Pepsi MAX presents Reading and Leeds Festival have announced major new plans for the on-site festival experience at both shows this summer, with a completely revamped stage layout that marks the biggest staging and arena overhaul in the festival’s 37 year history. This year’s Reading Festival is now SOLD OUT with only remaining Sunday Day Tickets available now at https://www.readingfestival.com/ with final Leeds Festival tickets available at https://www.leedsfestival.com/. 

Synonymous with unforgettable weekends and always looking ahead to pioneer the next chapter in modern culture, this years’ Reading and Leeds Festival will see new stages with their own new identities offering an experience never seen before. These include:

The Grid

The home of the festival’s main stage, The Grid is where iconic headline moments happen. The greatest place to watch live music for the whole of summer, it’s a crowning platform that welcomes the biggest artists on the planet and those leading the way in the here and now. Expect to witness headliners Charli xcx, Fontaines D.C., Dave, Raye, Florence + The Machine and Chase & Status alongside Sombr, Skepta, Role Model, Loyle Carner (Reading only), Blossoms (Leeds only), Declan McKenna, Jade, Maisie Peters, Keo and more soundtracking The Grid this year, with Kasabian making history in Leeds as the first ever Thursday night headliner of Leeds Festival.

The Gallery presented by Budweiser

A brand new stage for 2026, The Gallery is an undercover immersive stage. Innovative LED screen lights and immersive production runs throughout the entire stage. The Gallery is ready to create iconic moments from Josh Baker, Geese, Kneecap, Skye Newman, Kettama and Holly Humberstone amongst others with Gunna, Chris Stussy and Viagra Boys adding to proceedings in Reading whilst Jamie Webster, The K’s and Rose Gray add to the lineup in Leeds. The Warehouse

Previously announced, The Warehouse is a brand-new purpose-built home for dance music with viewing platforms in front and behind the decks, plus huge screen production welcoming special sets from Skepta b2b Prospa, Hybrid Minds, Hedex, Silva Bumpa and Rossi. amongst others. Max Dean goes b2b with Luke Dean as well as Bou, in what will be the first ever custom built, experiential dance stage for Reading and Leeds. 

The Ballroom 

As the name might suggest, for the first-time ever, Reading and Leeds Festival will have a transformed stage complete with unique chandeliers and draping that plays host to artists who are defining and dominating 2026. Mixing together genre, styles and moments – The Ballroom is primed for legendary breakthrough sets from YT, Florence Road, Niko B, Paris Paloma, Bassvictim, Overpass, SPEED, Frost Children, Bleech 9:3, Westside Cowboy, Chloe Qisha, Radio Free Alice, dexter in the newsagent, WHATMORE and Clementine Douglas amongst others. 

The Canopy 

New music has been at the core of Reading and Leeds Festival since the very beginning, and in 2026 The Canopy will usher in a new chapter for new music – with a stage dedicated to festival fans’ next favourite artists. It will play host to the likes of Violet Grohl, Villanelle, December 10, Camille Blackman, Kibo, Finessekid, Cruz Beckham and The Breakers and more. 

The Yard (Reading Only)

The Yard will bring the industrial edge of alternative club culture. Situated in the open-air with shipping containers The Yard this year will offer something completely different to any other stage at the festival. 

These new stages are joined in Leeds Festival by the return of much-loved fan favourites LS23 (lineup for which was revealed last week and sits as one of the most popular late-night destinations) and Piccadilly Circus, with full programming to be revealed in the coming weeks. Leeds Festival sits as the only opportunity for fans to still secure their spot at Reading and Leeds Festival this summer to experience the full weekend’s programming, and ticket buyers are encouraged to purchase now to avoid disappointment. 

Approximately 2 months from now, the town of Reading will transform into the epicentre of one of the world’s most celebrated music festivals. Music lovers from all corners will flock to Reading to experience a festival with a legacy stretching back over three decades. This year, artists such as Charli xcx, Fontaines D.C., Dave, Raye, Florence + The Machine and Chase & Status alongside Sombr, Skepta, Role Model, Loyle Carner (Reading only), Blossoms (Leeds only), Declan McKenna, Jade, Maisie Peters, Keo among many others, will light up the Reading & Leeds Festivals stages. If you’re planning to attend this iconic event for the first time, you’re in for a treat. This article is packed with essential tips for navigating Reading Festival 2026 — so jump right in.

The Reading Festival has become an annual tradition, drawing crowds of music enthusiasts year after year, no matter the weather. Festival-goers have braved rain, endured sweltering heat, and embraced the mud, learning the art of packing smartly. You’ll want to bring two sets of clothing, prioritising shorts and T-shirts, but it’s always wise to pack some rain gear — British weather can be unpredictable. As of today, no rain is forecast and the outlook is very pleasant, but everything can change in a heartbeat. A quality sleeping bag is a must, and remember to pack light — dragging a heavy bag while hunting for the perfect camping spot is far from fun.

Towels are essential; one can dry you off on rainy days, while the other provides a cool respite when soaked in cold water during hot spells. Wet wipes are invaluable for reasons you’ll soon discover. Sunscreen is crucial for Friday and Sunday to avoid painful sunburns that could ruin your festival experience. If you enjoy a beer (and who doesn’t?), consider bringing your own to avoid the high prices at the festival. Other must-haves include a hat for sun protection, plenty of water to stay hydrated, sunglasses, glow sticks, and a waterproof hoodie for unexpected downpours.

Selecting the right tent is key to a successful Reading Festival adventure. Choose one that stands out so you can easily find it amidst the sea of tents. Otherwise, you might find yourself awkwardly entering the wrong one more than once. Avoid pitching your tent near hedgerows or main pathways, as these areas can be problematic. The ideal spot is near a tree and close to the arena where the bands play. Finally, don’t forget to make new friends, wear your trendiest jeans, and embrace the festival atmosphere with confidence!

