Bug Jam Festival 39

24 to 26 July 2026 at Santa Pod Raceway
The Pod's original and best Summer fest!

Get ready for a weekend like no other, packed with entertainment and enjoyment for everyone!

What Makes Bug Jam Unmissable? This family-friendly, VW-themed festival delivers an unmatched three-day experience combining: Thrilling Drag Racing, Incredible Music Line-Up, VW Displays & Competitions, Stunt Shows, Side-Splitting Comedy, Jet Cars, Fun Fair, Trade Village, Kids’ Entertainment & Activities... and so much more! Bug Jam isn't just a car show—it's a motorsport event, music festival, and campervan extravaganza all rolled into one unforgettable experience!

Bug Jam Weekend Tickets are now Sold Out!

Buy Bug Jam 39 Day Tickets! (Day Tickets do not include Evening Entertainment or Camping!)

Important BBQ & Fire Safety Notice

With the recent hot weather, our fields are currently drier than the boss’s sense of humour so unfortunately that means NO disposable BBQs or fire pits will be allowed anywhere on site. It goes without saying that this includes campfires and open fires! We know everyone loves a good BBQ, so proper purpose-built barbecues are still welcome, provided they are raised well above the ground, stable and used responsibly. The fun police will be out checking!

NB: PLEASE let hot coals and ash cool right down before disposing of them!!!!

We'd much rather spend the weekend enjoying the vibes than watching the fire brigade in action, so please help us keep everyone safe and protect the venue. Thanks for your understanding. Let’s keep the burnouts on the track – not in the campsites!

Track Action & Show Cars:

Drag Racing (Sat & Sun)

Get ready for Nitro powered Funny Cars, the wild 6 second doorslammers of FuelTech Motorsport UK Pro Mod!, the VWs of VWDRCand Outlaw Flat Four, the road legal hot rods of Street Eliminator, and 7.60 Heads Up.

Before the championship racing, there will be a VWDRC Pro v Sportsman Shootout on Friday.

Drag Racing Info Bug Jam 39 Entry List

Race to the 4! (Fri & Sat)

Several year ago when Nitro Cars still ran over the full quarter mile there was a fierce battle to see who could run the first 4 second pass. The battle was put on hold when racing changed to 1000ft... until now! At Bug Jam the funny cars will be timed over the 1/4 once again. Will anyone hit the magic number?

Run What Ya Brung - RWYB

VWs ONLY (Fri 9.30am to 7pm & Sat 9.30am to 12.55pm)

The drag strip will be open for you to take your own car down the track with timing data at ETSlips!

A crash helmet is mandatory for all participants!

Full RWYB Info

Show & Shine - Sunday
NOW SUNDAY! Including Rust & Rat

Strictly VWs ONLY

If you’ve got perfect paintwork, a cool custom ride, a rare vintage VW, or a cool rat-rod, make sure you bring your car along to the Show & Shine competition.

Show n Shine Info

Saturday Show Paddock
Strictly VWs ONLY

No prizes, no judging. Just somewhere cool to park your VW if you want it to be seen on Saturday. Please remove your vehicle and park back in your camp area by 3pm.

Jet Car - FireForce 2 (Fri, Sat & Sun)

Witness the awesome power of a Jet Funny Car thundering down the strip. FireForce 2 returns to the track with a jet engine that can develop thrust equivalent to more than 10,000hp and can run the quarter-mile in 5 seconds at 270mph!

Oklahoma Willy (Fri, Sat & Sun)

This 1958 VW pick up spent most of her life on a farm in Oklahoma before undergoing a nut and bolt restoration with the addition of a Rolls Royce Viper 535 jet engine is from a fighter jet with a power output of 5000lbs of thrust.

Human Powered Racing (Saturday Only!)

All kids under 15 must be accompanied by an Adult.
It’s a 1/4 mile dash from start line to finish line, with one simple rule: no engines allowed! Adults and kids can take part, with trophies up for grabs for Quickest Bicycle, Quickest Skate, including boots and boards, Quickest Scoot (excluding e-scooters), Quickest Runner, and Most Imaginative Entry!

