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Festivals to Book in 2026: UK & Ireland Live Music Guide

Posted on Friday 15th May 2026 at 17:00

Bethan Boast

Written by
Bethan Boast

Festivals to Book in 2026: UK & Ireland Live Music Guide

Festivals to Book in 2026 UK and Ireland Live Music Guide

Updated May 2026. Festival season is calling. From huge weekend camping festivals to one-day outdoor shows and castle concert series, 2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for live music across the UK and Ireland.

Whether you’re planning a full summer of festivals or just looking for a standout day out, we’ve rounded up some of the biggest events on sale now — including rock, indie, pop, folk, jazz, family festivals and more.

In this guide, you’ll find:

  • The biggest UK & Ireland festivals in 2026
  • One-day, weekend and multi-day events
  • Outdoor concert series and summer shows
  • Tips on booking early and planning ahead

Standout Festivals to Book in 2026

EDDFEST - IRON MAIDEN

EddFest artwork

When: Saturday 11th July 2026 (Knebworth Park, Stevenage)

Iron Maiden don’t do small.

EddFest lands at Knebworth Park as a full-scale 50th-anniversary celebration, a fan-built weekend of themed zones, immersive experiences and a stacked supporting bill featuring The Hu, The Darkness, Airbourne, and The Almighty.

All leading up to Maiden’s Run For Your Lives headline set.

With camping options and early Friday access to the Infinite Dreams Museum experience, this is, without a doubt, one of 2026’s biggest rock events.

FIND EDDFEST TICKETS

BELLADRUM FESTIVAL 2026

Belladrum artwork

When: Thursday 30th July - Saturday 1st August 2026 (Belladrum Estate, Inverness)

Belladrum Festival is a much-loved music and arts festival held each summer on the scenic Belladrum Estate near Inverness.

Spanning multiple stages, Belladrum showcases an eclectic mix of genres, from indie rock and folk to electronic and traditional Scottish music, bringing together major international acts and rising local talent. The 2026 line-up features headline acts including James, The Human League, Callum Beattie, Rizzle Kicks and many more.

FIND BELLADRUM FESTIVAL TICKETS

LOVE SUPREME JAZZ FESTIVAL

Love Supreme artwork

When: Friday 3rd July - Sunday 5th July 2026 (Glynde Place, East Sussex)

Love Supreme is a multi-award-winning jazz and soul festival, known for its welcoming, inclusive atmosphere and strong sense of community.

The line-up spans jazz, hip-hop, soul and R&B, with the 2026 edition headlined by Loyle Carner, Ezra Collective and De La Soul, alongside a packed programme of established and emerging artists and late-night performances. 

FIND LOVE SUPREME TICKETS

NEIGHBOURHOOD WEEKENDER 2026

Neighbourhood Weekender artwork

When: Saturday 23rd - Sunday 24th May 2026 (Victoria Park, Warrington)

Neighbourhood Weekender brings together a standout weekend of live music across three stages, alongside a curated mix of local food traders and festival favourites.

Richard Ashcroft and Blossoms are set to headline, with Kaiser Chiefs, The K's, DMAs and more joining a line-up packed with indie and alternative highlights.

FIND NEIGHBOURHOOD WEEKENDER TICKETS

LATITUDE FESTIVAL 2026

Latitude Festival artwork

When: Thursday 23rd - Sunday 26th July 2026 (Henham Park, Southwold)

Latitude Festival is a celebrated music and arts event set in the picturesque grounds of Henham Park, Suffolk. Taking place over four days each July, the festival blends live music with comedy, theatre, poetry, literature and wellness.

2026 marks Latitude’s 20th anniversary, with a special edition line-up spanning multiple genres. Headliners include David Byrne, Teddy Swims and Lewis Capaldi, alongside a broad mix of established names and emerging talent.

FIND LATITUDE FESTIVAL TICKETS

DOWNLOAD 2026

Download Festival artwork

When: Friday 12th - Sunday 14th June 2026 (Donington Park, Castle Donington)

Ticket update: Only Saturday day tickets remain.

Download Festival is the UK’s premier rock and metal festival, a rite of passage for heavy music fans and a cornerstone of the global festival circuit.

Saturday’s standouts include Guns N' Roses, Trivium, BabyMetal, Architects and more, delivering a heavyweight bill that spans generations of rock and metal fans.

