Camp Bestival announces its 2026 lineup · News

30th July – 2nd August 2026 at Lulworth Castle, Dorset

The UK’s favourite family festival Camp Bestival presented by Debenhams (30th July – 2nd August 2026) is thrilled to announce its 2026 lineup.

The iconic Fatboy Slim marks his much-anticipated return to the festival on the Sunday with the very first Fatboy Slim & Friends All Day Castle Stage takeover: a day of non-stop, feel-good-vibes with surprise special guests, including hip hop royalty De La Soul. Meanwhile rapper and producer Example will warm up for British chart-toppers, Bastille on Saturday evening, and Fearless pop icon and cultural force Self Esteem takes to the stage on Friday night with living legend Billy Ocean.

Joining them will be the iconic indie rockers Black Grape; drum & bass club culture legends, Fabio and Grooverider, DJ Fat Tony, Alison Limerick, Josh Wink, feel-good British pop-rock band, Toploader; and rising indie stars The Guest List, Brooke Coombeand Ellur. With the festival proudly holding the title for the ultimate family festi-holiday, the ever-eclectic lineup also welcomes back friends Joe Marler, Sara Cox and family favourites: Dick’n’Dom (of high-energy Bungalow Rave fame), Mr Tumble, Blippi, Mister Maker and the CBeebies Bedtime Story tent and more.

Festival Co-curator, Rob da Bank commented: “Hi de hi Campers! Josie and I are really excited about Camp Bestival 2026. Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim has been part of our story since the beginning, and we know he’s gonna bring the party for the Sunday night finale, with support from legends De La Soul. We’re also super-excited that Bastille will play their debut for us this summer, as our Saturday night Castle Stage headliners, with Example warming up for them. The double bill of the incredible Self Esteem’s joyous and insanely creative Friday headline show - with a special guest show from living legend Billy Ocean - is one not to miss too. Camp Bestival is go! See you down the front.”

Festival beats for all the family

Headliners and indie acts aside, the 2026 DJ line-up includes pioneering British independent record label, Hospital Records(celebrating 30 years in 2026); BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins’Indie Disco, The Beatles Dub Club; renowned British DJ Fat Tony; electronic music duo, Leftfield and emerging / party collectives Bangers & Mash and Fleetmac Wood.

Joining the trend of tribute acts, Hariana Live (top Ariana Grande UK tribute act) and UK-based Black Sabbath tribute act, Sabotagewill undoubtedly deliver on the nostalgia, with their renditions of chart-topping pop anthems and heavy metal classics. See full line-up of music see here.

Beyond the music: the ultimate family festival

As a festival created by families, for families, Camp Bestival presented by Debenhams blends the magic of a festival with the excitement of an action-packed seaside camping holiday, offering incredible value for money: kids under 5 go FREE (for a limited time). 2026 really does channel ‘festi-holiday’ vibes, with a brilliantly-nostalgic At The Seaside fancy dress theme: a full-blown celebration of seaside spirit.

Marking its 18th year, the festival’s usual eclectic four-day lineup of family-friendly fun includes so much more than just incredible music. There’s a whole world of free activities to dive into: amazing food stalls and hands-on foodie masterclasses, immersive theatre, circus spectacles, pop-up sideshow commotions, comedy, author talks and live podcasts (including The Scummy Mummies and Sara Cox and Clare Hamilton’s, The Teen Commandments), family sports, outdoor adventures, arts & crafts and the Slomo Wellbeing Festival: a family wellbeing-focussed festival-within-a-festival. As ever, family favourites Blippi, Mr Tumble and king of craft Mister Maker will bring all the creative magic and joyful mayhem.

