Which Christian festival should you attend? Take this quiz to find out!

It’s festival season – which means a few things: 

1. About a billion very-much-not-disposable tents are going to be thrown away at music festivals.

2. About the same number of festivalgoers are going to get third-degree sunburn, nearly drowned in rain/mud, or both because…well, what else do you expect from the British summer? 

3. Teaching, preaching, prayer and worship are all on the menu for the discerning Christian.

But which festival to choose? 

We’ve been reading our copies of 90s Cosmo and have come up with the guide all sane and well-adjusted people use to aid decision-making: a quiz.

Just answer these questions truthfully and we’ll give you suggestions of where to make camp (or rent a nearby B&B) this year.

But first, a caveat: We are not scientists. And most Christian festivals are the kinds of spaces where two people could have two completely different experiences, even attending the same sessions. So don’t limit yourself to the answer your results suggest – check out the other festivals and events that might be for you! That way you’ll be happy, and our deeply flawed research methodology need never become an issue.

How to score

So which festivalgoer are you? Time to look at your scores and figure out if you answered mostly As, Bs, Cs, Ds or Es.

Keep in mind most festivals are more than one thing. If you love scripture, you can have a great time at Greenbelt, just as much as loving justice and activism doesn’t preclude you from David’s Tent. So hold this as lightly as any personality test that reduces us to just a few types.

That said, it’s fun to see how you scored. If you’re astute, you may already have noticed a pattern.

Count which letter you selected most frequently to work out which persona is most ‘you’…

Mostly As Logosmonaut

You love the Bible. Who doesn’t? But you want a festival that tells you more about it and provides opportunities for great teaching. So many festivals offer this, but here are some that you may enjoy most: 

Keswick Convention, Lake District – various dates July-August

The original Bible teaching gathering celebrates a whopping 150 years this summer! With such an impressive heritage of sound exposition and application, Keswick attracts respected teachers from around the world. keswickministries.org

New Horizon, Northern Ireland, 2-8 August

A free festival with strong biblical teaching, this year led by respected Christian apologist John Lennox. newhorizon.org.uk

Bible by the Beach, Eastbourne, 2-5 May

The beach is less apparent during the programme than the name suggests, but this is a space to receive teaching, and you’ll be doing it in style, in a theatre. If you like Lee Gatiss you’ll enjoy this – not least because he’s speaking. biblebythebeach.org

Mostly Bs: Worshipping Magnate

Kudos on lowering your hands from a praise position long enough to circle your answers to this quiz! You love sung worship, and you want to do it among the gathered faithful. What a blessing to have events like these on the calendar:

Big Church Festival, West Sussex, 22-24 August

By far the largest Christian music festival. This year’s headliners are Brandon Lake and Phil Wickham. Plus Martin Smith, Israel Houghton and even Newsboys.  bigchurchfestival.com

Creation Fest, Cornwall, 31 Jul-3 August

This super-affordable festival offers fantastic worship bands and music alongside speakers and activities including a skate park, arts venues and sports programme all set in the beautiful Cornish countryside. creationfest.org.uk

David’s Tent, Wiltshire, 22-25 August

Styled as “a space to gather in unity and worship Jesus”, this 72-hour non-stop worship event offers the opportunity for extended encounters with God through music, prayer and song. davidstent.net/dtuk

Mostly Cs: Prayer One

Your coffee mug says: “Don’t talk to me until I’ve invited the Holy Spirit into my life afresh” and that’s not just a catchy slogan. You’re a prayer warrior / intercessor who loves spaces where the Spirit moves freely, where prophecy, healing and renewal are welcomed and expected. Check out: 

Wildfires, West Sussex, 24-27 July

Prayer, revival and renewal are the focus here. It’s a family event with a generally younger crowd and a great space for anyone passionate about encountering God’s presence and meeting others who feel the same. wildfiresfestival.com

New Wine Festival, Somerset, 30 July-4 August

Primarily for the New Wine network of churches who come together to “collectively seek the Holy Spirit’s power, presence and guidance”, this event is known for charismatic ministry (think prophecy, healings, etc). But there are also seminars on a range of topics, and a busy marketplace to wander around. festival.new-wine.org

Refuel, Scottish Highlands, 20-24 July

Set in the grounds of a Scottish castle, this family- orientated gathering has Holy Spirit-focused, charismatic and missional elements in a beautiful location on the banks of the river Spey. refuelscotland.org.uk

Mostly Ds: Connection Delegate

Where two or more are gathered in his name, there Jesus is also (Matthew 18:20). Where even more come together, you’re getting excited. The faith-filled festival experience for you is impossible to separate from connecting with the people of God. It’s as much about the spaces in between the programme as the events themselves. Check out: 

Revive, East Sussex, 2-9 August

Revive is not too big, but it sure is mighty, packing a huge amount to do into seven days, including main sessions, seminars, workshops, forums, sport, art and crafts opportunities, after-hours entertainment and a huge party on the final night. Revive also focuses strongly on youth and children’s work. revivelive.co.uk

Greenbelt, Northamptonshire, 21-24 August

Prophetic and interactive communion in a field, a pub called the Jesus Arms (and an alcohol-free bar tent too), folk-singing classes and crafts makes Greenbelt a brilliant place to connect with people who may help you see faith in broader terms. greenbelt.org.uk

 

Mostly Es: Practical Pilgrim

How much does it cost? What are the kids going to do? Is there any way we can avoid ‘sleeping’ in a tent? These are the questions that haunt your festival decisions. We know you’re going to do your own research anyway, but consider: 

CreationFest, Cornwall, 31 July-3 August

It’s not very expensive (free if you’re exploring faith), there’s loads to do and it’s beautiful. creationfest.org.uk

Refuel, Scottish Highlands, 20-24 July 

It’s basically free and the best event for miles. refuelscotland.org.uk

New Horizon, Northern Ireland, 2-8 August

Another free option, this large gathering offers solid content without cost concerns. newhorizon.org.uk  

For the kids!

There are some great options this summer for young people. Take a look at:

Dreaming the Impossible, Staffordshire, 2-7 August, run by Vineyard Churches UK and Ireland dreamingtheimpossible.org

Newday, Norfolk Showground, 28 July-1 August, run by Newfrontiers newdaygeneration.org 

Satellites, Bath and West Showground, 6-10 August, run by Youthscape youthscape.co.uk/satellites

Limitless, Staffordshire Showground 9-13 August, run by Elim limitlessfestival.co.uk