UK Festivals this May [2026]

Last Updated on 13 April 2026 by Colette

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

If you fancy making an early start to the festival season or are just looking for an alternative to Glastonbury festival with 2026 being a fallow year, with the help of two bank holidays, May has a pretty impressive festival line up all things considered.

As such I thought it would be useful to pull together a list of UK festivals in May 2026 – this is a post I’ll be constantly updating as more information becomes available so it’s worth saving and checking back but with most of these events, early bird pricing means the sooner you get your festival tickets booked, the cheaper they will be! (It’s worth noting that not all of these festivals will be child friendly – click here for our recommendations for child friendly festivals.)

Check out our festival guide here – packed with listings, reviews and our best tips for going to a festival!

Slaughterhouse Festival, The Castle And Falcon, Birmingham – Saturday 2nd May 2026

For 2026, Slaughterhouse Festival are stripping it back to a one day even promising “the most intense, tightly packed version of Slaughterhouse Festival yet”.

Book tickets for Slaughterhouse Festival

MiNT Festival, Newsam Green Farm, Leeds – Saturday 2nd / Sunday 3rd May 2026

MiNT Festival returns to Newsam Green Farm for the early May Bank Holiday in 2026.

Easily accessible from Leeds city centre, Newsam Green Farm will be transformed to host four epic stages of music. The line up for the 2026 festival can be found here.

Tickets for MiNT Festival are available now.

Sound City, Liverpool – Saturday 2nd / Sunday 3rd May 2026

Hosted across venues in Liverpool city centre, Sound City celebrates fresh new artists and is the UK’s longest consecutively-running showcase festival.

Book tickets for Sound City with weekend tickets starting from £43.45

Teddy Rocks Festival, Charisworth Farm Cottage, Blandford Forum – Friday 1st / Saturday 2nd / Sunday 3rd May 2026

Teddy Rocks Festival is an award-winning three day family-friendly festival in Dorset which aims to raise money to fight children’s cancer in memory of festival founder Tom’s little brother Ted who died at the age of 10 from a rare bone cancer.

The line up for Teddy Rocks Festival 2026 features Elvana, The Wurzels, Boyzlife and Ibiza Symphonic amongst a whole array of tribute acts.

Book tickets for Teddy Rocks (don’t forget to use TopCashBack when booking to get a few quid back too!)

The Great Escape, Brighton, East Sussex – Wednesday 13th / Thursday 14th / Friday 15th / Saturday 16th May 2026

The Great Escape is the festival for new music, showcasing 500 emerging artists from all over the world in 30+ walkable venues across the city and a pop-up festival site on Brighton Beach. It’s the first place to discover your new favourite artist and see them in an intimate setting before they go on to headline major festival stages.

2026’s The Great Escape line up can be found here.

Tickets for The Great Escape 2026 are available to book online now. (Don’t forget to use TopCashback if you’re booking through Ticketmaster!)

Keswick Mountain Festival – Friday 15th / Saturday 16th / Sunday 17th May 2026

Keswick Mountain Festival is an outdoors sports festival with an emphasis on outdoor sports, activities, live music, inspirational speakers, plus outdoor brands and, food and drink stalls.

There’s 16 sports events to choose from across trail running, hikes, open water swimming, cycling, triathlon, and adventure racing alongside an open air live music stage.

If you enter a sports event, the weekend festival experience is included within that – i.e. live music, and daytime speakers. If you simply want to enjoy the live music and speakers without entering a sports event, you need a festival ticket. Anyone without those wristbands cannot access the festival village after 5pm. 

Buy tickets for Keswick Mountain Festival

TOTFest Yorkshire, Wetherby Racecourse – Sunday 17th May 2026

Back for it’s 8th Birthday, TOTFest, the ultimate pre-school family festival returns for summer 2026 starting at Wetherby Racecourse in Yorkshire on Sunday 17th May 2026. This event was a sell out again last year!

Aimed at children aged 1 to 5, the littlest guests are firmly front and centre, TOTFest is an entirely immersive event focused on engaging children’s imaginations, giving families an opportunity to spend precious time together whilst trying out new things and most importantly, having fun!

