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PREVIEW

2026 Festivals and Summer Concert Series

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Meadow Fest

1-3 May, Oxfordshire

A new festival at Meadow Fest promises to celebrate British spirit over a weekend filled with great music – so far, headliners include Cast, Reef, The Fratellis and Sleeper. It will also be a showcase for the best in British farming and provenance. meadow-fest.com

Wychwood Festival

29-31 May, Cheltenham Racecourse

Set in the stunning Cheltenham Racecourse, the Wychwood Festival offers up a mix of live performances, vibrant arts, and over 100 workshops and activities for all ages. Only one headliner announced so far, but it’s a goodie. wychwoodfestival.com


Download Festival

10-14 June, Donington Park, Leicestershire

It’s a US takeover and we’re here for it with headliners including Limp Bizkit, Guns N Roses and Linkin Park with plenty of other acts already booked, including Feeder, Mastadon and Behemoth. All playing over one memorable weekend at the spiritual home of rock: Donington. downloadfestival.co.uk

Hampton Court Palace Festival

From 10 June, Hampton Court, Richmond upon Thames

Confirmed acts performing in the Tudor courtyard of Henry VIII’s majestic palace so far include David Gray, Nile Rogers & Chic, Sophie Ellis Bextor and OMD with more to come. hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com

Blenheim Palace Festival 2026

27 June – 4 July

No longer host to Nocturne, Blenheim Palace are launching their own festival this year and kicking off in style with Pete Tong, Alanis Morissette, Teddy Swims, Katy Perry, Neil Young and Michael Bublé all headlining over six nights. blenheimpalacefestival.com

Henley Festival

8-12 July, Henley-on-Thames

Acts are yet to be revealed but get the date in your diary for the UK’s poshest festival. henley-festival.co.uk

Also Festival

10-12 July, Park Farm, Compton Verney, Warwickshire

The award-winning festival set within a stunning Capability Brown landscape is back for 2026. Explore, swim, relax, and let ideas run wild. also-festival.com

Party in the Paddock

17 and 18 July, Newbury Race Course

The first two acts for Newbury Racecourse’s popular Party in the Paddock (which takes place across July and August) have been announced: the legendary Gipsy Kings will be the Friday headliner and on the Saturday night Ronan Keating will be taking to the stage. Keep an eye out on social media for more announcements and at newburyracecourse.co.uk.newburyracecourse.co.uk

Truck Festival

23-26 July, Hill Farm, Oxford

‘The UK’s most warped village fete’, is back with a bang for 2026. Headline acts include Maccabees, CMAT, Two Door Cinema Club, and Truck favourites The Wombats, plus a host of other great names like The Libertines, Rizzle Kicks and Kaiser Chiefs, as well as Mr Motivator and the fabulous Oxford Symphony Orchestra. truckfestival.com

Fairport’s Cropredy Convention

13-15 August, Cropredy, Oxfordshire

Last year this popular weekender sold out early due to a decision to reduce the festival’s capacity, so book now to see acts including Soft Machine, Turin Breaks, Hayfield Dixie and Danny & The Champions of the World, plus Fairport alumnus, Richard Thompson with vocalist Zara Phillips and very familiar former colleagues, Simon Nicol, Dave Mattacks and Dave Pegg. fairportconvention.com

Rewind

15-17 August, Henley-on-Thames

The ultimate 80s weekender is back for 2026. Acts are yet to be revealed so dust off your shoulderpads and watch this space. south.rewindfestival.com

Reading Festival

27-30 August, Richfield Avenue, Reading

The lineup is already packed with megastars like Charli XCX, Chase & Status, Dave, Florence & The Machine and Raye, and there are still more to come. Snap up your tickets now at readingfestival.com

Big Feastival

28-30 August, Kingham, Oxfordshire

Good food, good music, good times. This year’s headliners have been confirmed as Basement Jaxx, The Streets and closing the weekend on Alex James’ farm, the one and only Bastille bigfeastival.com

Carfest

28-30 August, Silverstone,

A new location for the much-loved Carfest, as it moves to Silverstone for three action-packed days of music, cars, track shows, food experiences, family entertainment and wellbeing. Headliners include Jessie J, Nile Rogers, and the Proclaimers as well as the man, the myth, the legend that is Rick Astley. carfest.org

Found

28-30 August, Claydon Estate, Buckinghamshire

The weekend of Americana, folk, blues and roots is returning for a second year at the glorious Claydon estate. foundfestival.uk

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