The countdown to Wychwood Festival 2026 has officially begun, and excitement is building after the festival revealed its final headliners and latest additions to the 2026 line-up.
Returning to Cheltenham Racecourse beneath the beautiful Prestbury Hills from 29–31 May 2026, the much-loved Wychwood Festival is celebrating a huge milestone — its 20th anniversary.
With big names like Craig David presents TS5, Kaiser Chiefs, and Levellers topping the bill, plus a packed programme of music, comedy, workshops and activities for all ages, it’s easy to see why Wychwood continues to be recognised as the best family music festival around.
As a family who absolutely loves attending, we’re already counting down the days until the summer festival season begins.
Wychwood Festival 2026 Line-Up: Final Headliners Announced
The organisers have confirmed the final headliner for Wychwood Festival 2026, and it’s guaranteed to bring a huge party atmosphere to the racecourse.
Craig David Presents TS5 – Friday Night Headliner
Leading the newly announced additions is Craig David presents TS5, confirmed as the Friday night headliner.
This high-energy set blends DJing, MCing and live vocals — mixing classic UK garage, R&B favourites and current hits into one unforgettable night of music.
Expect the crowd to be singing along to beloved anthems when Craig David presents TS5 kicks off the festival weekend in style.
The Big Wychwood Festival 2026 Headliners
The 2026 line-up features an exciting mix of legendary acts, indie icons and festival favourites.
Kaiser Chiefs – Saturday Night Headliners
Indie giants Kaiser Chiefs will take centre stage on Saturday night. Known for crowd-pleasing anthems like I Predict a Riot and Ruby, their performance promises to be one of the most energetic moments across the weekend.
Levellers – Sunday Night Headliners
Closing the festival, Levellers bring their unmistakable folk-rock energy to Sunday night.
With decades of iconic songs and a reputation for incredible live shows, Levellers closing the festival feels like the perfect way to end this milestone celebration.
Wychwood Festival 2026 Reveals Huge Supporting Line-Up
Alongside the headliners, organisers have confirmed a fantastic mix of artists including:
- Feeder
- Sophie Ellis-Bextor
- The Pigeon Detectives
- Everything Everything
- Maxïmo Park
- Newton Faulkner
- Chesney Hawkes
- Boney M
- The Wedding Present
- The Subways
- The Twang
- Elles Bailey
Also appearing are a range of exciting acts including Dub Pistols, Tankus, 3 Daft Monkeys, Pale Blue Eyes, Nuns of the Tundra, and the always entertaining Thrill Collins.
The lineup reflects the festival’s tradition of blending established artists with emerging talent and joyful surprises.
Wychwood Festival 2026 Opens Thursday for the First Time
For the first time in its history, Wychwood will be opening on Thursday, giving fans an extra evening to enjoy music and camping.
The Thursday night headline slot will feature Dutty Moonshine Big Band, bringing their signature swing-infused disco energy to kickstart the celebrations.
This extra evening forms part of the extended anniversary celebration marking the festival’s 20th edition.
Comedy, Workshops and Family Fun at Wychwood Festival
While music is the heart of the event, Wychwood has long been famous for offering a huge extensive programme of entertainment beyond the main stages.
The comedy tent will feature acts including:
- Henning Wehn
- Patrick Monahan
- Jonny Awsum
- Javier Jarquin
- Duncan Oakley
Elsewhere across the festival site you’ll find unique performances and party moments including:
- Barrioke
- Hip Hop Karaoke
- The Horne Section
- Primary School Bangers
- themed disco events
There are also activities for all ages across The Village Green and family areas, making Wychwood a truly family-friendly event.
Why Wychwood Festival Is a Favourite for Families
One of the reasons Wychwood Festival has built such a loyal following is its welcoming atmosphere and focus on families.
With workshops, crafts, literature events and interactive performances, it’s more than just a music festival — it’s a full weekend experience combining music and camping with creativity and community.
It’s easy to see why Wychwood has notched up consecutive wins and recognition at events like the UK Festival Awards 2025, where it was crowned Family Festival of the Year.
For families like ours, it has become a much-loved family-friendly tradition that marks the start of summer every year.
Wychwood Festival Location: Cheltenham Racecourse
The festival takes place at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire, surrounded by the scenic Prestbury Hills.
The location provides a beautiful backdrop for the event and plenty of space for camping, stages, food traders and family activities.
Being held over the first weekend of the summer festival season, it’s the perfect way to welcome warmer weather.
For more information about the venue and area, see:
- Cheltenham Racecourse
- Wychwood Festival
Additional authority resources about UK festivals and live music include:
- UK Festival Awards – https://www.festivalawards.com
- Visit Cheltenham – https://www.visitcheltenham.com
- BBC Music Festival coverage – https://www.bbc.co.uk/music
Tickets On Sale for Wychwood Festival 2026
Tickets are selling extremely quickly for the landmark 20th anniversary edition.
At the time of writing:
- Weekend camping tickets are already 90% sold out
- Remaining tickets are available from around £144.50
With such a strong 2026 line-up, it’s likely this will be one of the fastest-selling years yet.
Our Family Can’t Wait for Wychwood Festival 2026
Having attended before, we know exactly why music lovers return year after year.
The mix of big-name headliners, relaxed atmosphere, fantastic food and endless family activities makes it one of our favourite festivals.
From dancing to Sophie Ellis-Bextor to singing along with The Pigeon Detectives, and discovering new artists like Everything Everything, every year brings something special.
With the 20th anniversary celebrations planned and the biggest line-up yet, Wychwood Festival is back and shaping up to be unforgettable.
Roll on May 2026 — we’ll see you there!
FAQs About Wychwood Festival 2026
Who are the headliners for Wychwood Festival 2026?
The confirmed headliners are Craig David presents TS5, Kaiser Chiefs, and Levellers, performing across the festival weekend.
When is Wychwood Festival 2026?
The festival takes place 29–31 May 2026, with gates opening on Thursday for the first time for an additional night of music.
Where is Wychwood Festival held?
The festival is hosted at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire, set beneath the scenic Prestbury Hills.
Is Wychwood a family-friendly festival?
Yes. Wychwood is widely considered the best family music festival around, offering hundreds of family-friendly activities, workshops and performances.
Are tickets still available?
Yes, but tickets on sale are limited, with weekend camping tickets nearly sold out.