You can feel it starting... The evenings are lighter and the first warm weekends spark everybody into optimism, and suddenly someone shares a line-up in a group chat and writes, ‘We have to go!’
Across Nottinghamshire and the wider east midlands, 2026 is shaping up to be another packed one. Big-name headliners, grassroots weekends, city takeovers and quieter escapes all sit side-by-side. If you want to start planning your festival season soon, here are some suggestions.
Lost in the Hills Festival
When: 8–9 May
Where: Watts Russell Arms, Peak District National Park
How much: £40-£68
Festival season opens in one of its more unusual corners. Lost in the Hills is tucked deep into the Peak District, surrounded by limestone valleys, winding rivers and the kind of landscape that makes you briefly forget your phone exists.
It’s deliberately small-scale – more of a gathering than festival in the traditional sense. The programme leans towards experimental, folk and electronic music, with artists like Haiku Salut and Mara Simpson shaping a 2026 bill which feels curated rather than stacked.
There’s no real rush here. You drift between sets, sit on grass that isn’t already flattened by thousands of people, and ease yourself into the summer ahead. A quiet start, but a memorable one.
Bearded Theory
When: 20–24 May
Where: Catton Park, Derbyshire
How much: £264.95 (camping)
Bearded Theory has built its reputation on refusing to sit neatly in one genre, and this year continues that approach. The Pixies, Garbage, CMAT and Kae Tempest sit alongside The Damned in a lineup that swings from indie to punk to spoken word without hesitation.
Despite its size, it still manages to feel relatively unpressured. You can actually move between stages without plotting it like a military operation, and the crowd tends to lean more into community than chaos.
There’s also a strong family-friendly side to it, with space for activities and a welcoming atmosphere that sets it apart from the more relentless weekends on the circuit.
Glastonbudget
When: 21–24 May
Where: Turnpost Farm, Loughborough
How much: £55-£161.65
Glastonbudget is exactly what it says on the tin. A full weekend of tribute acts covering everyone from U2 to Avril Lavigne, delivered with surprising attention to detail and zero pretence.
There’s something quite freeing about it. No clashes, no agonising over who to see – just hit after hit, sung back by a crowd who are fully in on the joke.
It’s also one of the more accessible weekends financially, which makes it a popular choice for groups who want the festival experience without the full festival cost.
Dot to Dot Festival
When: 24 May
Where: Various venues, Nottingham
How much: From £35
Dot to Dot turns Nottingham city centre into a moving map. You’re constantly checking timings, hopping between venues and trying to work out how far you can realistically walk between sets without missing the start.
The line up is built around acts who are either emerging or just under-the-mainstream-radar – Lambrini Girls, NewDad, Mandy, Indiana – profoundly cool, international artists who often feel like they’re on the verge of something very big. There’s also an outstanding local line up, which this year includes Archy & The Astronauts, Emidora, Leah Wilcox, Chloe Rodgers, The Harbours and much more.
It's a fast and slightly chaotic introduction to loads of artists you may well not have heard of, which isn’t designed for comfort – but that’s exactly why it works.
Radfest
When: 7 June
Where: Wharf Lane Recreation Ground, Radcliffe on Trent
How much: £8.60–£37.60
Radfest sits at the opposite end of the spectrum to Download. One day, low cost, and firmly rooted in the local area.
The lineup focuses on smaller and emerging acts like Blu Syrup and Dorothy Ella, but the real appeal is the atmosphere – easy-going, familiar, and refreshingly uncommercial.
There’s no real pressure here. You turn up, wander around, catch some music, and leave without needing a recovery day.
Boiler Room: Nottingham
When: 26 June
Where: Colwick Park
How much: £60.50–£66
Boiler Room bringing its legendary live format to Nottingham feels like a statement. Known for its close-quarters, high-intensity dance music sets, this is less about watching from a distance and more about being inside the experience.
Overmono, Joy Orbison, Bakey and Giggs sit across a lineup blending electronic music and UK rap which guarantees an experience to remember
It’s designed to be immersive and slightly overwhelming – and more often than not, to hopefully go viral online – sound from all directions, no real escape routes, and a crowd fully locked into the music.
