This equinox, UK festival-goers are facing an intriguing decision: two separate festivals, both named Equinox, are set to take place over the weekend of 20 – 22 September.
Despite sharing the same celestial-inspired name, these events offer very different experiences in both music and atmosphere— Whether you’re in the mood for a last-minute rave before the season ends or a more introspective weekend filled with wellness workshops and intellectual talks, there’s an Equinox for you.
Here’s everything you need to know to make the right choice.
Two festivals with the same name?
The fact that both festivals share the name Equinox makes perfect sense, as both are timed to coincide with 22 September, the autumn equinox,when the sun rises and sets directly due east and west respectively.
While the name is the same, they each offer a different way to mark the change of seasons—one focusing on an all-out party, the other blending music with mindfulness. The overlap in names might feel cheeky to some, especially for long-time attendees of the Lincolnshire event, but it also highlights how festival culture is evolving. With more people seeking balance between riotousness and wellness, the rise of consciousness-focused events like Wasing is no surprise.
Lincolnshire’s Equinox: A Party to End the Season
Running from September 19th to 23rd, 2024, the Lincolnshire Equinox Festival has become a staple for those looking to party hard at the end of the summer. Held in the beautiful yet rugged Lincolnshire Wolds, this festival brings together an eclectic lineup of artists spanning genres from drum and bass to reggae and electronic music.
Headliners include:
- Dreadzone – an electronic reggae fusion group that has been energising festival crowds for decades.
- General Levy – the jungle and reggae MC known for his iconic track “Incredible.”
- Eat Static – veterans of electronic music with a sound that mixes techno with a futuristic edge.
With six stages of music, Lincolnshire’s Equinox delivers a high-energy, no-nonsense festival experience. The event also boasts fire shows, workshops, walkabout performers, and an all-night party atmosphere. For those who want to close out the season with mud on their boots and ringing ears, this is the place to be.
Location: Lincolnshire Wolds
Dates: September 19–23, 2024
Tickets: Available at the Equinox Festival Website
Wasing’s Equinox: Music Meets Mindfulness
If you’re looking for something a bit more thoughtful, Equinox at Wasing Estate offers an alternative from September 20th to 22nd, 2024. Situated on the scenic Wasing Estate near Reading, this festival blends music with wellness, offering a lineup of artists and speakers designed to expand your mind as well as your musical tastes.
Key performers and speakers include:
- Shpongle DJ set – a psychedelic mix of world music and electronic beats that will take listeners on a sonic journey.
- Younger Brother – known for their ambient, progressive electronic sound.
- Nitin Sawhney – a genre-blurring artist who mixes jazz, classical, and electronic influences.
- Paul Stamets – renowned mycologist and psychedelic researcher, who will deliver talks on the science and potential of mushrooms.
Wasing’s Equinox is as much about self-exploration as it is about music. In addition to DJ sets and live performances, festival-goers can participate in mindfulness workshops, meditation sessions, and talks on consciousness. If you’re after a more balanced weekend—where dancing meets personal growth—Wasing might just be the better fit.
Location: Wasing Estate, near Reading
Dates: September 20–22, 2024
Tickets: Available at the Equinox at Wasing Website
So, Which Equinox Is For You?
If you’re after an all-out party, a final chance to rave until the sun rises, and a festival that focuses more on music and community than wellness, Lincolnshire is your spot. It’s got the lineup, the energy, and the grit that fans love. But if you’re in the mood for something a bit more introspective, with a mix of music, mindfulness, and intellectual stimulation, Wasing offers a unique blend of beats and brainwaves.
Either way, it’s not every weekend you get to choose between two festivals with the same name. Whether you’re raving in the Wolds or reflecting in Reading, this equinox will be one to remember.
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