Get ready to clear your calendars….
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY THISTLE BROWN
If there’s one thing that can get us through this winter, it’s looking ahead to the summertime. The UK is known for many things: rain, beans on toast and, most importantly, its festivals. If your 2026 calendar is looking a bit empty, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s our guide to all the queer acts you can see in the new year.
The Great Escape
Brighton, 13 – 16 May
If you’re looking for a new festival to attend this year in the heart of the LGBTQIA+ community, The Great Escape is the one for you. This festival showcases 450 emerging artists from all around the world in 30+ walkable venues across Brighton. You can find your new favourite queer act like the riot grrrl band Girl Group just by stumbling into a pub. Find out more here.
Neighbourhood Weekender
Victoria Park, Warrington, 23–24 May
Celebrate the bank holiday in style with this joyful festival that brings together all your fave artists. You can rock out with TikTok superstar Nxdia before dancing along with Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Make sure to pack your comfiest shoes. Find out more here.
Download Festival
Donnington Park, 10 – 14 June
Are you a metal head? If so, you’ve probably already bought your ticket to next year’s Download Festival. See Emily Armstrong standing at the helm of the iconic Linkin Park or headbang with RØRY. Find out more here.
LIDO Festival
Victoria Park, 12 & 20 June
It’s back! After the success of its inaugural celebration in 2025, LIDO Festival is returning with some more perfectly curated line-ups. Irish royalty CMAT will be headlining, so get ready to do the “woke macarena”. Also performing will be trans icon Beverly Glenn-Copeland and Elizabeth Copeland. Find out more here.
Isle of Wight Festival
Seaclose Park, 18 – 21 June
If you’re looking to dance next summer, head over the Isle of Wight Festival! Queer favourites Wet Leg, The Last Dinner Party and KT Tunstall are all performing on the iconic stage. Make sure to pack your suncream! Find out more here.
BST Hyde Park
Hyde Park, 27 June – 11 July
Are you ready to party? Good, because at BST Hyde Park next year, queer icon Kesha will be bringing all her biggest tunes to the stage. With more acts still to be announced, you’re definitely going to want to keep an eye on this one. Find out more here.
Latitude Festival
Henham Park, 23 – 26 July
Bask in the sunshine (or predictable summer rain) at Latitude Festival! Bisexual icon Self Esteem will be bringing the heat! If you missed the Isle of Wight Festival, don’t worry. The Last Dinner Party and Wet Leg will also be performing. Find out more here.
All Points East
Victoria Park, 22 – 30 August
Get ready for the coolest festival of the year! All Points East is back with a stacked lineup of incredible acts. Queer icon Lorde will be headlining so get ready to scream your heart out to the tracks that defined a generation. If you’re more into R&B, lesbian singer and songwriter Syd will also be gracing the stage.
Reading & Leeds
Reading and Leeds, 28 – 30 August
After having Chappell Roan headline this year, Reading & Leeds knew it had to think outside the box for its 2026 lineup. Icons like Charli XCX, JADE and Raye will all be performing on the iconic stage and more acts are still yet to be announced.
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