Working with some of the nation’s leading preschool specialists, you can expect over 50 shows, sessions and activities all included in your entry ticket. The festival promises to be free roam, allowing your little ones to join in for as long or as little as they like, the agenda is jam packed; giant painting canvasses, a baby rave, bubbleologists, 3 themed stages, crazy golf, story time sessions, a tots race track, craft zones, a miniature fairground, bounceland, live shows and more!

Tickets for TOTFest Yorkshire are available to book online now priced from £22 for adults and from £12.10 for children. Parking should also be pre-booked at a cost of £8 per car.

Shindig Festival, Charlton Park, Wiltshire, – Thursday 21st / Friday 22nd / Saturday 23rd / Sunday 24th May 2026

Shindig Festival is a small, independent, family-friendly festival held in the Wiltshire countryside that offers a relaxed, community-focused alternative to larger UK events. Often described as a more intimate version of Glastonbury Festival, it combines an eclectic mix of music from funk and soul to reggae, folk, and DJs with a wide range of activities including circus performances, comedy, workshops, wellness sessions, and interactive arts.

After announcing that Shindig Festival 2024 would be the last ever Shindig Festival, the team did a major about turn, dug deep and brought the event back for 2025 – determined to fight for the longevity of independent festivals. I’m pleased to say that Shindig Festival continues on into 2026 with super early bird tickets now available.

Book tickets for Shindig Festival 2026

Knockengorroch Festival, Kirkcudbrightshire – Thursday 21st / Friday 22nd / Saturday 23rd / Sunday 24th May 2026

Join Knockengorroch for the 28th year of their ceilidhs in the hills – a celebration of music, culture, and community like no other!

Featuring a vibrant blend of acoustic roots and electronic music from Scotland and beyond, along with arts, workshops, and storytelling, this family-run festival takes place in a stunning riverside meadow steeped in history. Once home to an entire village, the site honours the connection between people, place, and heritage while supporting rural regeneration in Scotland’s Uplands.

Book tickets for Knockengorroch Festival

Coalesce Festival, Three Pools, Abergavenny – Friday 22nd / Saturday 23rd / Sunday 24th May 2026

Coalesce Festival is set to return for its fourth year from Friday 22nd May to Sunday 24th May 2026, at the picturesque Three Pools in Abergavenny, Wales.

This intimate festival celebrates the UK’s sound system culture, offering a finely tuned environment for sonic exploration.

Attendees can expect a diverse line-up spanning genres such as drum and bass, electronic, techno, and UK garage

Book tickets for Coalesce Festival

GALA Festival, Peckham Rye Park, London – Friday 22nd / Saturday 23rd / Sunday 24th May 2026

GALA Festival is an independent music festival held annually in South London’s Peckham Rye Park. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the upcoming edition is scheduled for the Bank Holiday weekend from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th May 2026.

Known for showcasing a diverse line-up of electronic music and offering attendees a vibrant atmosphere with multiple stages, food vendors, and art installations, all set within the scenic surroundings of Peckham Rye Park.

Book tickets for GALA Festival – GALA Festival is strictly 18+

Slam Dunk Festival South, Hatfield Park – Saturday 23rd May 2026 | Slam Dunk Festival North, Temple Newsam – Sunday 24th May 2026

Slam Dunk Festival is a one day festival which takes place in TWO locations. Leeds, Temple Newsam and Hatfield Park, Hatfield. Slam Dunk Festival is a “UK Pop-Punk, Emo, Metal, and Alternative Music Festival” – headliners for the 2026 festival include Good Charlotte, Knocked Loose, and Sublime.

Tickets for Slam Dunk Festival North are available to book now. General Admission tickets are priced at £139. Under 5s go free and under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.

The Big Retreat Festival – Friday 22nd / Saturday 23rd / Sunday 24th May 2026 – Lawrenny Castle Estate, Pembrokeshire

For something a little bit different, The Big Retreat Festival returns to Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire in May 2026. Voted as one of the UK’s ‘Top 5 Adventure and Wellbeing festivals’ by The Guardian, The Big Retreat will take place at the stunning Lawrenny Castle Estate in South West Wales.

The Big Retreat festival is designed for festival goers to find their feel good – whether that be fire walking or wild swimming, a sweaty gym session or chilled out yoga, a cookery demo or comedy, music to meditation. The weekend is all about having a go and trying out new ways to find your feel good in a safe and supportive space.

