World’s Biggest Disco Ball

The UK’s Bestival celebrated its reported expansion into North America and Europe by pulling a 55,000 crowd and breaking the world record for the biggest disco ball.

Photo: Jim Ross / Invision / AP Images

Guinness World Records adjudicator Mark McKinley gets to business measuring the giant disco ball at the UK’s Bestival, which took place Sept. 4-7 with acts including Chic featuring Nile Rodgers, Foals and Outkast.

The 11-year-old festival on the Isle Of Wight has been officially recognised by the Guinness Book Of World Records for creating a glitter ball that measured 10.33 metres (33.9 feet). The previous record was 9.98 metres (32.7 feet).

The Bestival ball was covered in 2,500 mirrored tiles and contained 350 cubic metres of air, which is apparently the equivalent of 1,000 beach balls.

“We love a challenge at Bestival, so when Nile Rodgers asked us to do something spectacular we knew it had to be beyond amazing,” said festival promoter and Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank. “We don’t do things by halves, we get immersive and take them head on, so we’re very proud to have cracked the world record.”

The acts helping Bestival close the UK’s major outdoor season Sept. 4-7 included Chic featuring Nile Rodgers, Foals, Outkast, Disclosure, London Grammar, and Basement Jaxx.