Your guide to festivals across the south of England in 2026

Your guide to festivals across the south of England in 2026

BBC An enormous crowd of people stand in front of a large stage. Massive red signs either side of the stage read
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Stuart RustSouth of England

BBC An enormous crowd of people stand in front of a large stage. Massive red signs either side of the stage read 'Reading 25'. The sky is blue and largely cloudless and most of the people gathered are wearing summer clothes, with some wearing sunglasses and baseball caps. BBC

Huge crowds gathered for Reading Festival in 2025

Summer may still feel a long way off but event planning for the months ahead is already well under way.

From large-scale music festivals to small local favourites, organisers across the south of England have been revealing what is in store for 2026.

Here is a guide to the festivals happening near you in the year ahead.

Oxfordshire

A huge crowd of people can be seen from behind, many of them wearing hoods and hats to protect themselves from the rain. Beyond them is an enormous stage with colourfully dressed performers. A large and vibrantly coloured pink billboard on the stage reads "The Cuban Brothers'.

The Cuban Brothers perform at Big Feastival in 2024

Oxford Literary Festival, 21-29 March

If you are seeking something a touch more intellectual, one of the UK’s biggest literary gatherings returns to venues across central Oxford with talks, debates and readings from top authors and other public figures.

Confirmed highlights include historian Sir Simon Schama and Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson, among others.

Henley Festival, 8-10 July

A riverside celebration of music, performance, food and art on the Thames in Henley.

Visitors can expect a mix of live music, cabaret, theatre, fine dining and parties.

The full 2026 programme is still to be announced but last year’s headliners included Diana Ross, McFly and Rick Astley.

Truck Festival, 23-36 July

Dubbed “the UK’s most warped village fete”, The Maccabees, Two Door Cinema Club, The Wombats, CMAT and The Libertines will top the bill at this year’s festival at Hill Farm in Steventon.

Other acts announced include Kaiser Chiefs, Primal Scream and Rizzle Kicks.

Wilderness Festival, 30 July – 2 August

The festival returns to Cornbury Park, near Charlbury, after boasting Supergrass and Wet Leg as headliners last year.

This year’s line-up has not been revealed yet.

Fairport’s Cropredy Convention, 13-15 August

The event hosted by folk legends Fairport Convention comes towards the end of the festival season.

Traditionally, the band headlines the final night itself and this year is no exception.

Other acts on the bill include Soft Machine and Turin Brakes.

Big Feastival, 27-30 August

Blur bassist Alex James will once again play host to this annual celebration of music, food and drink in Kingham, West Oxfordshire.

This year’s headliners are Basement Jaxx, The Streets and Bastille.

Berkshire

Dom Dolla has his back to the camera and is case in shadow. He's wearing a T-shirt and cap. In front of him is a long desk with DJ decks and cameras on little tripods. Beyond the desk is a sea of people stretching out into the distance. Three jets of flame blast from the front of the stage as part of a pyrotechnic display.

Dom Dolla performing at Reading Festival 2024

Long Walk Live, 26-27 June

A brand new two–day music festival will debut in Windsor this year.

The inaugural event will be held on the Long Walk, featuring a backdrop of Windsor Castle.

Its first outing will be headlined by Chesney Hawkes and Boyzlife, a duo formed by Keith Duffy from Boyzone and Brian McFadden from Westlife.

Reading Festival, 27-30 August

One of the biggest festivals in the UK, it is no surprise it will return in 2026 with another impressive line-up.

Among the headliners are Charli XCX, Dave, Raye and Florence and the Machine, with countless other big names on the bill.

Wokingham Festival, 29-31 August

Founded as a family-friendly alternative to larger festivals, Wokingham has become a popular fixture at Cantley Park over the past 15 years.

This year’s acts are yet to be announced but 2025 included Selena and the Howlin Dogs, Third Lung and Bottle Kids.

