Rock N Roll 2026: Our Picks and Guide for a Stellar Bank Holiday Weekend

Photography by Shotlores

It's that time of year again, August bank holiday weekend means only one thing these days in Sheffield - The return or Rock N Roll Circus to Don Valley Bowl. This year's lineup is packed full of nostalgia and newness in equal measure as has come to be expected from the festival, only this year there will be a guarantee of no clashes. Here we're going to dive in to some of our standout sets for the weekend, some local artists to watch out for and what else you can expect to find in and around the Big Top.

The festival opens on Thursday, headlined by The Kooks who will be celebrating 20 years of their debut album Inside In/Inside Out. Elsewhere on the bill, they will be joined by local heroes Milburn who are also celebrating the 20 year of their debut album Well Well Well too. It isn't all about nostalgia though as elsewhere on the bill we're looking forward to seeing the anthemic desert rock of Aussie Day We Ran and Spanish Horses, the five piece alternative rockers are still relative newcomers but have generated buzz across the UK and Europe with their consistently fresh and evolving sound.

Some standout tracks for us on Thursday - 'Naive' by The Kooks, 'Send in the Boys' by Milburn, 'Come Closer' by Miles Kane, 'Foaming' by Day We Ran.

Friday also promises a healthy blend of a celebration of the past with a platforming of the next big things. The headliner needs no introduction as The Streets will be performing their seminal album A Grand Don't Come For Free in full. They're joined on the bill by Babyshambles, with Pete Doherty returning to Don Valley following an exceptional performance last year with Libertines bandmate Carl Barat. This is quite possibly the most varied lineup of the weekend ranging from the highly recommended Geordie grunge of Sweets to the atmospheric indie pop of Ellur, by way of the heavily influential folk of Hak Baker, the equally influential UK grime productions of CASISDEAD and fresh Irish rap of KhakiKid.

Some standout tracks for us on Friday - 'Fit but You Know It' by The Streets, 'Delivery' by Babyshambles, 'God Help Me Now' by Ellur, 'HOCKEY PUCK' by Sweets, 'Venezuela Riddim' by Hak Baker.

Saturday's lineup features more names thanks to it's earlier opening times, and that extended lineup has been exquisitely filled. Of course, the standout name is headliner Wunderhorse in what is one of their only shows in the UK of 2026. They are supported by some of the hottest names in the UK (and Ireland of course). The Irish takeover we're currently seeing is on full display here with names like Basht., Gurriers and Bleech 9:3 forming a formidably exciting triumvirate across the two stages during the day. Initially Yorkshire's own English Teacher were also a standout name on the bill but they have recently had to pull out. We can't think of many better replacements than Westside Cowboy who have been added to the lineup, one of the most talked about bands in the country, and rightly so having just released their debut album It Goes On to rave reviews. Elsewhere, the north are a really exciting young band from Yorkshire as well full of authenticity.

Some standout tracks for us on Saturday - 'Teal' by Wunderhorse, 'Dobro' by Westside Cowboy, 'No Surprise' by Bleech 9:3, 'Soundtrack Your Soul' by the north, 'Top Of The Bill' by Gurriers, 'Gone Girl' by Basht..

Closing out the weekend on Sunday we have indie legend Richard Ashcroft, a seasoned festival headliner at this point with a set full of some of the most recognisable songs of the past 3 decades. He's backed up with another anniversary performance, this time with The Fratellis performing their debut album Costello Music. There's also a healthy dose of local artists on this day with the evergreen and ever-entertaining Everly Pregnant Brothers, Rock N Roll Circus regular Sonni Mills and one of our favourite new Sheffield bands in Sundress, who have gone from strength to strength since their debut at the festival last year.

Some standout tracks for us on Sunday - 'Bittersweet Symphony' by Richard Ashcroft, 'Whistle For The Choir' by The Fratellis, 'I Don't Mind' by M60, 'Summertime' by Sundress, 'Big Talk' by Sofy.

Rock N Roll Circus is by no means just about the music, in a completely unique fashion to any other UK festival. Throughout the day the festival boasts a plethora of circus acts and performances all over the festival grounds from fire breathers and sword swallowers to stilt walkers. As the day wears on the Big Top also plays host to hire wire acts and trapeze artists to warm you up just before the next band comes on. It's truly a fest for the senses, not to mention possibly this year's biggest attraction, a spectacular life-sized mechanical elephant roaming the site.

Away from the entertainment the festival is also a temporary home to an array of local food vendors too. This year's offering includes Yorkshire Burrito's Yorkshire Pudding wraps and Sheffield favourite UNIT Burger alongside The Mac Shack, Guasa, Fat Cat Bao, Alpine Pizza Co and sweet treats from Baby Mayhem.

The weekend starts on Thursday, with tickets still available every day besides Saturday. You can purchase yours from the Rock N Roll Circus website now, along with a site map and maybe we'll see you under the Big Top!