Bluedot 2020 festival postponed until 2021

The annual science and music festival at Jodrell Bank Observatory will not run in 2020, say organisers.

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Published: April 17, 2020 at 8:20 am

The 2020 Bluedot science and music festival has been postponed until 2021, say organisers. The announcement makes Bluedot one of the latest events to be delayed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak and the lockdown measures imposed across Europe and beyond.

Bluedot 2021 will run 22-25 July and, say the organisers, all three of the planned 2020 headline music acts - Björk, Metronomy and Groove Armada - have already confirmed they will appear.

Plans are also ongoing to transfer this year's other music acts and science speakers to the 2021 programme.

“Our teams have been working with partners and authorities to assess the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the festival," the organisers said in a statement.

"Although Bluedot may still seem some time away, the virus and its associated effects are unlikely to ease for some months and it is important to us that any additional or unnecessary strain on medical services is avoided."

Jim Al-Khalili pictured during his talk at the Bluedot science and music festival, Jodrell Bank, 2019. Credit: Lucas Sinclair
Jim Al-Khalili pictured during his talk at the Bluedot science and music festival, Jodrell Bank, 2019. Credit: Lucas Sinclair

Those who have already bought tickets and paid for camping will have their spots automatically transferred to 2021, while those unable to attend next summer's event will get a refund, Bluedot organisers confirmed last night.

"Please be patient with refund requests as ticket outlets are naturally working through a higher than normal number of enquiries," they said.

"If you are able to keep hold of your ticket, we would ask that you do. As an independent festival, your support will allow us to navigate this difficult period."

The Bluedot festival takes place every year at Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire and runs over three nights with a range of music, comedy and science.

Speakers in previous years have included Jim Al-Khalili, Helen Sharman, Libby Jackson, Alice Roberts, Liz Bonin, Richard Dawkins, Chris Lintott, Dallas Campbell and Marcus Chown.

Find out more about the festival's postponement at the Bluedot website.

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