Why wait for Friday when you can get a head start on the ultimate festival weekend? From 4pm - 8pm on Thursday 21st August, The Big Early, welcomes festival-goers to arrive ahead of the crowds, pitch up at their own pace, and settle in stress-free before CarFest kicks into full gear. With campsite doors open early, there’s plenty of time to find the perfect spot, soak up the relaxed pre-festival atmosphere, and enjoy an evening of live entertainment, games, and festival fun.

Once the tent is up and the weekend home is sorted, the real fun begins. The Big Early Stage is packed with entertainment, and leading the way are AJ & Curtis Pritchard, bringing an evening of family-friendly performances, sing-alongs, party games, and plenty of audience participation. Whether it's childhood classics, magic tricks, or high-energy fun, there’s something for every age to enjoy. The Basingstoke Gang Show follows with an electrifying mix of music, dance, and comedy as Scouts and Guides from across the region bring their high-energy stage show straight to CarFest. With a repertoire spanning decades of music, big laughs, and some seriously talented future stars, it's the perfect way to kick-start the weekend in style.

For those looking for hands-on fun, The Stay & Play Zone is packed with giant garden games, sports challenges, face painting, balloon modelling, and enough bubbles to turn the campsite into a festival wonderland.

As the sun begins to set, the Silent Disco takes over. With multiple DJ channels, glowing headphones, and a dance floor ready for action, it's the ultimate chance to let loose under the stars. Expect party anthems, indie bangers, and the kind of guilty-pleasure singalongs you’ll only admit to at a festival. The Silent Disco has become a Big Early tradition, and once the music starts, there’s no holding back—because what happens at The Big Early, stays at The Big Early!

And for those who prefer to unwind after the mission of setting up camp, there’s The BarFest Arms, hosted by Timothy Taylor’s. With a CarFest-themed pub quiz (prizes included!) and live entertainment at The Wigwam Stage, it’s the perfect place to kick back with a drink, enjoy some questionable singing, and soak up the pre-festival buzz.

With something for everyone, The Big Early is the ultimate way to start CarFest on a high, offering a relaxed, fun-filled evening before the main festival even begins. As one attendee put it, "Getting in early made the whole weekend so much better—we had the best spot, met loads of people, and the Silent Disco was unreal"

So, why wait? Arrive early, pitch up, and join us for an unforgettable evening at The Big Early!