2026 Festival Season in Review

Victorious Festival 2026 – 28–30 August 2026 · Southsea Common, Portsmouth

Victorious Festival once again proved its status as one of the UK’s most unique urban events, drawing 50,000 people per day to Southsea Common despite a weekend of rain and strong winds. Scissor Sisters delivered a flamboyant Friday highlight, paying tribute to the late Dolly Parton, while The Black Keys headlined Saturday with a masterclass in blues-rock. Sunday was a day of exploration, as well as music. Southsea Castle, reimagined as a late-night venue complete with bar and DJs remains a unique highlight. Kelis and Basement Jaxx rounding off a wet but memorable Bank Holiday weekend.

Boomtown Festival 2026 – 12–16 August 2026 · Matterley Estate, Hampshire

Chapter 5: Radical Redesign shaped up to be the most ambitious edition in Boomtown’s history, with over 90% of tickets sold out ahead of the event. A blockbuster headline lineup featuring Skrillex, Four Tet, Faithless, Madness, Kneecap and Shaggy was bolstered by a second wave including Kae Tempest, Folamour, DJ EZ and SBTRKT. Special takeovers from 20 Years of Rupture, Fantazia Into The Woods and David Rodigan’s Ram Jam added further depth. Creative Director Mair Morel described the theme as “an invitation to rethink how we live, connect and create”, a philosophy Boomtown has always embodied, cementing 2026 as a landmark moment for UK festival culture.

Wild Wood Festival 2026 – 19–21 June 2026 · South Cambridgeshire

Celebrating its 10th year, Wild Wood Festival returned to its magical South Cambridgeshire woodland with a crowd capped at just 2,000 and a lineup to match its growing reputation. Erol Alkan headlined Sunday with a To The Rhythm takeover, while Fleetmac Wood offered a genuine dancefloor reimagining of Fleetwood Mac’s greatest moments on Saturday. Beyond the music, woodland wanders led to unexpected secret venues, including one accessed through a fridge freezer, not to mention the hot tubs, a sauna, sound healing and art installations. With a sold out event, Wild Wood’s decade-long secret is firmly out.

ALSO Festival 2026 – 10–12 July 2026 · Compton Verney, Warwickshire

Now in its 13th edition, ALSO Festival offered something genuinely rare; a 50-acre Warwickshire parkland setting built around ideas, conversation and relaxation rather than wall-to-wall music. Grayson Perry delivered a captivating talk in full alter-ego attire, while late nights were handled by Bunker 52’s drum & bass and techno, with the Rum Shack providing afternoon sets beside the tranquil lake. The undisputed highlight was the immersive dining experience: an ivy-draped, candlelit marquee where a game resulted in Grayson Perry unexpectedly distributing Ferrero Rocher to delighted guests. An England World Cup screening on the main stage projector rounded off a truly unique and warmly memorable weekend.