Your summer festival guide
The Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2026
Your guide to the best summer festivals in London, Surrey and beyond in 2026 – from marvellous music and fabulous food to cracking comedy and theatre.
By Vinnie Renton
Pictured above: Hampton Court Palace Festival (c) Joshua Atkins
On your doorstep
FUSE International
Kingston, 26 June – 5 July
FUSE International showcases up-and-coming talent from around the world offering dance, music, theatre, comedy and visual art at venues including Rose Theatre, Arthur Cotterell Theatre and Kingston’s Riverside, with over 80 events scheduled across the festival.
Battersea Park In Concert
Battersea Park, August Bank Holiday Weekend
Running over the August bank holiday weekend, Battersea Park in Concert is offering a long weekend picnic and music getaway. With great performances seen over the years, including Symphonic Disco with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues, this festival has plenty for all tastes.
Barnes Children’s Literature Festival
Barnes, 27-28 June
Barnes Children’s Literature Festival is returning and has been renamed as London Children’s Literature Festival. Expect a packed programme of top children’s authors and illustrators.
Brixton Disco Festival
Brixton, 2 May
Running from 2pm until 2am, Brixton Disco Festival is 12 hours of great music and top vibes. With Norman Jay MBE headlining again, and featuring performances from Mousse T., it promises to be a fast and fantastic offering. Spread across multiple venues in Brixton, there will be an act for everyone.
Live at Chelsea
Royal Hospital Chelsea, 10-14 June
Returning after a four-year break, Live At Chelsea promises an exhilarating line-up. Highlights include the Beach Boys, Heaven 17, Tony Hadley and plenty more. Based on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, this festival offers a magical arena with unparalleled atmosphere.
Sandown Park Nights
Sandown Park Racecourse, 24 July
Special guest DJ Judge Jules will be performing at the Ministry of Sound Classical festival during the Sandown Park Nights this year. Your ticket not only gives you access to an afternoon full of racing, but also the unmissable performances in the evening too.
MORE THINGS TO DO:
Hampton Court Palace Festival
Hampton Court Palace, 10-20 June
The ever-popular Hampton Court Palace Festival returns, set against the backdrop of the iconic, majestic palace. This year’s line-up is filled with unmissable gems like OMD, Elvis Costello and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Foodies Festival
Syon Park, 23-25 May
Held in Syon Park, Foodies Festival is all about celebrating the delicious things in life. With events such as Cake and Bake, drinks tents, and dog tents, there is plenty going on. With special guests including Thomas Frake, Masterchef extraordinaire, this is one to mark your diaries for.
Pub in the Park
Higginson Park, Marlow, 14-17 May
Pub in the Park returns with a bang, featuring chef demonstrations by some of the nation’s favourites: Raymond Blanc, Simon King and James Martin. Not only do you have plenty of entertainment and demonstrations, but the festival will be packed with local pop-up pubs too. With music provided by acts such as McFly and Jools Holland, it is bound to be an excellent food-filled weekend.
FABULOUS FOOD CONTENT:
Farther afield
Cheltenham Jazz Festival
Cheltenham, 29 April – 4 May
Following the construction of the new Deya Arena, Cheltenham Jazz Festival is ready to celebrate another year of music. As one of Europe’s most popular jazz festivals, it is no wonder that musicians such as Jessie J, ABC, 10CC and Van Morrison are performing. Combine this with Corinne Bailey Rae as the new curator, the festival will be a big one.
On the Mount
Wasing Estate, Reading, 2 July
As one of the UK’s most distinctive concert series, On the Mount boasts Tom Grennan as one of the headline acts this year. He joins other artists like MIKA, The Pixies, Self Esteem and more. Set in the Wasing Estate, the venue has views like no other, full of wildflowers and enchanting woodlands.
Beats and Eats Festival
Framlingham College, Suffolk, 29-30 August
Claiming to be the ultimate family festival experience, Beats and Eats festival is back for 2026. With some of the biggest names in the industry performing this year, including Scouting for Girls, Pixie Lott and Alison Limerick, it is sure to be a good weekend.
Dogstival
Burley Park, New Forest, 30-31 May
Have you ever wanted to take your furry friend to the festival with you? To the beach with you? To have fun with you? Well, now you can at Dogstival. With elements including a dog-only beach, foam parties, dog skateboarding and more, this is the perfect treat for canines everywhere.
