We Love the 70s Big Weekender Guide
We Love The 70s Big Weekender
Platform heels, flares, glitter, and feather boas — the We Love the 70s Big Weekender is back across all three Butlin's resorts in 2026 with the biggest lineup yet. David Essex, Boney M, Bay City Rollers, Leo Sayer, Dave Hill's SLADE, and more. This is your complete guide — every date, every lineup, and exactly what to wear.
We Love the 70s 2026 —
Everything You Need to Know
We Love the 70s is one of Butlin's most popular and most frequent Big Weekenders — running at all three resorts across eight separate dates throughout 2026, from March through to October. The lineup changes by date and resort, with different headliners confirmed for each event. The fancy dress is non-negotiable — this is the event for platform heels, sequin jumpsuits, flares, glitter, and everything gloriously over-the-top about the 1970s. This guide covers every confirmed 2026 date, each resort lineup, and everything you need to go dressed like you mean it.
We Love the 70s —
Complete 2026 Schedule
Eight confirmed dates across all three resorts — from March to October. Lineups vary significantly between dates so check your specific event.
| Date | Resort | Confirmed Artists | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6–9 Mar 2026 | Skegness |
Leo Sayer, Dave Hill's SLADE, and more
Full lineup on butlins.com
|
Book → |
| 13–16 Mar 2026 | Minehead |
Boney M, Tony Christie, The Edwin Starr Band, and more
Full lineup on butlins.com
|
Book → |
| 3–6 Sep 2026 | Minehead |
The Real Thing, Mud II, Bay City Rollers, Racey, Dave Hill's SLADE, Darts, The Team with Angelo Starr
+ more to be announced
|
Book → |
| 11–14 Sep 2026 | Bognor Regis |
Boney M, Heatwave, Dave Hill's SLADE, Bay City Rollers, From the Jam, The Real Thing
+ more to be announced
|
Book → |
| September 2026 | Skegness |
Lineup TBC — check butlins.com
Full schedule at butlins.com
|
Book → |
| 9–12 Oct 2026 | Skegness |
David Essex, Bay City Rollers, Paper Lace, The Real Thing, Showaddywaddy, Rubettes ft Bill Hurd, Royal Rhapsody, The Team with Angelo Starr
+ more to be announced
|
Book → |
| 9–12 Oct 2026 | Minehead |
David Essex, Bay City Rollers, Paper Lace, The Real Thing, Royal Rhapsody, The Team with Angelo Starr
+ more to be announced
|
Book → |
Lineups vary by date and resort. Always check your specific event at butlins.com for the confirmed artist list before you travel.
70s Fancy Dress —
The Outfit Playbook
We Love the 70s actively encourages fancy dress — Butlin's describe it as "wholeheartedly encouraged." The crowd commits fully. Here are the looks that land.
Personalised 70s Squad Tees
The smartest group move — matching personalised tees with names, nicknames, or 70s alter egos. Works across all three days, comfortable for the Reds dancefloor, and makes your squad instantly recognisable. Bold retro typography in amber and brown looks the part.
Shop 70s Squad Apparel →Full Glam Disco
Sequin jumpsuits, platform heels, afro wigs, and as much glitter as you can physically apply. The ABBA end of the 70s spectrum — guaranteed to own the dancefloor and the photos. Assign gold vs silver across the squad.
Browse Disco Costumes →Glam Rock
Slade, T. Rex, David Bowie, Sweet — stack-heeled boots, satin shirts, feather boas, and face glitter. The UK glam rock look is perfectly suited to a We Love the 70s crowd. Bowie lightning bolt face paint is always a winner.
Browse Glam Rock Costumes →Bay City Rollers
Tartan trim, flares, and white satin. The BCR look is one of the most recognisable 70s group costumes at Butlin's — especially with Bay City Rollers on the actual lineup. Full group commitment optional but highly recommended.
Browse 70s Pop Costumes →70s Bohemian
Maxi dresses, floppy hats, fringe vests, and chunky jewellery. The festival-era 70s look — Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell, free-spirited and effortlessly photogenic. Works particularly well for mixed or all-female groups.
Browse Boho Costumes →Boney M
With Boney M on multiple 2026 dates, turning up dressed as the group is a legitimate power move. Coordinated bold-coloured 70s outfits, big hair, and maximum sequins. The Friday night headline appearance moment you want to be dressed for.
Browse 70s Pop Costumes →70s Cop Show
Starsky & Hutch, The Sweeney, Kojak — leather jackets, wide-collared shirts, and attitude. An underused group costume that's instantly recognisable, easy to execute, and comfortable all weekend. Works brilliantly as a pairs or small squad look.
Browse 70s Costumes →Pure Flares & Platforms
Sometimes simplest is best — wide-leg flares, a bold print shirt or blouse, and platform shoes. The foundational 70s look. Easy to execute at any budget and works for any group size. Everyone does their own thing but reads as one cohesive era.
Browse 70s Accessories →Going as a Squad?
Personalised 70s squad tees with everyone's name, nickname, or 70s alter ego — one order, every item different. Order at least 2 weeks before your event date.
Venue Intelligence &
Weekend Survival
🌡️ Platform Heels vs Reds at Midnight
The Reds nightclub is hot, packed, and has a dancefloor that does not stop. Platform heels look spectacular for the Skyline headline sets — but the walk from the Skyline to Reds and four hours of dancing is a different calculation entirely. Tactical advice: wear the full platform look for the headline sets, then switch to your squad tee and comfortable shoes for Reds. Your feet will thank you Sunday morning.
