Already got a Glastonbury-shaped hole in your calendar for 2026? Worthy Farm might be taking a break next year, but never fear – there are plenty of other UK festivals on the horizon to scratch that itch.
In fact, the UK is home to a mighty impressive festival scene from North to South: be it the fairly-new TRNSMT festival in Glasgow, the long-standing Reading and Leeds or the coastal Boardmasters festival, held at Watergate Bay in Newquay, Cornwall.
And it doesn't stop at just (top-notch) music headliners, either – if food and wellness festivals are more your bag, you've got The Big Retreat in Pembrokeshire or the ever-popular Big Feastival in the Cotswolds. Basically, you're spoiled for choice.
From the acclaimed big-name dance festivals (Creamfields, Boomtown) to the one-day, multi-genre favourites (All Points East) via sustainability-driven galas (Shambala), these are the very best UK festivals 2026 has in store…
Mighty Hoopla
Best for: Camp classics and queer joy. First held in 2016 at a Butlins resort, Mighty Hoopla is all about celebrating the LGBTQ+ community – mainly hosting both contemporary and nostalgic pop acts as well as beloved drag stars. Performers and attendees call it ‘gay Christmas’, so that's all you need to know really. (Plus, the 2026 line-up is all kinds of excellent, with Lily Allen making her UK festival return to perform West End Girl.)
Line-up: Lily Allen, Scissor Sisters, Trixie Mattel
Date: 30-31 May 2026
Location: Brockwell Park, London
Tickets left? Yes.
Creamfields
Best for: Electronic music lovers, Creamfields is the one for you! Full to the brim with the best DJs playing epic tunes, this festival is often referred to as the 'biggest dance festival in the UK'. This year marks its 20th anniversary, so it'll be one to remember.
Line-up: Calvin Harris, Armend Van Helden, Swedish House Mafia and Disclosure are among the acts announced so far.
Date: 27-30 August 2026
Location: Creamfields, Daresbury Estate, Cheshire
Tickets left? Yes.
Reading and Leeds Festival
Best for: Reading and Leeds Festival is one of the most popular UK festivals out there, bringing back wild teenage memories of us jamming to incredible headline acts with our besties – particularly as the festival always falls on the weekend after GCSE results day. Back in the day, Reading and Leeds was a solely rock, alternative and indie affair, but now the festival brings together acts from across genres. This year's line-up is pretty epic.
Line-up: Charli XCX, Raye, Dave, Florence & The Machine. See the full line-up here.
Date: 22-24 August 2025
Location Richfield Avenue, Reading and Bramham Park, Leeds.
Tickets available? Yes.
From Charli XCX to Raye, is this the best lineup ever?
Shambala
Best for: If you're a music lover as well as a sustainability warrior, then Shambala might just be the ticket (literally). The festival has been meat, fish and dairy-milk-free since 2016 and focuses on 100 per cent renewable power. There are also opportunities to get involved in poetry, cabaret, debates etc.
Line-up: Bob Vylan, Goat, BCUC, Emma-Jean Thackray. See the full line-up here.
Date: 27-30 August 2026
Location: Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens, Northamptonshire
Tickets left? Yes.
All Points East
Best for: No need to dig out your tents for this one-day festival in London's Vicky Park – spread over a number of different dates – which saw Stormzy headline for 2023 and Raye appear in 2025. This year's line-up is looking stellar already, with more big names to be announced soon.
Line-up: Lorde, Tyler, the Creator, PinkPantheress.
Date: 22-23 August, 28-30 August 2026
Location: Victoria Park, London
Tickets left? Yes.
Latitude
Best for: Given Latitude's relaxed feel, it's great to attend with the family. As well as huge performances, there is a slew of other activities to do, including walking within the nearby woodland area and trying all the international dishes on offer. This year marks the festival's 20th anniversary, too, so expect an extra-special line-up.
Line-up: Teddy Swims, Lewis Capaldi, Self Esteem
Date: 23-26 July 2026
Location: Henham Park, Suffolk
Tickets left? Yes.
