London Festivals 2026: with Lido cancelled, here's what to book now

When summer rolls around, London becomes a festival city.

Truly, is there anything better than sipping on a lukewarm can of beer in a park as some of your favourite artists play their biggest hits to a roaring crowd?

Just as well festival season is on the horizon, then.

With multiple events across the city – including the much-fought-over Brockwell Park – getting the green light in the last few weeks, it’s time to start planning for which ones to book.

Still, there’s plenty going on.

Here’s our pick of the top options.

Kicking off the season is Gala.

Back once more in Peckham Rye Park, this is a three-day celebration of all things electronic music, with DJs spinning the decks across three main stages.

The vibe is relaxed, and this year’s artists include Seth Troxler, Todd Terje, Logic1000 and Palms Trax.

Peckham Rye Park, May 22-24; thisisgala.co.uk
The electronic arm of All Points East celebrates underground sounds, as well as cutting-edge beats from London’s best DJs.

Now located in south London’s Brockwell Park (as are many of this year’s festivals), Field Day always comes prepared with a great line up, and this year’s features Floating Points, KI/KI, Joy Orbison and Anish Kumar among others.

Brockwell Park, May 23; fielddayfestivals.com
For those tired of pop or techno, Cross The Tracks is the perfect palate cleanser.

This is the ultimate destination for everything jazz, funk, soul and hip-hop, with artists like Little Simz, Joy Crookes, Obongjayar and Fabio & Grooverider making appearances over the course of the day.

Brockwell Park, May 24; xthetracks.com
London’s biggest independent festival also happens to be the world’s biggest one-day celebration of reggae, Afrobeats and dancehall music – as well as of Caribbean and African culture.

It’s fun, it’s colourful, and it’s also raising money for the Caribbean Hurricane Fund – as well as nurturing new artists from the Caribbean – so come along to watch Beres Hammond, Aidonia, Gyptian and Jada Kingdom in the knowledge that a proceed of ticket sales will go to a worthy cause.

Brockwell Park, May 25; city-splash.com
Come to Mighty Hoopla for an event celebrating all things queer joy.

It bills itself as the “world’s best pop festival,” and there’s no arguing with a festival that’s hosted artists like Kesha and Nelly Furtado in previous years.

This year, the headliners are a knockout combination of Lily Allen and Scissor Sisters; get tickets for both days if you can and prepare to be doused in glitter.

Brockwell Park, May 30 and 31; mightyhoopla.com
One of the biggest festivals in London’s summer calendar, BST Hyde Park regularly pulls in some of the most famous artists in the world to perform in the picturesque surrounds of Hyde Park.

Expect multiple stages, throngs of people and big gigs taking place from the end of June into July.

And who’d want to miss the chance to see a sea of waving bald caps when Pitbull takes to the stage in July?

Hyde Park, June-July; bst-hydepark.com
The grande dame of London festivals .

Located once more in Victoria Park, All Points East delivers some of the world’s biggest acts to its east London audience over the course of two weeks in August.

You can’t argue with a line up that includes Lorde, Tyler: The Creator, and Deftones.

Basically, there’s something for everyone, and the numerous smaller stages around the festival are always hopping.

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Victoria Park, August 22-23, and 28-30; allpointseastfestival.com
Founded by DJ Saoirse and Clayton of club collective Little Gay Brother, Body Movements was envisioned as a space for London’s queer dance community to come together.

A few years (and a change of venue) later, it’s now flourishing, with big-name queer acts on the billing as well as underground faves.

The festival is also more accessible than most: there’s a pay-in-deposits scheme, as well as the option for wealthier festivalgoers to ‘sponsor’ a ticket for somebody else (read last year’s review here ).

Southwark Park, August 30; bodymovements.co.uk