Independent festivals are the lifeblood of the industry — championing new talent, building distinctive communities, and creating experiences that remain true to their identity. From grassroots gatherings to culturally significant events, the UK’s independent festival scene continues to thrive through creativity, resilience, and a deep connection with its audience.

This award recognises independent festivals that have delivered an outstanding event in 2026, demonstrating originality, audience focus, and the ability to grow while staying true to their core values. Open to all festivals not owned by a major commercial entity. 

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The UK’s arts and cultural heritage is rich, diverse, and continually evolving. From film and literature to visual arts, performance, and spoken word, festivals play a vital role in bringing these creative disciplines to life and connecting them with engaged audiences.

This award recognises festivals that have delivered an outstanding arts and cultural programme in 2026, celebrating creativity, originality, and audience engagement beyond a primarily music-led offering. Open to all festivals whose programming is not predominantly music-focused.

Festival experiences are not limited by age - they are shared moments where families can come together, create lasting memories, and experience live events in a welcoming and inclusive environment. From first-time festivalgoers to multi-generational audiences, family-focussed festivals play an important role in broadening access to live experiences.

This award recognises festivals that have delivered an outstanding family-friendly event in 2026, offering a diverse programme of activities alongside thoughtful planning to support the needs of family audiences. Open to all festivals that primarily cater to a family demographic.

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City-based festivals offer a distinct alternative to greenfield events, transforming venues, streets, and neighbourhoods into vibrant cultural experiences. They play a vital role in supporting local businesses, activating grassroots venues, and bringing high-quality programming directly into urban communities.

This award recognises festivals that have delivered an outstanding multi-venue event in 2026, creating a cohesive and engaging experience across a city or town setting. Open to festivals operating across multiple venues within a UK city, town, or similar urban location.

Micro festivals offer a distinctive experience within the festival landscape, defined by intimacy, community, and carefully curated programming. They provide a closer connection between the artists and festival goers, often delivering highly personal and memorable events.

This award recognises micro festivals that have delivered an outstanding event in 2026, demonstrating creativity, strong audience connection, and the ability to grow while maintaining an intimate atmosphere. Open to festivals with a maximum capacity of 2,500 attendees for a one-day festival or weekend. 

The capacity limit applies to the overall attendance of a festival for the duration of the event. Daily capacities should not be combined to increase total attendee numbers.

Small festivals play a vital role in the UK’s festival landscape, delivering high-quality programming and distinctive experiences at a scale that allows for both ambition and accessibility. They bring established and emerging talent to a wide range of settings, from city parks to rural locations, creating memorable events for diverse audiences.

This award recognises small festivals that have delivered an outstanding event in 2026, demonstrating strong audience connection, thoughtful growth, and excellence in delivery. Open to festivals with a capacity over 2,500 and up to 10,000 attendees for a one-day festival or weekend.

The capacity limit applies to the overall attendance of a festival for the duration of the event. Daily capacities should not be combined to increase total attendee numbers.

Medium-sized festivals occupy a unique space within the festival landscape, combining scale with a strong sense of identity. They attract loyal audiences who return year after year, drawn by carefully curated programming and a distinctive atmosphere that sets them apart. These festivals often bridge the gap between emerging and major talent, delivering high-quality line-ups while maintaining a clear connection to their audience.

This award recognises festivals that have delivered an outstanding event in 2026, demonstrating audience loyalty, creative programming, and excellence in delivery. Open to festivals with a capacity over 10,000 and up to 40,000 attendees for a one-day festival or weekend.

The capacity limit applies to the overall attendance of a festival for the duration of the event. Daily capacities should not be combined to increase total attendee numbers.

Large-scale festivals represent the pinnacle of live event delivery, bringing globally recognised artists to some of the UK’s most iconic stages. Alongside their scale, these events play a key role in reflecting and shaping the UK’s music culture, offering diverse programming and experiences for broad audiences.

This award recognises festivals that have delivered an outstanding large-scale event in 2026, demonstrating excellence in programming, audience experience, and operational delivery. Open to festivals with a capacity of 40,000 and over for a one-day festival or weekend.

The capacity limit applies to the overall attendance of a festival for the duration of the event. Daily capacities should not be combined to increase total attendee numbers.

While headline acts may draw the crowds, festivals have long played a vital role in discovering and nurturing new talent. The emerging artists of today are the headliners of tomorrow, and meaningful support at this stage can shape long-term careers.

This award recognises festivals that have implemented outstanding initiatives to identify, support, and promote emerging talent in 2026. Open to festivals with a primarily music-led programme that can demonstrate a clear and impactful approach to developing new artists.