Wilderness
Best for: Wilderness truly does feel like the wilderness when you're tented up in stunning woodland within the Cornbury Park estate. This festival also boasts several alternative acts, such as comedians and authors. Oh, and there's plenty of good food – and luxury camping options should you feel like splurging.
Line-up: This year's line-up is yet to be announced – check here for updates.
Date: 30 July - 2 August 2026
Location: Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire
Tickets available? Yes.
Lovebox
Best for: Lovebox is back! The popular London weekend festival, which has been on a seven-year hiatus since the last Gunnersbury Park event was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, has relocated to Margate, Kent – so expect a sunny (hopefully) new era. Most details from the comeback are being kept schtum at the moment, but the line-up certainly looks promising.
Line-up: Rudimental, Groove Armada, Scissor Sisters, Friendly Fires
Date: 29th & 30th May 2026
Location: Dreamland, Margate
Tickets left? Yes.
Camp Bestival
Best for: Bestival is probably the UK's best-loved family festival, with plenty to keep everyone entertained. The line-up is yet to be announced, but last year's headliners included the Sugababes and Tom Jones.
Line-up: Yet to be announced – check here for updates.
Date: 30 July - 2 August 2026
Location: Lulworth Castle, Dorset
Tickets available? Yes.
Boardmasters
Best for: Each year, Boardmasters attracts a laidback crowd for its festival of surfing, music and much more set along Newquay's beautiful coast. Think of it as a music festival and beach holiday in one…
Line-up: Fatboy Slim, Kasabian, The Kooks, Loyle Carner
Date: 5-9 August 2026
Location: Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay, Newquay, Cornwall
Tickets available? Yes.
Boomtown Festival
Best for: Get lost in genres such as reggae, soul, disco and punk at Boomtown's famous Forest Parties before enjoying a good night of sleep at the nearby Campsite Villages. This multi-genre dance and roots event is loved by creatives and draws a fun boho crowd – immersed in the festival's famous narrative-driven city with theatrics around every corner. The theme for 2026? ‘Radical redesign’.
Line-up: Kneecap, Scissor Sisters, Madness, Skrillex. See the full line-up, so far, here.
Date: 6-10 August 2025
Location: Boomtown Festival, Temple Valley, Winchester
Tickets available? Yes.
Love Supreme
Best for: The best place you can be in 2026 to indulge in your love for jazz music. If that's not your thing, there's also plenty of reggae, R&B and soul music to keep you going, as well as wellbeing and yoga areas – and film screenings.
Line-up: Loyle Carner, Ezra Collective – more to be announced in 2026 here.
Date: 3-5 July 2025
Location: Glynde Place, East Sussex
Tickets available? Yes.
BST Hyde Park
Best for: BST Hyde Park is the place to see some of the world's biggest music acts every summer. The legendary headliners are always supported by rising stars – and the central London event is perfect for both seasoned festival goers and first-timers alike. Plus, it's a day festival – absolutely no camping required.
Line-up: 2026 headliners include Lewis Capaldi, Pitbull, Maroon 5, Mumford & Sons
Date: Weekends throughout June and July 2026
Location: Hyde Park, London
Tickets available? Yes.
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Best for: Culture vultures across the board. While boasting musical acts, it also premieres incredible documentaries such as Munroe Bergdorf's Love and Rage, as well as speakers and talks held all over London.
Line-up: Musical acts haven't yet been announced, but 2026 speakers include fashion activist Katherine Hamnett and Jamie Laing.
Date: 1-6 June 2026
Location: Various venues across London.
Tickets left? Yes.
Isle of Wight festival
Best for: Hop on a ferry over to the Isle of Wight for a weekend of music you won't forget in 2026. With laidback, positive vibes and a family-friendly feel, the Isle of Wight festival is known for drawing big name headliners as well as nostalgic acts that draw the crowds (this year, that's Five, Anastacia and Rick Astley to name a few). What a time to be alive.
Line-up: Lewis Capaldi, Calvin Harris, The Cure
Date: 18-21 June 2026
Location: Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight
Tickets left? Yes.
