About Us

Welcome to The Tent People, a social enterprise based in Hayfield, High Peak, founded in 2021 by Joss and Lynds. Our goal is to create vibrant community arts experiences that celebrate the great outdoors and the creative use of tents for events that are fun, educational, and inclusive.

Every year we host multiple free to attend pop up community events. Each event is meticulously curated to bring the community together in a safe and inclusive space, bring high quality arts and cultural experiences to rural areas, make the arts more accessible and be a platform for emerging talent. 

Alongside our free to attend events, we host one main ticketed event every year: Festival Sessions. Located just off the Sett Valley Trail in Hayfield, our main site hosts the annual Festival Sessions. This huge and celebratory community festival features dancing, music, art, and wellbeing activities, aimed at bringing people together from various backgrounds. 

At The Tent People, we’re focused on providing high-quality, accessible, and diverse events. We aim to have a positive impact on local communities by employing local people, supporting the local supply chain, and being guided by a community-led steering group.

Our mission is to drive inclusion and community cohesion in rural areas through arts and cultural events. 

Our objectives include:

- Making artistic, cultural, and creative activities accessible to everyone.

- Contributing to the local economy and providing opportunities for local people.

As a social enterprise, we prioritise community profit, organising accessible and (mostly) free events that showcase a wide range of artists and performers.

The Tent People on Tour Programme is part funded by Arts Council England and the National Lottery.