Everything you need to know about Highways Festival 2025
It's returning to London's Royal Albert Hall for a third year
Last updated 7th May 2025
Highways Festival will return to London’s Royal Albert Hall this spring for two nights of incredible country and Americana music. Later this May, the iconic festival will bring us another unforgettable weekend of country and Americana music. Headlined by the acclaimed Eric Church, this year promises another unique blend of main-stage performances, intimate sessions and exclusive events.
As Highways grows closer, we're here to answer all of your most burning questions about the festival - from exactly when it's taking place, to where, who is performing and what to expect. Look no further for your full guide to Highways Festival 2025...
When is Highways Festival 2025?
The much-loved country and Americana festival will return in 2025 on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th May, at the famous Royal Albert Hall in South Kensington, London.
Who is headlining?
Seven-time ACM Award winner and four-time CMA Award winner Eric Church will have the prestigious honour of headlining both nights on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th May 2025.
The European exclusive performances will see Church bring his critically-lauded show ‘To Beat The Devil: The Chief’s Residency’ to the world-famous London venue. Eric will be supported by the likes of Molly Tuttle, Caylee Hammack, Bella White and more.
This storytelling-driven live experience, previously only ever performed at his Nashville venue Chief’s, promises an intimate and electrifying journey through Church’s artistry. Fans can expect a unique blend of heartfelt narratives and high-energy performances highlighting why Eric Church remains a leading force within the genre.
Who else is on the line-up?
Other special guests include Molly Tuttle, Caylee Hammack, Bella White, Charles Wesley Godwin, Ashley Campbell and Ben Earle (of The Shires).
Who is hosting the festival this year?
Absolute Radio Country’s very own Baylen Leonard will have the prestigious honour of hosting both nights.
Matthew Todd, Director of Programming at the Royal Albert Hall, said: "We are delighted to be bringing Highways back to the Hall for a third year and are thrilled to have Eric Church headlining the festival for two nights.
"Highways has quickly become a staple in the UK’s country and Americana calendar, and there is no better venue for those genres than the Hall, which has been hosting country concerts since the days of Johnny Cash."
Buy tickets for Highways Festival 2025
Tickets are on sale from Absolute Radio Tickets.
Auditorium line-up on Friday, May 16, 2025:
Eric Church
Molly Tuttle
Caylee Hammack
Auditorium line-up on Saturday, May 17, 2025:
Eric Church
Charles Wesley Godwin
Bella White
What else is happening at the Highways Festival?
Other festival highlights including The Songwriters Round on Saturday afternoon, Country for Kids on Saturday morning, and a Late Night Special & After Show in the Elgar Room on both nights.
Upcoming country tours and festivals in the UK:
Max Mcnown - December
24-year-old Max Mcnown has risen to fame in the last few years, following the release of his 2023 single 'A Lot More Free'. So much so, he's added additional dates to his December tour, due to unprecedented demand. Max is now set to perform on the 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 10th December, visiting Glasgow, Manchester and London.
Buy tickets here!
Drew Baldridge - December
Drew Baldridge will be going on tour in December, performing four gigs in the UK, in Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and London, starting on Friday 5th December.
Drew's song 'She's Somebody's Daughter' helped him make history. This debut song became the first self-released debut song to reach Number 1 in the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart.
Here You Come Again (musical) - 2026
If you can't catch the iconic Dolly Parton live in person - then why not treat yourself to the next best thing? That's right, for the first time ever, all of the legendary country singer's biggest and best hits were experienced in the new 'rollicking and joyous' musical comedy Here You Come Again! After an incredible run in 2024 and 2025 - which saw the show feature hits such as 'Jolene' and 'Islands In The Stream' - the musical is continuing into 2026.
Buy tickets here!
Nashville in Concert - February 2026
The stars of Nashville will be returning to the UK for a 2026 tour - two years after they were last on tour! Starting in Newcastle on 6th February, and travelling through Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, London, Cardiff and finally Bournemouth on 15th. 'The Encore Tour' will see stars Clare Bowen, Charles Esten, Jonathan Jackson and Sam Palladio, performing songs from the hit TV show, along with some of their own original material.