The quality of a festival’s line-up remains one of the most influential factors in shaping audience experience. From headline acts to emerging talent, a well-curated programme can define a festival’s identity and set it apart within a competitive landscape.

This award recognises festivals that have delivered an exceptional line-up in 2026, demonstrating creativity, strategic curation, and a strong alignment with their audience and overall vision. Open to festivals with a primarily music-led programme.

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The most talked-about moment at a festival is not always the headline act. Performances from across the line-up can define an event, create lasting memories, and even mark a breakthrough moment for an artist.

This award recognises the most outstanding individual performance delivered at a festival in 2026, celebrating impact, audience connection, and cultural relevance. Open to all festivals.

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While the UK Festival Awards celebrate the domestic industry, there is a diverse and influential global festival landscape delivering exceptional experiences across a wide range of locations and cultures. From city-based events to destination festivals, these events attract international audiences and showcase the cultural identity of their host regions.

This award recognises festivals outside of the UK that have delivered an outstanding event in 2026, demonstrating excellence in programming, audience experience, and cultural integration. Open to all festivals operating internationally.

Festivals should be accessible and inclusive for all. This award recognises events that have demonstrated a genuine and meaningful commitment to removing barriers, creating environments where people with disabilities and diverse access needs can fully participate and enjoy the festival experience.

Entries should highlight how accessibility and inclusion have been embedded across planning and delivery, from policy through to on-site experience.

Behind every successful festival is a foundation of exceptional planning and operational delivery. From safety and security through to site design, transport, and contingency planning, these elements are critical to creating a seamless and secure experience for audiences, artists, and staff.

This award recognises festivals that have demonstrated outstanding excellence in infrastructure and operations in 2026, delivering safe, efficient, and forward-thinking environments through robust planning, innovation, and attention to detail.

This award celebrates the technical ingenuity and creative ambition behind the most impressive production elements of the 2026 festival season. From stage design and visual environments to audio and lighting execution, it recognises excellence across the full production spectrum.

Open to all festivals, entrants are encouraged to highlight the collaborators and suppliers who helped bring these standout production moments to life.

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From tools that streamline the audience journey to innovations that transform engagement, recognising both the technology provider and the festival where it was implemented, this award celebrates the technological innovations that have enhanced the festival experience in 2026.

Open to festivals and technology partners who have implemented new and impactful solutions in 2026.

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With an ever-expanding range of platforms and channels available, marketing a festival has become an increasingly creative and strategic discipline. This award recognises campaigns that capture attention, engage audiences, and deliver measurable results through innovative and effective marketing.

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Food and drink have become an integral part of the modern festival experience, helping shape atmosphere, identity, and audience enjoyment far beyond the main programme. From curated street food offerings and premium dining experiences to locally inspired menus and innovative hospitality concepts, festivals continue to raise the standard of culinary delivery across the sector.

This award recognises the festival that delivered the most outstanding culinary experience in 2026, celebrating quality, creativity, operational excellence, and the overall contribution made to the attendee experience. Open to all festivals.

This award recognises the most impactful brand experience delivered at a festival in 2026. From immersive activations to thoughtfully integrated partnerships, it celebrates collaborations that enhance the audience experience while delivering clear value for both the brand and the event.

Entries should outline the concept, execution, and measurable impact of the activation, and how it contributed to the overall festival environment.

Promoters are at the heart of the festival industry. They shape ideas into experiences, drive innovation and deliver events which bring audiences together year after year. Their role spans creative vision, commercial delivery and operational excellence.

This award recognises outstanding UK-based festival promoters who have demonstrated exceptional performance in 2026, delivering an impactful event or events while evolving with the demands of the industry.

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Behind every standout festival performance is a network of agents working to position artists on the right stages at the right time. Artist agencies play a crucial role in shaping line-ups, developing careers, and supporting the wider live events ecosystem.

This award recognises UK-based artist agencies that have demonstrated outstanding performance in 2026, delivering success for their artists while contributing meaningfully to the festival landscape.

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This award recognises the most impactful philanthropic partnerships between festivals and charitable organisations in 2026.

Entries should demonstrate how these collaborations have raised awareness, engaged audiences, and delivered meaningful outcomes both on-site and beyond the event itself.

Social responsibility within the festival industry has never been more important. Festivals have the power to create meaningful change - supporting local communities, championing inclusivity and delivering lasting social value.

The Sarah Nulty Community Impact Award recognises festivals that go above and beyond to support their communities and audiences, and who demonstrate genuine commitment and measurable impact in 2026.