By Benjamin Jackson

Copyright thescarboroughnews

Pixies, Skunk Anansie and The Wedding Present are among the first names confirmed for Bearded Theory 2026.The festival is set to return to Catton Park, Derbyshire, once again from May 20 to 24.Tickets for the festival are currently on sale now but are selling out fast after the first announcement.

With Glastonbury undergoing a fallow year in 2026, many festival goers are already planning their summer season of music in the new year and with Christmas around the corner, perhaps a chance to ask Santa for a ticket to one of the many coming up next year.

Bearded Theory is one of those festivals set to return next summer, taking place once again from May 20 to 24 at Catton Park in Derbyshire, and their first announcement of acts – including two headliners – has already elicited a positive response from music fans young and old.

The festival, which first took place as a small event in 2008 at the Knockerdown Public House near Carsington Water, has revealed that alt-rock titans Pixies and Skunk Anansie will be your headline acts next year, with an incredibly eclectic mix of artists already confirmed to be performing next year.

They are joined by a who’s who of talent, including Lambrini Girls, The Wedding Present, Au Pairs, Reverend and the Makers, Peter Hook and the Light and Goldie, to name a few (check out the full list below.)

Not content with musical entertainment either, the festival announced the return of the incomparable (and your favourite comedian’s favourite comedian) Stewart Lee, who remarked upon the announcement of his appearance next year: “Bearded Theory reminded me of what festivals used to be like, where a community of actual music fans come together to enjoy the music they love, rather than stand around disengaged eating expensive luxury food.

In a world where cost and culture has made the festival experience an exclusively middle-class one (…) Bearded Theory seemed refreshingly egalitarian. I’m so glad I was able to go with my teenage daughter so she could see how great these things can be.”

Bearded Theory 2026: full list of acts announced so far

PixiesSkunk AnansieBig SpecialFat DogFerocious DogGetdown ServicesLambrini GirlsPanic ShackPeter Hook and the LightReverend and the MakersSprintsAu PairsBeans on ToastBezDub Pistols (DJ Set)Girl ScoutGoldieGraeme ParkHeartwormsKezia GillLeeroy Thornhill (ex Prodigy)Neville Staple – From The SpecialsPhil Hartnoll (Orbital DJ set)Pop Will Eat ItselfSenser

Stewart LeeThe UnthanksThe Wedding PresentToots and the Maytals feat Leba HibbertUtah SaintsVenus Grrrls An Dannsa Dub Andrea Kenny Bloodworm DJ RapDrum MachineGrandmas HouseJess SilkLIINESMeatdripperMiki Berenyi TrioMuddy Summers and the DFWsThe Nightingales and Ted ChippingtonSlay DuggeeSplit DogsThe Bar-Steward Sons of Val DoonicanThe Pale White

When can I get tickets for Bearded Theory 2026?

Weekend tickets to Bearded Theory are currently on sale through the festival’s website, with prices ranging from £60 for children up to £255 for adults. Payment plans are also available to spread out the cost for those a little short heading into Christmas.