted, but despite its success, financial constraints have made it impossible to continue without re-evaluation. Co-founder Rich Dyer has highlighted the difficulty in booking big-name artists, particularly for an independent festival based in the north of England.
Rising Costs and Logistical Challenges
The decision to take a year off comes amidst rising costs and significant logistical challenges. The price of organising the festival has skyrocketed, taking into account the cost of artists and overall production. Co-founder Rich Dyer mentioned that the artist bill alone takes up probably half of the cost of putting on the show.
“We’ve dealt with numerous challenges over the years, including Covid, the cost of living crisis, and increasing production costs,” Dyer explained. These cumulative issues have led the organisers to pause and rethink their approach.
Independent Festival Struggles
The Highest Point Festival has always prided itself on being independently organised by a small, dedicated team from the local community. However, the festival’s reliance on ticket sales and bar revenues has proven insufficient in the current financial climate.
“Our income relies solely on ticket sales and bar revenues, which, given the current climate, simply isn’t enough to break even,” Dyer added. The challenge of booking big-name artists, especially for an independent festival in the north of England, has compounded these financial difficulties.
Past Success and Future Hopes
Since its inception in 2018, Highest Point has seen a number of successful events featuring renowned artists. This year’s headliners included Tom Odell and Busted, drawing significant crowds and positive feedback.
Despite these successes, the festival has struggled financially. “We’ve had a great run, we’ve had some great acts over the years, but ultimately the price of everything is going up and we need to refocus our energies,” Dyer said. The pause in 2025 is seen as a necessary step to ensure the festival’s sustainability in the future.
Community Impact and Support
The decision to take a break in 2025 has drawn mixed reactions from regular attendees and the local community. Many have expressed their disappointment but also understand the need for a strategic pause to ensure the festival can return stronger.
The festival has always been a significant event for Lancaster’s cultural calendar, bringing in visitors and boosting the local economy. The organisers are hopeful that the community will continue to support the festival in its future endeavours.
Financial Refocus for Sustainability
The hiatus is intended as a period to refocus and restructure financially. Organisers aim to develop new strategies that will allow the festival to return in 2026 with a stronger financial foundation.
Dyer remains optimistic about the festival’s future, stating, “We will come bouncing back in 2026.” The team plans to use this break to explore new revenue streams and partnership opportunities that could help alleviate some of the financial burdens.
Looking Forward to 2026
While the pause in 2025 is a setback, the organisers are already looking ahead to 2026. The break is seen as an opportunity to regroup and come back with renewed energy and perhaps a revamped format.
Future plans may include seeking additional sponsorships and partnerships, which could provide the financial stability needed to continue bringing big-name artists to Williamson Park. The organisers are committed to making the festival a sustainable event that can be enjoyed for years to come.
Although the Highest Point Festival will not be held in 2025, the break is viewed as a necessary step for its long-term survival. Organisers remain hopeful and are already planning for a strong comeback in 2026.
The festival has faced numerous challenges, but with the support of the local community and strategic financial refocusing, it aims to return better than ever. The hiatus will hopefully allow for a more sustainable and exciting future for this beloved event in Lancaster.
