Festivals
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UK festivals 2026: the ultimate guide
Air out your tent and get planning early with this regularly updated festival season guide for 2026
As we transition out of festival season and into the sticky floor half of the year for gigs, it’s never too early to start thinking about what next year holds. With Glastonbury out of the running due to its scheduled fallow year, there are all the more festivals to explore with a wide spectrum of line-ups and locations to get stuck into.
Updated regularly with new festival additions and line-up announcements, our ultimate 2026 UK festival guide has all the information you need to make sure you don’t miss out.
The Great Escape Festival 2026
When is it? 13 – 16 May
Where is it? Various venues, Brighton
Who’s playing? With around 500 artists playing venues across Brighton, The Great Escape is one big musical scavenger hunt where you can expect to see the buzziest acts in tiny venues before their career rockets. The first 50 artists have been announced, and include rising bands such as Girl Group, Tanzana and Saint Clair along with Irish producer-singer Annie-Dog, alternative singers Ashaine White and Dermot Henry, and Brit School alumni Ava Joe.
Don’t be surprised if you see: The next big thing.
Get tickets to The Great Escape Festival 2026
Neighbourhood Weekender 2026
When is it? 23 – 24 May
Where is it? Victoria Park, Warrington
Who’s playing? This year’s Neighbourhood Weekender line-up is packed with mainstream and emerging acts alike, as Richard Ashcroft, Kaiser Chiefs and Sophie Ellis-Bextor headlining the Saturday above Nxdia and The Cheap Thrills. Plus, catch Blossoms, Razorlight, Spice Girl Melanie C, and more on the Sunday line-up.
Don’t be surprised if you see: Glitter-covered festival goers enjoying the nostalgia of ‘Murder On The Dancefloor’.
Get tickets to Neighbourhood Weekender 2026
Slam Dunk Festival 2026: North and South
When is it? 23 – 24 May
Where is it? Hatfield Park, Hertfordshire and Temple Newsam, Leeds
Who’s playing? Slam Dunk’s 2026 line-up is a pop-punk, rock and ska line-up of dreams, with Good Charlotte, Sublime, Knocked Loose and Taking Back Sunday at the top of the bill. Plus, this is also your chance to see Goldfinger, Angel Du$t and more.
Don’t be surprised if you see: Two new side-by-side main stages dedicated to non-stop metalcore with zero set clashes, all to ring in the festival’s 20th anniversary.
Get tickets to Slam Dunk Festival 2026
Lovebox Festival 2026
When is it? 29 – 30 May
Where is it? Dreamland, Margate
Who’s playing? With festival’s long-awaited return after its unceremonious lockdown disappearance, the line-up honours the festival’s early days with RUDIM3NTAL, Groove Armada, Scissor Sisters, Friendly Fires, and 4am Kru all set to play. Plus, more acts to be announced.
Don’t be surprised if you see: Nostalgic fans with old Lovebox memorabilia ecstatic that the beloved festival is finally back.
Download 2026
When is it? 10 – 14 June
Where is it? Donington Park, Derby
Who’s playing? With mainstream pop-punk acts like Green Day and Fall Out Boy on the bill in recent years, and a history of the odd leftfield surprise (anyone remember Die Antwoord in 2019?), the line-up for 2026 is just as eclectic, loud and all-encompassing. Catch Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit and Guns N’ Roses, as well as some of metal’s biggest and brightest acts at Donington Park in 2026.
Don’t be surprised if you see: No judgement bonding between metalheads, moshers and misfits alike
Sky presents the Isle of Wight Festival 2026
When is it? 18 – 21 June
Where is it? Seaclose Park, Newport
Who’s playing? Catch major names such as Lewis Capaldi, Calvin Harris and The Cure topping a stacked bill above Teddy Swims, Tom Grennan, The Last Dinner Party, Luvcat and more – including local heroes Wet Leg.
Don’t be surprised if you see: A wonderfully surreal musical moment. In 2025 it was Jess Glynne performing ‘Hold My Hand’ after its adoption as a Jet2 jingle ended up spawning countless memes on TikTok. Naturally.
Get tickets to Sky presents the Isle of Wight Festival 2026
Rockstar Energy presents Parklife 2026
When is it? 20 – 21 June
Where is it? Heaton Park, Manchester
Who’s playing? Last year extended our love affair with Brat summer as Charli XCX topped the bill, but Parklife is known for its solid blend of rap, dance and R&B acts as well as big names in pop. We’re expecting rising and established DJs that will dominate summer 2026 as well as big names in mainstream pop and hip hop to continue the Manchester festival’s impressive legacy.
Don’t be surprised if you see: Rain vs ravers. Spoiler: ravers always prevail.
Get tickets to Rockstar Energy presents Parklife 2026
American Express Presents BST Hyde Park 2026
When is it? 27 June – 11 July
Where is it? Hyde Park, London
Who’s playing? Country fans will be thrilled to see Garth Brooks top the bill on 27 June for his first UK show since 1998 (!), while Lewis Capaldi will be playing his biggest UK festival headline show to date on 11 July. And for a day, you can party like its 2010 as Mr. Worldwide himself, Pitbull, and Kesha headline on 10 July.
Don’t be surprised if you see: A sea of cowboy hats heading towards the Piccadilly Line post-Garth.
