Festival Round-Up May 2026

Welly boots at the ready, sunscreen generously applied, and questionable packed lunches assembled — the British festival season is properly, gloriously, unstoppably underway. Whether you were smelling roses at Chelsea this week or moshing at Neighbourhood Weekender last weekend, there's barely a moment to catch your breath. Here's everything you need to know about what just happened, what's happening right now, and what's coming up fast.

JUST WRAPPED UP

The Glorious Weekend That Was

🎸Neighbourhood Weekender22–24 MAY ·

FINISHED

📍 Victoria Park, Warrington

If the Bank Holiday weekend felt a little too good this year, this is probably why. Warrington's beloved non-camping festival absolutely delivered, with Richard Ashcroftheadlining Saturday and Blossoms closing the show on Sunday. The Big Top was reportedly in danger of collapsing — purely from the chaos of The Fratellis closing with "Chelsea Dagger." Factor 30 was applied liberally, M62 traffic was endured heroically, and wristband tan lines are now fully committed for the summer. A proper, joyful way to kick off festival season.

🌸RHS Chelsea Flower Show19–23 MAY ·

FINISHING THIS WEEKEND

📍 Royal Hospital Chelsea, London

The 113th edition of the world's most famous flower show ran all week at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, with King Charles and Queen Camilla touring the gardens on press day — fitting for a show that's always had a certain royal flair. This year's theme centred on biodiversity and reclaimed materials: Chelsea veteran Tom Stuart-Smith reimagined a garden for Tate Britain using recycled paving, while Arit Andersoncreated a deeply moving sensory sanctuary for Parkinson's UK. Around 145,000 visitorsare expected across the five days. Garden envy levels: critical.

🌿The Big Retreat Festival22–26 MAY ·

JUST FINISHED

📍 Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Wales

Over 300 feel-good experiences packed into the stunning Pembrokeshire coast — yoga, bushcraft workshops, wild swimming, bug hunts, water slides, immersive storytelling and puppet shows. The kind of festival that sends you home actually refreshed, which is frankly a bit suspicious but very welcome. Families especially loved it.

🎪Lovebox Presented by Dreamland29–30 MAY ·

JUST FINISHED

📍 Margate, Kent

After a seven-year hiatus, Lovebox made its triumphant return — this time relocating from London to the seaside town of Margate for a fresh start with serious vintage energy. Rudimental, Soul II Soul, Jayda G and Scissor Sisters were among the acts bringing the legendary Lovebox spirit back to life. Margate has been on a cultural roll lately and this weekend just cemented its status as one of the coolest spots in the UK right now.

🍗City Splash – Caribbean & African Music Festival25 MAY ·

JUST FINISHED

📍 Brockwell Park, London

Billed as the largest one-day Caribbean and African music festival in the world, City Splash served up an extraordinary lineup of reggae, dancehall, afrobeats and amapiano, fuelled by more than 60 Black-owned food traders. If you weren't there shaking your hips to Beres Hammond and the Congos, you genuinely missed out. Start planning for next year now.

HAPPENING NOW

Live Right This Moment

🏳️‍🌈Mighty Hoopla30–31 MAY ·

TODAY & TOMORROW

📍 Brockwell Park, London

It's happening right now as you read this. Brockwell Park is absolutely buzzing with pop bangers and fabulous energy as Jessie J, Lily Allen, JLS, Scissor Sisters, Estelleand Cascada take to the stages. As one of the UK's most joyful LGBTQ+ festivals, Mighty Hoopla is essentially a love letter to pop music and community — drag performances, queer club collectives running stages, and an atmosphere that's infectious in the best possible way. If you're anywhere near South London today: go.

🍺Fyne Fest29–31 MAY · THIS WEEKEND

📍 Fyne Ales Brewery Estate, Argyll, Scotland

A gloriously chilled three-day celebration happening at the Fyne Ales brewery estate in the Scottish Highlands, combining hundreds of craft beers with 40 live bands in genuinely stunning natural surroundings. It's the kind of festival that makes you feel like you've discovered a well-kept secret — even though everyone who's been absolutely raves about it. Family-friendly too, which is impressive given the beer focus.

🍔Pub in the Park – Gunnersbury Park30 MAY – 1 JUNE ·

THIS WEEKEND

📍 Gunnersbury Park, London

Tom Kerridge's wildly popular touring gastropub festival is in town this weekend, with some of the UK's best pub kitchens setting up stalls alongside live music and family activities. Think incredible food, proper drinks, and that rare festival combination of genuine culinary quality and a great time. It tours multiple locations all summer, but this London stop is the one to catch right now.

COMING UP

Get Your Tickets Now

🤘Download Festival10–14 JUNE ·

UP NEXT

📍 Donington Park, Derbyshire

The 23rd edition of the UK's greatest rock and metal pilgrimage is shaping up to be an absolute monster. Guns N' Roses, Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit are all headlining — and crucially, these are their only UK showsthis year. Limp Bizkit fans, this is your moment. The wider lineup also features A Day to Remember, Cypress Hill, Daughtry and Hollywood Undead. If Donington Park is calling, it's time to answer.

🌊Isle of Wight Festival18–21 JUNE ·

COMING UP

📍 Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight

One of Britain's most historic and genuinely lovely festivals, the Isle of Wight is back with a lineup that mixes legacy acts with modern headliners. Lewis Capaldiheadlines in what promises to be his biggest UK festival show to date, while The Cure, Calvin Harris and Wet Leg also feature. It's the kind of festival where the ferry ride over feels like part of the adventure. Great for families too — laid-back island vibes, sea air, and proper festival spirit.

🎪Live at Chelsea10–14 JUNE ·

COMING UP

📍 Royal Hospital Chelsea, London

The grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea — freshly recovered from hosting the Flower Show — transform once again into a fully seated outdoor concert venue. A brilliant setting for an evening out that feels genuinely special. If you're looking for a step up from the average outdoor gig, this is it.

📽️Sheffield DocFest10–15 JUNE ·

COMING UP

📍 Various Venues, Sheffield

Not everything has to be a field and a wristband. Sheffield's internationally acclaimed documentary film festival takes over venues across the city for six days of non-fiction storytelling, talks, exhibitions and live events. It's one of the most creatively stimulating things happening in the UK all summer, and Sheffield is a genuinely brilliant city to spend a few days in. Documentary fans: this one's essential.

🤠BST Hyde Park – Garth Brooks27 JUNE ·

COMING UP

📍 Hyde Park, London

Country music's biggest name is coming to Hyde Park for his first UK show since 1998— yes, really, 28 years — and it's going to be quite the occasion. American Express Presents BST Hyde Park runs all summer, but the Garth Brooks date on 27 June is already shaping up to be the headline moment. Expect a sea of cowboy hats heading towards the Piccadilly line. Pitbull and Kesha also headline later in the summer if you fancy partying like it's 2010.