Reading & Leeds Festival 2026: Charli XCX, Fontaines D.C., RAYE Among Major Headliners

Charli XCX, RAYE, and Florence and the Machine are set to headline the Reading & Leeds Festival 2026. This iconic English festival, taking place simultaneously at Richfield Avenue in Reading and Bramham Park in Leeds, will also feature Fontaines D.C., Dave, and the electronic duo Chase & Status as main acts. The festival will occur over the Bank Holiday weekend from August 27 to 30.

Additional performers announced in the first lineup reveal include SOMBR, Skepta, and Geese. Kasabian will make history as Leeds first-ever Thursday headliner, performing on the main stage. Traditionally, the festival has hosted two headliners per day from Friday through Sunday.

Other artists joining the bill are Role Model, JADE, Josh Baker, Kneecap, Kettama, Chris Stussy (Reading only), Geese, Skye Newman, Adla, and Keo. More acts will be confirmed in the coming months.

Tickets are already available through a PayPal presale starting December 1, with a second presale on December 2, followed by a general sale on December 3.

Florence and The Machine and Dave have previously headlined the festival, in 2012 and 2022 respectively. The remaining headliners have all appeared at the festival multiple times in recent years. Fontaines D.C. will perform their first U.K. festival show following the end of their Romance tour in August 2025. Charli XCX will also perform her only U.K. festival appearance, following the release of her Wuthering Heights soundtrack album in February 2026.

Festival director Melvin Benn emphasized the importance of spotlighting rising stars alongside established acts. Reflecting on the 2025 festival, he noted that giving emerging artists headline slots encourages festivals to be bold in their bookings and creates unique, memorable moments for attendees.

Author: Sophia Brooks