UPDATE: This year, entrants will line up in the pairing lanes before racing down the left lane of the track, then return via the right lane once the race is finished and back to the start line.

Bug Push is Back! (Thursday Only!)

Teams of up to 6 people. No under 12’s (minimum 2 adults per team)

The famous Bug Push is back! Do you and your mates think you have what it takes to win the 2026 Bug Push trophy? All you have to do is set the fastest time to the 1/8th mile by pushing one of our Pod VW Beetles. We provide the cars; you provide the muscles…. May the quickest team win!!

Email 2026@bugjam.com with your Team Name and a contact phone number. Any person partaking must be wearing suitable clothing and footwear for the event.

Current Entry List:

B’sea Boyz
Bouncing Bettles
Pist N Broken
Margate Manglers
VW Misfits
Full Throttle - No Engine
Rubber Dubbers
Unique Vans

Pushrod
Srong In The Arm, Thick in The Head
More Brains In a Bowl of Soup
Berkshire DubShack
Yorknorfolkshire
Pushing Our Luck
The Turbo Tickle Titans

Music & Comedy:

Evening Music* - Stage / Tents / Bar (Fri & Sat)

Bug Jam hosts several music arenas including the Main Stage, Dance Tent, BugWam, Fuelers Bar, and Cool Flo Arena. On Friday and Saturday evening, you can find music for whatever your taste, from indie and dance DJs through to live bands and tribute acts.

View Current Music Line-up

Evening Music is not included with Day Tickets. *Free as part of your sporting event weekend ticket.

BugWam (Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun)

BugWam is the perfect place to chill out, relax and put your feet up. There's a licenced bar with music from afternoon through to evening. BugWam opens Thursday evening with VW Dub Radio DJing for those with Thursday Arrival Passes. Disco Shed will supply the music Friday to Sunday.

Disco Shed (Fri, Sat & Sun)

In 2005 Count Skylarkin had a house party. The decks went in the shed, the speakers on the roof and Peepshow Paddy said, This is the Disco Shed, let’s take it on the road’. Shedonism was born. Featuring decks, lights, garden games by day, live VJs by night, and the World Famous Disco Shed Inferno Smoke Machine (TM).

Comedy (Fri & Sat)

There will be a line up of top comedians on Friday (Fuelers Bar) and Saturday (Dance Tent) including up and coming new acts and established pros to tickle your ribs. WARNING: Comedy performances may contain adult language and content.

Full Comedy Info

Globalls Bingo (Sat Dance Tent)

Get ready to laugh, dance, and win fabulous prizes… some questionable ones too!

Our talented drag queen will be your host for the afternoon, bringing their unique charm and sass to the stage. With a mix of classic bingo games with camp twists packed with hilarious performances & heaps of audience interactions, this event is sure to be a blast. WARNING: Bingo may contain adult language and content.

Piano Man (Fri, Sat & Sun)

Dave Manning: Campervan Piano Man has played in Folsom Prison, and Arlo Gutrie autographed his tour rig; a '65 VW bus called Vincent. Now 25 years and 400,000 miles later, he's still driving him and living on the road in the American west; entertaining in bars casinos and festivals. He was "that musician" in VW documentary "The Bus".

Fancy Dress Theme - Flower Power!

To help celebrate Santa Pod Raceway's 60th anniversary, we're going back to the 60's with a fancy dress theme of Flower Power! Think hippie culture, Woodstock and anti-war movements, with bright, bold floral prints, flowing fabrics, peace signs, headbands, flares, and tie-dye for the ultimate groovy look.

Bug Jam's Got Talent (Sat 3.30pm - Adults & Kids)

We’ve always known that Bug Jammers were a uniquely talented bunch, but now is the chance for you to prove it. We’re giving contestants 3 minutes each to show off their talent on the Bug Jam main stage, and between the judges and the audience, a star will be chosen!