Early bird tickets for The Big Retreat Festival 2026 are available now and start at £199 per person with no camping. Junior tickets are available from £70 for children age 6-17 years, with babies and under 5s entering free. There are various camping options available and you can pay via payment plan to spread the cost.

In It Together Festival, Old Park Farm, Margam, Wales – Friday 22nd / Saturday 23rd / Sunday 24th May 2026

In It Together Festival is Wales’ newest and biggest festival returning for a fifth time on the spring bank holiday at the end of May

In It Together is a community, a festival, a reunion and a celebration born out of all that we went through and all that we missed at the start of this decade. In the heart of the Welsh valleys, In It Together Festival brings it all together with international names, local emerging talent, festival goers, performers, volunteers and members of the local community- to reunite everyone with everything they love about life. 

The In It Together Festival 2026 line up features headliners Madness, Aitch and Snow Patrol, with a strong supporting bill that spans indie, pop, dance and throwback favourites including The Fratellis, Ella Henderson, Feeder, Maxïmo Park, Natalie Imbruglia and Professor Green.

Tickets for In It Together Festival 2026 are available now.

Buckle & Boots, Whitebottom Farm, Stockport – Friday 22nd / Saturday 23rd / Sunday 24th May 2026

Buckle & Boots is an award winning country music festival showcasing the best in country music in the beautiful setting of Whitebottom Farm, near Manchester.

Tickets for Buckle & Books 2026 are available to book now priced from £123.65 for an Early Bird weekend camping ticket. Payment plans are available.

Elderflower Fields Festival, Pippingford Park, East Sussex – Friday 22nd / Saturday 23rd / Sunday 24th / Monday 25th May 2026

Elderflower Fields is a small, safe and friendly festival, designed especially for families with younger children. Elderflower Fields believe in the transformative power of spending time immersed in nature, letting kids be a little bit wild and free, and in appreciating great food and the arts together with friends.

Book your tickets for Elderflower Fields Festival priced from £160.35 for adults and £90.87 for children.

You can read more about Elderflower Fields Festival here:

Elderflower Fields 2019 Review – Mini Travellers

Bearded Theory, Catton Hall, Derbyshire – Wednesday 20th / Thursday 23rd / Friday 22nd / Saturday 23rd / Sunday 24th May 2026

Bearded Theory is a multi-award winning creative and performing arts festival in the heart of the midlands. Celebrating it’s 17th edition in 2026, Bearded Theory is a family festival which supports local charities and youth groups with regular donations from festival profits.

The festival is proudly audience led with acts booked off the back of recommendations, and the festival infrastructure improved in line with feedback from people who attend.

Book tickets for Bearded Theory priced from £249.95 for an adult weekend ticket. Child prices vary according to age, under 7s go free. A payment plan is also available.

Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Sunderland – Friday 22nd / Saturday 23rd / Sunday 24th May 2026

Radio 1 have been hosting their “Big Weekend” for as long as I can remember – in fact I remember rocking up to their One Big Sunday in Heaton Park right back in 2001 when it wasn’t even a ticketed event! Yes, yes I’m that old. Shortly after the events became ticketed but they were still free and basically like rocking horse poo. These days there are tickets, and you have to pay for them but in all honesty I think they’re a right bargain!

Radio 1’s Big Weekend was spread across three days last year making it their biggest event ever with a total of 100,000 tickets available! This year they’ve gone even bigger with 36,000 tickets available for each day.

The 2026 Big Weekend line up includes Fat Boy Slim, Zara Larson and Olivia Dean plus a whole host of people I’ve never heard of because I’m basically long since too old to be the Radio 1 target audience!

Book tickets for Radio 1’s Big Weekend

Neighbourhood Weekender, Victoria Park, Warrington – Saturday 23rd / Sunday 24th May 2026

After taking a year off in 2024, Neighbourhood Weekend rose like a phoenix from the flames with an absolutely cracking line up for their 2025 May bank holiday event and they’re keeping it going into 2026.

Neighbourhood Weekender has been on my festival wish list for a while now – the line up always seems to hit the mark for us as a family. 2026 sees headline acts Richard Ashcroft and Blossoms supported by The Kaiser Chiefs and Jamie Webster to name but a few!

