Festivals are held in small woodlands and intimate spaces, but sometimes people want something a little bigger. That’s where the majors step in, that often act as someone’s first festival or a place to see that living legend outside of an arena. And as there’s no Glastonbury this year, the world’s biggest acts are heading outside of Somerset.
If you’re searching for big stage moments then here are some of the best major festivals you can head to this year.
Reading & Leeds Festival
Festival: Reading & Leeds Festival
Location: Reading and Leeds, UK
Dates: 27-30 August 2026
Acts: Charli XCX, Dave, Chase & Status, Raye, Skepta and more.
From major pop stars to the headliners of tomorrow, few festivals do it better than Reading & Leeds. For many the festival is a rite of passage, and this year the three-dayer will welcome the likes of Charli XCX, Dave, Chase & Status, Fontaines D.C., KNEECAP, Kettama and more.
Parklife Festival
Festival: Parklife Festival
Location: 20-21 June
Dates: Heaton Park, Manchester, UK
Acts: Calvin Harris, Skepta, Zara Larsson, Nia Archives and more.
Parklife has cemented itself as a beacon of the north for pop and dance music enthusiasts since its inception in 2010. And for its 2026 edition, the festival continues its legacy with a beats and bass heavy line-up that features Calvin Harris, Sammy Virji, Chris Stussy and many more.
AVA Belfast
Festival: AVA Belfast
Location: Belfast, N. Ireland
Dates: 29–30 May 2026
Acts: KNEECAP, Annie Mac, Honey Dijon, Interplanetary Criminal and more.
As one of Belfast’s most beloved festivals, AVA Belfast is a major festival that represents the underground sounds of house, techno and electronica. Taking place at the city’s iconic Titanic Slipways dockland, AVA Belfast’s 2026 edition will welcome KNEECAP, Kettama, ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U and more.
Latitude Festival
Festival: Latitude Festival
Location: Henham Park, Suffolk
Dates: 23-26 July 2026
Acts: David Byrne, Teddy Swims, Lewis Capaldi, Wet Leg and more.
Fusing a stellar musical line-up with art, theatre, dance, comedy, crafts and much more, Latitude Festival offers something for everyone. This year’s edition features a stacked line-up that will see David Byrne, Teddy Swims and Lewis Capaldi perform on the main stage with comedy provided by Sir Lenny Henry, Jack Dee and more.
Electric Picnic
Festival: Electric Picnic
Location: Stradbally Hall, Co. Laois, Ireland
Dates: 28-30 August 2026
Acts: Fontaines D.C., Gorillaz, CMAT, Wunderhorse, Role Model and more.
Billed as ‘Ireland’s largest gathering of music & arts’, Electric Picnic is an annual coming together of headline acts and emerging talent just an hours (ish) drive from Dublin. Its 2026 edition will welcome hometown heroes Fontaines D.C. and CMAT alongside Gorillaz, Skepta, Geese and more.
Creamfields
Festival: Creamfields
Location: Daresbury, Cheshire, UK
Dates: 27-30 August 2026
Acts: Disclosure, Duke Dumont, Paige Tomlinson and more.
Arguably the biggest dance music festival on the planet, Creamfields will once again take over Daresbury for a bank holiday weekend of rave. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the multi-stage festival will host Disclosure, Duke Dumont, Josh Baker, Winson and more.
State Fayre
Festival: State Fayre
Location: Chelmsford, Essex
Dates: 26-28 June 2026
Acts: Kings of Leon, The Lumineers, Orville Peck, Counting Crows and more.
2026 is a debut year for State Fayre, which brings the UK and US together through some of the best country and rock acts in the heart of Essex. But it’s not all about headline acts such as Kings of Leon and Alanis Morrissette. There’s also an area dedicated to some of the most banging BBQ food cooked (and smoked) by some of the best pitmasters in the world. If you’re enthusiastic about all things Americana and country culture then State Fayre is a must.
Terminal V
Festival: Terminal V
Location: Edinburgh, UK
Dates: 18-19 April 2026
Acts: 999999999, Ben Techy & Lucid, East End Dubs, Ben Hemsley and more.
In its own words, Terminal V is “driven by techno past, present and future.” And in a country so devoted to dance music as Scotland is, Terminal V has carved out for itself something truly unique. Featuring cutting-edge stage production across four stages, Terminal V simply is a must for any and all dance music enthusiasts.
Wireless Festival
Festival: Wireless Festival
Location: Finsbury Park, London, UK
Dates: 10-12 July 2026
Acts: TBC
Known as one of the UK’s premier destinations for hip-hop, rap, grime and dancehall, Wireless Festival brings some of the biggest global acts to each year. The line-up right now is still to be confirmed, but having hosted a residency from Drake in 2025 to bringing the likes of Cardi B, SZA, Doja Cat and more to London in its past years, expect something massive.
BST Hyde Park
Festival: BST Hyde Park
Location: Hyde Park, London
Dates: 27 June-12 July 2026
Acts: Maroon 5, One Republic, Lewis Capaldi, Pitbull and more.
BST Hyde Park is more of a residency than a dedicated festival. Still, with a line-up that features Garth Brooks, Mumford & Sons, Pitbull and Lewis Capaldi, BST Hyde Park rivals your typical major festival. Plus, if you prefer an Airbnb over an inflatable bed, then this city festival might be the one for you.
Download Festival
Festival: Download Festival
Location: Donington Park, UK
Dates: 10-14 June 2026
Acts: Limp Bizkit, Pendulum, Cypress Hill, Babymetal and more.
Ah, Download. The annual coming together for the UK’s biggest metalheads and some of the biggest names in rock, hardcore and punk. This year’s edition will see Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses and Linkin Park headline, while the likes of Babymetal, Pendulum, Cypress Hill and more will perform across the weekend for the DL faithful.