And most importantly, don’t miss the First Timer’s Guide from Reading Festival—it’s an essential read for newcomers.

WOMAD has today revealed the day-by-day line-up for its highly anticipated return in 2026, with day tickets now on sale for its first edition at Neston Park in Wiltshire.

Taking place from 23–26 July, the world’s most celebrated global music festival will bring together legendary voices, future stars and boundary pushing artists from across the globe. From Afrobeat and reggae to jazz, hip hop and underground electronic music, the completed programme reflects WOMAD’s continued evolution while remaining rooted in its founding spirit of cultural exchange and discovery.

Friday’s line-up is led by South London neo soul star Greentea Peng, reggae legend Barrington Levy and Afrobeat innovator Mádé Kuti, whose appearance continues one of music’s most influential family legacies. They are joined by spiritual jazz vocalist ganavya, Birmingham rapper Kofi Stone and Bristol’s Ishmael Ensemble & Rituals Orchestra.

Saturday sees East London jazz visionary Alfa Mist, Brazilian superstar Daniela Mercury, Mercury Prize nominated Emma-Jean Thackray and Congolese groove pioneers Jupiter & Okwess take to the stage, showcasing a programme rich in contemporary jazz, experimentation and global rhythms.

Closing the festival on Sunday are Malian icon Oumou Sangaré and Swedish folk favourite José González, alongside Mercury Prize shortlisted jazz innovators corto.alto, Lebanese electronic pioneer Yasmine Hamdan and South African favourites Freshlyground.

Across the weekend, WOMAD’s growing embrace of jazz, hip hop and electronic music is evident throughout the programme. Artists including Alfa Mist, Emma-Jean Thackray, corto.alto, Kofi Stone and Greentea Peng sit alongside globally influential electronic selectors presented through the festival’s partnership with NTS, including VHOOR, DJ Travella, Cami Layé Okún and Shannen SP.

The programme also reflects WOMAD’s strong links with Bristol’s independent music community through collaborations and takeovers from organisations including Saffron, the pioneering music and technology initiative working to redress the industry’s gender imbalance by supporting women, non-binary and trans communities. Also featured are Jam Jar, Bristol’s much-loved independent music space championing both local talent and artists from around the world, alongside Twende and VP Productions, two Bristol-based collectives renowned for their vibrant celebrations of global music, bringing together afrobeats, reggae, Latin sounds and beyond.

Paula Henderson, WOMAD Global Artist Programmer, said:

“Curating WOMAD is about discovery, bringing together artists from different musical worlds who expand horizons and connect with our audience. This line-up reflects that spirit, and we’re looking forward to welcoming these incredible musicians to our new home at Neston Park.”

FULL ARTIST DAY SPLIT INFORMATION BELOW

WOMAD FESTIVAL UK 2026
Neston Park, Atworth Lane, Corsham, Wiltshire, SN13 9TG
23–26 JULY 2026

TICKET INFORMATION

Adult day ticket – £144.92

Adult accessible day ticket – £144.92 (with personal assistant tickets being free)

Teenager day ticket £96.61

Tickets Available here

Camping, live-in vehicle and parking passes available separately. Weekend Tickets: www.womad.co.uk

FULL DAY SPLIT SCHEDULE:

Thursday 23 July

·       K.O.G

·       School Project

·       Tian Qiyi

NTS:

·       Ruby Khaira

·       Sofie K

·       Livwutang

Friday 24 July

·       Annie & the Caldwells

·       Barrington Levy

·       The Beatbox Collective

·       Carolina La Chispa

·       Country Gongbang

·       Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek

·       ganavya

·       Greentea Peng

·       Ishmael Ensemble & Rituals Orchestra

·       Kofi Stone

·       La Perla

·       Lamisi

·       Lăutăresele

·       Leo Miyagee

·       Mádé Kuti

·       Mohammad Reza Mortazavi

·       Momoko Gill

·       Secret Night Gang

·       Tamer Nafar

·       Wesli

NTS:

·       Coco María

·       Dare Balogun

·       VHOOR

Late Night Takeover: Twende

Saturday 25 July

·       Alfa Mist

·       Ana Lua Caiano

·       The Beatbox Collective

·       Bénin International Musical

·       Big Pollo

·       Cure For Paranoia

·       Daniela Mercury

·       Emma-Jean Thackray

·       Gisela João

·       Jupiter & Okwess

·       Lemoncello

·       LYR

·       Mixanteña de Santa Cecilia

·       Nakibembe Xylophone Troupe

·       Noura Mint Seymali

·       Rust

·       Sabine McCalla

·       Say She She

·       Shanghai Restoration Project with Tebza Majaivane

·       Ta Dhom Project

·       Yegor Zabelov

NTS:

·       Cheb Mimo

·       DJ Travella

·       Shannen SP

Late Night Takeover: Jam Jar

Sunday 26 July

·       Barrut

·       BITOI

·       Boko Yout

·       Clara Serra López

·       corto.alto

·       Dudù Kouate

·       Freshlyground

·       Ganna

·       Garifuna Collective

·       Hempress Sativa & Unconquerable Band

·       José González

·       Kankawa Nagarra

·       Oumou Sangaré

·       Seppuku Pistols

·       Sorvina

·       Spafford Campbell

·       Tanxugueiras

·       Ustad Noor Bakhsh

·       Wild Wild Women

·       Yasmine Hamdan

NTS:

·       SNO

·       Cami Layé Okún

·       Rotational

Late Night Takeover: Saffron