Article Source: Pavilion Festival
Last Updated: 30 April 2025 9:49
The countdown and build is on! This weekend is set to be a sunshine scorcher and Pavilion Festival will return to Ayr for its third and biggest year yet, transforming the iconic Low Green into a bank holiday weekender like no other.
Making its grand debut for 2025 is the Electric Brae Big Top, a state-of-the-art, 5,000-capacity tent that will anchor - and weatherproof, the beachfront festival across three stacked days of live music, DJs, immersive experiences, and unforgettable energy.
Spanning four stages and welcoming over 120 artists, selectors and DJs, Pavilion will showcase a genre-spanning programme from legendary Britpop bands to underground electronic pioneers. With an expected audience of over 13,000, this year’s edition marks a serious step up.
Speaking about the new main stage, Ewan McVicar said: “I’m absolutely buzzing to bring a brand new main stage experience to Pavilion Festival for year three. We all know Ayr Beach can be a wee bit windy, so the new big top means we’re covered whatever the weather! From a DJ’s point of view, it’s a total game-changer with better sound, better atmosphere, and for the first time ever, we’ll be able to fire up the lasers. It’s going to be pure magic, and I can’t wait to show everyone what we’ve been working so hard on for this year!”
Final tickets are now on sale via www.skiddle.com
The festival, co-founded by Ewan McVicar and STREETrave pioneer Ricky Magowan brings world-class acts to Ayr Beach, showcasing an unparalleled mix of live music, cutting edge electronic beats and heritage dance superstars.
Sunshine is forecasted for all three days down at the seaside in Ayr, bringing the feel good factor of sun, a stacked lineup and of course the seaside for Pavilion Year 3!
WHAT TO EXPECT
• The Electric Brae Big Top: A state-of-the-art, 5,000-capacity tent designed to keep the energy high, regardless of the Scottish weather.
• Immersive Production: Enhanced lighting and sound systems to elevate every performance.
• Pop-Up Experiences: Discover secret bars and unique installations scattered throughout the festival grounds. Look out for the Pavilions Arms - a secret bar if you find it! Decorated like a pub, complete with a wooden interior, dart board, and a bar area. It also has a full DJ setup, including CDJs, a mixer, and a sound system. The bar has limited capacity, adding to the intimate experience, and features secret sets from DJs, including Ewan McVicar himself.
• Seaside Vibes: Enjoy the stunning coastal backdrop of Ayr's Low Green as you dance the weekend away.
• New Breakthrough and Powerhouse tent with local programming seeing Ayrshire bands take to the stage. Watch out for Local Authority, The Marches, Seaside Sons and Pelikan Rogue.
Friday 2nd May: Ayr Beach Live
Kicking things off, Ayr Beach Live is an unmissable nostalgia-fuelled celebration, headlined by James and featuring Starsailor, VISTAS, and Swim School and rising Scottish and local talent across the day.
Saturday, 3rd May: Ewan McVicar & Pals
Saturday sees Pavilion Festival co-founder and international sensation Ewan McVicar take the reins for a day curated by him and his closest friends. Highlights include Ewan’s electrifying B2B sets with top-tier talent, joined by Annie Mac, Ben Hemsley, DJ Seinfield, Sally C, and more. For fans of underground sounds, the Sub Club Stage will host techno legend Robert Hood, Scottish trailblazers Optimo, and other top selectors.
Sunday, 4th May: STREETrave Takeover
Rounding off the weekend, Sunday brings a nostalgic STREETrave Takeover, headlined by Happy Mondays and featuring heritage dance acts alongside the awe-inspiring STREETrave Classical, celebrating 30+ years of dance music culture. Look out for. A Guy Called Gerald, Jeremy Healy, Danny Rampling, Altern-8, Phil Hartnoll (Orbital) and more.
Pavilion Festival remains Scotland’s most affordable festival, offering an unrivalled lineup at an unbeatable price. Travel made easy: Pavilion has teamed up with Happy Bus for direct transfers from key locations. Guests can also travel by Scotrail to Ayr Station, just a short walk from the festival gates.
