Rebellion Festival 2025

Originally known as Holidays in the Sun and later rebranded as the Rebellion Festival, this British punk rock celebration emerged in 1996. Since its inception, it has garnered attention from notable media outlets like The Independent, The Daily Telegraph, and Kerrang.

The inaugural event took place at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, England, and it continues to call this venue home, though it has occasionally ventured to nearby Morecambe. Beyond the UK, iterations of the festival, under various names, have taken place in Australia, the United States, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, the Basque Country, Ireland, and Austria.

Remaining true to its roots, the festival, still managed by the same family, remains a familial affair celebrating punk music in its diverse manifestations. In addition to punk, it showcases bands from alternative genres, glam rock artists, and iconic acts from the 1960s and 1970s. Featuring up to seven music stages, along with an acoustic stage, a literary stage, and a punk art gallery, the festival also hosts workshops and stalls offering clothing, music, and various products. Each year, over 300 acts perform across a four-day span, typically spanning the first weekend of August from Thursday to Sunday. Praised for its collaboration with Blackpool Council and local charities, the festival has maintained a positive rapport with the community.

Nice 'N Sleazy, originally an offshoot of the Wasted Festival in Morecambe, evolved into its own punk festival, initially providing campsite accommodations and an unofficial stage. Even after Wasted returned to Blackpool in 2006, the Morecambe campsite event persisted as a distinct festival.

In 2017, the festival celebrated its 21st anniversary, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of punk. The 2020 edition was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, transitioning to an online format. While the full festival was postponed again until 2022, organizers arranged a smaller live event in 2021: the HITS 25, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the original 1996 Holiday In The Sun festival, announced shortly after COVID-19 regulations allowed for such gatherings.

The complete festival resumed in 2022, featuring an additional outdoor event called R-Fest, held on the seafront at the Comedy Carpet.