What is Kendal Calling?

Kendal Calling is a four-day music festival held annually in the stunning setting of Lowther Deer Park in the Lake District. It is held in the last week of July and although this does mean that this clashes with Derbyshire’s YNot festival, the vibe of the festivals is very similar, and artists can often appear on both lineups!

As someone who has attended Kendal Calling every year since Frank Turner took the stage in 2011, I would say the energy at the festival is amazing! I would recommend it in particular for anyone who is into indie, alternative and feel-good acts, though it does cater to a wide range of tastes and even features comedians such as Jason Manford!

Who are the 2026 headliners?

No festival is complete without the acts taking the main stage, so here’s the run-down of who’s headlining each night at Kendal Calling!

Opening the festival with a bang is Two Door Cinema Club, an upbeat indie rock band known for sharp guitar riffs and catchy choruses. Their music combines both intensity and nostalgia, making it the kind of music that is perfect for kicking off the festival weekend. A song I would recommend listening to before going to see this band is ‘Undercover Martin’, which has an incredible level of energy when played in front of a live festival audience!

Taking the stage as the main act on the Friday night is Biffy Clyro, a musical group known for a mix of emotional and heavier rock music. Their sound combines alt-rock and post-hardcore influences, leaning into themes of love and struggle. Crowds always lean into the emotion of a Biffy Clyro live performance – I would recommend ‘Bubbles’ as a good song of theirs to hear before attending Kendal Calling!

Hitting the main stage on the Saturday night is Wolf Alice, an indie alt-rock band from London with an edgy and rebellious feel to it. Their music is a mixture of hard-hitting emotions and bursts of energy, perfect for a crowd a couple of nights into a festival! A recommendation of theirs that I would give is ‘No Hard Feelings’.

Closing the weekend’s festivities is none other than Brighton’s very own The Kooks, an alternative indie rock band with laid-back vocals and a retro vibe. Their music is perfect for a summer festival, and I of course have to recommend ‘Naïve’. It’s by far their most iconic and catchy track, perfect to sing along to as their performance brings Kendal Calling 2026 to an end.

 Must-see performances

There are far more artists at the festival than just the headliners, but as much as I’d like to, I can’t talk about them all! That being said, I have compiled a list of a few other artists I wouldn’t miss when attending Kendal Calling 2026!

• Rianne Downey, an artist known for her work with Paul Heaton of The Beautiful South fame
• The Lilacs : an indie band from Wigan with hits such as ‘Grace’
• The Lancashire Hotpots : a band celebrating all things Lancashire through absolute party anthems like ‘Egg, Sausage, Chips and Beans’
• The Rosadocs, an indie rock band with songs including ‘Sweet Sarcasm’
• Paramore-ish, a group covering the music of Paramore; look out for Paramore’s best hits like ‘Still Into You’!

What is there to do?

Honestly, you could spend a weekend at Kendal Calling without seeing a single artist and simply soaking up the festival atmosphere in other ways at various entertainment tents throughout the site!

If you fancy a film to start off your day, the Picturehouse tent shows movies throughout the festival that offer an escape from reality.

The Woodlands Stage presents up-and-coming artists from a range of genres and hosts the infamous Kendal Calling silent disco nestled in the woods surrounding the main festival site.

Tim Peaks Diner is one of the most unique and recognisable features of the festival and you never know what you might stumble upon there – it has been known to host secret sets from incredible artists such as The Libertines and The Blossoms!

Frequently Asked Questions

As someone who has attended the festival annually for over a decade, although I’m by no means an expert I can certainly have a go at handling some frequent questions about the festival experience!

Is it child-friendly?

• For the most part, I would say the festival is appropriate for children – the site can get muddy and there is some alcohol / drug use present (as there is at any music festival), but as long as a child is well-supervised, I think they can have a brilliant time. Some of my core memories from growing up are times spent at Kendal Calling!

What is the alcohol policy?

• Alcohol is allowed into the campsite as long as it is not in glass bottles and is only carried in on your first trip to the campsite. Your own alcohol is not permitted in the arena area, although UniFreshers offers some sneaky top tips to bypass this!

Is there a way to spread ticket costs?

• Yes, Kendal Calling offers a ticket payment plan that automatically takes a payment across a number of months, with the deposit amounts and subsequent payments clearly displayed before purchase!

What campsites can I use?

• For those with a general admission weekend ticket, there are a range of campsites: Great Holmes for those who like a party, Saddleback View for young children and families, The Shire for a relaxed vibe and Quiet Camping for those looking to get an early night!

How can I travel to Kendal Calling?

• Coach tickets are available from across the country, and trains run to Penrith station with a shuttle bus onwards to the site. Ticketholderscan also come by car, but they need to purchase a parking pass alongside their entry ticket.

Do they cater to dietary requirements?

• Yes, the festival has a wide range of gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options! There are several specifically gluten-free / vegan traders, and all vendors supply at least one vegetarian option.

What items are prohibited in the campsite?

• The campsite does not allow the following: animals (except assistance dogs), blowtorches, Chinese lanterns, campfires, unsupervised children under 16, fireworks, flares, glass, gazebos, gas canisters over 230g, illegal substances, weapons, liquid fuels and selfie sticks

What items are prohibited in the arena?

• The arena does not permit the following: aerosols. Alcohol, animals (except assistance dogs), disposable barbeques, blowtorches, Chinese lanterns, campfires, unsupervised children under 16, fireworks, flares, glass, gazebos, compact mirrors, gas stoves, illegal substances, cooking knives, small hammers, prefilled water bottles, weapons, liquid fuels, selfie sticks and two-way radios

For any other questions, you can check out the official website here – until then, see you in the fields!