Forget about putting up Christmas trees, it’s time to plan summer as lineups for 2026 UK and Europe music festivals are already rolling in thick and fast.
With Glastonbury Festival taking a break in 2026, there’s never been more competition to grab tickets for other festivals which have already announced world-class lineups for next year.
This year The Cure, Florence & the Machine, Gorillaz, Lewis Capaldi, Teddy Swims, Foo Fighters and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds seem to be doing the festival circuit, with Lily Allen giving a UK exclusive to one lucky London festival.
Festivals are more popular than ever, with Duran Duran’s John Taylor 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 whether you’re hoping to return to your indie youth, party to Charli XCX or discover some new artists, there’s something out there for you.
Whether you’re looking for a UK staycation or a sun-soaked European break in Spain with your favourite artists, here’s Metro’s picks for the best festivals in 2026.
Victorious
Victorious has just made its first lineup announcement for 2026, and it’s looking like another epic weekend.
Fresh of a stint supporting his pals in Oasis, Richard Ashcroft will headline on the Friday night, followed by The Black Keys on the Saturday and Kasabian on the Sunday.
Each day has an afternoon special guest, with those spots being filled by artists who are sure to get you moving: Rudimental, Dizzee Rascal, and Sigrid.
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.
Mighty Hoopla
Even if the Mighty Hoopla lineup is pants (not the case!) the vibes elevate this festival to contend with some of the best in the country.
Held in London’s Brockwell Park on May 30 and 31, next year the one and only queen of 2025 Lily Allen will be performing her new tell-all album West End Girl, in a UK festival exclusive.
If that’s not enough of a reason to bag a Saturday ticket, old school boyband JLS will also be supporting, alongside Jessie J, Horse Meat Disco and Todrick Hall.
Meanwhile, the Scissor Sisters – who caused quite a stir at Glastonbury in June as hordes of millennials rushed to see their set – will be headlining the Sunday evening, with Perrie, Five, Alexandra Burke, and Trixie Mattel also performing.
While Saturday is sold out – likely caused by the popularity of West End Girl – there are still tickets available for Sunday here. Prices start at £69.50
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.
Next year, the lineup caters to a more varied musical palate, with Wet Leg opening the weekend on June 3, followed by Doja Cat, Massive Attack, Bad Gyal, Mac DeMarco, Father John Misty, Overmondo and others kicking off Thursday with a bang.
On Friday, June 5, The Cure are headlining, with Addison Rae representing the pop girlies, Skrillex on another stage, with PinkPantheress, JADE and Rilo Kiley also entertaining crowds.
On June 6, The xx, Gorillaz, My Bloody Valentine, Peggy Gou, Little Simz, Big Thief, Dijon and Kneecap are all on the bill to see out the weekend.
Primavera Sound Barcelona runs from Wednesday, June 3 to Sunday, June 7. Tickets range from €135 (£118) to €350 (£306).
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 next 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 so far.
Elsewhere on the lineup you’ll find pop queen Jade, rising star Sombr, breakout band Geese, and the unforgettable Skepta.
There’s plenty more to be announced with a tantilising censored name already displayed on the poster, we can’t wait to see what orgnaisers 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 – who appear to be busy next summer – 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 slots to look forward to on June 18 to 21.
Plus, there’s even more to be announced.
Isle of Wight Festival has often been in Glastonbury’s shadow, maybe next year will be their time to shine.
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 next year, BST’s Hyde Park day festival offering is pretty impressive.
Organisers have so far revealed headliners Mumford and Sons, Garth Brooks, Maroon 5, Lewis Capaldi, and Pitbull, with full artist lineups still to come.
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 next year, Open’er Festival held at the Gdynia-Kosakowo Airport in Poland could be the answer.
Founded 20 years ago, it’s gained a reputation 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 their 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 Bryne 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 looks 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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Mighty Hoopla
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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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Boomtown
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Rock Werchter
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Nos Alive
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Way Out West
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Sziget
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Reading and Leeds
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Truck
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Open'er
Rock Werchter
If you fancied a trip to Belgium anyway next year, 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 bagged itself a Chappell Roan this year, and 2026 is looking just as tempting with the initial lineup, which includes 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, with more to be announced for the Swedish festival, taking place in Gothenburg from August 13 to 15.
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).
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