Review: Fatboy Slim’s “All Back to Minehead” Big Weekender

Written By Camilla Evans

A Joyful, Chaotic Winter Rave Escape!

In early November, while most people are settling in for winter, thousands of ravers descend on the Somerset coast for something entirely different: Fatboy Slim’s All Back to Minehead Big Weekender at Butlins. We went along this year — neon bikinis packed — to see what this colourful, chaotic, surprisingly wholesome festival-meets-holiday-park mashup is really like.

And honestly? It’s one of the most unique weekends you can have in the UK.

Meeting Norman at the Gates

We were incredibly lucky to rock up and be greeted at the gate by Norman Cook himself. This was the perfect moment to give him our custom-made All Back to Minehead festival jacket — jacket #26.

He was doing the job brilliantly: welcoming everyone, giving out info, pointing people in the right direction. Meanwhile we were so starstruck we nodded along, absorbed absolutely none of what he said, pulled over… and promptly got lost for an hour.

Wouldn’t change a thing.

A Whole Resort Turned Into a Three-Day Rave

Every November, Fatboy Slim takes over the entire Butlins Minehead resort, transforming it into a three-day party that sprawls across Centre Stage, Reds, the Skyline Pavilion and even, unbelievably, the swimming pool.

The line-up is seriously stacked. Highlights this year included:

  • Jodie Harsh, bringing high-camp club energy

  • Leftfield, delivering a huge, thundering live set

  • And yes — Simon Pegg DJing on Friday night

That blend of “Wait, is that who I think it is?” and “Wow, this is actually brilliant” is exactly what makes the weekend special.

Daytime: Butlins Meets Festival Culture

Unlike summer festivals where you drift around fields until evening, All Back to Minehead has a full daytime schedule packed with holiday-park charm and festival spirit.

Expect:

  • Yoga

  • Bango Bingo

  • Q&As with Norman

  • Creative workshops

  • And the legendary pool rave

You get a lovely sense of community — you keep seeing the same people around the site, then again later on the dancefloor.

The Pool Rave: Pure Ridiculous Joy

This is one of the weekend’s defining experiences.

We caught Woody Cook on Saturday and Fatboy Slim on Sunday, while dancing:

  • Through the wave machine

  • Along the lazy river

  • And down the flumes

It’s hard to describe the childlike joy of sliding into a crowd of ravers on beat. And for anyone nervous about the hygiene aspect: the pool was genuinely the cleanest, brightest space on site. The lighting, sound and lifeguard coordination were all spot on.

Bring your neon bikini. Trust us.

Accommodation: Cute Chalets, No Mud, All Comfort

With accommodation included in your ticket, you swap muddy tents for warm, cosy chalets shared with your team. You have space to get glammed up, a shower that isn’t freezing at 7am, and a proper bed waiting for you after dancing.

The walkways are carpeted or tarmacked — no slipping around fields in the dark. You might miss the artistic outdoor installations of summer festivals, but the convenience and comfort during a November weekender are unbeatable.

The Skyline Set: Fatboy Slim Unleashed

Saturday night’s main set in the Skyline Pavilion was the standout moment of the whole weekender.

Seeing Fatboy Slim in a venue he clearly had full creative control over was incredible. The AV production was spectacular — huge visuals, lasers, emotional crowd moments, and a curated journey that blended nostalgia with fresh, punchy energy.

It felt like a preview of what he’s taking into the Acid Ballroom tour:
funky basslines, surprising transitions, cheeky nods to classics, and a room absolutely buzzing.

If you can get a ticket to that tour, you should.

The Skyline venue itself deserves even more use — the acoustics, space and temperature made it the best place for a proper rave, with room for the visuals to scale up beautifully.

So… Should You Go?

In short: Yes. Completely. Go.

All Back to Minehead is a joyful, chaotic, neon-splashed winter rave escape.
It’s a weekend where you can:

  • Dance into the early hours (and usually end up at an afters in someone’s chalet)

  • Sleep in a warm bed, not a tent

  • Meet Norman at the front gate, at merch signings and during Q&A sessions

  • Slide down a flume into a DJ set

  • And party with an audience that’s friendly, colourful and very up for it

Fatboy Slim curates a weekend bursting with brilliant acts, unexpected moments and plenty to dance to.

Tickets for next year are already on sale, and honestly?
We can’t think of a single reason not to go.

Camilla Evans
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