Unfortunately it’s a bit of an expensive one to take the kids to as there are no children’s tickets just a standard entry price and under 5s aren’t allowed at all. This is a two day festival with no camping available (though, from Manchester I reckon it’s pretty doable to just drive there and back).

You can book tickets for Neighbourhood Weekender now priced at £140 for a two day ticket. Individual day tickets are also available.

HowTheLightGetsIn Hay, Hay-On-Wye – Friday 22nd / Saturday 23rd / Sunday 24th / Monday 25th May 2026

HowTheLightGetsIn Hay 2026 is the world’s largest philosophy and music festival. HowTheLightGetsIn celebrates days of discussion and new discoveries with an incredible line-up of music (previous performers have included Clean Bandit, Badly Drawn Boy and Groove Armada), comedy and cabaret with a whole festival theme which has yet to be announced.

For budding space scientists and bookworms, HTLGI has plenty on offer to keep children and young adults of all ages busy, including the Mindcraft Tent. This will play host to a whole Children and Young Adult’s Programme, including talks, interactive sessions and learning experiences to pique the curiosity of 7-12 year olds.

The youngest festival goers can enjoy craft and tech stalls plus a play area and fairground rides, while the Hangout hosts games for older children. You can check out the full programme here.

Tickets for HowTheLightGetsIn Festival are available to book now with Tier 2 tickets £158 (Tier 4 tickets with camping are priced at £188). There are discounts available for students and under 25s and under 12s go free.

Love Saves The Day, Ashton Court – Saturday 23rd / Sunday 24th May 2026

Love Saves The Day is Bristol’s biggest music festival and will return to Ashton Court next summer for another love-fuelled bank holiday weekend.

The line up for Love Saves The Day 2026 can be found here.

Tickets for Love Saves The Day are available now priced from £77.14 for weekend admission – you can also buy tickets for individual days.

Dot to Dot Festival, Bristol – Saturday 23rd May 2026 / Nottingham – Sunday 24th May 2026

Dot To Do Festival prides itself on showcasing the hottest new talent. This award winning, multi-venue, metropolitan festival takes place across the spring bank holiday weekend at the end of May.

Previous line-ups have also included The xx, Ed Sheeran, Florence + The Machine, Lewis Capaldi, Foals, Fontaines D.C., The 1975, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Wolf Alice, Mumford and Sons, Caribou, Friendly Fires, The Horrors, SBTRKT, Dua Lipa, Courtney Barnett, Sports Team, Lewis Capaldi and many, many more.

Book tickets for Dot to Dot Festival priced from £16.88 for an Early Bird ticket – of course these prices will rise nearer the time.

Breaking Bands Festival, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove – Thursday 21st / Friday 22nd / Saturday 23rd / Sunday 24th May 2026

Breaking Bands Festival is a grassroots event supporting and showcasing the best in new talent across the rock, punk and metal spectrum. The multi-award winning festival has sold out every single year and hosted over 300 artists in total. Breaking Bands is now registered as a community interest company, committing to non-profit status and making sure any profits are invested straight back into the festival.

Book tickets for Breaking Bands Festival

Glastonbudget, Wymeswold, Leicestershire – Thursday 21st / Friday 22nd / Saturday 23rd / Sunday 24th May 2026

Glastonbudget initially started as a festival for tribute bands it has expanded in recent years to include a showcase for new acts as well. Whether you’re a seasoned festival-goer or a newcomer looking for adventure,
Glastonbudget reckon they’ve got something for everyone this Whit-weekend.

Book tickets for Glastonbudget

Cross the Tracks, Brockwell Park, London – Sunday 24th May 2026

Cross the Tracks, “London’s number one jazz, funk and soul festival” is a one day festival on bank holiday Sunday at the very end of May (I don’t know about anyone else but I do love being out on a bank holiday Sunday!).

Book tickets for Cross the Tracks priced from £59.50. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult over 26 years old.

Land Beyond Festival, Waterhall, Brighton – Sunday 24th May May 2026

Land Beyond claims to be the South East’s foremost electronic music festival and from 2023, Brighton’s first ever dance music festival with camping however this year they return to their routes with a one day event at the end of May.

