There’s always a place for the majors, where we can see the Drakes and Arctic Monkeys of this world perform before a sea of thousands. But sometimes, we need something more intimate, away from the big brand partnerships and warm 4% beer.
Here, we pick a selection of some of the best independent festivals you should be heading to in 2026.
Show of Hands
Festival: Show of Hands
Location: Bruton, Somerset
Dates: 22-24 May 2026
Acts: Submotion Orchestra, General Levy ft. TC & The Groove Family, Lady Wray and more.
New for 2026 comes Show of Hands, a crowdfunded, 2,500 capacity festival where jazz, soul and global sounds unite alongside hot air balloon rides across a 300-acre site. With community at the very core of what they do, Show of Hands will host exclusive performances and DJs in the heart of Somerset.
Between the Trees
Festival: Between the Trees
Location: Candleston Woods, South Wales
Dates: 27-30 August
Acts: Valtos, Seafret, Skerryvore,
Nestled amidst the gorgeous woodlands of Candleston Woods, Wales, is where you’ll find Between the Trees, a festival that brings together banging music with a spirit for adventure. Celebrating traditional musics and culture from across the UK, Between the Trees is an intimate gathering for those who cherish nature and exploration (and bagpipes too).
Shambala
Festival: Shambala
Location: Northamptonshire, East Midlands
Dates: 27-30 August
Acts: Bob Vylan, GOAT, Hollie Cook, The Selector and more.
Frankly put, Shambala is a must for any festival-goer. From hosting a stacked line-up of live acts and DJs playing dub, roots reggae, rap, electronica, folk and every genre in-between to the hundreds of activities you can take part in outside of the main stages, Shambala is a festival that truly offers something for everyone.
Boomtown
Festival: Boomtown
Location: Hampshire, UK
Dates: 12-16 August
Acts: Kneecap, Scissor Sisters, Madness, Shaggy, Four Tet and more.
Boomtown isn’t quite a festival in a typical sense. It’s more like a pop up city, a place that only exists for four days of the year. Bringing with them a stellar line-up of acts and even pyrotechnics to light up London for an entire year, Boomtown is an experience that needs to be seen to be believed.
Field Maneuvers
Festival: Field Maneuvers
Location: Norfolk, UK
Dates: 21-23 August 2026
Acts: TBC
Want to stay up raving until the wee hours with a friendship group of 700 people? Then Field Maneuvers is the festival for you. In past years, this festival that punches far above its weight has welcomed the likes of Ben UFO, The Blessed Madonna, Altern8 and many more, all while keeping itself true to its rave roots.
Shrewsbury Folk Festival
Festival: Shrewsbury Folk Festival
Location: Shrewsbury, UK
Dates: 28-31 August 2026
Acts: Lucinda Williams, Talisk x Gardiner Brothers: Unleashed, The Seeger Sessions Revival, Goitse and more
Placing traditional folk and Americana on a pedestal, Shrewsbury Folk Festival brings artists from across the UK and North America to its riverside setting. The festival also encompasses a tent for ceilidhs dance, many arts and crafts, countryside walks and lots more to discover over its weekend.
We Out Here Festival
Festival: We Out Here Festival
Location: St Giles Park, Dorset
Dates: 20-23 August
Acts: Sampa the Great, Yukimi, Jazzanova, Scientist and more.
Curated by the dearly beloved British icon that is Gilles Peterson, We Out Here Festival is an IRL festival that represents Peterson’s deep knowledge and love for jazz, soul, latin and electronica. Set in the aptly named and beautiful surroundings of St Giles Park, Dorset, expect an eclectic mix of live bands, cutting-edge DJs and a healthy dose of funk.
Manchester Folk Festival
Festival: Manchester Folk Festival
Location: Manchester, UK
Dates: 19-21 March
Acts: Fairport Convention, Seth Lakeman, John Bramwell, Angeline Morrison and more.
Billed as a place to ‘slow down and chill with friends’, Manchester Folk Festival takes over the city’s Northern Quarter for three days of trad sounds and lots, LOTS of acoustic guitars. This year’s edition will feature Fairport Convention, Seth Lakeman, John Bramwell, The Magic Numbers and more.
HebCelt
Festival: HebCelt
Location: Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland
Dates: 15-18 July 2026
Acts: Heisk, Mànran, Peatbog Fairies, Dàna and more.
There are few places more blissful than Stornoway on Scotland’s Isle of Lewis, and there are few independent festivals quite like HebCelt. Celebrating the Gaelic language and culture through music, art and performance, this much-loved festival will be toasting its 30th birthday in style in 2026.