Get tickets to American Express Presents BST Hyde Park 2026
Blackbird Festival 2026
When is it? 27 June
Where is it? Cardiff Castle, Cardiff
Who’s playing? One for the metalheads, the inaugural Blackbird festival will be launched and headlined by US rockers Alter Bridge, known for their impressive live shows. The band has handpicked the rest of the line-up with Welsh metal-reggae group Skindred also coming along, with Florence Black and Cardinal Black (we’re sensing a theme) completing the bill so far.
Don’t be surprised if you see: Black band tees as far as the eye can see.
Get tickets to Blackbird Festival 2026
TK Maxx Presents Lytham Festival 2026
When is it? 1 – 5 July
Where is it? Lytham Green, Lytham St. Anne’s
Who’s playing? After the triumphant 2025 line-up of Stevie Wonder, Simple Minds, Texas and JT himself, this year’s line-up includes a soulful R&B Wednesday with Teddy Swims, Lauren Spencer Smith and Jordan Rakei; the incomparable Pet Shop Boys headlining the Saturday; and high-octane 2000s nostalgia with Pitbull and Lil Jon on Sunday.
Don’t be surprised if you see: A 19th century windmill – Lytham Green is a beauty spot-turned-festival come July.
Get tickets to TK Maxx Presents Lytham Festival 2026
Lost Minds 2026
When is it? 11 July
Where is it? Exhibition Park, Newcastle
Who’s playing? It’s the festival’s fifth anniversary this year, and Lost Minds are promising it will be like “nothing you have ever witnessed before.” Presumably that means last year’s headliner, German dance legends Scooter, are out and a fresh bunch of electronic dance music acts are in for the North East’s biggest dance festival. Pass us a whistle.
Don’t be surprised if you see: Greggs swapped for glowsticks.
Get tickets to Lost Minds 2026
Klarna presents Latitude Festival 2026
When is it? 23 – 26 July
Where is it? Henham Park, Suffolk
Who’s playing? Latitude 2026 will mark the festival’s 20th anniversary, so chances are they’ll want an especially tasty line-up. They’ve even reached out to festivalgoers themselves to tally up fans’ favourite artists, comedians and voices to make sure it’s a year to remember. Last year saw Sting, Fatboy Slim, and Snow Patrol top the bill across the three days, and this year’s line-up is just as star-packed, with Lewis Capaldi, David Byrne and Teddy Swims all headlining in 2026.
Don’t be surprised if you see: Some of the best comedians in the biz. Latitude has built a name as one of the best festivals to see big names like Romesh Ranganathan, James Acaster and Rose Matafeo, as well as rising comedy stars like Sophie Duker. Oh, and flamenco dancers on a floating stage. You’ve not had too many ciders, it’s a Latitude thing…
Get tickets to Latitude Festival 2026
Audi presents Wilderness Festival 2026
When is it? 30 July – 2 August
Where is it? Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire
Who’s playing? No news on that just yet, but 2025’s line-up was a mixture of electronic mainstays Air and Basement Jaxx as well as playful provocateurs Wet Leg and party starters like Confidence Man and Annie Mac for when the sun went down.
Don’t be surprised if you see: People flip-flopping to the lakeside wild sauna in between performances.
Get tickets to Wilderness Festival 2026
Camp Bestival presented by Debenhams 2026
When is it? 30 July – 2 August
Where is it? Lulworth Castle, Dorset
Who’s playing? We’ll have to wait and see what 2026 has in store, but 2025’s line-up included Welsh legend Tom Jones as well as Sugababes, Basement Jaxx and Lightning Seeds. Camp Bestival is all about the kids as well, so Dick and Dom, Horrible Histories and science TikToker Big Manny were also in attendance.
Don’t be surprised if you see: The World’s Biggest Bouncy Castle – literally. It’s taller than the Great Wall of China and encapsulates the festival’s mischievous family-friendly spirit.
Get tickets to Camp Bestival 2026
Rockstar Energy presents Creamfields 2026
When is it? 27 – 30 August
Where is it? Daresbury Estate, Cheshire
Who’s playing? Creamfields is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026, so organisers are already pulling out all the stops to make it one to remember. They’ve promised “the biggest names in electronic music, next level production, and unforgettable moments”. They’ve announced Disclosure will headline Friday night of the festival for the landmark year, Calvin Harris and Underworld will headline on Saturday, with Sonny Fodera taking Sunday.
Don’t be surprised if you see: Fireworks and big production – Creamfields is all about the audio-visual experience.
Get tickets to Creamfields 2026
Pepsi MAX presents Reading & Leeds 2026
When is it? 28 – 30 August
Where is it? Richfield Ave, Reading / Bramham Park, Leeds
Who’s playing? In 2025, Chappell Roan, Hozier, Bring Me the Horizon and Travis Scott all graced the main stage, cementing Reading & Leeds’ move towards diversifying its line-up away from the pure rock days of yore in favour of big, contemporary names. 2026 ups the ante even more, with Fontaines D.C., Charli xcx and Skepta headlining the Friday; RAYE, Dave and sombr on Saturday; and Chase & Status, Florence + The Machine and ROLE MODEL on Sunday. Plus, more to be announced.
Don’t be surprised if you see: Post-exam groups enjoying their first festival away from home – it’s a rite of passage.
Get tickets to Reading & Leeds 2026
Header photo: Jack Kimber Photography Ltd
