2026

[efcfanwirral]

7 hours ago, Kempleton said:

I would expect Kendal to sell out tomorrow morning, when the final tickets go on sale. Apparently 95% of the tickets have already gone.

 

The arena is separate from the campsite. I’m told, by hardened criminals, that it’s entirely possible to smuggle alcohol into the arena - but i wouldn’t know anything about that.

 

To be fair, the alcohol available in the arena is very good.

 

Im not going next year, but I’m a big fan of Kendal Calling. It’s a great little festival. Obviously leans heavily towards Northern indie landfill, but i honestly think it’s wonderfully curated and organised.

 

Some of the smaller stages are so good that you could spend a lot of time there, even if you weren’t familiar with the acts playing. Good selection of food vendors. Lost Eden is a really beautiful area in the trees, with art installations, which really comes alive at night.

 

The low number of knobheads cannot be understated either.

 

So, if you can’t be arsed to read all that, it’s a thumbs up from me. You’d definitely stand a good chance of getting resale tickets nearer the time.

Agree with all the above @Pr0paneNightm4re. Wonderful festival

 

https://tixel.com/uk/festival-tickets/kendal-calling-tickets is where the resale is, and there are actually 30 tickets being resold now, as so many buy them the day after the festival. More where that came from, so it's not the end of the world for anyone who misses out tomorrow. I'm going to leave it for now and work on convincing people to go with me, but am completely certain I'll be there if I want to be 

[DSG2100]

9 hours ago, efcfanwirral said:

Agree with all the above @Pr0paneNightm4re. Wonderful festival

 

https://tixel.com/uk/festival-tickets/kendal-calling-tickets is where the resale is, and there are actually 30 tickets being resold now, as so many buy them the day after the festival. More where that came from, so it's not the end of the world for anyone who misses out tomorrow. I'm going to leave it for now and work on convincing people to go with me, but am completely certain I'll be there if I want to be 

Great summary of the festival - really good festival with so much going on a lot more than the main stage and always has a good vibe from my experiences over the last couple of years of going. 

[49Lawson]

17 hours ago, Pr0paneNightm4re said:

Never been bothered for Kendal Calling / Truck / Y Not adjacent festivals but quite keen this year with Glasto being off and the lineup being decent.

Does Kendal Calling sell out quickly? I.e. do I need to be buying tickets as soon as they go on sale, or would I be fine waiting a couple of months?

 

also, does Kendall have a seperated arena and campsite? Not being able to bring alcohol in from campsite makes festivals a lot more expensive and less enjoyable !

 

anything else to know about Kendall?

One thing I would add about the ticket situation; I think that it is likely to sell out today (or in the next few days) as others have suggested. However, if it's anything like last year, they offer a fantastic installment plan scheme to save people having to fork out all the money at once, works out around £25pp a month (a bit more if you add a Thursday ticket) and helps make it so much more affordable/viable

[Sparticus]

Just looking for recommendations!

The lineup hits the mark, but it would be either staying off-site or glamping. As someone that hasn't been, there is a huge number of upgrade options, has anyone used these and can they provide any intel on what is and isn't worth the upsell?

[Alvoram]

1 hour ago, Sparticus said:

Just looking for recommendations!

The lineup hits the mark, but it would be either staying off-site or glamping. As someone that hasn't been, there is a huge number of upgrade options, has anyone used these and can they provide any intel on what is and isn't worth the upsell?

Why would you stay off site or glamp? Kendal has nice general campsites, with decent toilets and showers available in general camping too. 

We have a live in vehicle pass this year, but normally we camp general there, and when we do, we get the Thursday upgrade, the soap and glory pass for the nice loos and showers in camping, and we get the green room for somewhere nice to chill (which also has nicer toilets) in the arena. 

I usually glamp or hire a motorhome for Glastonbury, but KC is the last festival I'd feel the need to pay extra for camping at. 

Having said that, Emperor's Field seems to be the most popular option. It's a short walk, but it sells out instantly and can, apparently, be difficult to get resale tickets, although not impossible. Last year, I thought that Tangerine Fields new location next to Co-Op made it the best located glamping site, if you can put up with the noise from Co-Op. And they had pitches available right up to last minute. 

Great Plains is apparently a bit of a trek... And if it is indeed at the bottom of that big hill, where I think it is, near Deer Lodge, then sod that, I wouldn't want to stay there personally. Same applies to Deer Lodge obviously. They both also seemed to get the worst of the weather at the end of last year's festival. 

tl;dr Not stayed at any of the glamping sites, so not by any means a review. But, if I had to choose one, it'd be either Emperor's Fields or Tangerine Fields. However my actual recommendation would be just to go General, and get the shower / toilet upgrades instead. General Fields like The Shire or Haye Parks are very quiet and peaceful. 

