Fancy Dress Fun at Belladrum
Every year, Belladrum picks a theme. This is a full-blown, site-wide, costume-inspiring, decoration-deciding, entertainment-shaping theme that weaves its way through the Bella plans and site for that year.
We've had intergalactic monsters during our sci-fi era. We've watched Bollywood colour take over the Highlands. We've had Hollywood royalty stroll the paths (remember when the legendary Peter Capaldi played Grassroots? Or when the brilliant Karen Gillan helped us announce the movies theme in 2025?! Incredible.)
And this year…
We're going absolutely WILD with our PARTY ANIMALS theme.
Wild, wacky, loud, chaotic, beautiful, gloriously over-the-top. This is your moment to unleash your inner creature and get creative.
Whether you're a glittering flamingo, a disco inspired 70s throwback, or something completely unhinged that only makes sense in your head... we are absolutely HERE for it. We genuinely cannot wait to see what wild(life) wonders you come up with.
And naturally, Party Animals is the inspiration for this year's Saturday Fancy Dress parade and Competition.
Fancy Dress Parade? What Parade?
For those who know, let's be honest, the fancy dress parade has become one of the most magical moments of the entire weekend.
We’re not kidding when we say that the theme announcement for each year is almost as hotly anticipated as our headliner announcements are. People are truly dedicated. As soon as the theme is announced, they’re set to work with fancy dress plans!
Every single year, thousands of you pour hours, creativity, love, and frankly impressive levels of craft into your costumes. Whether you're sewing from scratch at 2am, hunting charity shops for hidden gems (we recommend the Highland Hospice for a look!), or rallying the family into a coordinated group masterpiece, the effort always shows. And it doesn’t go unnoticed.
There is something truly bloomin’ lovely about walking the Belladrum site, looking around, and seeing thousands of people who all went all in for each other, for themselves, for the sheer joy of it.
Which is exactly why, ahead of 2026, we have some very exciting news to share.
We’re Moving!
No, not the entire festival site. Just the fancy dress competition!
The Venus Flytrap Tent has been our fancy dress home for years, and it holds a very special place in our hearts. But here's the thing… you've all been so spectacularly extra with your costumes that we've simply outgrown it.
The numbers have swelled, the costumes have grown (literally, in some cases – check out the Titanic from last year!), and frankly, this event deserves a stage worthy of the occasion.
So this year, we're taking the Fancy Dress Parade somewhere truly iconic: The Garden stage.
If you've been to Belladrum before, you already know. Garden Stage is at the heart of the festival. Open, atmospheric, beautifully set, and with a natural slope that makes it perfect for gathering, watching, cheering, and soaking it all in.
Whether you're parading in your finest Party Animal outfit or spectating from the side with a drink in hand, there is room for everyone.
This is going to be a proper spectacle. We're genuinely buzzing.
Say Hello to Boogie & Arlene.
An event this brilliant deserves hosts to match, don't you think?
Make it stand out
We are absolutely THRILLED to announce that the iconic duo Boogie & Arlene, beloved hosts of the award-winning Scottish breakfast show, Boogie in the Morning , will be taking the mic as the official’ as the official hosts of the 2026 Fancy Dress Competition.
Hurrah!
We've worked with the wonderful team at Bauer Media and MFR for many many years, and their energy, warmth and positivity make them the perfect fit for Belladrum's fancy dress parade.
They'll be up high scanning the crowd, calling out the incredible costumes, and making the whole thing feel like the proper ‘main event’ it absolutely is.
Can’t wait.
Fancy joining us?
Head to the Garden Stage on Saturday 1st August, arriving for 11:45am and ready to strut your stuff from 12pm.
Entrants will walk the perimeter of the field while our judges take a good long look at all your magnificent creations. Put your best hoof, paw, wing or disco ball forward.
This year we have 5 categories for winners:
DUO (2 PEOPLE)
Will win 2 x tickets to Belladrum 2027.
GROUP OR FAMILY (3+ PEOPLE)
Will win up to 4 x tickets to Belladrum 2027.
ADULT (1 PERSON)
Will win 2 x tickets to Belladrum 2027.
YOUTH (12-17 YEARS)
Will win 2 x tickets to Belladrum 2027 (once of which must be an adult ticket.)
Child (0-11 YEARS)
Will win 2 x tickets to Belladrum 2027 (once of which must be an adult ticket.)
Please see above for list of prizes up for grabs. Tickets for 2027, even before the 2026 has ended!
Winners will receive a certificate on the day, so hold onto it tight, it's your golden ticket. Full T&Cs apply (including our guardianship rules).
Tickets for Belladrum are on sale now.
Thursday 30th July - Saturday 1st August, right here in the heart of the Scottish Highlands.
22 years of fun, community, music, and of course, the most epic fancy dress parade ever!