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UK`s Splendour Festival to End After 18 Years
June26
Independent promoter DHP Family has announced that the 2026 edition of the UK`s Splendour Festival will be the event`s last, bringing an end to the Nottingham festival after an 18-year run.
The final edition will take place on July 18-19 at Wollaton Hall & Deer Park in Nottingham, England, with a lineup featuring The Wombats, Snow Patrol, Primal Scream, The Ks, Hard Life, Editors, Craig David Presents TS5 and The Flaming Lips.
In a statement, organisers said the decision had been made due to the increasingly difficult environment facing independent festivals.
"It is with a heavy heart that we today announce that this year`s Splendour Festival will be our last," the festival said. "Sadly the climate for independent festivals has become increasingly challenging, and we want to make sure we give Splendour the send-off Nottingham deserves."
Launched in 2008 as a partnership between DHP Family and Nottingham City Council, Splendour became a regular fixture of the UK`s summer festival calendar, attracting up to 25,000 attendees and hosting artists including Paolo Nutini, Noel Gallagher, Madness, Pet Shop Boys, Calvin Harris, Rag`n`Bone Man, Blondie, Paloma Faith, Manic Street Preachers, Dizzee Rascal, Jess Glynne, Anne-Marie, Becky Hill and The Human League.
DHP Family Managing Director George Akins said the festival had remained true to its original ambition of bringing international artists to Nottingham while supporting local music, but said maintaining an event of its scale had become increasingly difficult.
"In recent years, while our commitment to our shared vision remained, the level of civic support and collaboration from the council diminished significantly, making it harder to sustain an event of Splendour`s scale," Akins said.
He also pointed to wider pressures affecting the festival sector, including inflation, the cost-of-living crisis, increased competition from stadium concerts and outdoor events, and consolidation within the live music industry.
"Everybody knows of the tough financial conditions faced by all festivals," he said. "Independents across the country are also facing a highly-saturated market... alongside the looming threat of multi-nationals buying up those markets, locking out access to artists and inevitably driving up prices for customers even further. The current model feels unsustainable and it`s unsurprising that many festivals are closing their gates for the final time."
Despite Splendour coming to an end, Akins said DHP Family remains committed to promoting events in Nottingham and expects to return to Wollaton Park with future live events. The company continues to operate festivals including Bearded Theory in Derbyshire and the multi-city Dot To Dot Festival in Nottingham and Bristol.
To mark the festival`s final edition, organisers have launched a two-for-one offer on all remaining general admission day tickets, encouraging fans to attend what will be Splendour`s farewell event.
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