The UK Festival Awards are returning to DIECAST on Manchester 1 December 2026. Last year's 20th edition welcomed over 500 of the festival industry's finest for a night of music from emerging artists, feasting style dining and late-night entertainment. Most importantly, we saw over 20 festivals take to the stage to collect their awards!

Powered by Festival Insights, this year's ceremony will introduce a refined application process and judging criteria, a broader, more diverse judging panel and brand new categories, giving even more opportunity to honour the best from across the festival spectrum. In 2026 the Awards will also be supported by our day-time conference, Festival Focus. More information on that is to follow.

So join us for a day and night that welcomes key figures from the festival scene and to showcase everything that the industry has to offer. 

Whether you're promoting initiatives for emerging talent, have delivered a memorable stage experience or are improving how we navigate a festival site, the UK Festival Awards is a chance to shout about all the amazing work you've done throughout the 2026 festival season.

We look forward to seeing you there,
The UK Festival Awards Team