Mighty Hoopla
Annual outdoor music festival in England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mighty Hoopla is a yearly outdoor music festival in London, and Europe's largest LGBTQ+ music festival.[2] It is known for including performances and DJ sets by drag performers in its programming.
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| Mighty Hoopla | |
|---|---|
Flo at Mighty Hoopla in 2023, which took place in Brockwell Park | |
| Locations | Butlins in Bognor Regis (2016), Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets (2017), Brockwell Park (2018 - present) |
| Years active | 2016 – present |
| Capacity | 25,000[1] |
History
It was founded by Johnno Burgess,[3] Glynn Fussell and Jamie Tagg, organisers of clubnight Sink The Pink,[2][4][5] DJ and radio presenter Sean Rowley, and Ally Wolf.[6] The first event was held in 2016 at Butlins in Bognor Regis on the south coast, before moving to Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets in 2017, and then Brockwell Park in South London from 2018.[7] In 2023 Superstruct Entertainment bought a majority stake in the festival.[8]
The Butlins version of the festival was revived as The Mighty Hoopla Big Weekender from 2022 until 2024.[9][10] In 2025 the Big Weekender moved to the Mediterranean island of Malta, with venues in multiple locations including Cafe Del Mar in Saint Paul's Bay, Little Armier Beach in Mellieħa, and Gianpula Village on the outskirts of Rabat.[11]
The festival is known for including performances and DJ sets by drag performers. At the 2024 edition this included Jodie Harsh, David Hoyle, Tia Kofi, and Ginny Lemon.[12]
In October 2024, the festival's majority owner Superstruct Entertainment was bought by private-equity and investment company KKR. In May 2025, amidst backlash against it and other Superstruct-owned music companies such as Field Day and Boiler Room, Mighty Hoopla issued a statement saying that it stands in opposition of the "unethical investments" of KKR.[13]
In 2025, local residents successfully brought a judicial review challenging the permission given by Lambeth London Borough Council to use Brockwell Park for Mighty Hoopla and a number of other music events, on the basis that the council had blocked use of the park for too long.[14][15]
During her set at the 2025 edition of the festival, former Little Mix member Jade Thirlwall made headlines by leading the audience in an "anti-J.K. Rowling" chant in reference to the writer having made and shared what The Independent called: "numerous posts containing hateful rhetoric toward the trans and non-binary communities".[16][17]
On February 21, 2026, the first Australian edition of the festival will happen in Sydney at Bondi Beach. American singer Kesha will headline.[18]
Lineups
England
International
| Date | Location | Artists |
|---|---|---|
| 26–29 September 2025 | Multiple locations in Malta | Melanie C, Leigh-Anne, Rose Gray, Katy B, Ultra Naté, Miriana Conte, Trixie Mattel, Bimini, Fat Tony, Kiddy Smile, Jodie Harsh, Jack Rooke[33] |
| 21 February 2026 | Bondi Beach, Australia | Kesha, Becky Hill, Countess Luann, Delta Goodrem, Jessica Mauboy, Rose Gray, Bardot, Absolute, Armana Khan, Atomic Kiss, Aunty Tamara, Big Wett, Bimini Bon-Boulash, The Blak Queen curated by Miss Ellaneous, Charlie Villas, Diva Cups, Dizzy Bility, Dyan Tai, Eli Crawford, Fried Pork Chop, Hashbraownn, Heaps Gay, Heath Keating, James Vidigal, Mowgli May, Rocky Stallone featuring House of Silky, Jamaica Moana, Jubahlee, Royston Noell, Sexy Galexy, Tom Aspaul, Yvngcweed[34] |