All of the hottest UK rock festivals coming up
Find out when, where, and who is headlining
Last updated 2nd Dec 2025
Planet Rock takes a look at the hottest rock festivals taking place in 2026 — including headline acts and how to grab your tickets. Take a look at indoor and outdoor festivals — and with plenty of epic rock tours heading to the UK as well, it's shaping up to be another incredible year for live music.
With the return of outside rock extravaganzas like Download Festival and Bloodstock, let us guide you through some of the best festivals coming up in 2026, who will be headlining and where to buy your tickets.
The hottest UK rock festivals coming up in 2026:
Winter's End 2026
Planet Rock presents Winter's End returns to Trecco Bay Holiday Park in South Wales on the weekend of Thursday 29th January to Sunday 1st February 2026. The ninth iteration of Winter's End – and fourth consecutive year at its new home of Trecco Bay – will once again boast some of the finest established and fast-ascending rock bands on the scene across its three days, with the first wave of bands on the line-up including Tyketto, Tailgunner, The Damn Truth and These Wicked Rivers, while headliners GUN have recently been announced, as well as Sophie Lloyd. Orianthi will also headline as part of a UK tour. Check out who else has been announced here.
Buy Early Bird tickets here
Download Festival 2026
Download Festival will return to Donnington Park from Wednesday 10th to Sunday 14th June 2026, with Limp Bizkit, Guns N' Roses and Linkin Park set to headline. 90 acts were announced in November 2025, with organisers now confirming their "massive curveball" act is techno legends, Scooter.
Buy tickets here
Blackbird Festival 2026
American rock band Alter Bridge will launch the brand new Blackbird Festival in June 2026. Held in the grounds of Cardiff Castle, the inaugural event will be headlined by the 'Isolation' rockstars, and will also feature local talent Skindred, Florence Black and Cardinal Black. In November, Bush were announced as the final act to be added to the bill. The festival will be held on Saturday 27th June 2026 and tickets go on sale on 22nd August 2025.
Buy tickets here!
Maid of Stone Festival 2026
Taking place at Mote Park in Maidstone, Kent from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th July 2026, Maid of Stone Festival will return for another year.
Buy tickets here
Steelhouse Festival 2026
The incredible Steelhouse Festival is set to return in 2026, with Twisted Sister, Reef and The Temperance Movement set to headline. With its one stage, and no band clashes, the almighty festival will be returning to Hafod-Y-Dafal Farm - on the edge of the beautiful Brecon Beacons - from Friday 24th July 2026. Check out who has been announced so far.
Buy tickets here
Bloodstock Open Air Festival 2026
Bloodstock Open Air Festival will return in 2026, taking place in its home of Catton Park, Derbyshire, from 6th-9th August 2026. With performers announced including Lamb of God, Slaughter to Prevail, Judas Priest, Saxon and Body Count, as well as Black Label Society, who were added to the line up alongside nine others in October. Tickets are on sale now.
Buy tickets here
Reading & Leeds Festival 2026
Returning over the August Bank Holiday 2026 will be none other than the world-renowned Reading & Leeds Festival. Next year is set to include another star-studded line-up, having the epic weekenders live up to their reputation as one of the UK's biggest and best music festivals. It will return from 27th-30th August 2026.
Stonedead Festival 2026
Stonedead Festival will return in 2026 on 29th August - with one day, one stage, and one monster rock show where rock music reigns eternal. The festival promises to continue their tradition of bringing both established and new rock bands to Newark Showground, Nottinghamshire. So far announced for the festival are Swedish rockers Europe, as well as Magnum, The Damn Truth, Crobot and Asomvel.
Buy tickets here
State Fayre 2026
A new festival celebrating rock, Americana and barbecue will come to Chelmsford for the first time in 2026. State Fayre has already announced its first wave of artists, including Kings of Leon, Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts, The Lumineers, The Black Crowes, Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton, Counting Crows, The Coral, Kip Moore, KT Tunstall, Amble, Avery Anna, Bec O'Malley, Buffalo Traffic Jam, Caroline Grace, Dylan Gossett, DUG, Kingfishr, Max McNown, Muireann Bradley, Nina Nesbitt and Sierra Ferrell. It will take place from 26th-28th June 2026.
Buy tickets here
Now read:
All of the biggest UK rock tours coming up
Sunday photos at Winter's End 2025 with H.E.A.T., Laurence Jones, Beaux Gris Gris and more
Download Festival 2026 announces over 90 bands