ROCKAWAY PARK EVENTS
Like everything else, our events are unique, and here is where you'll find all the info, as well as any booking links. If you're a band or performer who would like to play at Rockaway, check out the Performing at Rockaway Park section at the bottom of the page.
For a taster of our events, here's a couple of short videos to give you an idea.
Somerset Arts Week Launch & Gig
Sunday Market, Music & Vegan Roast
Parking at Rockaway for Events
Please be aware that when it's been raining heavily, the parking field at Rockaway can become water-logged. This means we will only have parking available on site for disabled visitors. When the field is unusable, we'll issue any important updates to online ticket holders via email, as well as update this page and our social media channels.
For all our events, ticketed or free, we'd like everyone to try and do their bit for the environment by using public transport, taking a taxi, or car sharing wherever possible. If you'd like a little exercise, you can also park in the nearby village of Temple Cloud and walk to Rockaway, but please
DON'T PARK ON EASTCOURT ROAD.
It's too narrow and we need to have emergency vehicle access at all times.
The 376 bus stops at the end of our road, at Cameley Road Surgery (Temple Cloud).
This bus comes from Bristol, Wells, Glastonbury and many other locations. You can find the full bus timetable below, and thank you for planning your journey to Rockaway.
We really appreciate it.
A handy PDF map with the best route to reach us by car, plus a map of the 5-minute walk from Temple Cloud village to Rockaway across the field, can be downloaded below.
OUR EVENTS
Rockaway Christmas Markets
Sunday 8th & Sunday 15th December, 12pm - 4pm
Live Music, Vegan Festive Roasts, Open Studios, Christmas Market & More!
We have two festive Christmas markets this year. So, why not join us for a day of live music and festive vegan roasts, plus a bar with mulled Winter-warming drinks, a Christmas arts market and open studios. The wonderful Sarah Lewis and Tracey Calvert from Normal Magic are joining us on Sunday 8th December, offering free mental health advice, plus Dan, our lovely safeguarding expert will be offering guidance - all anonymous and off-grid!
Sarah and Tracey will also be offering their free drop-in family sensory workshop in the Rockaway classroom, 11.30am - 1.30pm. Informal, fun and inspirational, you can explore a range of activities that use our sense of sound, sight, touch, taste, smell, body awareness and balance. For both Christmas Market dates, we have an exciting Forest Therapy taster workshop on offer, and we'll also be joined by the Bristol Climate Café team on the 8th (see the details below.)
Christmas Market Live Music!
Sunday 8th December
We’re delighted to feature Commoner, Cornwall’s rising folk punk sensation on Sunday 8th December. Armed with just a guitar, Commoner blends the energy of skate punk with the soul of folk storytelling. Expect a fast-paced, raw, and heartfelt performance that delivers a punk rock punch, with 'campfire chords' that resonate deeply (as praised by the Cornish Gig Guide.)
Sunday 15th December
On Sunday 15th, we’re welcoming the wonderous folk duo, Swingletree! Seen at Glastonbury, Shindig and floating down a river near you, bargees and Floating Fayre organisers, Jassy and Ted, will be performing songs of the sea, lost love and the ol' canal, with heart-warming harmonies.
They’re supported by the fab Whistling Treason, whose DIY Indo-Franglais folk, roots, dub and valve-powered trad is not to be missed!
You won't want to miss our festive vegan roasts either, but remember, they must be booked in advance by 7pm on 6th and 13th December to help us avoid food waste.
Our festive roast menus are now available on our Vegan Café page, so please click below for all the details and to book.
These Christmas Markets are free to attend, with a £5 fee for each vehicle if the Parking Field is operational. Any donations that you're able to make upon entry - from spare change or a couple of quid to more - will help us continue providing live music at our Sunday events, and is very much appreciated.
Thank you.
We look forward to you joining us for an alternative end of the season vibes!
Rockaway Climate Café
Sunday 8th December, 1.30pm - 3pm
We're delighted that Liz Marks and Ben Anthony, from the Bristol Climate Café Collective, will be joining us for this free session in the Rockaway Classroom. Open to anyone over 18-years old, this first Rockaway Climate Café will provide a supportive space where people concerned about climate change and the ecological crisis can express their feelings and hear from others.
Climate and ecological breakdown is a real threat to our health and wellbeing, and we need to talk about how these changes affect us, our families, friends and wider society. Sometimes it's hard to talk about these things because they can bring up difficult feelings. A Climate Café provides an opportunity to talk in a safe and supportive space.
There are no special guests or speeches, and nobody gives advice. Participants will just listen to each other and share their own experiences with Liz and Ben, who are trained and experienced facilitators that will take part in the discussion as well.
So, grab a coffee or tea from the Vegan Café and head to the Terrace at about 1.20pm. There's space for about a dozen people, so once the Classroom is full, we'll close the door for privacy.
Forest Therapy Taster Workshop
Sunday 8th & Sunday 15th December, 2.30pm - 4pm
Unwind, De-Stress, Connect With Nature!
Join wonderful Forest Therapy Practitioner, Tris, for a rejuvenating experience in nature at Rockaway Park's Community Forest Garden.
Forest therapy, also known as forest bathing or shinrin-yoku in Japan, involves immersing oneself in a forest environment to promote mental and physical well-being through gentle, mindful activities called "invitations".
This event is a wonderful opportunity to unwind, destress, and connect with nature, as well as warm yourself around a lovely fire pit.
This taster workshop is available on both Sunday 8th and Sunday 15th December. Cost is £10 per session and places are limited. So, if you'd like to take part, please click on the date you prefer below.
OUR REGULAR EVENTS
Our Sunday Sessions are free - you just need to book your Sunday roast! There is a £5 parking charge and all donations are welcome to support any performers.
Mad also hosts the Yoga + Roast Club, which runs alongside our Sunday Sessions. The club begins at 11.30am with a yoga session in the Rockaway House.
Dates for our Sunday Sessions and the Yoga + Roast Club appear above, in our calendar, our newsletter and social media channels.
If you would like to have a market stall at one of our Sunday Sessions, or during a Rockaway Park event, please contact us below.
PERFORMING AT ROCKAWAY PARK
We often hear from bands and performers who would like to play at Rockaway Park. However, we're not a typical venue with a regular schedule of gigs and performers who just rock up and play! So, here's some useful info about how we operate for you to check through before contacting us.
Like everything else at Rockaway, our events are unique. It's not just the location and setting, with its festival vibe, but also how we actively collaborate with bands and performers to create an event that's a bit special and not like anything you'll see in a pub or music venue. Our calendar of events fills up quickly each year too, with a wide range of activities, so we have a limited number of dates available. However, we're always planning ahead and are happy to hear from bands and performers who are interested in working with us.
We're always on the lookout for performers who would like to play at our Sunday Sessions, which have a relaxed family atmosphere, and feature market stalls showcasing work by local artists and craftspeople, plus our famous vegan roast. We also hold celebrations at Rockaway, along with away days and symposiums, and are often asked about musicians and performers who could help make an event exciting.
So, if you would like to work with us on an event, it would be good to know more about you to help us with our planning. If you could please download the questionnaire below, then once completed, email it to us via the link included, that would be great. We look forward to hearing from you!
ROCKAWAY PARK
"Would those who say it can't be done, please stand clear of those doing it"