Hampshire

Ben Mitchell/PA Wire A crowd of people in summery clothes look out towards an enormous battleship. On the battleship we can see what appears to be a long row of sailors stood to attention. In the foreground, a little girl in a yellow dress sits upon a man's shoulders while another man in a blue Hawaiian shirt raises his phone in the air to take a picture of the ship. Ben Mitchell/PA Wire

Festivalgoers at the Victorious Festival give a Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales a colourful send off

The Big Eat Festival, 23-25 May

A free-spirited celebration of street food, family fun and outdoor dining at Royal Victoria Country Park in Netley.

Southampton Summer Sessions, 12-27 June

A sprawling open-air event held each year in Guildhall Square.

This year’s boasts some music icons, including The Beach Boys, Paul Weller, Billy Ocean and Deacon Blue.

Wickham Festival, 30 July – 2 August

A beloved boutique festival that blends folk, rock and world music with comedy, food stalls, real ales and family entertainment across several stages.

The first night’s headliner is yet to be announced but The Saw Doctors, The Proclaimers and Curtis Stigers are confirmed.

Boomtown, 12-16 August

The immersive, theatrical music festival at Matterley Estate, near Winchester, describes itself as a “holiday to a parallel world”.

The event blends live music, performance art and storytelling across themed districts for a unique festival experience.

This year’s acts include Madness, Kneecap and Shaggy.

Victorious Festival, 28-30 August

Held on the Southsea seafront in Portsmouth, this popular annual event offers a diverse array of music, comedy, markets and other activities.

This year’s line-up is headed up by Richard Ashcroft, The Black Keys and Kasabian.

Mucky Weekender, 10-12 September

The event returns for its sixth year at Vicarage Farm, between Basingstoke and Winchester.

The 5,000-capacity gathering is set within 28 acres of private parkland across four stages.

Goldie will top the bill this year.

Isle of Wight

PA A large crowd of people can be seen from behind, looking upon a massive stage. At the top of the stage, in pink lettering, are the words "Isle of Wight Festival", on a colourful blue arch with rainbows and other bright patterns. On the stage we can just about make out the figure of Rod Stewart. The singer's image is amplified on large screens either side of the stage. He's wearing a white collared shirt under a shiny gold jacket and appears to be in good spirits. PA

Rod Stewart performing at the Isle of Wight Festival

Isle of Wight Festival, 18-21 June

One of the UK’s longest-running open-air music festivals returns to Seaclose Park with a star-studded 2026 lineup, with The Cure, Calvin Harris and Lewis Capaldi headlining across the weekend.

There will also be performances from Wet Leg, The Kooks and Teddy Swims.

The Isle of Wight Garlic Festival, 15-16 August

If music isn’t your thing but garlic is, this is most definitely the festival for you.

A flavour-packed celebration of garlic and local produce featuring food stalls, artisan markets, live music and family entertainment.

Dorset

Rachel Juarez-Carr/PA Wire A stage is surrounded by darkness. Only the first few rows of the crowd are illuminated. On stage, Idles are performing while more than a dozen spotlights shine in various different directions. Above the stage are the letters 'End of the Road' written in large capital letters.Rachel Juarez-Carr/PA Wire

Idles on stage at End of the Road Festival

Dorchester Beerex, 6-7 February

An annual celebration of beer and brass bands in Dorchester, perfect for craft beer enthusiasts and live music fans.

The 37th outing will take place at the Corn Exchange, with music to be confirmed.

Camp Bestival, 30 July – 2 August

A colourful family-friendly festival with big acts, children’s entertainment, comedy and more.

Just the one act has been confirmed for this year’s event – Fat Boy Slim and Friends.

But with last year headed by Sugababes, Basement Jaxx and Sir Tom Jones, there’s sure to be many big announcements to come.

End of the Road Festival, 3-6 September

An indie and alternative festival, set in Larmer Tree Gardens, with an eclectic lineup of artists, workshops, talks and intimate performances.

Pulp, CMAT and Canadian singer-songwriter Mac DeMarco will lead this year’s event.



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