Gate to Southwell Festival
When: 2–5 July
Where: Kirklington, Nottinghamshire
How much: £42–£190.05
Set around lakes and open fields, Gate to Southwell is a shift in pace. Folk, roots and acoustic music dominate, with The Proclaimers and Richard Thompson among the headliners and countless other artists from all over the world (including some leftfield acts which admirably stretch the definition of ‘folk’).
It’s a festival that encourages you to slow down. People bring chairs, stay in one spot for hours, and treat it more like a long weekend away than a series of sets to chase.
This is an international festival which also has a strong community feel, with workshops and informal sessions running alongside the main programme.
Waterfront Festival
When: 4 July
Where: Canalhouse, Nottingham
How much: £11
Waterfront Festival is one of Nottingham’s most dependable summer days out. Brought to us by stalwart Notts promoter I’m Not From London, catch over forty acts across one site, all in aid of charity (Mermaids and Emmanual House), set against the backdrop of the canal.
It’s busy in a relaxed way – people drifting in and out, catching half a set here and discovering a new band there, with a huge range of genres. Alongside a visit from the darkly romantic DSM IV, who are headlining alongside Dura Mater, Gangsta Picnic, check out Baddy Issues, Hurtsfall, Slugfut, Whisky Stain, Pretty Windows, Float and lots more.
Of course, even at this size, a festival isn’t a festival without a bit of dressing up. This year’s costume theme is ‘adventure’, which can be taken in lots of creative ways – so dig out your safari gear, binoculars, and Indiana Jones togs.
Wonderland Festival
When: 4 July
Where: Newstead Abbey, Nottinghamshire
How much: £49.84
Same day as Waterfront, completely different energy. Wonderland’s lineup leans into house and disco in the beautiful grounds of Newstead Abbey, and feels more like a day party than a traditional festival.
Annie Mac, Barbara Tucker and Horse Meat Disco headline a lineup built for dancing from start to finish.
It’s polished, upbeat and very much about the vibe – people arrive ready for it.
Splendour Festival
When: 18–19 July
Where: Wollaton Park, Nottingham
How much: £85.60–£133.75
Splendour remains Nottingham’s biggest homegrown festival. It’s a familiar mix by now – big indie names, legacy acts, local heroes, and a crowd spanning generations.
The Wombats, Primal Scream, Snow Patrol and Editors headline a lineup designed to cater for both local families and party starters in the fields of Wollaton Park. As ever there’s a great local line-up, including the yet-to-be determined Future Sounds of Nottingham winners, ALT BLK ERA, JayaHadADream, and Divorce.
What makes Splendour work is balance and convenience. It’s large but still feels like a community day out, with the locality meaning you don’t have far to go when it’s all over.
Boho Festival
When: 24–27 July
Where: Millview Glamping & Events, Nottinghamshire
How much: £35–£140
Boho sits somewhere between festival and retreat. Smaller crowds, more curated programming, and a setting that leans heavily into comfort as much as music.
Utah Saints and The Dub Pistols provide the soundtrack, but there’s just as much focus on workshops, wellness and downtime. It’s a slower pace – but that’s the appeal.
Nottinghamshire Pride & Trans Pride
When: 20 June (Trans Pride) & 25 July (Pride)
Where: Nottingham city centre & Sneinton Market
How much: Free
Pride is one of the most significant days in Nottingham’s calendar – a march through the city followed by a full day of celebration at Sneinton Market.
Trans Pride in June brings its own programme of protest, performance and community-led events, creating space for visibility and solidarity.
Together, they sit firmly as both cultural events and political moments – as much about being heard as being celebrated.
Southwell Music Festival
When: 28–31 August
Where: Various venues, Southwell
How much: Tickets on sale 18 May
Southwell closes the season in a completely different register. No fields, no camping, just a series of performances across historic buildings in the town.
With Notts’ own classical pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason as Artist-in-Residence, the programme spans classical, choral and operatic works.
It’s a quieter finish to the summer, but a fitting one – a reminder that festivals don’t all look the same.
From Peak District fields to city streets, late-night DJ sets to afternoon folk sessions, festival season in 2026 is as varied as it’s ever been. With both Y Not and Download sold out already, now is the time to snap up your tickets for your festival of choice. All that’s left is to decide where you’re going first and hope you remembered to book the days off – because summer isn’t going to wait for your boss to approve it.
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