DIASPORA CALLING! Festival Poster
Music Festival · Milton Keynes, UK

DIASPORA
CALLING!

Presented by Ms. Lauryn Hill · Live in Concert

Friday 7th August 2026 · The Milton Keynes National Bowl

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001 Ms. Lauryn Hill Headliner/Curator
002 Wyclef Jean Special Guest
003 YG Marley Special Guest
004 Zion Marley Special Guest

With many more special guests to be announced…

Date & Time

Friday 7th August 2026

Gates open early afternoon. Full schedule to be announced closer to the event.

Location

Milton Keynes National Bowl

Milton Keynes, UK

Experience

A Night of Reunion & Roots

Celebrating the sounds of the African diaspora across generations through music and arts.

Essential Info

Know Before You Go

Everything you need for Friday 7th August 2026 at The Milton Keynes National Bowl.

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Location

Diaspora Calling takes place at The Milton Keynes National Bowl, MK5 8AA.

Clear signage and stewards will guide you throughout your arrival.

↗ View on What3Words

Use the North Gate on Chaffron Way.

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Taxi pick-up / drop-off: Chesney Wold
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Friends, family & private hire drop-off: Kelvin Drive
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Stopping on main roads or residential streets is not permitted.

Head to the Box Office at the North Gate.

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Located on Watling Street. Accessible parking is available next to this entrance — colour-coordinated to assist you.

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Car park ticket information will be announced very shortly.

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Opening Times

  • Gates Open16:00
  • Music Starts16:00
  • Last Entry20:00
  • Event Ends23:00

Diaspora Calling is strictly a 14+ event. Anyone aged 14–17 must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

No re-entry once you leave the festival. Plan ahead and bring everything you need for the day.

Wristbands must stay on — tampered bands = no entry.

🎟

Tickets

You do not need to print your ticket. Download it onto your phone or into your wallet app before arrival.

Signal can be slow at peak times — save it offline in advance.

Diaspora Calling is strictly a 14+ event. Anyone aged 14–17 must be accompanied by a legal guardian. No one under 14 will be permitted entry.

🎒

What Can I Bring?

  • Bags — max 30cm × 21cm × 15cm (A4 size). Large bags are not permitted.
  • Sealed water — 500ml max. Empty reusable bottles allowed, but must be empty on arrival.
  • Blankets — for sitting or staying warm later.
  • Medication — must match your ID and be supported by a prescription or doctor's note.
  • Phone power banks
  • Sunscreen — non-aerosol only.
  • Alcohol
  • Food (not permitted)
  • Illegal drugs / Nitrous Oxide / "legal highs"
  • Liquids (except sealed water)
  • Metal bottles
  • Glass bottles / jars
  • Weapons or sharp objects
  • Aerosols over 100ml
  • Umbrellas with pointed ends
  • Perfume / aftershave
  • Pyros / flares / fireworks / smoke bombs
  • Laser pens
  • Professional cameras (detachable lenses, tripods, rigs)
  • Audio recording equipment
  • Drones
  • Personal vehicles (bikes, scooters, hoverboards, skateboards)
  • Marketing materials
  • High-visibility clothing (non-staff)
  • Large bags (must be A4 size max)
  • Camping equipment
  • Animals (registered assistance dogs only — email in advance)

Not sure about something? Email hello@jbmmusic.com and we'll confirm.

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Food & Drink

A wide range of food traders will be on site, including vegan and vegetarian options.

No outside food or drinks are permitted, except sealed water (500ml max).

Yes — Diaspora Calling is entirely cashless.

  • Bars accept card / contactless only
  • Food traders accept card / contactless only

Bring a charged phone and a backup power bank.

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Medical & Welfare

Medical & Welfare tents will be clearly signposted across the site. In an emergency, approach any steward or security staff, or head directly to the medical tent. Never hesitate to ask for help.

  • Must be in sealed packaging
  • Must match your ID
  • Must come with a prescription or doctor's note

If you need to store medication (e.g. refrigeration), email hello@jbmmusic.com before the event.

  • Toilets located across the site
  • Accessible toilets available (RADAR key required)
  • Free water refill stations
  • Hand sanitiser points across the festival

Bring a small empty refillable bottle (500ml max, no metal).

🚆

Travel & Parking

Diaspora Calling uses a colour-coded car park system. Parking is available to pre-book now.

↗ Book your parking ticket
  • No overnight parking — cars left after hours may be towed
  • Parking is on grass and hard-standing; vehicles parked at owner's risk

Accessible parking is available at the Watling Street entrance (Orange Car Park).

Nearest station: Milton Keynes Central
Served by Avanti West Coast & London Northwestern Railway.

A safe pedestrian route (Leisure Route 51) takes approximately 20–25 minutes from MK Central to the Bowl. Allow extra time on departure due to crowds.

↗ Book train tickets via Avanti West Coast

We will be running large numbers of shuttle buses all day with regular departures from Milton Keynes Central.

Expect short waits during peak hours. Follow instructions from shuttle staff at all times.

Shuttle tickets will be available very soon.

We're delighted to have Big Green Coach on board as our official travel partner.

Travel sustainably to Diaspora Calling with like-minded music fans. Your carbon-neutral coach will get you to Milton Keynes Bowl's official coach park before the music starts and return to your pick-up location after the headliners — no worrying about the last train, expensive hotels, or being the designated driver.

Pick-up locations:

  • Bedford
  • Birmingham
  • Bristol
  • Cambridge
  • Cambridge (Trumpington)
  • Cheltenham / Gloucester (Arle Court)
  • Coventry
  • Hemel Hempstead
  • Leicester
  • Leicester (Fosse Park)
  • London (Kings Cross)
  • Luton
  • Northampton
  • Nottingham
  • Oxford
  • Reading (Calcot)
  • Reading (Winnersh Triangle)
  • Swindon
  • Wolverhampton

Guarantee your seat with the UK's largest events travel company from £35.

↗ Book your coach ticket

Accessibility

The accessible entrance is located on Watling Street — clearly signposted and fully staffed.

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Limited accessible parking is available next to this entrance. Car park tickets will be announced via email and social media.

The site has a mixture of hardstanding, rough terrain and grass. Wet weather may cause muddy conditions — please plan accordingly.

There is a flat pathway around the exterior of the bowl, which is the easiest way to navigate the site. Site maps will be shared on social media and via email.

Strobe lighting, smoke, and pyrotechnics may be in use.

  • Accessible viewing areas available — limited capacity
  • Accessible toilets inside viewing area (valid accessibility evidence required)
  • Camping chairs strongly encouraged if standing for long periods is difficult
  • Ground-level accessible area & wheelchair platform available

PA/Carer tickets require approval and cannot be purchased directly.

  1. Buy your ticket via Skiddle.
  2. Email hello@jbmmusic.com with your Skiddle order number, proof of eligibility, and confirmation you require a PA/Carer ticket.
  3. If approved, a complimentary PA/Carer ticket will be assigned to your booking.

Send documentation within 7 days of booking.

Accepted proof of eligibility:

  • Access Card with +1 symbol
  • PIP or DLA letter (showing carer support required)
  • Medical letter confirming need for support
  • Other relevant documentation

PA/Carer tickets are only valid with the main ticket holder. Resale or misuse results in cancellation with no refund.

  • Medication permitted with matching ID and prescription
  • Sealed small snacks permitted with matching medical evidence
  • Accessible parking must be booked via Skiddle (limited availability)
  • RADAR-key locked accessible toilets — please bring your key
  • Our access team will assist with wristbands, directions, and any questions on the day

Still have a question?

We're here to help.

Email us and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

📩 hello@jbmmusic.com