📱 The Lineup Varies — Check Your Date
This is critical for We Love the 70s specifically: the lineup for your date is NOT the same as the main event page on butlins.com. David Essex is confirmed for the October dates — not March. Boney M is on the March Minehead and September Bognor dates. Always check the specific URL for your event date and resort before finalising your outfit choice or plans.
🪑 Skyline Seating Strategy
For the headline Saturday night sets, the seated areas in the Skyline Pavilion fill up 45–60 minutes before showtime. If your squad wants a table with sightlines, send someone ahead while the rest are at the bar. The standing areas have better atmosphere but the seated terrace is the practical choice for groups of 6+.
🎠 The Fairground
Free on all resorts and open from midday. Waltzers in full 70s glam gear is a rite of passage. Go before the afternoon sessions — queues build from about 3pm onwards.
🎧 Silent Disco
Usually features a dedicated 70s channel alongside the broader decades mix. Watching 800 people simultaneously belt out Rasputin in full Boney M outfits is one of those Butlin's moments you don't forget.
🏊 Splash Waterworld
Included in your stay. Go Saturday morning before the afternoon sessions begin — it's the quietest window of the whole weekend. Leave the feather boa in the chalet.
☕ Costa Coffee Queue
Avoid 9–10am Saturday — the queue is 25+ minutes at peak hangover hour. Go at 8am or wait until 11am. This is not negotiable advice.
🍔 2am Burger King
The post-Reds survival meal. The queue moves fast but it is always there. Budget for it — you will absolutely need it. Cash and card both accepted.
📲 Butlin's App
Download and log in before you travel. Full schedule, dining bookings, and resort information all live in the app. Screenshot key set times offline — resort WiFi on check-in day is unreliable.
What to Pack
The platform heels are already in the bag. Here's what you'll forget.
🪩 Costume Kit
- Alternate flat shoes — for Reds and Sunday morning
- Fashion tape — sequin and satin outfits need it
- Safety pins — flares catch on everything
- Spare glitter pot — top-up at 11pm is essential
- Breathable squad tee — for the Reds dancefloor
🏠 Room Essentials
- Extension lead — one socket between 6 people getting ready
- Portable speaker — pre-drinks in the chalet
- Bin bags — feathers and glitter get everywhere
- Hand fan — Reds gets seriously hot
- Portable LED mirror — for squads getting ready together
📋 The Admin
- Physical photo ID — passport or driving licence, no exceptions
- Booking reference — screenshot offline before you travel
- Power bank — 3 days of photos kills any battery
- £1 coins — pool lockers at Splash Waterworld
- Card + cash backup — most bars are card-only but not all
The 70s Gear
Built for Butlin's
The glitter washes off. The squad tee lasts forever.
🌡️ Built for the Heat
Cotton-rich and breathable. Handles Reds at capacity far better than cheap polyester ever could. Dance all night without the 70s sequin suit becoming a hazard.
✏️ Every Tee Different
One order, every item personalised differently. 70s alter egos, nicknames, or act references — each person gets their own. One payment, one delivery.
🎪 We Know These Events
Returning squads come back year after year. We know the resorts, the venues, and what a We Love the 70s crowd looks like at 1am in Reds. Our designs are built for it.
We Love the 70s — FAQs
When is Butlin's We Love the 70s 2026?
We Love the 70s runs across eight dates at all three Butlin's resorts in 2026: Skegness 6–9 March, Minehead 13–16 March, Minehead 3–6 September, Bognor Regis 11–14 September, plus additional September Skegness dates and October dates at both Minehead and Skegness (9–12 October) featuring David Essex and Bay City Rollers. Check butlins.com for the most up-to-date full schedule.
Who is performing at We Love the 70s 2026?
The 2026 lineup varies significantly by date and resort. Confirmed artists across the various dates include David Essex, Boney M, Bay City Rollers, Leo Sayer, Dave Hill's SLADE, Tony Christie, The Real Thing, Showaddywaddy, Rubettes ft Bill Hurd, Paper Lace, Heatwave, Darts, From the Jam, Mud II, Racey, and The Edwin Starr Band. Always check the specific event page for your date on butlins.com as lineups differ between events.
What should I wear to We Love the 70s?
We Love the 70s is a full fancy dress event — Butlin's wholeheartedly encourage it. The most popular looks are full glam disco (sequin jumpsuits, platform heels, afro wigs), glam rock (Slade and Bowie-era stack heels, satin, feather boas), Bay City Rollers tartan, 70s bohemian maxi dresses and floppy hats, and pure flares and platforms. For groups, personalised 70s squad tees are the practical all-weekend option that works alongside a fancy dress outfit for the dancefloor.
Is We Love the 70s at all three Butlin's resorts?
Yes — We Love the 70s runs at Minehead, Skegness, and Bognor Regis in 2026. Each resort has different dates and different confirmed artist lineups. The October dates at Minehead and Skegness both feature David Essex. The September Bognor Regis date features Boney M and Heatwave. Check your specific resort and date for the confirmed lineup.
What is the best group costume for We Love the 70s?
The most popular group costumes at We Love the 70s are full disco squad looks (coordinated sequins in gold and silver), glam rock groups inspired by Slade and Bowie, and Bay City Rollers tartan for groups of 4–6. For large groups or stag and hen parties, personalised 70s squad tees with alter egos or nicknames are the most practical option — comfortable across all three days and wearable in the heat of the late-night Reds sessions.