Buy tickets here
Tyler Childers - March 2026
Tyler Childers, the singer behind the new album 'Snipe Hunter', has announced that he will be coming to the UK, as part of his 'On the Road Tour'. The newly announced shows will bring the acclaimed singer-songwriter to some huge venues, including Glasgow's OVO Hydro and Manchester's AO Arena in March 2026.
Kezia Gill - February 2026
Kezia Gill is set to head on her 'All On Red Tour' in February 2026, kicking off in Leeds on Tuesday 17th. She'll be joined by special guest Alyssa Bonagura as she visits Glasgow, Newcastle, Nottingham, Manchester, Norwich, London, Exeter and Portsmouth. She'll then conclude the tour in Bristol on Sunday 1st March.
Buy tickets here!
Jordan Davis - February/March 2026
In August 2025, Jordan announced he would be coming to the UK as part of his 'Ain't Enough Road Tour'. He will be performing across Europe, including Manchester, London, Glasgow and Birmingham.
C2C Country To Country - March 2026
Following another hugely successful year in 2025, C2C Country To Country will return in 2026, over the weekend of 13th-15th March, with headliners Zach Top, Keith Urban and Brooks & Dunn. Also performing will be Scotty McCreery, Russell Dickerson, Drake Milligan and more.
C2C will take place at London The O2, Glasgow OVO Hydro and Belfast SSE Arena.
Buy tickets here!
Tucker Wetmore - April 2026
Tucker Wetmore will be gracing the UK with FOUR tour dates in April 2026, performing in Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham and London. The singer, best known for 'Wine Into Whiskey', 'Wind Up Missin' You' and '3, 2, 1', released his debut album 'What Not To' in April 2025 - which peaked at Number 4 on the US Country charts. He also performed at the incredible Country 2 Country Festival in March 2025, sharing the bill with the likes of Lainey Wilson, Dierks Bentley and Cody Johnson.
Highways Festival - May 2026
Highways Festival will return to the Royal Albert Hall in May 2026, with a huge line-up on the bill. Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce and Emmylou Harris will headline, joined by Corey Kent, Kaitlin Butts and more from 15th-17th May.
Buy tickets here from 28th November
Garth Brooks 2026 - June 2026
Performing in the UK for the first time in three decades, country star Garth Brooks will headline BST Hyde Park in the summer. Known for putting on huge productions, Garth will take to the iconic stage on 27th June 2026, supported by soulful country singer Ashley McBryde and Zac Brown Band.
Buy tickets here!
Zach Bryan - June 2026
Zach Bryan will bring 'With Heaven On Tour' on to UK for four dates next summer. From Friday 12th June, he'll begin the UK leg in Liverpool, before heading through Edinburgh and London, concluding on Wednesday 17th June. He'll be supported by Dijon and Fey Fili.
Buy tickets here from 5th December
StateFayre - June 2026
A brand new festival celebrating Americana, rock and barbecue will come to Chelmsford in the summer. Headlined by Kings of Leon, Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts and The Lumineers, the festival will also feature Max McNown, The Black Crowes, Kingfishr, Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton, Counting Crows, Amble, Dylan Gossett, Sierra Ferrell and more.
Buy tickets here from 28th November
Luke Combs - July/August 2026
Luke Combs will bring his 'My Kinda Saturday Night Tour' to the UK in the summer of 2026, visiting London and Edinburgh for a total of five dates between 24th July and 2nd August. He'll be joined by special guests Thomas Rhett, Ty Myers and The Castellows in Wembley, and The Teskey Brothers, Ty Myers and The Castellows in Edinburgh.
The Long Road Festival 2026 - August
August Bank Holiday 2026 will see the return of the three-day The Long Road Festival - celebrating the music, lifestyle and influences of Country! From Friday 28th - Sunday 30th August 2026, the festival returns to Stanford Hall estate in Leicestershire with a range of incredible artists across the five stages. The first headliner has been announced as Bailey Zimmerman, who will be taking to the stage on the Saturday night.
Buy tickets here!
Brothers Osborne - December 2026
Brothers Osborne will support The Darkness on their December 2026 UK tour, visiting seven arenas. From Tuesday 8th, they'll head to Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Brighton and London, concluding on 16th.
Buy tickets here from 28th November