Victorious festival
Best for: Another great family-friendly option, Victorious has a huge kids' arena spanning 30,000 square metres – with all entertainment and activities are included in the ticket price. The Portsmouth-based festival always hosts big music acts, too, and offers day, weekend and camping tickets.
Line-up: Richard Ashcroft, The Black Keys, Kasabian
Date: 28-30 August 2026
Location: Southsea, Portsmouth
Tickets left? Yes.
Download
Best for: Arguably the UK's biggest rock festival, Download is known for booking big-name metal talent and bringing together like-minded fans across the genre. Prepare to enter the mosh pit.
Line-up: Limp Bizkit, Guns ‘N’ Roses, Linkin' Park
Date: 10-14 June 2026
Location: Donington Park, Derby
Tickets left? Yes.
TRNSMT
Best for: Big name mainstream acts. TRSNMT is one of the UK's newest festivals, bringing the crowds to Glasgow with past headliners including Radiohead, Stormzy and Stereophonics. It's a non-camping weekender, so you can come and go over the three days or buy a day ticket.
Line-up: Lewis Capaldi, CMAT, Wolf Alice, Kasabian
Date: 19-21 June 2026
Location: Glasgow Green, Glasgow
Tickets left? Yes.
Kendal Calling
Best for: If spending a few nights dancing amongst the rolling hills of the Lake District appeals (and it should), Kendal Calling is the one for you. With wholesome vibes and a diverse line-up (comedy, music and family-friendly activities all feature), it has an easy, welcoming atmosphere – with campsites split into zones for both all-nighters and early-nighters.
Line-up: Biffy Clyro, Wolf Alice, Two Door Cinema Club
Date: 30th July - 2nd August 2026
Location: Lowther Deer Park, Kendal
Tickets left? Yes.
Big Feastival
Best for: Foodies. Held on Blur bassist Alex James' farm in the Cotswolds, Big Feastival is known for bringing together Michelin-starred chefs and renowned street food sellers – seriously, you'll be spoiled for choice at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Each day of the weekend, there's a big name headliner as well as plenty of other acts from comedy to cooking demos.
Line-up: Basement Jaxx, The Streets, Bastille
Date: 28th - 30th August 2026
Location: Kingham, The Cotswolds
Tickets left? Yes, but selling fast.
The Big Retreat
Best for: Found in one of the most beautiful National Parks in Pembrokeshire, Wales, The Big Retreat is all about resetting – we're talking sunrise yoga, cold dips, nature walks and breathwork. If festivals leave you feeling frazzled, consider this the complete antidote.
Line-up: Craig Charles, Rebecca Ferguson, Jack Broadbent
Date: 22-25th May 2026
Location: Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire
Tickets left? Yes.
Forest Live
Best for: If day festivals like BST Hyde Park appeal, these outdoor gigs across the country offer a similar vibe within some of the UK's most picturesque locations. In partnership with Forestry England, Forest Live hosts live music events in natural woodland arenas such as Delamere Forest in Cheshire and Cannock Chase in Staffordshire – with the aim of funding the protection of our forests for years to come.
Line-up: Mcfly, Fatboy Slim, Billy Ocean, Becky Hill
Date: Various throughout June 2026
Location: Delamere Forest, Thetford Forest, Cannock Chase and Westonbirt Arboretum
Tickets left? Yes.
Camp Wildfire
Best for: An adults-only festival that's all about embracing your inner child. Described as a ‘summer camp for adults’, Camp Wildfire offers a packed itinerary of workshops by day and live music by night. Try your hand at pottery, aerial bungee, burlesque, self defence and more – you'll leave feeling inspired for sure.
Line-up: Yet to be announced.
Date: 28-31st August and 4-7th September 2026
Location: Sevenoaks, Kent
Tickets left? Yes – but selling fast!
Verve festival
Best for: Three days of movement, music and mindfulness. This is a wellness festival with a boutique feel – attracting a smaller, like-minded crowd. Highlights from 2025 include harp meditations, disco yoga flows and a ‘journalling for overthinkers’ session. Needed.
Line-up: Yet to be announced.
Date: 22-24th May 2026
Location: Larmer Tree Gardens, Salisbury
Tickets left? Yes.
