The Brit Fest has revealed its full 2026 line-up as the award-winning festival returns to Ashley Hall Showground in Altrincham next July.
Headlining the festival will be Manchester indie legends Happy Mondays, 80s icon Holly Johnson (the voice of Frankie Goes to Hollywood) and new-wave pioneers ABC.
They'll be joined on a stellar bill by a cast of British music icons including Wet Wet Wet, Eternal, Peter Hook & The Light, Sleeper, Chris Helme, Cast, Aswad, Space, The Blow Monkeys and Babybird.
Also appearing will be Rick Parfitt Jnr & The RPJ Band, Fisherman’s Friends, Altered Images, Doctor and the Medics, Stereo MC’s, The Farm, Let Loose, Nathan Moore (Brother Beyond), Mark Radcliffe & Co., James Walsh (Starsailor) and the festival's first international guest, Jason Donovan.
All in all, the 2026 line-up has sold more than 70 million albums worldwide.
It will all take place from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th July 2026, hosted once again by local favourites Jenny Powell and Mike Toolan.
And this year the weekend will kick off with a Thursday night party featuring Symphonic Ibiza, complete with live strings and special guest Angie Brown.
Tickets go on sale at 10am on Thursday 23rd October - follow the below link to secure yours.
30,000 visitors
Since its debut in 2024, The Brit Fest has seen remarkable growth, reaching over 30,000 visitors in 2025 - and 2026 is set to be the biggest yet.
Altrincham-based ABC+ Warranty returns as the Official Title Partner for The Brit Fest 2026.
Festivalgoers can camp, glamp with Tangerine Fields, or bring motorhomes and caravans, while nearby hotels including the Delta Marriott offer luxury stays complete with spa and shuttle service.
The Brit Fest has been shortlisted for Leading Live Event of the Year at the This is Manchester Awards 2025 and Best Event or Festival at the Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards 2025/26.
Today's line-up announcement was revealed at a special launch event at a packed Everyman Cinema in Altrincham.
Full details of the line-up
Headliners:
• Friday: Happy Mondays – Manchester legends performing Step On, Kinky Afro, and 24 Hour Party People.
• Saturday: Holly Johnson – the voice of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, performing Relax, Two Tribes, and The Power of Love.
• Sunday: ABC – fronted by Martin Fry, performing timeless hits from The Lexicon of Love including Poison Arrow and The Look of Love.
Also performing:
Wet Wet Wet (Love Is All Around), Eternal (Stay, Power of a Woman), Peter Hook & The Light (Joy Division & New Order classics), Chris Helme (Love is the Law), Sleeper (Inbetweener), Cast (Walkaway, Alright), Aswad (Don’t Turn Around), Space (Female of the Species), The Blow Monkeys (Digging Your Scene), Babybird (You’re Gorgeous), Rick Parfitt Jnr & The RPJ Band, Fisherman’s Friends, Altered Images (Happy Birthday), Doctor and the Medics (Spirit in the Sky), Stereo MC’s (Connected), The Farm (All Together Now), Let Loose (Crazy for You), Nathan Moore (Brother Beyond, The Harder I Try), Mark Radcliffe & Co., James Walsh (Starsailor, Four to the Floor), Cole Page and the event's first international guest Jason Donovan (Too Many Broken Hearts).
The festival opens with Symphonic Ibiza, featuring live strings and powerhouse vocalist Angie Brown, performing a euphoric fusion of classic Ibiza anthems and orchestral arrangements to start the weekend in style.
Here are the day-by-day breakdowns:
Festival Director Edward Prophet said: “When we first started, we dreamed of creating something that would celebrate music and bring people together. The love and energy from our audience have been extraordinary. The Brit Fest has become more than a festival – it’s a shared celebration of pride, nostalgia and community, and 2026 will take that to another level.”
Commercial Director Anthony Prophet added: “The growth in just two years has been incredible. Every message, every smile, every returning face tells us that people feel part of something special here. 2026 is going to be our most exciting chapter yet.”
In 2025, the festival generated an estimated £1.5 million for local businesses, from hotels and restaurants to transport providers and retailers.
The festival also supports The Seashell Trust, helping children and young adults with complex learning difficulties and disabilities.
The Brit Fest team is also inviting local people to join the 2026 Volunteer Crew, offering opportunities to gain hands-on experience. To apply, visit www.thebritfest.co.uk.
