Music festival (Picture: Danny Howe / Unsplash)

Festival Application Guide 2026

From major UK festivals to events in the US and Bali, here's how you can perform at a variety of 2026 festivals here.

Sam Harteam Moore
  • By Sam Harteam Moore
  • 26 Aug 2025
  • min read

Looking to get your name on a music festival line-up in 2026? You've come to the right place.

Many UK and international festivals are now welcoming artist applications for next year, which, for the most part, you can do for free — though do be aware that some events require you to pay a fee in order to be considered. Make sure to read each festival’s submission criteria carefully when doing your research.

If you receive an invitation to play at an international showcase, you can apply for funding through PRS Foundation’s International Showcase Fund.

Did you know that you can earn royalties from your live shows, including festival sets? Whether you've played a local show, a festival slot or a DJ set, don't leave your royalties on stage  report your live shows to us via your online account. 

We hope to see you playing on a festival stage next year — good luck!

Information correct as of 28/8/2025. If you represent a festival and your event isn't yet included in the below guide, please get in touch via our social media channels @PRSForMusic.

January 2026

14-17: ESNS, Groningen, Netherlands - Apply here (applications close 1 September 2025)

February 2026

13-15: Riverboats Music Festival, Echuca, Victoria, Australia - Apply here

March 2026

3-8: The New Colossus Festival, New York City, USA - Apply here (applications close 1 December 2025)

6-22: Chipping Norton Music Festival, Chipping Norton - Applications will open here on 1 December 2025

12-18: SXSW, Austin, USA - Apply here (applications close 24 October 2025)

20-22: Cullulleraine Music Festival, Victoria, Australia - Apply here (applications open in September 2025)

April 2026

9-12: Tallinn Music Week, Tallinn, Estonia - Apply here (applications close 27 October 2025)

15-19: Bali Spirit Festival, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia - Apply here

17-19: Country on the Coast, Portsmouth - Apply here (applications close 30 September 2025)

24-26: Brick Lane Jazz Festival, London - Apply here

May 2026

1-2: SPOT Festival, Aarhus, Denmark - Apply here

1-3: LOOPFEST, Shrewsbury - Apply here

1-3: Teddy Rocks, Blandford Forum - Apply here

1-4: Crossover Festival, Calverton, Nottingham - Apply here

7-9: FOCUS Wales, Wrexham - Apply here or here (applications close 1 November 2025)

13-16: The Great Escape, Brighton - Sign up here to be notified when 2026 applications open

15-24: Manchester Jazz Festival, Manchester - Apply here (applications close 19 September 2025)

16: RecFest, Portchester - Apply here

21-24: Knockengorroch, Galloway, Scotland - Apply here

21-25: OUTNOW! Performing Arts Festival, Bremen, Germany - Apply here (applications close 15 September 2025)

22-24: In It Together Festival, Margam, Wales - Apply here

23-24: Dot To Dot Festival, Bristol and Nottingham - Apply here

29-31: Wychwood Festival, Cheltenham - Apply here (applications close 1 March 2026)

June 2026

6: DonnyFest, Doncaster - Apply here

6: Music Barn, Kettering - Apply here

6-7: Exeter Respect Festival, Exeter - Apply here

10-14: Download Festival, Castle Donington - Apply here

20-21: Africa Oyé, Liverpool - Apply here

July 2026

2-5: Gate to Southwell Festival, Southwell - Apply here

2-5: Folk In A Field, West Acre - Apply here

3-5: Love Supreme, Glynde - Apply here

8-11: 2000trees, Cheltenham - Apply here

10-12: Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul Festival, Birmingham - Apply here

10-12: Priddy Folk Festival, Mendip Hills - Apply here

16-19: Big Love Festival, Usk, Wales - Apply here

18: On The Meadow Festival, Walthamstow - Apply here

24-26: Tewkesbury Live, Tewkesbury - Apply here

30-1 August: Belladrum Festival, Belladrum, Scotland - Apply here

30-2 August: Camp Bestival, Dorset - Apply here

August 2026

6-9: Bloodstock Festival, Derbyshire - Apply here

29-31 (TBC): Wokingham Festival, Wokingham - Apply here

September 2026

TBC: Sonic Boom Festival, Burton upon Trent - Apply by email here