Youth Beatz Festival Draws 40,000 Attendees to Dumfries Around 40,000 music fans gathered in Dumfries over the weekend for the UK’s largest free youth music festival, which returned to Park Farm for its annual event. The Youth Beatz Festival, held on Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28, featured performances from major UK acts including The Vamps, Example, and Caity Baser, alongside rising local talent from across Dumfries and Galloway. The festival provided a platform for both established artists and emerging musicians, drawing a diverse audience of young people and families. Beyond the music stages, the event included The Toon, an interactive youth drama production designed to address critical social issues. Over the weekend, more than 2,500 young people participated in the experience, which featured scenes tackling topics such as domestic abuse, knife crime, drugs, and bullying. The drama aimed to engage teenagers in meaningful conversations about these challenges while offering a creative outlet for expression. The festival also expanded its reach through a wide-ranging local Fringe programme, which brought sports coaching, movie screenings, and community activities to every ward in the region. This initiative highlighted the event’s commitment to fostering local engagement and providing opportunities for youth development beyond the main festival days. Councillor Tracey Little, chair of the Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Committee, praised the efforts of those involved in organizing the event. She stated, “Dumfries and Galloway Council is once again delighted with the high-quality event that has been delivered in our region.#dumfries #youth_beatz_festival #the_toon #dumfries_and_galloway_council #young_peoples_service
