Festival Guide 2026

ANOTHER festival season is coming around and we’ve pulled the best picks across Scotland and Europe so you don’t have to!  Check out the best festival line-ups from TRNSMT Festival in Glasgow, to All Together Now in Ireland. We’ve got you covered.

A year of The Cure is the theme across Europe this year, as they take many headline spots. In lieu of Glastonbury who are enjoying a fallow year this year, there’s always a chance many artists sit the year out in favour of topping the Pyramid stage next year. Rumours of an Oasis summer 2.0 seem to be a pipe dream with the band missing from line-ups this year.

PAVILION FESTIVAL, AYR. SCOTLAND. 2ND MAY 2026

Set to take over the Electric Braw Tent on Saturday, 2 May, Pavilion Festival will host the only Scottish Party People show from Ewan McVicar in 2026, marking a major full-circle moment for the Ayrshire-born DJ and producer as he brings the high-energy concept back home.

The new AV live show was first launched at Creamfields before heading to Electric Picnic, and Party People has quickly built a reputation for its explosive fusion of music and live visuals, designed to elevate McVicar’s sets into a full-throttle experience. Now, after generating a huge reaction online and across festival crowds, the concept will make its long-awaited Scottish debut at Pavilion Festival.

Tickets here.

PRIMAVERA SOUND. BARCELONA. 3-7 JUNE.

Once again, the festival and its community are in perfect harmony around a lineup headlined by The Cure, Doja Cat, The xx, Gorillaz, Massive Attack, Addison Rae and my bloody valentine. Seven names that encapsulate the ever-diverse vision of Primavera Sound Barcelona: distorted rock, pure pop, intrepid experimentation, urban languages and cutting-edge electronica will coexist at the 24th edition, which will celebrate its three main days from 4th to 6th June at the Parc del Fòrum. The festival site will once again become an exciting and inspiring cultural meeting point, a space that, year after year, continues to strengthen its healthy community spirit, something especially valuable in an increasingly turbulent reality.

Tickets here.

TRNSMT FESTIVAL, GLASGOW. 19-21st JUNE.

TRNSMT Festival returns to Glasgow Green this summer in a new earlier slot in June, bringing a big line-up of bands. The magic lies lower down the bill though, with the very best of the newest music the UK has to offer popping up over the weekend. The Snuts return this year after a short hiatus, currently touring the Uk with Brogeal who also appear on this year’s line-up.

Geoff Ellis, Festival Director of Pepsi MAX presents TRNSMT, said: “We’re shining a spotlight on some exciting rising talent to perform alongside some major names with the latest announcement of artists.    These additions to the lineup will help TRNSMT do what it does best – bring fans together for standout headline sets and memories that will last forever.

“TRNSMT has always been about discovery – Sam Fender, Lewis Capaldi, Gerry Cinnamon, Becky Hill and Little Simz all being great examples of massive artists debuting early on one of our stages – and this latest announcement ensures fans are going to experience the very best new artists.

“It’s great to see some breakthrough Scottish artists added too, for example the wonderful Jacob Alon who recently won a BRIT award, showcasing some incredible upcoming homegrown talent.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Glasgow Green in June to start the summer in style.”

Tickets here.

SMMR SESSIONS, MULTI-CITIES IN THE UK. ALL SUMMER. 

Running across multiple UK cities throughout the summer, SMMR Sessions delivers a series of large-scale outdoor headline shows rather than a traditional camping festival. Taking place across venues including Bellahouston Park and the Royal Highland Showgrounds, the programme spans June through August 2026, bringing arena-level artists into open-air settings. 🌤️🎶

The line-up mixes global headliners with crowd-pleasing favourites, with announced shows featuring names like Biffy Clyro, Kings of Leon, My Chemical Romance, Alanis Morissette and The Cure across different dates and locations. The format centres on standalone evening concerts, with gates typically opening mid-afternoon and shows running until late evening, creating a big-event atmosphere without the full weekend commitment.

Tickets here.

BILBAO BBK LIVE. SPAIN. 9-11TH JULY. 

Nestled in one of the world’s most unique festival locations overlooking the bubbling city of Bilbao, Bilbao BBK Live is a unique festival that celebrates the trailblazers and voices influencing arts culture. Celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2026, Bilbao BBK Live pulls together the spirit of Bilbao and the wider Basque region for a weekend brimming with surprise, discovery and unforgettable moments – from standout festival headline memories to jaw-dropping creators defining the here and now. A huge line-up sees the likes of Lily Allen and Robbie Williams appear.

Tickets here.

KELBURN GARDEN PARTY. KELBURN. 2ND JULY.

Kelburn Garden Party returns this July to the enchanted grounds of Kelburn Castle in Scotland, celebrating its 16th year of music, art, nature and adventure. Taking place across four unmissable days 2-6 July, Kelburn Garden Party is set beneath ancient woodlands at the foot of a spectacular Scottish glen, surrounded by waterfall plunge pools, secret pathways, and the striking painted walls of the 13th-century Kelburn Castle.

Tickets here.

ALL TOGETHER NOW. IRELAND. 30TH JULY – 2ND AUG

Set against the lush grounds of All Together Now, Ireland’s most eclectic summer gathering returns to Curraghmore Estate for another Bank Holiday weekend of music, art and discovery. Blending big-name bookings with forward-thinking curation, the festival has carved out a reputation as a more laid-back alternative to Ireland’s larger mainstream events, without sacrificing scale or ambition. Across multiple stages, the programme typically spans indie, electronic, hip-hop and experimental sounds, with a strong spotlight on emerging Irish talent alongside international favourites. The line-up features the likes of Pulp and Kneecap plus the legendary Christy Moore.

Tickets here.

BELLADRUM TARTAN HEART FESTIVAL. INVERNESS. 30th July -1st Aug

Belladrum returns this summer with another big line-up to please the masses. After playing the festival many times in the past, Callum Beattie will headline this year as a full circle moment. He said: “I’ve played Belladrum a few times before, and it’s always been the most incredible experience to stand on that Highland stage and share my songs with such an amazing and interactive crowd… it’s an honour to have been offered the Headline slot for the opening night of Belladrum this year. My first major Scottish headline, at Scotland’s biggest family music festival – that’s a bucket list moment right there. ”

The festival will also see James and the Human League top the bill as well as performances from the likes of Mika and Rizzle Kicks.

Tickets here.

KENDAL CALLING. KENDAL, ENGLAND. 30th July – 2nd Aug.

Set in the scenic surrounds of Lowther Deer Park, Kendal Calling has grown from a small Lake District gathering into one of the UK’s most beloved boutique festivals. Known for its balance of big-name indie, pop and alternative acts alongside emerging artists, the festival delivers a carefully curated line-up across multiple stages, while maintaining a friendly, community-focused atmosphere. Kendal Calling’s charm lies in its attention to detail. Beyond the main arena, festival-goers can explore themed areas packed with comedy, spoken word, late-night DJs and immersive installations. The popular woodland zones and hidden stages add to the sense of discovery, while the family-friendly programming — including the dedicated Kids Calling area — makes it one of the more accessible large-scale festivals on the UK circuit. Updated line-up information coming very soon.

Tickets here.

TENEMENT TRAIL FESTIVAL. GLASGOW. 10th OCTOBER.

This year’s Tenement Trail returns to the festival calendar in October, bringing together the best new music around Scotland and beyond for 12 hours of incredible buzz in Glasgow’s East End. Line-up will be announced soon, tickets available here.