Your guide to the UK’s music festival season for summer 2026
Your guide to the UK’s music festival season for summer 2026
As the UK experiences a wave of sunny weather this week, the vibrant summer festival scene is already in full swing. While Glastonbury takes a break this year, fans of live music have more than enough options to choose from. A variety of established events and emerging festivals promise unforgettable experiences, catering to diverse musical preferences.
Headliners and Line-ups
From 27 to 30 August, the Reading and Leeds Festival returns with a strong British and Irish lineup. Charli XCX, Chase & Status, Dave, Florence + The Machine, Fontaines D.C., and Raye will dominate the main stages, while Leeds hosts a Thursday night exclusive by Kasabian. For those craving a coastal vibe, Boardmasters in Cornwall will showcase Fatboy Slim, Lily Allen, and The Kooks from 5 to 9 August.
Those seeking a festival without camping can opt for TRNSMT in Glasgow, which runs 19 to 21 June. The three-day event features CMAT, Wolf Alice, and Two Door Cinema Club. Meanwhile, BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend moves to Sunderland for 22-24 May, welcoming Olivia Dean, Zara Larsson, and Niall Horan.
For fans of indie rock, the Isle of Wight Festival from 18 to 21 June includes Lewis Capaldi, The Cure, Teddy Swims, and a special performance by Wet Leg. BST Hyde Park, spanning late June to early July, brings Maroon 5, Mumford & Sons, and Garth Brooks to central London. All Points East, set in late August, features Jorja Smith, Lorde, and Twenty One Pilots in Victoria Park.
New and Returning Events
This summer sees the debut of several fresh festivals, such as Roundhay in Leeds, which kicks off in July with Pitbull and Lewis Capaldi as headliners. Lovebox also makes a comeback after a seven-year gap, relocating to Margate with a dance-focused lineup on 29 and 30 May.
Emerging festival series like Labyrinth on the Thames, hosted at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, will draw attention with acts like Dom Dolla, Peggy Gou, and Michael Bibi. State Fayre, a new venture for rock, country, and folk enthusiasts, will also debut this year.
Genre-Specific Highlights
Rock and alternative music lovers can look forward to Download Festival in the East Midlands, featuring Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses, and Linkin Park from 12 to 14 June. In the Lake District, Kendal Calling offers an indie-centric weekend with Biffy Clyro, Wolf Alice, and The Libertines between 30 July and 2 August.
Dance music fans are in for a treat, as Creamfields in Cheshire hosts Swedish House Mafia, Martin Garrix, and Armin van Buuren from 27 to 30 August. Parklife in Manchester, running 20 to 21 June, features Calvin Harris, Skepta, and Sammy Virji, while Boomtown in Hampshire presents Skrillex, Four Tet, and Faithless from 12 to 16 August.
