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All editions

Fest TimelineUpdated: 29 Mar 2026

Today

26 Sept

Early bird tickets on sale (with first lineup wave)

12 Feb

General ticket sales open (10am)

26 Sept

First lineup wave announced (Pixies, Skunk Anansie, and more)

21 Nov

Second lineup wave announced (Garbage, The Damned, Kae Tempest, and more)

28 Jan

Full lineup announced (Everything Everything, The Horrors, The Twilight Sad, and more)

20 May

Festival! 🎉

Key Info

Bearded Theory is an independent, multi-award-winning performing arts and music festival held over the May bank holiday weekend, pitched squarely at families and alternative music fans of all ages. Spread across nine stages at a 250-acre estate in th…

Website

beardedtheory.co.uk

Genres

rockindiemixed

Date

20 - 24 May, 2026

Location

Walton-on-Trent

Size

Small · 15,000

Established

2008, Running 18 years

Vibe

Laid-back and genuinely communal, with people drifting between stages at their own pace, kids on shoulders in the pit, chai tea in one hand and a pint in the other, and a crowd that's there for the music rather than their phones.

Setting

forestfarm

Scale

sprawling

Crowd

family-friendlymusic nerds

Density

space to dance

Dress code

come as you are

Food

lots of food options

Accessibility

middle of nowhere

LineupUpdated: 30 Mar 2026

Pixies

Garbage

Skunk Anansie

The Damned

Kae Tempest

Everything Everything

The Horrors

Kate Nash

Badly Drawn Boy

Idlewild

Fat Dog

CMAT

Peter Hook and the Light

The Twilight Sad

Reverend and the Makers

Pop Will Eat ItselfThe Wedding PresentUtah SaintsEMFGoldieLambrini GirlsSprintsBig SpecialBad NervesNewDadKid KapichiPanic ShackHeartwormsFerocious Dog3 Daft Monkeys

Full lineup

TicketsUpdated: 29 Mar 2026

Adult WeekendTiered pricing — earlier releases from ~£210; £255 is the 4th release face value. Payment plan available with monthly instalments.

£255

Child Weekend (0–16)Age-banded tickets (0–7, 8–11, 12–16); prices frozen at 2025 levels. Toddlers may be free — check site for exact breakdown.

£60

Wednesday Early Entry Add-on (Adult)Add-on to an Adult Weekend ticket only; +booking fee. Limited availability.

£35

Wednesday Early Entry Add-on (0–16)Add-on for children aged 0–16 holding a Weekend ticket.

£5

Campervan/Caravan Pass (Thu–Sun)4-day vehicle pass; must be purchased in advance — not available on the day.

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Campervan/Caravan Pass (Wed–Sun)5-day vehicle pass required if arriving Wednesday. Power hook-up version also available (reported ~£245).

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Car Park PassWeekend car parking; Wednesday entry included. Available via Ticketmaster and alttickets.

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Buy Tickets

Recent NewsUpdated: 29 Mar 2026

lineup

Full 2026 lineup confirmed: Pixies, Garbage and Skunk Anansie to headline

nme.com·2 months ago

tickets

Tickets on sale now with monthly payment plans available

beardedtheory.co.uk·2 months ago

dates

Festival confirmed for Catton Park, Derbyshire, 20–24 May 2026

beardedtheory.co.uk·4 months ago