The 2026 line up features Aitch, Hedex and East End Dubz

Land Beyond is strictly over 18s.

Book tickets for Land Beyond Festival. Loyalty tickets and payment plans are on sale now.

City Splash Festival, Brockwell Park, London – Monday 25th May 2026

City Splash Festival is a one day event at the very end of May, celebrating Reggae, Dancehall, Afrobeats, Caribbean and African culture

Buy tickets for City Splash Festival 2026 at Brockwell Park priced from £43.84 per person.

Call of the Wild, Lincolnshire Showground, Lincoln – Thursday 28th / Friday 29th / Saturday 30th / Sunday 31st May 2026

Call of The Wild Festival has developed a reputation as one of the best independent festivals in the UK, family friendly, great food, outstanding rock music (this year’s line up includes Florence Black, Onslaught, Von Hertzen Brothers and Wolfsbane) and an incredible crowd making it a great event to kick of festival season off with.

Book tickets for Call of the Wild priced from £120.75 for a weekend ticket – day tickets and children’s tickets are also available.

Wychwood Festival, Cheltenham Racecourse – Friday 29th / Saturday 30th / Sunday 31st May 2026

The Wychwood Music Festival was launched in 2005 by a group of festival enthusiasts wanting to create an intimate and thrilling weekend festival experience, delivering the best acts of the day, up and coming music, and some other specialties you might not ordinarily come across!

The Wychwood Music Festival quickly gained a national audience and reputation thanks to its eclectic mix of music and creative programming. The 2026 Wychwood Festival line up has yet to be announced.

Tickets for Wychwood Festival are available to book online now starting at £119.50 for a super early bird adult weekend ticket – there are various prices for children and concessions. These prices will increase nearer the time. There is also a Wychwood festival payment plan available if you want to spread the cost.

Shyne Fest, Guildford, Surrey – Friday 29th / Saturday 30th May 2026

Shynefest is a fun, family friendly, live music festival taking place at the very end of May 2026 in Guildford, Surrey. The line up typically features a mix of tribute bands and well known names – the 2026 line up has not yet been announced.

Tickets for Shyne Fest 2026 are available with the top end priced being £50 for an adult full weekend ticket. Camping is not included in the ticket price is charged at £10 per person. There are also options for camper vans etc

The Great Estate Festival, Scorrier Estate, Cornwall – Friday 29th / Saturday 30th / Sunday 31st May 2026

Nestled within the prestigious grounds of The Scorrier Estate, The Great Estate has quickly become one of Cornwall’s most anticipated music festivals. Having sold out it’s 10,000 capacity for the last few years, The Great Estate is renowned for showcasing international musicians and local emerging talent, alongside performances from a string of major bands and DJ’s.

Tickets for The Great Estate Festival are available to book now priced from £85 for a super early birthday three day weekend pass.

Red Rooster, Euston Hall, Suffolk – Thursday 28th / Friday 29th / Saturday 30th May 2026

Red Rooster celebrates the very best in Cajun, Soul, Rock ‘n Roll, Roots, Blues and Country music. It is the go-to early summer event for those who wish to immerse themselves in a truly Deep South weekend experience of music, food and culture.

Alongside a fantastic line up of live music, there’s the chance to go river swimming (beats queuing for showers), take a Swan Pedalo ride down the beautiful broadwater, learn how to axe and knife throw with the “Back to Wilderness” team or learn prehistoric survival skills with TV’s Will Lord.

Tickets for Red Rooster festival are available now priced from £138 for a “Snoozin’ Rooster” weekend ticket. Under 12s go free and car parking is free too!

Mighty Hoopla, Brockwell Park, Norwood Road, London – Saturday 30th / Sunday 31st May 2026

Every June, 25,000 like-minded folk head to the capital for two days of sun-soaked music, fashion, and fun! Mighty Hoopla is the UK’s most fabulous festival, celebrating freedom, expression, and all things bold and beautiful.

With over 200 artists and performers across 7 stages, this festival is a joyous fusion of pop, alternative vibes, and queer culture—a true party for everyone.

Mighty Hoopla proudly spotlights both emerging and established LGBTQ+ artists, creating a safe and welcoming space for its wonderfully diverse crowd.

