Berkshire – June 2026 – As the longest day of the year approaches, Solstice at Wasing will once again welcome its visitors to join in the celebration of light, nature and renewal at the estate’s heart of ancient woodlands.

The event takes place in the natural environment of the living landscape at Wasing Estate, where it provides a slow moving experience through firelight ceremony, music, movement, wild swimming and dawn rituals, supporting guests to move away from the everyday noise and towards the more grounded, human and connected.

This year’s Solstice begins with a short reflective film by willow artist, folk singer and long-time friend of Wasing, Laura Wilcock, about what brings her back here and how the land has become a central aspect of the spirit of the celebration.

The Sacred Glade, the Wild Swim Lake, the Sacred Hill of the Solstice and the woodfired sauna are all integral parts of the experience that are contained within The Woodland at Wasing, a network of natural spaces. It’s not a traditional setting, but a temporary landscape created by trees, water, fire and open sky, offering participants a chance to slow down, breathe deeply and just be present.

At dusk the guests come together in the Sacred Glade to witness a ceremony which is lit by fire and led by Chris Park, Initiate of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. Music, song and shared ritual precede a torchlit processional through the woods to Solstice Hill where the group arrives in early morning.

The gathering is emotional at the centre when the Sunrise Ceremony is performed at dawn on the longest day. Facing the horizon in stillness and anticipation, guests welcome the first light together — a collective moment of gratitude, renewal and quiet celebration of the sun’s return to its fullest strength.

A programme of wellbeing experiences is available throughout the weekend, too, and this includes wild swimming in the woodland lake, woodfired saunas with views of the lake, forest meditation, ‘Forrest Yoga’, sunrise yoga, ‘gong baths’, ‘restorative yoga’ and ‘Yoga Nidra’. Every offering is based around a person’s whereabouts, whether that’s rest, reflection, movement or release.

Solstice at Wasing is not only an event, but rather, it is a community experience, a retreat, a ceremony.

“In a world that feels like it is at such a swift pace and so much a jumbled mess, this is an opportunity to return to something simpler,” they said. To nature, to each other, and to self — people can come as they are — and go away with what they need.

It runs from 20–21 June 2026 at Wasing Estate, creating a temporary community to which artists, facilitators and guests are invited, through the rhythms of the natural world, and the turning of the sun itself.

Live music is set to return to the South East, and London, for another massive summer of music in 2026. There’s an array of festivals – from country to city park mega events – and everything from electronic and indie to jazz, funk, soul and beyond.

This summer is going to be one of those summers where it’s easy to find a reason to get out of the house every weekend. So, here are some upcoming events.

Shindig Festival (21–24 May)

The season really gets under way at Shindig.

It’s colourful, it’s musical, it’s family friendly, it’s chaos and ohhhh, it’s in the grounds of Charlton Park Estate. It has that laid back, slightly magical vibe – sometimes called a “mini Glastonbury” and not far off the mark.

This year’s offering features Fat Dog, Bob Vylan, WAAR, Munho’s Hifi, My Baby and Snapped Ankles, to name a few, over the weekend.

Solstice at Wasing (20–21 June)

This one is a different kind of quiet — it’s more contemplative, more natural.

The festival is held in the celebration of the summer solstice in the woodland of Wasing in West Berkshire, featuring live music, ceremony and sharing under the longest day of the year.

Artists are among the many performers who are marking a weekend of connection and atmosphere as well as performance with music, including James Blake and Salif Keita.

BST Hyde Park (27 June – 12 July)

An authentic English summer treat!

BST Hyde Park brings a huge outdoor concert series to one of the most iconic green spaces in the city. It’s a party, it’s a concert season, it’s an all day thing to do.

Garth Brooks, ATEEZ, Maroon 5, Mumford & Sons, Duran Duran, Pitbull and Lewis Capaldi are all on the bill for this year, along with a veritable supporting cast.

The site is alive with free activities, food, film screenings and family activities throughout the Open House programme throughout the week.

Love Supreme Jazz Festival (3–5 July)

Appropriate Jazz in all its forms — old and new.

Love Supreme is set in the beautiful Glynde Place estate, with several stages that feature a fusion of jazz, soul, funk, blues and hip-hop.

They join headliners Loyle Carner, Ezra Collective and De La Soul (full band show), alongside a stellar line-up of artists including DJ Pee .Wee (aka Anderson .Paak), Jalen Ngonda, Free Nationals, Gabrielle, Sister Sledge, The Temptations & The Four Tops, Franc Moody, Maze, Durand Bernarr, Kokoroko, and many more.

GuilFest (4–5 July)

GuilFest is grounded, friendly, local and characterful.

It’s at Stoke Park, Guildford, and is known for its community atmosphere and all-encompassing cast of characters.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor  and The Proclaimers are headliners along with Rudimental · Kula Shaker · Lottery Winners · Kid Creole & the Coconuts.

Boogietown (11 July)

Boogietown is all feel good.

It’s all about dancing, nostalgia and big live moments in a one day celebration of disco, soul and funk set in the Surrey countryside.

This year, there’s Gloria Gaynor, Shalamar, Gabrielle, Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay and Soul II Soul.

The Kaleidoscope Festival (11 July)

A small festival packed with a lot of activity.

Kaleidoscope brings live music, DJs and comedy together in an easy going summer day, high above London at Alexandra Palace.

Faithless headlined, DJ set Groove Armada and Groove Armada band members MJ Cole, Black Grape, Roni Size and The Amy Winehouse Band were on hand, as was comedy from Russell Kane and more.

