As the Prestbury Hills roll into summer, Wychwood Festival returns to Cheltenham Racecourse from Friday 29th May to Sunday 31st May 2026, marking a huge milestone — its 20th anniversary. Two decades of music, laughter, workshops, late‑night singalongs, and that unmistakable Wychwood warmth.
And this year, the party starts early. For the first time ever, Thursday Entry ticket holders can wander through the gates on 28th May, easing into the weekend with entertainment on the Garden Stage before the full festival unfurls.
Across the weekend, more than 100 acts will soundtrack your days and nights — from indie to world music, folk to future‑facing pop — spread across four stages. Add in comedy, over 100 workshops for all ages, healing gardens, the artists quarter, great food, Wychwood Ales, and idyllic camping beneath the hills, and it’s no wonder the Sunday Mirror once crowned it “Britain’s most popular family festival.”
Here’s your three‑day highlights guide — a taste of the artists ready to make Wychwood 2026 unforgettable.
FRIDAY: Indie Icons & Rising Shadows
The Wedding Present — Garden Stage
Few British indie bands have carved out a legacy as defiantly authentic as The Wedding Present. Formed in Leeds in 1985 and led unwaveringly by David Gedge, they’ve clocked up eighteen UK Top 40 singles while refusing to play by the industry rulebook. Expect jangling guitars, sharp‑edged romance, and the kind of cult‑hero energy that turns a field into a choir. Start with: “Kennedy”, “Brassneck”
Bloodworm — Garden Stage
If you like your music dark, urgent, and pulsing with post‑punk electricity, Bloodworm are the Friday discovery you’ll brag about all summer. The Nottingham trio — forged in lockdown and sharpened on over 100 gigs — channel the spectral echoes of The Cure and Bauhaus with a modern bite. Fresh from landing a coveted support slot with Suede, they’re primed to deliver one of the weekend’s most intense live sets. Start with: “Back of Hand”, “Depths”
SATURDAY: Dreamy Modernism & Britpop Fire
Pale Blue Eyes — Garden Stage
Saturday opens with a wash of colour and nostalgia courtesy of Pale Blue Eyes, the Totnes/Sheffield trio whose dreamy synths, shimmering guitars, and DIY spirit have earned them a devoted following. Their albums Souvenirs, This House, and New Place map a journey through memory, movement, and modernist pop. Live, they’re a warm glow — euphoric, heartfelt, and quietly transformative. Start with: “The Dreamer”, “Pieces of You”
The Twang — Main Stage
A festival weekend needs a big, arms‑around‑your-mates moment — and The Twang are here to deliver it. The Birmingham indie favourites bring their Britpop‑leaning swagger, singalong choruses, and a back catalogue built for summer evenings. Expect a crowd bouncing to “Either Way”, “Barney Rubble”, and the kind of communal energy that defines Wychwood at its best. Start with: the classics above
SUNDAY: High‑Voltage Rock & Alt‑Rock Adventurers
The Subways — Garden Stage
Few bands ignite a festival crowd quite like The Subways. Formed in Welwyn Garden City and powered by the dual vocals of Billy Lunn and Charlotte Cooper, they’ve spent over two decades perfecting their explosive indie‑punk sound. Their breakout hit “Rock & Roll Queen” remains one of the great 2000s festival anthems — and hearing it ring out across Cheltenham on a Sunday afternoon will be a moment to savour. Start with: “Rock & Roll Queen”, “Oh Yeah”
Nuns of the Tundra — Garden Stage
Closing out the weekend with grit and groove, Nuns of the Tundra bring a heady blend of stoner‑rock riffs, alt‑rock punch, and garage‑rock rawness. Think Queens of the Stone Age meets Royal Blood, with a dash of Muse’s theatrical edge. Founded by Troy Tittley and named after a Mighty Boosh in‑joke, they’re the perfect Sunday jolt — heavy, hypnotic, and impossible to ignore. Start with: “With Me”, “The Space Between”
A Weekend Built for Everyone
Whether you’re a seasoned festival‑goer, a family seeking a joyful escape, or a music lover hungry for your next favourite band, Wychwood Festival 2026 promises three days of discovery, connection, and celebration. From indie legends to future stars, from healing gardens to late‑night laughter, it’s the perfect way to open the summer.
For more information and tickets, head to wychwoodfestival.com