New for 2026

Festival curators and husband and wife team Josie and Rob da Bank continue their quest to reinvent family time, delivering a festival programme that encourages families to ditch the screens, get outside and have fun being curious and creative. New for 2026:

The Allotment – a new collaboration with gardener, presenter and educator, August Beth. The Allotment features five beautiful greenhouses - one starring The Vegetable Museum, with veggie exhibits plucked from all around the world – where families can join seed sewing masterclasses and fun Q&A sessions
Beekeeping Workshops – led by local Dorset beekeeper, Imi & Her Bees
Heritage craft Workshops - encouraging families to try their hand at braided grain corn creations, with a different theme each day across the weekend
The Earth’s Crust Bread School - the on-site bakery and bread school returns for a second year, with The Breaducator, David Wright. Learn how to make bread from scratch
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Workshops - family sessions bringing Shakespeare’s stories to life with interactive family-friendly drama games, role-play and creative activities
The Royal Society Summer Science pop-up exhibition - interactive exhibits, hands-on activities and talks showcasing cutting-edge UK science and innovation
Taskmaster Education sessions - inspired by the hit TV show Taskmaster, these sessions offer families a hands-on opportunity to problem-solve, work as a team and get creative
DIY Workshops – bringing back skills for all, with a programme of sessions on practical DIY know-how
Brand new Trampoline park - the perfect opportunity to jump, play and let off steam
Bandstand dance classes – daily Cajun and salsa dancing sessions, plus a fun family ceilidh
New additions to the popular Fashion & Textile World: shell painting, scrap fabric accessories, marbled fabrics and mini fashion shows

Festival Co-curator and Creative Director Josie da Bank added: “Curating Camp Bestival is my favourite time of year. I teleport myself back to my own childhood and think about all the things that made me feel really happy and free. This year we have so much for families, including lots of new launches - a whole tent dedicated to corn doll workshops with the Braided Grain (a heritage craft that’s quickly disappearing), and a brand new allotment and Vegetable Museum to explore. Whatever your age, there’s so much to do and learn this year: spend the day learning to make bread, watch circus, do yoga, dance, eat food from all over the world and get creative with arts & crafts. Using your hands to make and create, immersing yourself in colour and texture is everything to me, and passing this onto my four sons and the Camp Bestival audience is such an honour. See you in July.”

Also returning for 2026: Navigation Town, with its magical team of Navigators sharing their wonderful skills and guiding festival-goers around the site; the popular high-energy Silly Science Shows; amazing circus shows and walkabout theatre from Thingumajig Theatre; Slomo Wellbeing– the family wellbeing area curated by Josie and Rob da Bank (with a programme still TBA) ; the wildly-unpredictable Bongo’s Bingo party; the Sports Park; Little Town, specifically designed for under 5s; and Wild Tribe, a leafy land of adventure set in a hidden valley where earthy play is the order of the day.

Long standing friend of the festival, Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim comments: “Given that there’s a seaside theme at Camp Bestival this year, I can’t think of anybody more qualified than me to be providing the authentic seaside experience. I’ll be bringing all my seaside friends on 2nd August for the Castle Stage takeover. Fatboy Slim with a seagull… I think the genius of Camp Bestival is the multigenerational raving: it’s kind of for kids, but it’s kind of for adults too. The two seem to co-exist in a very interestingly symbiotic way!”

Returning for a second year as a headline partner, Dan Finley CEO of Debenhams Group adds: “After such a fantastic debut with Camp Bestival last year, we couldn’t be more thrilled to return as headline partner for 2026. The energy, engagement, and connection we saw across families and festival-goers was incredible, it brought the heart of Debenhams to life in a vibrant way. We’re looking forward to building on that momentum, deepening our relationships, and delivering another unforgettable experience together.”

Camp Bestival presented by Debenhams will take place from Thursday 30th July – Sunday 2nd August 2026.

For more info and day and weekend tickets visit campbestival.net.

On sale timings as follows:

PayPal is making it easier for music lovers to secure their spot at Camp Bestival by Debenhams with exclusive presale access. Starting from 9am on 23rd January, a limited number of tickets will be available exclusively to PayPal customers for up to 48 hours:

8am, 23rd January - Lineup announcement
9am, 23rd January - 48hr PayPal presale begins*
9am, 25th January - General on-sale

*Starts 9am, 23rd January and ends when sold out or by 9am, 25th January, whichever comes first. T&Cs apply

PayPal App download link here.