A long time ago, in a pub far-far away I sat down for a drink with Steve Jenner and a few other ‘VirtualFestivals.com’ stalwarts and a plan was hatched for a new awards ceremony celebrating the best of the fests…

Nominees were discussed, editorial decisions were curated, and certificates were printed up.

That back-room chat has now turned into something very different, but it’s safe to say that the UK Festival Awards are stillgoing strong and serve as a brek-point in the season, where festival-weary promoters, bookers, and production teams down toold for a glitzy night in the spotlight.

UK Festival Awards 2026 Shortlist

The panel of judges have combed through all the applications for the UK Festival Awards, and we can now share with you their 2026 shortlist. Over 400 entries were received, showing the true breadth of the UK and international festival industry.

Now it’s over to you, the public, to help decide the winners…

This is your chance to vote for who you think deserves to take home an award on 1 December. Voting is split 70/30, with the judges’ votes making up 70% and the public vote the remaining 30% (So at least a big chunk of that original judging process remains intact).

The Green Award is the one that still harks back 100% to that fateful evening, as it is decided entirely by the judges, so it isn’t open to public voting.

All you need to do now is create an account using the link below and choose your picks. It only takes a minute, and once registered, you can vote in as many categories as you like.

The awards are held on 1 December, at DIECAST, Manchester

• Actions: VOTE NOW | BOOK TICKETS

• Sponsor Tami, AV Matrix Event Solutions, Midnight Mango

Arts & Culture Festival of the Year

• Bristol Pride
• Caribbean Carnival
• London Children’s Literature Festival
• National Festival of Making
• NI Science Festival
• Winchester Books Festival

Family Festival of the Year

(Sponsored by TicketTailor)

• Big Feastival
• Elderflower Fields
• London Children’s Literature Festival
• Shambala Festival
• Victorious Festival
• WILDHOOD Festival

Inner-City Festival of the Year

• Bristol Harbour Festival
• Feel Good Festival
• King’s Cross Summer Sounds
• Leicester Riverside Festival
• Liverpool Sound City
• The Great Escape

Micro Festival of the Year

• 110 Above Festival
• Burn It Down
• Compass Festival
• Compton Festival
• King’s Cross Summer Sounds
• Sunrise Film Festival

Small Festival of the Year

• Cheltenham Jazz Festival
• Liverpool Sound City
• Outbreak Fest
• RADAR Festival
• Rock N Roll Circus
• Stowaway Festival

Medium Festival of the Year

• 2000trees Festival
• Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
• Kendal Calling
• Latitude Festival
• Mighty Hoopla
• Truck Festival

Large Festival of the Year

• All Points East
• Boomtown Festival
• Cambridge Festival
• Isle of Wight Festival
• Parklife Festival
• Reading and Leeds Festival

Initiative for Emerging Talent Award

• Compass Festival
• FOCUS Wales
• Leicester Riverside Festival
• Liverpool Sound City
• Rochdale Music Stories and Feel Good Festival
• Truck Festival

Line-Up of the Year

(Sponsored by Tysers Live)

• Diaspora Calling!
• Latitude Festival
• Liverpool Sound City
• Love Supreme Festival
• Rock N Roll Circus
• Tramlines Festival

International Festival of the Year

• Adriatic Sound Festival
• Afro Nation
• Electric Castle
• Open’er Festival
• Rock am Ring
• Rock for People

Accessibility & Inclusion Award

• Breaking Bands Festival
• Bristol Pride
• Isle of Wight Festival
• Mighty Hoopla
• Tramlines Festival
• Victorious Festival

Festival Infrastructure of the Year

• Boomtown Festival
• Rhuddfest
• Wychwood Festival

Festival Production of the Year

(Sponsored by Video Illusions)

• Boomtown Festival
• Creamfields
• Nene Valley Rock Festival
• Outbreak Fest
• Reggae Land

Marketing Campaign of the Year

(Sponsored by Something Something)

• Bearded Theory
• Country on the Common
• Love Supreme Jazz Festival
• Tramlines Festival
• Victorious Festival
• Y Not Festival

Culinary Experience of the Year

• ALSO Festival
• Big Feastival
• Craft Brew Festival
• Deva Fest
• Fields to Fork
• Love Supreme Jazz Festival – Ottolenghi Restaurant Experience

Brand Experience of the Year

• FlixBus at FORWARDS Festival
• Jubel at Tramlines Festival
• Salomon at krankbrother presents: Sammy Virji
• Superdry & Co at Boardmasters
• Tia Maria at Wilderness
• VodafoneThree at Reading Festival

Charity Initiative of the Year

• Beat The Streets for Framework
• It’s in the Bag Cancer Support
• Last Night A DJ Saved My Life Foundation
• St Richards Hospice
• Stamp Out Spiking
• The Truck Trust

The Green Award

• Boomtown Festival
• FORWARDS
• The Green Gathering

The Sarah Nulty Community Impact Award

• Bonfest
• Bristol Pride
• Compass Festival
• Festival of the Sea
• Victorious Festival
• Woo Fest

Industry Recognition Award

• WINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED ON THE NIGHT

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I have compiled all of the text and image-based shortlist categories into the markdown document above, structured with H2 headings for every award category. Let me know if you need any adjustments made!

Author: John Bownas