Film fans, families and comic book enthusiasts are invited to rediscover the original big screen superhero team as a series of classic X-Men films return to the big screen at Vue this month.
READ MOREFamilies can take advantage of Loganair's new Kids Fly Fare-FREE offer, allowing children aged 11 and under to travel without paying an airfare.
READ MOREIRN-BRU XTRA has launched a custom milk float delivery service bringing limited-edition Nessie Nectar straight from the shores of Loch Ness to doors across the UK.
READ MOREScottish adults are being encouraged to learn to swim this summer to boost water safety skills for the whole family.
READ MOREDobbies’ Dunfermline store selected Crossgate Primary School to receive donations and support as part of Dobbies Community Gardens.
READ MOREA new documentary - now live on STV Player - tells the story of the Maclean Brothers and their self-confessed “piss poor” preparations the ocean adventure that lay ahead.
READ MOREAudiences are invited to travel the globe - both musically and visually - this May, as both David Attenborough and Eurovision head to the big screen at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORE2025 marks the next chapter in The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust’s legacy with the opening of a brand-new, world-class visitor centre with exhibition and retail experience.
READ MOREPavilion Festival has rounded off its biggest ever event with over 16,000 music fans enjoying three days of non-stop live music and feel good vibes on Ayr’s iconic Low Green.
READ MOREFor one day only, families can experience Moana, Paddington, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in immersive 4DX at all 34 Cineworld 4DX screens nationwide.
READ MORECelebration of the iconic late Beatle's life and music will be performed at 26 venues nationwide.
READ MOREThis June, Dobbies Garden Centres is presenting a brand-new way to celebrate Father’s Day, combining a hearty Sunday roast with a hands-on grow-your-own herb planting workshop.
READ MORENominations for the Blue Light Awards Scotland, recognising the courage, commitment and community spirit of our Blue Light Services, are now open.
READ MOREThe Urban Forestry Programme is supporting projects in urban areas to help more people experience the benefits of trees.
READ MOREOver 150 people from Dunfermline and beyond came out on Sunday 27th April to honour the memory of David Seath and to raise funds to support veterans across Scotland.
READ MORENewly-crowned Masters Tournament champion Rory McIlroy is set to compete for a second Genesis Scottish Open title!
READ MORETo celebrate 40 years of legendary music, Simply Red are releasing their concert film 'Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago' on the big screen.
READ MOREPavilion Festival 2025: From Big Top, live music to secret gigs - here's what to expect!
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair is back for its 36th year at Scone Palace, taking place 4th - 6th July 2025.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres are welcoming children across the UK to join in on the fun this May to uncover all there is to know about grass at its free Little Seedlings Club workshop.
READ MOREYoung people with ASN from Woodmill High School, Dunfermline and Glenwood High School in Glenrothes welcomed Kelly Adams a trustee of the RSM UK Foundation to share their achievements.
READ MOREBluey at the Cinema: Let's Play Chef Collection will be playing in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from Saturday 3rd May, just in time for the Early May Bank Holiday weekend.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is hosting a new hands-on planting and afternoon tea experience inspired by the RHS Chelsea Garden Show and Dobbies' 160-year heritage.
READ MOREThe Young Women’s Movement, Scotland’s national organisation for young women and girls’ leadership and rights, is seeking nominations for its tenth annual 30 Under 30 list.
READ MOREPaisley Food and Drink Festival returns on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April for its biggest event yet with an extended site and more vendors than ever before!
READ MOREBaern, an award-winning bakery and café based at Bowhouse, are offering a laid-back yet thoughtful seasonal Dinner Series on 19th, 26th April and 3rd May.
READ MOREThe National Trust for Scotland and the National Trust have teamed up to give an insight into the complexity of the Battle of Culloden in a pair of podcasts this April.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is hosting a very special FREE Grow How event in stores across the UK this May in partnership with Alzheimer's Research UK to mark Dementia Action Week.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres are celebrating National Children's Gardening Week by welcoming families along to its Children's Planting and Afternoon Tea experience on Saturday 31st May.
READ MOREScottish rock legends the Proclaimers have joined in the celebrations to mark the 160th anniversary of one of the country’s sight loss charities.
READ MORE