Festivals
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The Best UK Festivals in August 2026
Lose the roof with our quickfire guide to the UK’s best festivals happening this month – from Crystal Palace to Creamfields and Leeds to LIDO
We don’t mean to pressure you, but August is the last month of ‘proper’ summer and that glorious golden orb in the sky ain’t going to stick around forever. Luckily, the month ahead is festival heaven – so here’s our pick of the best for ravers, rockers, foodies, families and everybody in-between.
Palace Bowl Presents
Photo by Katja Ogrin/Redferns
Where is it: Crystal Palace Bowl, London
When is it: 31 July–16 August 2026
Find tickets here
If you’re going to launch a brand-new London concert series, you should really do that with a bang. No problem: Palace Bowl lit the fuse on its eye-popping summer line-up last month with a rare set by Grace Jones, and keeps the legends coming through August with Tom Jones, Gary Numan, Bastille, Lenny Kravitz, Jimmy Eat World and more.
Heather On The Hill Festival
Photo by Kieran Frost/WireImage
Where is it: Royal Highland Showgrounds, Edinburgh
When is it: 22 August 2026
Find tickets here
In a world of headbanging tattooed maniacs, Heather On The Hill is as blissful and idyllic as the name suggests. Resist locking your kids in a creche and instead let them run free in Edinburgh’s Royal Highland Showgrounds, safe to explore the craft activities, makers market, live music and more. Just be prepared for the insistent tug on your trouser leg: “Mummy/Daddy, can we try the [insert name of delicious gourmet street food here]?”
The Long Road Festival
Where is it: Stanford Hall, Leicestershire
When is it: 27–30 August 2026
Find tickets here
Photo by Debbie Hickey/Getty Images
You are not in Nashville. That’s just the geographical reality. But the genius of The Long Road is that it brings the cream of the Americana scene to your doorstep. Park yourself in front of the main stage and by the end of the weekend you’ll have seen big-hitters including Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle and Maren Morris. Just be sure to bring along an obedient friend who’ll run to the Red Dog Saloon to fetch your BBQ ribs.
Pepsi MAX presents Creamfields 2026
Photo credit: Dave J Hogan / Getty
Where is it: Daresbury, Cheshire
When is it: 27–30 August 2026
Find tickets here
Back in 1998, the promoters behind Liverpool’s Cream had a brainwave: what if they lured the world’s greatest DJs – plus 70,000 clubbers each day – to a massive field in rural Cheshire? Three decades later, it’s fair to say they pulled it off, and Creamfields 2026 has more than your little dancing feet can handle, hosting Disclosure, Calvin Harris and an exclusive set from Swedish House Mafia.
Pepsi MAX presents Reading Festival
Image credit: Joseph Okpako / Getty
Where is it: Richfield Avenue, Reading
When is it: 27–30 August 2026
Find tickets here
Once a stronghold for rock pigs, Reading is now the most open-minded of the British fests, skewing youthful with a 2026 line-up that features Charli xcx, Chase & Status, Florence & The Machine, Fontaines D.C., Dave and RAYE (plus so many more awesome acts that just looking at the poster feels like being at the opticians). Come along, lose yourself, party til dawn and take Bank Holiday Monday to recover in a dark room.
Pepsi MAX presents Leeds Festival
Photo by James Klug/Getty Images
Where is it: Bramham Park, Leeds
When is it: 27–30 August 2026
Find tickets here
You should know how this works by now. All the acts that were playing at Reading now head up the motorway to Bramhall Park (and vice-versa) in a rock ‘n’ roll switcheroo. But wait! In addition to the headliners we mentioned – Charli xcx, Chase & Status, Florence & The Machine, Fontaines D.C., Dave and RAYE – there’s also an exclusive Thursday set from indie-rock/rave royalty Kasabian, letting you lord it over your southern brethren.
Trentham Live
Photo credit: Marcus Holdsworth
Where is it: Trentham Estate, Staffordshire
When is it: 20-23 August 2026
Find tickets here
The 725-acre Trentham Estate is already pretty much the most glorious spot on God’s green Earth (honestly, we’d visit just for the Monkey Forest). So imagine how awesome it’ll be when your favourite bands step onto the lakeside stage at sundown. With Madness, The Fratellis, Five and The Human League all waiting in the wings, choosing a day is clearly impossible, so make the smart move and book a four-day festival pass.
All Points East
Photo credit: Ben Awin
Where is it: Victoria Park, London
When is it: Various dates in August 2026
Find tickets here
How much culture can the human body handle? Find out this summer at Victoria Park. This 86-hectare space in Tower Hamlets will be buzzing all month, with mega-shows by Jorja Smith + TEMS (21), Lorde (22), Deftones (23), Tyler, The Creator (28/29) and Twenty One Pilots (30). But stick around. Victoria Park will also host In The NBHD: a programme of free activities spanning from bike maintenance workshops to the Strong Mums Club.
LIDO Festival powered by SumUp
Photo by Timothy Norris/Getty Images for Coachella
Where is it: Victoria Park, London
When is it: 31 August 2026
Find tickets here
Victoria Park’s famous Lido Field is massive – and frankly it needs to be, given the stars lined up for 31 August. You know you’re onto a good thing when even the support acts sound like headliners, and you’ll want to be down the front when Kelis’s Milkshake brings all the boys (and girls) to the yard. Then it’s the main event, as Chris Davids and Liam Ivory (aka Maribou State) step up to shower you with superior British electronica.
Header image credit: gilaxia
