Festival season has finally kicked off, bringing a heatwave with it, and while the rain has halted that summer feeling, the music is only just beginning.
With Glastonbury Festival taking a break in 2026, every other festival out there has stepped up its game.
This year, The Cure, Florence & the Machine, Gorillaz, Lewis Capaldi, and Foo Fighters all seem to be taking a run at the festival circuit, with Lily Allen also bringing West End Girl to the masses.
Festivals are more popular than ever, with Duran Duran’s John Taylor previously telling Metro he’s ‘never seen an appetite for live music in the UK like these last few years.’
But with more appetite comes more choice, so if you’re hoping to return to your indie youth, party to Charli XCX’s new music, or discover an emerging artist, there’s something out there for you.
From UK staycations to a sun-soaked European break with your favourite artists, here’s Metro’s picks for the best festivals in 2026.
Victorious
Victorious made a big announcement with Richard Ashcroft set to headline on the Friday night, fresh off a stint supporting his pals in Oasis.
That epic opener will be followed by guitar-heavy headliners The Black Keys on Saturday and Kasabian on Sunday.
Each day has an afternoon special guest, with those spots being filled by artists who are sure to get you moving, including the legendary Nile Rodgers and Chic.
The rest of the lineup is as eclectic as you’d expect too, with Scissors Sisters, The Vaccines and Vengaboys alongside The Lottery Winners, Kate Nash and Jessie J.
Victorious Festival runs from Friday, August 28 to Sunday, August 30. Tickets are on sale here with day passes from £76 and weekend tickets from £194.
Primavera Sound
Primavera bagged itself a ridiculous lineup for 2025, with the hottest pop trio in the world descending on Barcelona in Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX.
This year’s Barcelona edition – which features The Cure, The XX, and Doja Cat – is sold out and runs from Wednesday, June 3 to Sunday, June 7.
However, the often-overlooked Buenos Aires version is still up for grabs, with tickets on sale now and huge names on the lineup.
If you don’t want to admit when festival season is over, heading to Argentina for a weekend in November (28 and 29) might be the perfect summer closer.
Gorillaz and The Strokes are this year’s headliners with CMAT, FKA Twigs, Lily Allen (performing West End Girl) and even Cara Delevingne filling out the rest of the lineup.
Primavera Sound Buenos Aires runs from Saturday, November 28 to Sunday, November 29. Tickets range from ARS 185,000 (£96) to ARS 900,000,000 (£460).
Reading and Leeds
A far cry from their jazz roots, twin festivals Reading and Leeds have evolved their lineup for a more dance-forward sound this year.
There’s not a single indie guitar band headlining in 2026, with the four-day event announcing Charli XCX, Chase & Status, Dave, Florence and the Machine, Fontaines D.C. and Raye.
Elsewhere on the lineup, you’ll find pop queen Jade, breakout band Geese, Glastonbury fave Loyle Carner, and the unforgettable Skepta.
There’s still more to be announced and we can’t wait to see what organisers have in store.
Reading and Leeds Festivals run from Thursday, August 27 to Sunday, August 30, with tickets from £125 to £361.
Isle of Wight
Lewis Capaldi, Calvin Harris, The Cure, Teddy Swims, The Kooks, Tom Grennan, Wet Leg, Sex Pistols, The Last Dinner Party, Rick Astley, Five, Feeder, Shed Seven, Anastacia and even KT Tunstall – and breathe – are all heading to the Isle of Wight Festival in 2026.
It’s quite the stacked lineup from top to bottom, with name after name from the 90s, 00s and 2010s jumping out as exciting sets to look forward to.
The festival runs from June 18 to June 21, often living in Glastonbury’s shadow due to the close dates, so maybe this year will be its time to shine.
Plus, the ferry trip over makes it feel like you’re heading somewhere slightly more exciting than your average UK festival.
Tickets are available here and start from £320 – unless you’re a kid, in which case it’s under £25 per child.
