Event Details
When does Reading Festival 2026 take place?
The Reading Festival 2026 runs from Thursday, 27 August, to Sunday, 30 August, over the UK's August Bank Holiday weekend; it is one of the oldest and most iconic rock and indie festivals in the world. The campsite opens for all weekend ticket holders on 27 August, while Early Entry ticket holders can arrive from Wednesday, 26 August. The site closes at midday on Monday, 31 August.
Where is Reading Festival held?
The festival takes place at Little John's Farm on Richfield Avenue in Reading, Berkshire (RG1 8EQ), on the edge of Reading town centre, roughly 40 minutes from London Paddington by train. The site is walkable from Reading station in about 20 to 25 minutes without luggage; with camping gear, the shuttle bus from the station to the site entrance is the more practical option.
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Who is playing at Reading Festival 2026?
Running since 1989, the festival has helped launch the careers of Nirvana, Oasis and Eminem, and now draws around 90,000 visitors to Berkshire every year. Six headliners are confirmed for 2026: Charli XCX and Fontaines DC on Friday, Raye and Dave on Saturday, and Florence and the Machine and Chase and Status on Sunday. It marks Florence and the Machine's first Reading headline slot since 2012, while Raye and Dave are performing Reading as their only UK festival show of the year. The lineup spans alternative, indie, hip hop, pop and dance, with a new stage called The Warehouse added for late night programming.
How much do Reading Festival 2026 tickets cost?
A weekend ticket with camping costs £325, and £361 with Early Entry from Wednesday. Day tickets range from £125 (Friday and Sunday) to £195 (Saturday), though day tickets do not allow leaving and returning to the site. Tickets are sold only through Ticketmaster and the official readingfestival.com website; a payment plan with a £50 deposit is available. Buyers are strongly advised to avoid unofficial resale platforms.
Visitor tips for Reading Festival
- Arrive on Thursday with a weekend ticket to secure a good camping spot; Early Entry ticket holders can arrive already on Wednesday.
- Pack a waterproof tent, sturdy boots and rain gear along with sun cream, since both heat and mud have featured at past Bank Holiday weekends.
- Glass bottles, large speakers and nitrous oxide canisters are banned at the gate; check the full list on readingfestival.com.
- Bring earplugs, as the campsite stays lively well into the early hours.
- Book a car parking pass early and separately, since it is not included with the festival ticket and there is no option to buy one on the day.
