RSS Press releases

The 2023 Youth Beatz Fringe Festival will run for 8 days between Wednesday 21 June and Thursday 29 June, with an event in each Ward area. The Fringe provides activities for young people and their families across our region, with the events themselves being designed by a group of young volunteers with a focus on providing opportunities that are entirely free and accessible geographically to communities across Dumfries and Galloway.

The Youth Beatz Fringe 2023 will offer a wide range of activities and events that are open to all to attend but also events that are specifically for young people with additional support needs, care experienced young people and young parents.

From silent discos to football nights, an outdoor movie night to a pool party, there is something for everyone being delivered in local communities across the region. All Fringe events are free for people to attend and this year as well as events aimed at young people aged 12–25, there are also sessions open to children and families to attend.

The Fringe is being kicked off in Dalbeattie at the Town Hall on Wednesday 21 June with a Summer Party featuring music, games and inflatables 6.30 to 8.30pm. This session is specifically for young people with additional support needs and disabilities.

On Thursday 22 May, we’ve got a family Quiz and Curry Night taking place at the Whithorn New Town Hall 6.30 to 8.30pm where there will be plenty of prizes to be won.

On Friday 23 June, there are events taking place across each locality in Dumfries and Galloway, starting with a family friendly rave in the afternoon at the Miners Hall in Kirkconnel 1 to 3pm, the Family Rave is an event for parents under the age of 25 and their children to enjoy. At night, there’s:

• Inflatable Fun event in Kelloholm at Hillview Leisure Centre 6.30 to 8.30pm.
• Football Night with freestyle demo’s, teqball + more in Dalbeattie at the High School MUGA 7 to 9pm.
• Pool Party at the Merrick Leisure Centre in Newton Stewart from 7 to 9pm.
• A Silent Disco in Annan at the Victoria Halls 7 to 9pm.

On Saturday 24 June, the Fringe is returning to the original home of Youth Beatz, Dock Park 12noon to 3pm. In partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Lifelong Learning Team, we are delighted to be a delivering Party in the Park – a community fun day open to all families, as part of Scottish Refugee Celebration Week. On Saturday evening, there are events taking place in Lochside at North West Community Campus MUGA 6 to 8pm, where there will be a Football Night, and Lockerbie Town Hall 7 to 9pm for a Silent Disco.

On Sunday 25 June, the Fringe heads over to the west and we are really excited to be hosting an Urban Adventure Afternoon 1 to 3pm at the brand-new skate park in Stranraer. This event will see outdoor adventure activities, music, inflatables and more delivered throughout the afternoon. On Sunday evening, the Urban Adventure continues in Castle Douglas from 7 to 9pm at Market Hill.

On Monday 26 June, we’ve got a blockbuster Outdoor Movie Night from 6.30 to 9pm at the Harbour in Kirkcudbright that families are welcome to attend. Keep an eye out on our social media where we’ll announce the film.

On Tuesday 27 June, the Fringe will be in Langholm for a night of Bubble Football 7 to 9pm at the 3G pitch. In case you’re wondering, bubble football sees players half-encased inside an inflated torus bubble, like a zorb – it’s an experience not to be missed by players or spectators!

The penultimate event for the Fringe takes place on Wednesday 28 June, 7 to 9pm in Locharbriggs at Auchencrieff Park for an Outdoor Silent Disco where we’ll be running competitions and challenges throughout the night and awarding prizes!

The Fringe Finale will take place Thursday 23 June at Park Farm Showfield in Dumfries, where the Youth Beatz Site will host the third annual gathering for care experienced young people from across the region, #WeCare 12noon to 8pm. The programme has been designed by young people and is a chance for young people to enjoy themselves, try new experiences and have their say. This is the only fringe event that requires registration in advance. If you would like to know more, please e-mail championsboard@dumgal.gov.uk or call 01387 260243.

Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee, Councillor Ian Blake said: “The Youth Beatz Fringe Festival allows us to take fun events to communities across our region. I am delighted to see that the Fringe will have an event in each Ward area of Dumfries and Galloway, ensuring that young people across the region are able to attend events in their local area, and at no cost to them and their families. I would like to thank all of the Volunteers who have been involved in the co-design and the upcoming delivery of the Youth Beatz Fringe Festival.”

Vice-Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee, Councillor Jackie McCamon said: “Our Council is delighted to see this action-packed programme that covers the length and breadth of Dumfries and Galloway for the Youth Beatz Fringe Festival. The range of activities that are available during the Fringe support our young people to try new things, broaden their horizons and fulfil their potential, enabling them to build their confidence and instilling a sense of civic pride.”

Throughout the Youth Beatz Fringe Festival there will be competitions and challenges for young people attending to win tickets for this year’s Youth Beatz – for which all tickets have been allocated - and Golden Tickets for ‘Meet and Greets’ with performers.

Chairperson of Dumfries and Galloway Youth Council Finlay Anderson said: “Youth Beatz Festival is so much more than the main event weekend and the Fringe is delivering a great programme across the region like never before. It is great to see such a broad range of events happening across Dumfries and Galloway!”

All events are FREE to attend and other than the final #WeCare event, there is no sign up required!

ENDS