Your guide to the UK's music festival season for summer 2026

Your guide to the UK's music festival season for summer 20268 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleAnnabel RackhamCulture reporterJo Hale/Redferns via Getty ImagesReading and Leeds Festival has a bumper six headliners, who are all British or IrishAfter warm sunshine beamed down on large parts of the UK this week, it's easy to picture the summer festival season that awaits.Glastonbury is a notable absence this year as the Somerset extravaganza has a fallow year, but festival fans shouldn't worry as there's plenty else on the calendar.We have bumper line-ups for the likes of Reading and Leeds, Parklife and the Isle of Wight Festival to look forward to - and a chance for new festivals to flourish.One big event returns this year after a seven-year hiatus, and you can probably find your match whatever genre of music you like.Multi-day festivalsWireImage via Getty ImagesThe Isle of Wight festival returns in 2026, with headline slots from hometown heroes Wet LegFirst let's have a look at what's around this summer if you want to make a weekend of it; sleeping bag and tent at the ready.Taking place between 27 and 30 August is Reading and Leeds Festival, which has a bumper six headliners who are all British and Irish.Charli XCX, Chase & Status, Dave, Florence + The Machine, Fontaines D.C. and Raye all top the bill, while Leeds also gets a Thursday night exclusive in the form of Kasabian.If you like the sound of sets from Lewis Capaldi, The Cure and Teddy Swims then the Isle of Wight Festival might be worth checking out between 18 and 21 June.There will also be a performance from local indie rockers Wet Leg, which is sure to be a weekend highlight. Keeping it coastal is Boardmasters, with the Cornwall festival playing host to Fatboy Slim, Lily Allen and The Kooks for 5-9 August. If you want the full festival experience without the camping then this year's TRNSMT festival in Glasgow has an impressive three day line-up, including C...