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Bad news for lovers of live music in the capital – there’ll be one fewer day fest in London this year. Indie festival Wide Awake has officially been cancelled for 2026.
Wide Awake normally takes place in Brockwell Park at the end of May (on the bank holiday). It welcomes more than 20,000 revellers and always has an eclectic lineup of alt music stars. Last year, it was headlined by Belfast rap trio Kneecap alongside Time Out cover star CMAT and Mercury Prize-winning indie band English Teacher. Since launching in 2021, Wide Awake has also hosted the likes of Caroline Polachek, Primal Scream and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard.
Don’t worry though, it doesn’t look as though Wide Awake is going away for good. Well, hopefully. Organisers say that it’s simply ‘taking a break for 2026’.
As far as we know, its cancellation has nothing to do with last year’s Brockwell legal battle, though it isn’t the only event in the park that has been cancelled. Free community event the Lambeth Country Show has also been axed for 2026.
In case you weren’t aware, Wide Awake is part of the London festival series Brockwell Live, which also include Field Day, Cross the Tracks and Mighty Hoopla. All of those fests were at risk last year after locals won a High Court challenge in which they argued that they were ‘destroying’ Brockwell Park. The events still went ahead, but a new objection was launched at the start of this year. That’s not anything to worry about too much, though – allowing groups and residents to submit objections is just a standard part of the planning process.
There’s also plenty more day festivals across London to fill the gap. CMAT, Maribou State and Bombay Bicycle are headlining LIDO, Tyler, the Creator, Lorde, Deftones and Twenty One Pilots are topping the bill at All Points East and Little Simz, Joy Crookes and KOKOROKO will all be at Cross the Tracks.
And if you missed out on Kneecap at Wide Awake last year, there are still tickets left for their huge June gig at Crystal Palace, where they’ll be supported by the likes of The Mary Wallopers, Fat Dog and Biig Piig.
See all of London’s best festivals for 2026 here.
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