Bug Jam's Got Talent Info

Ben Langley! (Friday)

Ben Langley’s adaptable act combines family-friendly hilarity with mind-blowing circus skills. Watch him juggle clubs, knives and apples; marvel as he inflates a surgical glove using only his nose. Dovetailed onto his regular act are his famous song lyric swaps – your favourite songs as you’ve never heard them before. ABBA were singing about dentistry – who knew?!

Daft as a Brush (Sunday)

Step into a world of contemporary clowning and gloriously interactive circus mayhem. Gasp at impossible coat hanger antics, roar through the great audience biscuit race, and hold your breath as one brave volunteer joins Maynard for his now-legendary egg-catapulting finale. Expect laughter, silliness, and spectacular nonsense for all ages.

Live Action Arena:

Monster Truck - Podzilla (Fri, Sat & Sun)

The Monster Truck Podzilla will be putting on a high flying display of car crushing mayhem. Get ready to cheer as Novas and Saxos get what's coming.

Terry Grant Stunt Show (Fri, Sat & Sun)

Multiple world record breaking stunt driver Terry Grant will be performing precision stunts in a range of cars.

Broke FMX (Fri, Sat & Sun)

Watch as the Broke FMX freestyle Motocross riders jump 35 feet in the air pulling acrobatic stunts. The team are dedicated to electrifying crowds of all ages with a show that features the UK’s top ranked freestyle motocross riders, incorporating the latest heart stopping tricks as usually only seen on TV.

Kids Entertainment:

Little Buggerz - Kids Zone (Fri, Sat & Sun)

An entire Kids Zone running all weekend located in and around a giant TeePee.

Full Little Buggerz Info

Children must not be left unattended & must be supervised by a responsible adult. UNDER 10s ONLY

Pacific Bounce Inflatables (Fri, Sat & Sun)

Let the kids bounce and play all day with a selection of exciting inflatables, a climbing wall and Go Karts. Pay per session or get unlimited goes on the inflatables with a wristband for £15.

Bug Jam Beach (Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun)

Back at Bug Jam bigger and better, there will be a real beach located next to Bug Wam. So bring along buckets & spades for the kids and deckchairs to relax in.

Wonder Wheelers (Fri, Sat & Sun)

Weird and Whacky Bicycles, Unicycles, Penny Farthings, Bendy Bikes, Tall Bikes, Mini-Bikes and Mini-Tandems, Eccentric Wheelers, Circus Bikes, Pedal Goes and more! Fun for all ages.

Mini Monster Trucks (Fri & Sat)

Straight from the USA to the UK are Mini Monster truck rides for kids where you get to drive a real Miniature Version of Podzilla.

Ride On Time (Sun)

A welcoming, friendly play session where toddlers aged 12 months to 5 years can freely explore a huge range of ride-on toys and transport-themed activities, encouraging active, creative and imaginative play.

Around Site:

Cool Flo Arena (Fri, Sat & Sun)

The Cool Flo Arena is back and ready to blow your mind! This year, we’re teaming up with our friends at Rad BMX and Centreforce Radio Station for an epic weekend of action-packed displays, non-stop music, and good vibes.

What’s Happening at the Cool Flo Arena?

BMX Half-Pipe Stunts: The Cool Flo Pro Rider Team will keep you on the edge of your seat with electrifying tricks and shows.
New Covered Area: Rain or shine, the fun continues under our brand-new covered space.
Old-school BMX displays and competitions.
Open-to-all Show & Shine BMX Contest.
Legendary Party vibes not to be missed!
Special curated display of the some of coolest Aircooled rides in Europe.

Over 30 Hours of Non-Stop Music. An incredible lineup of DJs is set to keep the vibes alive throughout the weekend.

The RADBMX on Tour (Fri, Sat & Sun)

The RADBMX Tour returns to Bug Jam 39

Delivering Old school BMX events, Rides and Weekenders since 2000…For 2026 they join forces once again with Cool Flo & some of the UK’s largest Old School BMX crews to bring the 80s vibe to Bug Jam in the Cool Flo Arena. Old school BMX displays, competitions and shows as well as our "open to all" show and shine comp. The legendary parties that Rad & Cool Flo have delivered over the years will prove to be a buzzing return to the Cool Flo Arena all weekend at Bug Jam 39!!

