Apply to play at 2026 Festivals

Festivals can play a powerful role in an artist’s career, offering far more than just a live slot on a line-up. That’s why we’ve brought together a selection of festival opportunities taking place across the UK and internationally in 2026, and wanted to share them with local artists.

From reaching new audiences and gaining valuable performance experience, to building industry connections and attracting media attention, festivals can act as a real launchpad for growth. Playing to large, diverse crowds gives artists the chance to connect with listeners who may be discovering their music for the first time, while the presence of agents, promoters, labels and media creates opportunities to network, build relationships and raise your profile.

Festival performances also help artists develop confidence on bigger stages, working with professional production teams and honing their live shows. Being selected to perform at respected events — whether grassroots or internationally recognised — can add credibility, generate buzz and support longer-term career progression.

With that in mind, we’ve collected a range of festival opportunities for 2026 to help get local talent out there, showcase the strength of our region’s music scene, and support artists in taking their next steps.

Support available through PRS

If you’re invited to perform at an international showcase festival, there may be financial support available to help you take that next step. The PRS Foundation International Showcase Fund supports artists and music professionals with the costs associated with showcasing work overseas, helping reduce financial barriers to international opportunities.

It’s also important to remember that you can earn royalties from your live performances, including festival and DJ sets. Whether you’re playing locally or further afield, make sure you report your live shows via your PRS online account so you don’t miss out on income you’re entitled to.

We hope this list helps you discover new opportunities and feel confident putting yourself forward for festival stages in 2026. Best of luck with your applications — we’d love to see Liverpool City Region artists represented across these line-ups next year.

February 2026

13–15: Riverboats Music Festival, Echuca, Victoria, Australia – Apply here

March 2026

6–22: Chipping Norton Music Festival, Chipping Norton – Apply here (applications close 1 February 2026)
19–22: Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival, Florida, USA – Apply here
20–22: Cullulleraine Music Festival, Victoria, Australia – Apply here

April 2026

15–19: Bali Spirit Festival, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia – Apply here
23–26: Launch Music Conference Festival, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA – Apply here (applications close 15 February 2026)
24–26: Brick Lane Jazz Festival, London – Apply here
30 April – 1 May: Wide Days, Edinburgh – Apply here (applications close 27 February 2026)

May 2026

1–3: LOOPFEST, Shrewsbury – Apply here
1–3: Teddy Rocks, Blandford Forum – Apply here
1–4: Crossover Festival, Calverton, Nottingham – Apply here
4–10: Departure, Toronto, Canada – Apply here (applications close 23 January 2026)
6–10: Music Week Poland, Warsaw – Apply here (applications close 10 December 2025)
8–10: Dunn Folkin’ Around? Music & Arts Festival, British Columbia, Canada – Apply here
9: Hanwell Hootie, London – Apply here
13–16: The Great Escape, Brighton – Apply here (applications close 15 February 2026)
16: RecFest, Portchester – Apply here
22–24: In It Together Festival, Margam, Wales – Apply here
22–24: Mews Fest, Manchester – Apply here
23–24: Dot To Dot Festival, Bristol & Nottingham – Apply here
29–31: Wychwood Festival, Cheltenham – Apply here (applications close 1 March 2026)

June 2026

6: DonnyFest, Doncaster – Apply here
6: Music Barn, Kettering – Apply here
6–7: Exeter Respect Festival, Exeter – Apply here
10–14: Download Festival, Castle Donington – Apply here
20–21: Africa Oyé, Liverpool – Apply here
25–27: Blue Ox Music Festival, Wisconsin, USA – Apply here
26–28: AthFest, Georgia, USA – Apply here (applications close 14 February 2026)

July 2026

2–5: Gate to Southwell Festival, Southwell – Apply here
2–5: Folk In A Field, West Acre – Apply here
3–5: Love Supreme, Glynde – Apply here
3–11: Bucharest Jazz Competition, Romania – Apply here (applications close 1 March 2026)
8–11: 2000trees, Cheltenham – Apply here
10–12: Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul Festival, Birmingham – Apply here
10–12: NLFB Festival, Ontario, Canada – Apply here
10–12: Priddy Folk Festival, Mendip Hills – Apply here
16–19: Big Love Festival, Usk, Wales – Apply here
16–19: Nowadaze Festival, Yate – Apply here
17–18: Sound of Iona Festival, Scotland – Apply here
18: On The Meadow Festival, Walthamstow – Apply here
24–26: Tewkesbury Live – Apply here
24–26: Together Again Festival, Cheshire – Apply here
30 July – 1 August: Belladrum Festival, Scotland – Apply here
30 July – 2 August: Camp Bestival, Dorset – Apply here
31 July – 2 August: Stroud Beer Festival – Apply here

August 2026

3–9: Mo:Dem Festival, Croatia – Apply here
6–9: Bloodstock Festival, Derbyshire – Apply here
7–9: OFF Festival, Katowice, Poland – Apply via email (muzyka@off-festival.pl)
24–30: Sunshine Music Festival, Upton upon Severn – Apply here
28–30: Big Feastival, Kingham – Apply here
28–30: Camper Calling, Warwickshire – Apply here
28–30: Victorious Festival, Southsea – Apply here (applications close 28 March 2026)
28–31: Shrewsbury Folk Festival – Apply here
29–31 (TBC): Wokingham Festival – Apply here
TBC: Pigeon Lake Music Festival, Alberta, Canada – Apply here
4–6: Sound City Festival, East Sussex – Apply here
15–20: Harvest Music Festival, New Brunswick, Canada – Apply here
24–27: Highlands Music Festival, Ontario, Canada – Apply here (applications close 31 January 2026)
25–27: Euroblast Festival, Cologne, Germany – Apply here
TBC: Sonic Boom Festival, Burton upon Trent – Apply by email (hello@sonicboomfestival.co.uk)