There is no parking available at Mighty Hoopla Festival so you are advised to use public transport to attend!

You can book tickets for Mighty Hoopla 2026 now priced from £125 for a weekend ticket. Day tickets and group discounts are also available.

Festivals that won’t be happening this May

Below you’ll find details of festivals that have previously happened in May or were planned to happen this May, but who are not holding events in 2026, have been cancelled or have moved to elsewhere in the year just in case you’re looking for an event you usually attend!

• Creamfields South, Hylands Park, Chelmsford – No event for 2026 with Creamfields sticking to just the original August bank holiday event.
• Dominion Festival, Ushaw Historic House, Durham – Cancelled in 2023 and did not return.
• Forbidden Forest Festival 2026, Belvoir Castle, Grantham | Moved to June for 2026
• Highest Point Festival, Williamson Park, Lancaster | There will be no Highest Point Festival in 2026 – this event was last held in 2024 and currently seems unlikely to return.
• Kings Park Festival, Kings Park, Bournemouth – This event never got off the ground having been cancelled in 2024 and moved to 2025 – the website is now defunct.
• Portsmouth Chilli & Gin Festival – Moved to the end of June for 2026
• Rock The Mote Festival – Moved to July for 2026
• Tunes in the Dunes, Perranporth Beach, Cornwall – Moved to June for 2025
• Wavelength Spring Classic, Woolacome Bay, Devon
• Summer Love Festival, Mote Park, Maidstone – No event details for 2026
• Retro in the Park, Towneley Park, Burnley – No event details for 2026

Live at Leeds in the Park, Temple Newsam, Leeds | No event for 2026

The following information is based on the 2025 event. Live at Leeds is set to return in 2027 to celebrate it’s 20th anniversary. The information below relates to last year’s event.

Live at Leeds in the Park is a relative newcomer to the festival scene launching in 2022 – this new one day festival from the team behind Live at Leeds In The City brings Bloc Party, Yard Act, Jamie Webster and Sigrid to Temple Newsam for 2025 and you’d best believe I booked tickets the day they went on sale!

Having attended Live at Leeds In The City before – I love the idea of the event being hosted in a park – hurrah for everything being easy to get to and outside in the sunshine (hopefully)!

Tickets for Live at Leeds in the Park 2025 are available now (don’t forget to add parking or transport too if you need it). Live at Leeds events are open to all ages but under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.

Bowdonbury Festival, Bowdon Cricket, Hockey & Squash Club near Altrincham – May 2026 TBC

The information below relates to a previous event and will be updated asap – Bowdonbury Festival was last held in 2023 with plans to return last year which didn’t happen. It isn’t clear if there will be an event in 2026.

Bowdonbury Festival returns with their biggest line-up to date. This year’s event will be the first time ever that the festival features an original artist, with the previous year’s being exclusively tributes. Alongside Boney M will be an amazing line-up of local party bands and performers.

The boutique family festival also features award-winning food, local pop-up artisan stalls, family attractions and main stage entertainment throughout.

General entry tickets, weekend passes and Premium Pavilion Pass tickets are all on sale on the Bowdonbury Festival website priced at £27.50 per day for adults and £10 per day for children.

What festivals are on this May?

If you know of festivals taking places this May in the United Kingdom that I’ve missed, do let me know!

• Please note that all information in this post is correct to the best of my knowledge at the time of publishing – please do check with individual events of the most up to date information on UK festivals in May 2026

Images used in this post are for illustration purposes and are not necessarily taken at the festivals mentioned.

Photo credits:

Live at Leeds in the Park: Sam @ The Reluctant Explorers

Why not read these posts next:

Family friendly festivals in 2026

August bank holiday festivals 2026

Festivals in September 2026

Festivals in June 2026

UK festivals this July 2026

Our guide to festivals

UK Vanlife Festivals 2026

If you have enjoyed this post and found it helpful, here are a few ways you can say thanks and support We’re going on an adventure:

Click here to buy me a virtual coffee – it’s like a little tip jar but with caffeine!

I’d love for you to tag me in any photos of your adventures on Social Media if one of my posts has inspired you to visit

Click here to leave We’re going on an adventure a Google Review

Share this post with your friends – you’ll be helping me and them!

Follow We’re going on an adventure on Facebook or Instagram