BST Hyde Park
In recent years, BST Hyde Park’s lineups have given Glastonbury a run for their money, bagging the likes of Sabrina Carpenter and Bruce Springsteen for the London summer weekends.
If you’re not feeling that whole camping in a field vibe, BST’s Hyde Park day festival offering is pretty impressive.
Organisers have revealed the (all male) headliners Mumford and Sons, Garth Brooks, Maroon 5, Lewis Capaldi, Ateez, and Pitbull.
Mr Worldwide is planning to take on the Guinness World Record for most people wearing a bald cap at an event so make sure you’re prepared to ditch your hair for hte day.
Why wouldn’t you want to spend an afternoon wearing a suit and a bald cap in Hyde Park listening to Mr Worldwide sing his biggest hits?
BST Hyde Park concert series runs from Saturday, June 27 to Sunday, July 12, with prices varying depending on artist. You can purchase through AXS or Ticketmaster here.
Open’er
If you’re looking for something a little different, Open’er Festival held at the Gdynia-Kosakowo Airport in Poland, could be the answer.
Founded 20 years ago, it’s gained a reputation for big names and diverse genres – and 2026 is no different, with electronic rockers The XX, DJ Calvin Harris, US star Teddy Swims and legendary band The Cure.
The four-day festival is yet to reveal all its performers, but former Little Mix star Jade is set to headline the Tent Stage on the Saturday.
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Clipse, Halsey, Renee Rapp, Zara Larsson and icon David Byrne have all been announced so far – we weren’t kidding when we said it was diverse.
Open’er Festival runs from Wednesday, July 1 to Saturday, July 4, with tickets costing from 549zł (£113) to 1419zł (£293).
Mad Cool
Mad Cool has a brilliant track record of drafting in the best of indie rock artists, and 2026’s lineup is no different.
Headlining on Wednesday, July 8 is Foo Fighters, Moby, The War on Drugs, and Wolf Alice, with The Last Dinner Party, Hot Milk and Jehnny Beth also performing.
Lighting up the Madrid venue on Friday, July 9 will be Florence & The Machine, Lorde, Teddy Swims, Renee Rapp, CMAT, and others, while Twenty One Pilots, Kings of Leon, Pixies, and Hasley are headlining the Friday evening.
Wrapping up the festival is Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Pulp, The Black Crowes, David Syrne, The Vaccines, and a casual mention of Kasabian on the second line…
Tickets are on sale here with a four-day pass starting at €250 (£206).
Boomtown
Boomtown is all about the vibes, with colour, visuals and fun at the heart of the festival’s ethos.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt when there’s a decent lineup – and 2026 is providing just that.
Kneecap, Scissor Sisters, Madness, Skrillex, Four Tet, Shaggy, Faithless, Vengaboys, Shy FX, Floating Points, and others are all set to kick off the party from August 12 to 16.
Tickets start at £295 for the weekend and are on sale here.
Which 2026 festival are you most excited for?
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Victorious
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Primavera Sound
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Isle of Wight
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BST Hyde Park
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Mad Cool
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Boom Town
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Open’er
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Rock Werchter
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Way Out West
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Sziget
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Reading and Leeds
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Truck
Rock Werchter
If you fancied a trip to Belgium anyway, why not make it coincide with Rock Werchter Festival? With a history of attracting top artists from across the world, it’s a brilliant celebration of music – not just rock.
The lineup so far includes The Cure, Gorillaz, Mumford & Sons, Twenty One Pilots, and The xx, with more to be announced in due course.
So if you’re curious about what a European festival has to offer compared to a UK one, it’s time to book some flights for July 1 to 5, 2026.
Tickets are on sale here, starting at €140 (£122).
Nos Alive
Lisbon’s most popping music festival Nos Alive has bagged some familiar names for its July festival, taking place from July 9 to 11.
Twenty One Pilots and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are kicking things off on the Thursday, followed by Foo Fighters on Friday alongside War on Drugs and Wolf Alice.
