Bug Jam Bug Jam

Bug Jam 36

VW Festival 21 to 23 July 2023 at Santa Pod Raceway

The original and best VW fest!

A true VW festival in every sense of the word, with a vibrant and fun atmosphere, bringing to life the very essence of VW and Campervan culture. Europe’s largest VW Show incorporates an eclectic mix of all things VW, with Drag Racing, Run What Ya Brung, Music, Show & Shine, Comedy, Stunt Displays, Fun Fair, massive Trade Village, Retrojumble and much more.

Weekend Tickets from £99, Kids Weekend £10 - Buy Tickets Online (All Tickets Pre-Booking Only!)

Track Action & Show Cars:

Drag Racing

Drag Racing (Sat & Sun)
With qualifying starting on Saturday and eliminations on Sunday, you're sure to see plenty of the fastest and maddest Drag cars and VWs in Europe!

Back after their debut last year, Motorsport UK Pro Modified will be headlining the drag racing action with some of the UK's wildest drag cars, putting down sub-6 second passes at 240mph! Top billing alongside the Pro Mods will be nitromethane powered Funny Cars capable of sub-4 second 1,000 foot passes.

Also on track the VWDRC, Outlaw Flat Four and the road legal hot rods of Street Eliminator.

More info on the Drag Racing page.

RWYB

Run What Ya Brung - RWYB
VWs ONLY (Fri 12pm-7pm £30 & Sat 9.30am-TBC £20)

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

Signing on for RWYB is now online. You will still need to visit the Sign On Office to show your driving licence and your race voucher e-ticket before hitting the track. Please note an Admission ticket is required in addition to your RWYB Race Voucher.

Prizes For:

  • Best Reaction Time
  • Quickest ET
  • Fastest MPH
  • Most Amount Of Runs
  • Commentator's Choice

More info on the RWYB page.

Show n Shine

Show & Shine (SATURDAY!)

Strictly VWs ONLY
Saturday is the show day for the real head-turners. If you’ve got perfect paintwork, a cool custom ride or a rare vintage VW, make sure you bring your car along to the Show & Shine competition. Full details

Rust & Rat

VW Rust & Rat (SUNDAY!)
Strictly VWs ONLY

Sunday will be the day where rusty cars shine! If you’ve got a cool rat-ride, rusty original, mean military or battered baja, get along to the Rust & Rat Show. It's open to entries from 9am, and free to enter. Just rock up, register, and chill out until the presentations take place. Full details

Human Powered

Human Powered Racing (Sat)
It’s a simple race from the start-line to the finish-line and back, but no engines are permitted! Adults and kids can enter and there are four trophies: Quickest Bicycle, Quickest Skate (boots and boards), Quickest Runner, and Most Imaginative Entry.

Fireforce 2 Jet Car

Fireforce 2 Jet Car (Fri, Sat & Sun)
Returning to the track is Fireforce 2 - The yellow one! This was the first Jet Car outside of America to make a 5 second quarter mile pass.

Jet Bus

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 3450lbs of thrust.

Music & Comedy:

Music

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

Bug Jam hosts several music arenas including the Main Stage, Dance Tent, BugWam and Fuelers Bar. 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.

Full details on the Gig Guide page.

Friday - Elvana | Club de Fromage | + more TBA

Saturday - Cuban Brothers | Silent Disco | + more TBA

 

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

Daytime Music

Daytime Music* - BugWam (Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun)

You don't have to wait till the evening for the entertainment to start at Bug Jam with the BugWam busy during the day on Friday, Saturday & Sunday! Plus Thursday evening for those with Thursday Arrival Passes.

The BugWam is the perfect place to chill out, relax and put your feet up. There will be live acoustic music and DJs from afternoon through to evening and a licenced bar.

Acts - Coming soon

*Free as part of your sporting event ticket.

Daytime Music

Daytime Music* - BugWam (Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun)

You don't have to wait till the evening for the entertainment to start at Bug Jam with the BugWam busy during the day on Friday, Saturday & Sunday! Plus Thursday evening for those with Thursday Arrival Passes.

