Please recommend Carnivals, festivals, weekenders, fetes etc for 2026

FrankFalcon

Hi all (and a happy new year)

My wife and I bought a Campervan a couple of years ago and have loved travelling the UK staying in some stunning places we had never heard of previously. However, typically, we find out about an event/carnival/festival too late to book tickets or find anywhere to stay. For example, in the last couple of years we only discovered:

Whitby Goth Weekend

Bridgewater Carnival

Fairports Cropredy Convention 

Etc, etc. 

So, as we sit home (in the UK on a drab January day) freezing our Fingertips off, with nowhere to go, we want to start planning some days/weekends out in 2026. With this in mind, we’re looking for ideas, suggestions for carnivals, festivals, galas, fetes etc in the UK. We are fully aware of the giants, such as  Glastonbury, Let’s Rock, creamfields etc (attended by tens of thousands of people) but to be honest, at this time, we prefer more ‘localised’ Carnivals, festivals, weekenders etc. 

Therefore, we’d be very grateful to hear your recommendations for things to do/places to go in 2026. 

Thanks all. 

Jackie1813

Sweeps festival Rochester Kent first bank holiday weekend in May. Folk festival with Morris dancers plenty of Bands and great fun.

FrankFalcon

Jackie1813 said:

Sweeps festival Rochester Kent first bank holiday weekend in May. Folk festival with Morris dancers plenty of Bands and great fun.

Thanks Jackie1813. EXACTLY the kind of suggestion we were looking for. 

twopenny

Food and festivals at Lynmouth and Ilfracombe with lots of places to stay and Exmoor has tons of beautiful and unusual places to and explore.
Lynmouth especially.
Wildlife safaris a good one as vans can't get in the little roads.
Ask again if you decide to go that way and I'll give suggestions.
Dunster also has lots of things to do and explore. It's on the way down.
It has a Fair in July and a show outside in August.

littleredhen

https://solfest.co.uk/tickets/

Keep_pedalling

I can highly recomend Ely Folk Festival.. Great atmosphere, good food, good beer and the good facilities for campers and camper vans. 

https://elyfolkfestival.co.uk/preview-of-2026-festival/

Misslayed

I’ve never been (not a fan of festivals), but a bunch of friends who go to Beautiful Days always love it. It happens in the summer, in the vicinity of Exeter. 

elsien

Upton blues festival. 

Added benefit of being free outside of the camping. 

Big Fake Festival (cover bands) - not been, but I’m told it’s good,  - Newark. Other one day events are also available around the country.

Bridgewater carnival if you like a parade with a Christmassy feel although it does get very busy.

Myci85

Lakefest, Eastnor deer park, Herefordshire. Local to me, and yet we've somehow never been, but friends rave about it, and I believe it's very popular with campervanners. 

elsien

oh yes, Ragley Hall camper calling. 

sheramber

Ballindrum festival in the highlands of Scotland

https://tartanheartfestival.com/