FIND DOWNLOAD TICKETS

SHREWSBURY FOLK FESTIVAL 2026

Shrewsbury Folk Festival artwork

When: Thursday 27th - Monday 31st August 2026 (West Midlands Showground, Shrewsbury)

Shrewsbury Folk Festival blends a stellar line-up of folk, world music and Americana with slick production and a famously warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Leading the line-up are Talisk x Gardiner Brothers: Unleashed, Cara Dillon, Fantastic Negrito, Andy Fairweather Low and many more.

FIND SHREWSBURY FOLK FESTIVAL TICKETS

GLOWORM FESTIVAL 2026

Gloworm Festival artwork

When: Friday 7th - Sunday 9th August 2026 (Thoresby Park, Nottingham)

Gloworm is created by families, for families — designed so you can be a “yes” parent all weekend.

From dancing to live music and diving into interactive theatre, to making, exploring and playing together, Gloworm is built especially for young families. Every child enjoys the same access, the same magic and the freedom to explore safely at their own pace.

FIND GLOWORM FESTIVAL TICKETS

Outdoor Concert Series & One-Day Festivals

Alongside major festivals, 2026 also brings a packed calendar of outdoor concert series and one-day festival-style shows.

LIVE AT CHELSEA 2026

Live at Chelsea artwork

When: Wednesday 10th - Sunday 24th June 2026 (The Royal Hospital Chelsea, London)

Live at Chelsea is a refined open-air concert series, where music legends and pop icons take the stage across four summer nights. Blending heritage, atmosphere and standout live performances, it’s one of London’s most distinctive outdoor music events.

The 2026 line-up includes Sparks, Blue, The Proclaimers and more. 

FIND LIVE AT CHELSEA TICKETS

LET'S ROCK HUDDERSFIELD 2026

Let's Rock Huddersfield artwork

When: Saturday 30th May 2026 (Accu Stadium, Huddersfield)

Let’s Rock brings its iconic 80s festival to Huddersfield’s Accu Stadium for a full day of back-to-back hits from legendary artists.

The 2026 line-up includes Marc Almond, Matt Goss, Tony Hadley and more, with Let's Rock Southampton also confirmed for 2026.

FIND LET'S ROCK HUDDERSFIELD TICKETS

WIDER THAN PICTURES 2026

Wider than Pictures artwork

When: Thursday 27th - Sunday 30th August 2026 (National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin)

Now in its fourth year, Wider Than Pictures has quickly become a staple of Dublin’s summer calendar, bringing major live performances to one of the city’s most visually striking outdoor locations.

The 2026 line-up includes Faye Webster, berlioz and Super Furry Animals.

FIND WIDER THAN PICTURES TICKETS

Looking for even more upcoming festivals? Browse a wider selection of events below

Planning tip: If you’re deciding between day tickets and weekend passes, check set times, travel and accommodation early — nearby stays can sell out quickly around major festival weekends.

See more festivals in 2026

Browse the full festival list

More Weekend & Multi-Day Festivals in 2026

More One-Day Festivals in 2026

New Festival Dates Announced for 2027

Outdoor Concert Series

Looking beyond festivals? Discover outdoor concerts happening across the UK.

Browse outdoor concerts across the UK

Need to Know — Festivals in 2026

  • When do festival tickets usually sell out?
    Sell-out times vary by event, but major festivals and limited-capacity shows often see strong demand when tickets first go on sale. Booking early is usually the safest way to secure tickets.
  • How do festival line-ups typically roll out?
    Most festivals announce artists in stages, with headliners revealed first and more names added later. Line-ups often continue to build after tickets go on sale.
  • Should I book a one-day ticket or a weekend pass?
    One-day tickets are ideal if you want to see specific artists, while weekend passes offer the full festival experience. The best option depends on how many days you want to attend and what you want from the event.
  • What’s the difference between a festival and an outdoor concert series?
    Festivals usually run over multiple days with large line-ups and multiple stages. Outdoor concert series are typically single-day events featuring one headlining act and supporting artists.

 

READY TO PLAN YOUR FESTIVAL SUMMER?
Browse all upcoming festivals and outdoor shows across the UK and Ireland.

BROWSE UPCOMING FESTIVALS