The BugWam is the perfect place to chill out, relax and put your feet up. There will be live acoustic music and DJs from afternoon through to evening and a licenced bar.

Acts - Coming soon

*Free as part of your sporting event ticket.

Comedy

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.

Acts - Coming soon

SBX

Live Stage (Fri, Sat & Sun)

The Live Stage during the day is the home of variety at Bug Jam.

Acts - Coming soon

Magic Teapot

The Magic Teapot (Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun)
This lovely, unique structure is an all-weather fireside venue hosted by the Teapot Crew who are musicians, tea makers and fire keepers. Entertainment is provided and guests are encouraged to bring what they can to the circle…a song…a story…a listening ear, there will be a piano, a range of other instruments and the kettle is always simmering on the fire.

It is also about as green as you can get - no electricity, real mugs so no single-use plastic waste and sustainably sourced fire wood.

Bug Jam's Got Talent

Bug Jam's Got Talent (Saturday)
We’re giving contestants 3 minutes each to show off their talent on the Bug Jam main stage. Age 15 and over (Separate Kids contest on Friday).

Details on the Bug Jam's Got Talent page.

Live Action Arena:

Monster Trucks

Monster Truck - Podzilla (Sat & Sun)
Podzilla will be putting on a high jumping display of car crushing mayhem. This mighty 10,000lbs, 1350hp monster truck driven by Garry Anderson will be crushing everything in its path.

Terry Grant

Terry Grant Stunt Show (Sat & Sun)
Multiple world record breaking stunt driver Terry Grant will be performing precision stunts in a range of cars.

Stunt Biker

Lee Bowers Stunt Biker (Sat & Sun)
Top freestyle motorcycle stunt rider Lee Bowers will be wowing the crowds with his jaw-dropping motorbike stunts.

Kids Entertainment:

Fun Fair

Little Buggerz - Kids Zone (Fri, Sat & Sun)
An entire Kids Zone running all weekend located in and around a giant TeePee. Children must not be left unattended & must be supervised by a responsible adult.

Acts - Coming soon

UNDER 10s ONLY

Bug Jam's Got Talent

Little Buggerz Got Talent (Friday Afternoon)
We’re giving kids 3 minutes each to show off a talent on the Bug Jam main stage. Age Under 15 (Separate adults contest on Saturday)

Details on the Bug Jam's Got Talent page.

Pacific Bounce Inflatables

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.

Action Wheels

Action Wheels (Fri, Sat & Sun)
A safe, friendly and exciting “Have-A-Go” two wheeled feature aimed at children aged 2 and upwards and of all abilities. Includes balance beams, sea saws and rumble strips for children to navigate their way around. Action Wheels supply a selection of bikes and safety gear that’s FREE to use.

Bug Jam Beach

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.

Around Site:

Fun Fair

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.

Graffiti Wall

Graffiti Wall (Fri)

Having been deeply immersed in the culture of graffiti writing since 1983, Kilo has a wealth of experience under his belt from facilitating workshops & classes to executing large scale murals. Make sure you pay a visit to the graffiti wall, located next to Bug Wam, to say hi to Kilo and see how this incredible graffiti art is created!

Monster Truck RidesMonster Truck Rides (Fri, Sat & Sun)
Experience true Pandamonium at Santa Pod! If you dare….take a passenger ride or two in the newest Monster Ride Truck to hit the UK shores! Direct from the USA to the UK!

Graffiti Wall

Graffiti Bug (Sat & Sun)

Inspired by Kilo and our Graffiti wall? Have a go yourself on our Graffiti Bug! Our lovely VW Beetle has been repainted and is now a blank canvas waiting for you to put your own mark on it! Whether you're signing your name or creating a vibrant work of art, we want to see it all! Grab a sharpie and get creative! Sharpies are available from the Bug Wam bar.

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). Full details on the Camping page.