Stowaway Festival (31 July to 2 August)

The festival is being held from 31 July to 2 August at the Stowaway Festival site.The festival runs from 31 July until 2 August at the Stowaway Festival site.

Even though it’s getting bigger, Stowaway still has a secret feeling.

Smuggled into the heart of woodland, lakeside and Buckinghamshire, it’s relaxed, creative and, of course, slightly untidy.

Set by DJ set – Nightmares on Wax, Kokoroko, Say She She, Emma-Jean Thackray, Skream, Ewan McVicar, Calibre, Move D and Hot 8 Brass Band.

It’s a weekend that’s neither day nor night, between swimming and dancing in the woods.

Boomtown Festival (12–16 August)

It’s not really a festival, it’s a temporary city, boomtown.

It is continuing its tradition of a combination of music and storytelling, giant stage design, and immersive worlds with the “Radical Redesign” theme for 2026.

This year’s headliners feature Skrillex, Four Tet, Faithless, Groove Armada, Scooter, Madness, Scissor Sisters, Kneecap, Ashnikko, Eve, Shy FX, David Rodigan and High Focus Allstars and many more to come.

Reading Festival (27-30 August)

The summer comes to a conclusion as it always does: Reading.

It’s one of the most iconic festivals in the UK, featuring big acts and emerging talent on various stages, and ending the season on a high note.

Charli XCX, Chase & Status, Dave, Florence + The Machine, Fontaines D.C. and RAYE will be on the 2026 headliner list, alongside Skepta, Role Model, Geese, Skye Newman, Josh Baker, Kettama and Chris Stussy.

In summary

Whether you’re seeking stellar headlining acts, underground gems or a weekend out with friends, 2026 has something for everyone, from countryside woods to huge city stages.

This time it’s not a single moment that’s the key, but a whole season.

Several major events are scheduled for Palmer Park, Reading, in June 2026, including the massive dance festival Stories In The Park on June 6th, the Sausage and Cider Festival on June 5th, Summer In Nashville on June 7 and the community East Reading Festival on June 21st. Tickets for these events are currently on sale

Sausage & Cider Festival Reading 2026 (Friday, June 5, 2026)

What: A fun-filled day with 30+ cider flavors, 20+ sausage varieties, and live music. From small independent vendors to nationally recognised brands, plus an array of flavours to choose from!

They pride ourselves on having the UK’s best tribute acts performing across the day at Sausage and Cider Festival, take a look above for this years first release performers!

Not only do they have the recogniseable Tribute acts but their headline acts are always the real deal so keep an eye out for the headline act announcements soon!

They have a great range of independent vendors around the site with over 20 different types and flavours of sausage available, but if sausage isn’t quite your thing we will have a number of vendors offering other tasty food selections.

Most vendors will have gluten free or vegan options available but this is of course subject to availability.

In 2023 they launched their festival market, with a great range of face painters, market food stalls, phone charging and the festival market shop with hats, jumpers and a whole range of other festival goodies.

When: 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM.
Lineup: Headliner Chris Moyles, Pat Sharp’s Funhouse, and tributes to ABBA, Queen, Oasis, The Killers, and more.
Tickets available here.

Stories in the Park – (Saturday, June 6, 2026)

What: Stories in the Park began as a small day party at a local venue in Reading during the summer, just 500 ravers coming together for the love of music. From those humble beginnings, we’ve built something truly special. Over the last 7 years, that spark has grown into the biggest independent dance festival in the UK, now welcoming over 10,000 ravers every year.

This journey has always been about more than just throwing a festival. It’s about uplifting the Reading community and creating a space where people can connect through the music they love. From day one, we’ve carried that grassroots spirit, and we’ve never forgotten that we are nothing without the ravers who bring the energy, passion, and love that fuel this movement.

Along the way, their stages have been blessed by some of the biggest names in dance music, from Sammy Virji to Sonny Fodera, and the legendary Chase & Status, while always championing the next generation of talent.

Seven years on, their passion still drives everything we do. Stories in the Park is more than a festival, it’s a family, a culture, and a shared story that we write together, year after year.

When: 12:00 PM – 10:30 PM (Last entry 4:00 PM).
Lineup: Featuring Andy C, A.M.C FT PHANTOM, Kings of the Rollers, Basslayerz, Champion B2B Bakey, and more than 50 artists.
Tickets available here.

Summer In Nashville (Sunday, June 7, 2026)

What: The biggest Nashville party to hit the UK is rolling into Reading on Sunday 7th June 2026, as Summer in Nashville brings the sights, sounds and spirit of country music back to the city. The event promises a full-scale country celebration and an unforgettable day of live music and entertainment.

Fans of Luke Combs, Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash can expect an authentic Nashville experience, featuring a mix of the best new and undiscovered acts direct from the USA, alongside high-energy tribute performances celebrating country music’s greatest legends.

Attendees can also look forward to line dancing, mouth-watering American BBQ and street food, and a wide range of interactive entertainment including rodeo bull rides, country fancy dress, axe throwing, tin can alley and much more.

A spectacular live music lineup has already been announced, with tribute acts taking over the main stage, while the industry’s rising country stars perform on a second stage, delivering non-stop entertainment throughout the day.

When: 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM.
Lineup: Tribute bands: Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Shania Twain plus Howdy, The Folly Brothers, Robbie McMinn, DJ Chris Armstrong,Whisky Over Ice,Virginia Dirt and many more.
Tickets available here.

East Reading Festival 2026 (Sunday, June 21, 2026)
What: A community-focused festival with a music stage, poetry, fairground, and food.
When: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
Details: Free, local community event.

All this event will be held at Palmer Park, Wokingham Road, Reading, RG6 1LE.