The rain failed to dampen festivalgoers’ spirits as a host of music stars ‘nearly’ took to a town stage over the weekend.
Around 1,700 people visited the Abbey Gardens for the two days of the NeaRly Festival, where attendees partied to tributes to the likes of Elvis, Dolly Parton, Coldplay and Bruno Mars.
The nods to the King and Dolly were new for this year’s event, as well as a Dua Lipa act.
Around 1,700 people attended the NeaRly Festival over the course of the weekend. Picture: Mecha MortonAround 1,700 people attended the NeaRly Festival over the course of the weekend. Picture: Mecha MortonThe Abbey Gardens hosted the NeaRly Festival for its ninth year. Picture: Mecha MortonDolly Parton took to the NeaRly Festival stage in Bury for the first time. Picture: Mecha Morton
Adam Coulton, one of the festival organisers, said: “Honestly, the efforts of people who came on the Saturday was incredible, a show of real British spirit shone through.
“People came and pulled on their ponchos; it was amazing they did come and embrace the weather. A massive heartfelt thanks.
“We’ve got an amazing following in Bury for our event and we’re so proud to hold it in the Gardens – it really was an amazing two days.”
Around 1,700 people attended the NeaRly Festival, in the Abbey Gardens, over the course of the weekend. Picture: Mecha MortonFesitvalgoers battled the conditions at the NeaRly festival, in the Abbey Gardens, at the weekend. Picture: Mecha MortonThe NeaRly Festival in Bury had a tribute to the King for the first time this year. Picture: Mecha MortonA Dolly Parton tribute appeared for the first time. Picture: Mecha MortonThe Claydon family at Bury’s NeaRly Festival. Picture: Mecha MortonThe Blakey and Edwards families at the NeaRly Festival. Picture: Mecha MortonSophia Miller, 9, with the NeaRly Festival’s ‘Dua Lipa’. Picture: Mecha Morton
The festival thankfully had a sunny Sunday, and Adam was full of praise for the acts which made their Bury debut this year while adding the standard on show from all the tributes ‘never ceases to amaze’.
The event will return to Bury next year for its 10th anniversary, with the sun on ‘pre-order’ Adam said.
“We will be here again next year which will mark 10 years. We’re already accumulating an absolutely monster lineup and we’ve increased the budget heavily.
Dee Leeandre, Hazel Grass, Laura Deeks, Jacqui Granger and Angie Elliott at the NeaRly Festival. Picture: Mecha MortonAround 1,700 people attended the NeaRly Festival, in the Abbey Gardens, over the course of the weekend. Picture: Mecha MortonElvis at the NeaRly Festival 2025. Picture: Mecha MortonAround 1,700 people attended the NeaRly Festival, in the Abbey Gardens, over the course of the weekend. Picture: Mecha MortonParents and kids danced along to the acts at the NeaRly Festival. Picture: Mecha MortonDefinitely Dolly appeared at the NeaRly Festival for the first time. Picture: Mecha MortonFestivalgoers danced the day away in the Abbey Gardens. Picture: Mecha MortonAround 1,700 people attended the NeaRly Festival, in the Abbey Gardens, over the course of the weekend. Picture: Mecha MortonAround 1,700 people attended the NeaRly Festival, in the Abbey Gardens, over the course of the weekend. Picture: Mecha MortonDefinitely Dolly with some of her fans at the NeaRly Festival, in the Abbey Gardens. Picture: Mecha MortonFun was had by all at the NeaRly Festival, in the Abbey Gardens. Picture: Mecha MortonDefinitely Dolly in the Abbey Gardens crowd at the NeaRly Festival. Picture: Mecha MortonDefinitely Dolly in the Abbey Gardens crowd at the NeaRly Festival. Picture: Mecha MortonElvis at the NeaRly Festival. Picture: Mecha MortonBury’s NeaRly Festival 2025 had an Elvis act for the first time. Picture: Mecha MortonElvis: A Musical Revolution at Bury’s NeaRly Festival 2025. Picture: Mecha MortonThe King ‘nearly’ took to the Bury stage for the first time this year. Picture: Mecha MortonAround 1,700 people attended the NeaRly Festival, in the Abbey Gardens, over the course of the weekend. Picture: Mecha MortonElvis in the Abbey Gardens at the NeaRly Festival. Picture: Mecha MortonThe NeaRly Festival became Heartbreak Hotel for the first time this year. Picture: Mecha MortonElvis at the NeaRly Festival. Picture: Mecha MortonElvis at the NeaRly Festival, in the Abbey Gardens, in Bury St Edmunds. Picture: Mecha Morton
“We’re going to be really going for it next year so we can come back to the Gardens and hopefully be back on track two days of sunshine.”
