When: 30 July – 2 August 2026Where: Lowther Deer Park, Lake District, EnglandKendal Calling has long occupied a unique place in the UK’s festival calendar. Our first few minutes were spent trying to work out exactly where we were going before immediately coming face-to-face with the infamous and controversial Kendal Calling chairs. The Kooks proved exactly why they’re such reliable festival veterans, delivering a set packed with singalongs that perfectly set the tone for the weekend. The Vaccines delivered another polished festival set before Scissor Sisters turned the field into one giant dancefloor. It’s a festival that still feels like it’s run for music lovers, and in an increasingly crowded festival landscape, that’s something worth celebrating.