search
favorite confirmation_number dehaze

Home Blog Guides

Festivals to Book in 2026 & 2027: UK & Ireland Tickets & Guide

Posted on Friday 15th May 2026 at 17:00

Bethan Boast

Written by
Bethan Boast

Festivals to Book in 2026 & 2027: UK & Ireland Live Music Guide

Festivals to Book in 2026 UK and Ireland Live Music Guide

Updated July 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 AND 2027
  • One-day, weekend and multi-day events
  • Outdoor concert series and summer shows
  • Tips on booking early and planning ahead

Best UK Festivals to Book in 2026

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

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

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

DOWN AT THE ABBEY 2026

Down At The Abbey artwork

When: Friday 11th - Saturday 12th September 2026 (Reading Abbey Ruins)

Set across two clash-free stages in the spectacular 900-year-old Reading Abbey Ruins, Down At The Abbey pairs a genre-spanning line-up with family-friendly activities, local food and drink, and one of the UK’s most distinctive festival settings.

Heading up the latest line-up announcement are Joshua Idehen, Antony Szmierek, Nubiyan Twist, Ibibio Sound Machine and more.

Expect a genre-spanning weekend of jazz, electronic, indie and experimental sounds in one of the UK’s most unique festival settings.

FIND DOWN AT THE ABBEY TICKETS

PLANET ROCKSTOCK 2026

Planet Rockstock artwork

When: Thursday 26th - Monday 30th November 2026 (Trecco Bay Holiday Park, Porthcawl)

Planet Rockstock combines a packed indoor festival bill with the communal feel of a seaside holiday park, making it one of the UK’s most distinctive winter rock weekends.

This year’s headliners are Magnum, Geoff Tate performing Queensrÿche’s ‘Operation: Mindcrime’ and Ricky Warwick and the Fighting Hearts, plus many more!

FIND PLANET ROCKSTOCK TICKETS

Outdoor Concert Series & One-Day Festivals in the UK & Ireland

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

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, the outdoor concert series 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

Standout Festivals announced for 2027

GIGANTIC ALL DAYER 2027

Gigantic All Dayer artwork

When: Saturday 1st May 2027 (The Prospect Building, Bristol)

After a successful two-year run in Bristol, the Gigantic All-Dayer returns.

Headlining the 2027 edition are London Britpop icons Gene, Ned's Atomic Dustbin, The Wedding Present, EMF, Stereo MC's, Miki Berenyi Trio and The Primitives, completing a line-up that brings together some of alternative music's most enduring names, alongside craft beer, street food and DJ sets.

FIND GIGANTIC ALL DAYER 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 and 2027

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 to get out of 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