While Christmas trees are going up, savvy music fans are already planning their summer 2026 adventures as festival line-ups across the UK and Europe are being revealed at a rapid pace.
The absence of Glastonbury Festival next year has created unprecedented competition for tickets to other events, many of which have already announced spectacular world-class artist rosters.
Major UK Festival Highlights
This festival season sees a remarkable array of talent touring, including The Cure, Florence & the Machine, Gorillaz, Lewis Capaldi, Teddy Swims, Foo Fighters and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. In a particularly exciting development, Lily Allen will perform a UK exclusive at a London festival.
Whether you're planning a domestic staycation or seeking sun-drenched European entertainment, here's your essential guide to the most anticipated music festivals of 2026.
Mighty Hoopla: London's Pop Extravaganza
Taking over London's Brockwell Park on May 30 and 31, Mighty Hoopla promises exceptional vibes that compete with the nation's best festivals. The Saturday features Lily Allen performing her revealing new album 'West End Girl' in a UK festival exclusive, supported by JLS, Jessie J, Horse Meat Disco and Todrick Hall.
Sunday headliners Scissor Sisters - fresh from their sensational Glastonbury performance that drew massive millennial crowds - top a bill including Perrie, Five, Alexandra Burke, and Trixie Mattel. While Saturday is completely sold out, Sunday tickets remain available starting from £69.50.
Isle of Wight Festival: A Stacked Line-Up
The Isle of Wight Festival from June 18 to 21 presents an incredibly deep roster featuring 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 KT Tunstall. This represents one of the most comprehensive collections of talent from the 90s, 00s and 2010s, with additional acts still to be announced. Weekend tickets start from £320.
BST Hyde Park: London's Summer Staple
BST Hyde Park has recently challenged Glastonbury with impressive bookings like Sabrina Carpenter and Bruce Springsteen. The 2026 initial headliners include Maroon 5, Pitbull, Garth Brooks, and Lewis Capaldi, with many more acts expected to be confirmed across multiple weekends in June and July 2026. Ticket prices vary and are available through AXS and Ticketmaster.
European Festival Adventures
Primavera Sound: Barcelona's Musical Feast
After an incredible 2025 line-up, Primavera Sound returns to Barcelona with diverse musical offerings from June 3-6. The weekend opens with Wet Leg, followed by Thursday performances from Doja Cat, Massive Attack, Bad Gyal, Mac DeMarco, Father John Misty and Overmondo.
Friday features The Cure headlining alongside Addison Rae, Skrillex, PinkPantheress, JADE and Rilo Kiley. The festival concludes on Saturday with The xx, Gorillaz, My Bloody Valentine, Peggy Gou, Little Simz, Big Theid, Dijon and Kneecap. Tickets start at £313.57 plus fees.
Mad Cool: Madrid's Indie Rock Paradise
Mad Cool Festival maintains its brilliant reputation for booking top indie rock artists from July 8-10 in Madrid. Wednesday headlines with Foo Fighters, Moby, The War on Drugs, and Wolf Alice, plus The Last Dinner Party, Hot Milk and Jehnny Beth.
Friday showcases Florence & The Machine, Lorde, Teddy Swims, Renee Rapp and CMAT, while Saturday features Twenty One Pilots, Kings of Leon, Pixies, and Hasley. The festival concludes with Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Pulp, The Black Crowes, David Syrne, The Vaccines and Kasabian. Tickets go on sale November 17.
Additional European Highlights
Rock Werchter in Belgium (July 1-5) boasts The Cure, Gorillaz, Mumford & Sons, Twenty One Pilots, and The xx, with tickets available November 21.
Nos Alive in Lisbon (July 9-11) features Twenty One Pilots, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Foo Fighters, War on Drugs, Wolf Alice, Florence & The Machine, Buraka Som Sistema, Lorde, Teddy Swims and Pixies. Tickets range from £74.23 for single days to £199 for the weekend.
Way Out West in Gothenburg, Sweden (August 13-15) presents The Cure, Gorillaz, Lorde, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, sombr, The xx, Dijon and Ravyn Lenae, with tickets from £273.92.
Don't Miss These Unique Festival Experiences
Boomtown (August 12-16) focuses on vibrant colours, stunning visuals and pure fun, complemented by artists including Kneecap, Scissor Sisters, Madness, Skrillex, Four Tet, Shaggy, Faithless, Vengaboys, Shy FX and Floating Points. Weekend tickets start at £295.
With Glastonbury's temporary departure creating opportunities for other festivals to shine, 2026 promises to be an extraordinary year for music lovers seeking both UK and European festival experiences.
