2026 festivals: Reading and Leeds, Big Weekend, Download and the other big festivals taking place this summer

After 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 as the Somerset extravaganza has a fallow year, but festival fans shouldn't worry as there's plenty else on the calendar. There are 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 a match for whatever genre you like. First 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 f