For music lovers in Cambridge there are several great weekend music festivals or outdoor one-day music events through the summer months, that are not too far away across East Anglia along with a few that are worth getting the train down to London for. Below are a selection of our picks for 2026, now fingers crossed the weather plays ball too.
Strawberry Fair
- When: 6 June 2026
- Where: Midsummer Common, Cambridge
In the heart of Cambridge, free to enter and run by volunteers, Strawberry Fair has been an institution for the people of Cambridge for 51 editions now. After a year off in 2025 there’s a pent up desire for this year’s fair. With far too many great local bands to list here, simply head over to their Instagram to find out more – https://www.instagram.com/strawberry_fair/
Thetford Forest
- When: 17-25 June 2026
- Where: High Lodge, Brandon
Forest Live has been running shows at High Lodge for years, 2026 plays host to McFly, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Fatboy Slim, Snow Patrol and UB40 feat Ali Campbell. Who almost all have been through East Anglia in recent years and you either want to see again, or wished you saw last time.
More about Thetford Forest 2026
Newmarket Nights
- When: 19th June – 14th August
- Where: Newmarket July Racecourse, Suffolk
Newmarket Racecourse plays host to several acts after racing through the Summer, you don’t have to watch the racing, however it can be amazing to make a whole day of it. 2026 sees Five, Basement Jaxx, Madness, Aitch, Jessie J, Craig Davis’s TS5 and Kaiser Chiefs.
More about Newmarket Nights 2026
BST Hyde Park
- When: 27th June – 12 July
- Where: Hyde Park, London
The train to King’s Cross then a tube ride to Hyde Park, makes the BST Hyde Park shows relatively easy to get to from Cambridge. Usually bringing some of the biggest acts to the Royal Park each year. With 2026 being no different with Garth Brooks, Maroon 5, Mumford and Sons, Pitbull and Lewis Capaldi headlining shows, along with big names on the under cards and second stages at the events.
Eddfest
- When: 10th – 11th July
- Where: Knebworth, Hertfordshire
Iron Maiden are headlining a massive show at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire, with an epic supporting line up of acts across Friday and Saturday including The Hu, The Darkness, Airbourne, Blaze Bayley and The Almighty. With camping on site you don’t have to worry about getting a late train or cab home either.
Latitude Festival
- When: 23 – 26th July 2026
- Where: Henham Park, Suffolk
This year is the 20th edition of Latitude in the Suffolk countryside not far from Southwold and Beccles. Musical headliners this year are David Byrne, Lewis Capaldi and Teddy Swims, along with a line up that includes The Flaming Lips, The Last Dinner Party, Self Esteem, Billy Ocean, Wet Leg and Tom Greenan. The festival also as a cracking comedy slate including Ross Noble, Jen Brister, Jack Dee, Sara Pascoe, Lenny Henry and Sue Perkins.
More about Latitude Festival 2026
Cambridge Folk Festival
- When: 25 July – 2 August 2026
- Where: Across the city and Cherry Hinton Hall, Cambridge
Like Strawberry Fair the Folk Fest skipped a year last year, returning this year in a smaller scale event at Cherry Hinton Hall headlined by Frank Turner, Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips and Suzanne Vega. Then adding a week of shows at venues across the city as well including Thea Gilmore, Dr John Cooper Clarke, John Bramwell, Frankie Archer and many more.
More about Cambridge Folk Festival 2026
Audley End Heritage Live
- When: 6-9 August 2026
- Where: Audley End House, Saffron Walden
The grand English Heritage property of Audley End House is a great backdrop to a stage that usually hosts some big names each summer. This year sees Scissor Sisters, The Streets, Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classical and Faithless take the stage along with a long list of supporting acts.
More about Audley End Heritage Live 2026
Rock n Roll Circus Norwich
- When: 21-23 August 2026
- Where: Earlham Park, Norwich
Relatively new to the festival schedule over the last couple of years Rock n Roll Circus (in both Norwich and Sheffield) has seen some big acts and circus performances. 2026 brings The Streets, The Kooks and Madness to Norwich as headliners. Along with The Vaccines, The Fratellis, Ocean Colour Scene, The Selecter and many more as support.
More about Rock n Roll Circus Norwich 2026
All Points East
- When: 21 – 30 August 2026
- Where: Victoria Park, East London
Almost as East London’s possibly hipper version of BST, All Points East in Victoria Park near Hackney Wick and Mile End. This year sees Jorja Smith and Tems, Lorde, Deftones, Tyler The Creator and Twenty One Pilots headline nights. With impressive supports from Interpol, AFI, PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson, own, Ayra Starr, Turnstile and many others.
More about All Points East 2026
Sandringham Heritage Live
- When: 20 – 23 August 2026
- Where: Sandringham Estate, Norfolk
Up in the North West corner of Norfolk the royal estate of Sandringham has grown in recent years to a 30,000 capacity. 2026 will see guitar legend Eric Clapton and the iconic Lionel Richie set to take the stage. With likely two more huge acts to be announced for the 21st and 22nd.
More about Sandringham Heritage Live 2026
Shiny New Model
- When: 10th October 2026
- Where: Cambridge Junction, Cambridge
When the summer is done, it doesn’t mean festival season is over, the independent promoter Green Mind has been arranging Shiny New Model across multiple stages at Cambridge Junction for the last couple of years. 2026 line up includes so far The Orchestra (For Now), TTSSFU, Kloyd and The Motor Show with more to be announced, keep an eye on their Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/shinynewmodelfestival