VW Club Camping
Spend Bug Jam camping with your members in your own Allocated Club Camping Area. You will need at least 10 display vehicles to book club camping. Buy 10 Tickets Get 1 Free, FREE Early Arrival Access.

Full details of how to book on the Clubs page.

Trade Village

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. Whether you're buying, selling or browsing, this is the best way to shift cars at the show. And the best bit? It's FREE for both buyers and sellers!

Bug Jam's Got Talent

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. Details on Retrojumble page. No Clothing Allowed!

Pamper Pod

Pamper Pod
Our brand new Pamper Pod will be open this weekend. 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.

Electric points are limited so you may need to wait until one becomes available.

Beer Festival

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

Bars & Caterers (Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun)
Caterers and bars will be open around site all weekend. There will be 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. View caterer details.

There are cash machines in the catering area and Pod Shop.

Bug Jam 35 Photos

View photos from Bug Jam 35 on the Facebook Photo Gallery

Dragstrip
Live Music
Show n Shine
Human Powered

Bug Jam Merchandise

If you didn't get your Bug Jam merchandise on the day at Bug Jam, it is now available online at www.santapodshop.com

Here Comes Bug Jam
Here Comes Bug Jam
Here Comes Bug Jam
Bug Jam 35 Sticker

Santa Pod Raceway

Find out about more action packed events at Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.com

VW Breakout
Retro Show
Dragstalgia

Santa Pod Raceway
Santa Pod Raceway is the UK's premier Drag Strip in the middle of England on the border of Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire. For full venue details please visit www.santapod.com.

Nitro FM
Nitro FM on 96.2 will be broadcasting all weekend with live track commentary, a selection of great music, interviews and chat to keep you informed and entertained throughout the day.

Mailing List
Fill out your e-mail address on the Newsletter page to receive the Santa Pod Email News Letter.

Important Notices

  1. EXIT & RE-ENTRY GUIDE: Bug Jam is one of Santa Pod’s busiest and most popular events in the calendar and we have a large number of visitors using rural routes through our neighbouring villages. To relieve our local communities of unnecessary traffic during the event, Bug Jam operates a strict re-entry policy to minimise disruption: visitors choosing to leave the venue anytime during the weekend will need to pay to re-enter the venue even if they have already purchased a ticket. So, please bring all of the camping supplies that you will need for the weekend including enough petrol/diesel! Your continued cooperation in this matter is always appreciated and keeps the Bug Jam vibe alive.
  2. NO SPACE SAVING: Campers will no longer be able to save space for friends arriving at a later time. Large groups should book club camping pitches, and small groups should aim to arrive together.
  3. CAMPING SPACE & LARGER VEHICLES: If your camping space is considered excessive by the campsite stewards, the organisers reserve the right to reduce the size of the area you have taken up. Please be sensible in this respect to avoid any inconvenience with your set up. The contents of larger vehicles will be checked and noted on arrival for non-camping related items. If you are bringing sofas and similar furniture items to Bug Jam you must take these items away with you when you leave site.
  4. LIMITED TICKETS: The number of tickets going on sale will be strictly limited. That means first-come-first-served, and those who book in advance will have priority over anyone trying to buy tickets on the gate. If tickets sell out before the event, NO tickets will be available to buy on the gate, so Santa Pod can be certain that we can accommodate everyone.
  5. NO CHINESE LANTERNS: Chinese lanterns are banned at Santa Pod Raceway as they pose a real fire hazard to the crops and thatched roofs surrounding the track.
  6. NO GLASS: No glass bottles, jars etc allowed on site. This is for you and your car's safety and especially for those in the camping areas. Cars will be searched on arrival.
  7. CHILD WRISTBANDS: Children can sometimes wander off, wristbands for children will be issued when you arrive, please write a contact phone number on the wristband and make sure your child wears it so we can call you if we find the little treasure should they become separated from you.
  8. When you arrive and leave site, please keep your speed down, don't litter and respect local residents.

Full Terms & Conditions

*As part of your Sporting Event entrance only.