When these two legendary partners get together it's one hell of a vibe, expect a great atmosphere, amazing oldschool displays and tunes to suit. This year we'll be incorporating a covered themed area to the arena so come rain or shine the vibes will continue!

Fun Fair Rides (Fri, Sat & Sun)

All the fun of the fair with dodgems, waltzers, arcades, candy floss, sideshows and plenty of stomach churning rides that will spin, twist, flip and thrill you.

Extreme Bike Battle (Fri, Sat & Sun)

Showcasing their latest and most thrilling bike stunts, using peddle power and trials bikes, Extreme Bike Battle will be sure to wow the crowd.

Low Riders (Sat & Sun)

Lay’N’Play, the UK’s Premier Lowrider brand will be in attendance at this year's Bug Jam, bringing along a range of American, European and Japanese Lowriders that can hop, dance and drive on 3 wheels! Powered by high performance Hydraulic Suspension systems, these cars are built to perform, so make sure you head over to the Lay’N’Play lowrider arena to see them in action!

BBMF Flypast (Sat & Sun)
The Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be flying over Santa Pod Raceway on Saturday & Sunday.

Trade Village (Fri, Sat & Sun)

If you're looking for car parts, want a cool t-shirt or fancy a lowrider bicycle to get round site, you'll find it all in the Bug Jam trade areas. Visit the Pod Shops for camping supplies and Bug Jam clothing. View info on how to trade at Bug Jam on the Traders page.

Cars 4 Sale
If you've got a car you want to sell, park it up in the Cars For Sale Paddock, stick your phone number on the dashboard, and wait for the calls to come flooding in. Free for both buyers and sellers!

Retrojumble (Fri, Sat & Sun)

Buyers: Rare and vintage VW parts at bargain prices. Need a decklid for your oval or a period radio for that finishing touch? Have a look here.

Sellers: If you have a veritable scrapyard of second hand parts at home or just a handful of spares, retrojumble is the place to sell. No Selling of Clothing Allowed!

Retrojumble Info

Bug Jam Beer Festival (Fri, Sat & Sun)

There will be a Beer Festival with ales and ciders from local breweries, so if you’re a real ale fan then head over to Fuelers Bar.

Bars & Caterers (Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun)

Caterers and bars will be open around site all weekend with a wide range of food and drink to suit all tastes. In Licensed Bars under 18s must be accompanied by an adult, no under 18s after 11pm. There are cash machines in the catering area and Pod Shop.

Caterer Info

Hulkbuster Walkabout

Hulkbuster Walkabout (Fri only)

Look out for Hulkbuster as you make your way round site. Hulkbuster is a special Iron Man armor, created specifically to contain the Hulk's strength!

Optimus Prime Walkabout (Sat only)

The boss of the autobots, Optimus Prime, will be rolling into Santa Pod! Don't miss your chance to meet the legend in person.

Camping:

Camping at Bug Jam

Camping is included with all weekend tickets. As well as General Camping there is Club Camping and Quiet / Family Camping (will be signposted and noise curfews will be strictly enforced).

Camping Info

VW Club Camping

Spend Bug Jam camping with your members or mates in your own Allocated Club Camping Area. You will need at least 5 display vehicles to book club camping. Reduced Price Club Ticket with Free Early Arrival Access.

Full Clubs Info

Electric Hook-ups

Something that will make the life of any good Campervaner easier is electric hook-up for the duration of your stay. It’ll allow you to keep the beers and barbecue food chilled without the hassle of lugging around the old generator keeping it fueled up for the weekend!

Camping Info

Pamper Pod

The Pamper Pod is equipped with mirrors, electric points, dressing tables and chairs, you can freshen up in the morning or get dolled up for the evening. So whether you want to straighten that frizz, create some curls or apply that lippy, come along to the Pamper Pod and make yourself festival ready.

Tooth Gems

Tooth gems are a semi-permanent way to add a sparkle to your smile! They last from 1 month to 1 year and are attached with the same products used by dentists. NailsBeautyBelle will be based in Pamper Pod with prices starting from £20.