Meanwhile, Florence & The Machine, who seem to be having a festival summer, will headline the Saturday alongside Buraka Som Sistema, Lorde, Teddy Swims and Pixies.
This lineup is only just the ‘beginning’, the festival promises.
Tickets are available here from £74.23 for a single day pass, to £199 for the full weekend.
Way Out West
Way Out West had headliner Chappell Roan this year, and 2026 is just as tempting, boasting some of the earliest bookings of the season.
The Cure are back again, alongside Gorillaz, Lorde, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, sombr, The xx, Dijon and Ravyn Lenae.
The Swedish festival, taking place in Gothenburg from August 13 to 15, is proving popular and is almost sold out already so grab your tickets while you can.
Tickets start from £273.92 and they are available here.
Truck
It wouldn’t be festival season without at least one lineup stacked to the rafters with indie guitar bands – this year it’s Truck Festival.
Hill Farm in Oxfordshire will host the Maccabees, Two Door Cinema Club, The Wombats, The Libertines, the Kaiser Chiefs and special guests The Vaccines.
CMAT will be the Thursday headliner with Rizzle Kicks also listed as a special guest. Meanwhile, elsewhere on the lineup you’ve got the likes of English Teacher, Circa Waves, and Primal Scream.
It’s a healthy mix of nostalgia and rising stars for what is likely to be some real crowd-pleasing and family-friendly sets.
Truck Festival runs from Thursday, July 23 to Sunday, July 26, with prices from £190 to £360.
Sziget
Budapest’s biggest party is back and potentially bigger than ever with huge names filling up this year’s lineup after last year’s success with Chappell Roan (again), Post Malone, Charli XCX and more.
Sziget provides another outing for the iconic Florence and the Machine, alongside Lewis Capaldi and Twenty One Pilots.
Biffy Clyro, Sombr, Ashnikko and Underground are also on the lineup, as well as Croatian Eurovision star Baby Lasagna, so it’s set to be a fun one.
Music usually starts around 3pm, giving you plenty of time to explore the circus tents (really!) or venture off the island into Budapest itself for a unique city break feel.
Sziget Festival runs from Tuesday, August 11 to Saturday, August 15, with prices ranging from €279 (£243) to €619 (£540).
Green Man
If you’re a fan of alternative guitar bands, then Green Man, hidden in the Welsh hills, could be right up your street.
The four-day festival in Bannau Brycheiniog (formerly known as the Brecon Beacons) will see Mogwai, Wilco, Four Tet and Wolf Alice headlining.
The rest of the lineup features Cat Power, Fcukers, The Beta Band, Westside Cowbody, Mannequin Pussy and Charlotte Church’s Pop Dungeon (whatever that is – we’re in).
Green Man also features comedy sets, film screenings as well as science and literature stages. There’s a cabaret here too!
Green Man runs from Thursday, August 21 to Sunday, August 23, with resale tickets available through Tixel.
State Fayre
Bringing a country rock vibe to Hylands Park in Chelmsford, State Fayre boasts Kings of Leon, The Lumineers and Alanis Morissette headlining the inaugural festival.
Announced last year, the festival also has a foodie focus so perfect if you’re a fan of good music and a BBQ.
The lineup also features Skunk Anansie, Kingfishr, Razorlight, Counting Crows, KT Tunstall and Orville Peck.
State Fayre runs from Friday, June 26 to Sunday, June 28, with prices starting from £270.
Womad
‘A festival built on discovery not just line ups’ is the promise Womad makes as you head to their website.
As an alternative to your mainstream big-name lineups, this Netson Park, Wiltshire festival is focused on smaller artists, free workshops and exotic food.
There are some recognisable names here for music lovers, such as Mercury Prize nominee Emma Jean-Thackray and BBC Sound Of’s Greentea Peng.
The whole point is that you won’t know everyone – or even anyone – performing so you can dive in and explore.
Womad runs from Thursday, July 23 to Sunday, July 26, with prices starting at £250.
A version of this article was first published on November 28, 2025.
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