Edited December 17, 2025 by Alvoram

[Sparticus]

40 minutes ago, Alvoram said:

Why would you stay off site or glamp? Kendal has nice general campsites, with decent toilets and showers available in general camping too. 

We have a live in vehicle pass this year, but normally we camp general there, and when we do, we get the Thursday upgrade, the soap and glory pass for the nice loos and showers in camping, and we get the green room for somewhere nice to chill (which also has nicer toilets) in the arena. 

I usually glamp or hire a motorhome for Glastonbury, but KC is the last festival I'd feel the need to pay extra for camping at. 

Having said that, Emperor's Field seems to be the most popular option. It's a short walk, but it sells out instantly and can, apparently, be difficult to get resale tickets, although not impossible. Last year, I thought that Tangerine Fields new location next to Co-Op made it the best located glamping site, if you can put up with the noise from Co-Op. And they had pitches available right up to last minute. 

Great Plains is apparently a bit of a trek... And if it is indeed at the bottom of that big hill, where I think it is, near Deer Lodge, then sod that, I wouldn't want to stay there personally. Same applies to Deer Lodge obviously. They both also seemed to get the worst of the weather at the end of last year's festival. 

tl;dr Not stayed at any of the glamping sites, so not by any means a review. But, if I had to choose one, it'd be either Emperor's Fields or Tangerine Fields. However my actual recommendation would be just to go General, and get the shower / toilet upgrades instead. General Fields like The Shire or Haye Parks are very quiet and peaceful. 

It was purely a compromise between my and my partner, as previously her experience is Leeds festival from the noughties, and the lineup ticks the box for both of us.

We have a nearly four year old at the time of je festival. From what I've read, it's better to leave them at home at this age but it's family friendly from the age of around 10?

[Goer190]

42 minutes ago, Sparticus said:

It was purely a compromise between my and my partner, as previously her experience is Leeds festival from the noughties, and the lineup ticks the box for both of us.

We have a nearly four year old at the time of je festival. From what I've read, it's better to leave them at home at this age but it's family friendly from the age of around 10?

You'll find plenty of 4 year olds in the family camping section. Obviously your decision but it's by far the most family friendly festival I have ever been to.

[efcfanwirral]

I thought I'd leave it to the queue gods (and at least see if it's possible for me to get through a See queue quickly). So I got onto the payment plan!! Looks like a solo camping festival is on the cards. Lineup is so me

[Sparticus]

27 minutes ago, efcfanwirral said:

I thought I'd leave it to the queue gods (and at least see if it's possible for me to get through a See queue quickly). So I got onto the payment plan!! Looks like a solo camping festival is on the cards. Lineup is so me

When it's see tickets....two devices, one of WiFi one on mobile data, double your chances bud!

 

And encouraging to hear taking our youngest isn't completely off the cards!

[Alvoram]

2 hours ago, Sparticus said:

When it's see tickets....two devices, one of WiFi one on mobile data, double your chances bud!

 

And encouraging to hear taking our youngest isn't completely off the cards!

Definitely not, very family friendly, with lots to do and a whole area dedicated to kids, as well as a dedicated general camping area. (As Goer pointed out.)  

 

4 hours ago, Sparticus said:

It was purely a compromise between my and my partner, as previously her experience is Leeds festival from the noughties, and the lineup ticks the box for both of us.

We have a nearly four year old at the time of je festival. From what I've read, it's better to leave them at home at this age but it's family friendly from the age of around 10?

KC is the polar opposite to Leeds or Reading. Even the supposed "24 hour party people" camp seems somewhat chilled when I've walked through at 3:30am. There's people still up drinking, but they seem chilled, quiet and respectful. The other camps are almost silent within an hour of the headliners finishing. (I just hope they don't lose Alan this year, as it was a bit annoying for an hour or so last year whilst they were searching for him. 🤣) 

As for kids, I stand by what I said above, the festival is extremely child / family friendly, and there are no reasons, other than your own personal reasons, that you wouldn't want to take a child. Personally for me, I go to festivals as a bit of an escape, leave the real world behind and have a bit of a blowout. So I wouldn't want to take my own child until they were old enough to entertain and (somewhat) look after themselves. But that's purely for selfish reasons. Your decision should depend on what you want to get out of the weekend. Want a bit of a blowout, to leave the world and your worries outside for a weekend, leave the kids at home... Just want to enjoy some bands and share some experiences with the people you love the most, bring them along and make some memories. It's up to you, if that makes sense. 🙂 

[Sparticus]

Appreciate all the comments, we're making a decision tonight on whether to take the plunge. Everyone has been a massive help today! 

[DomDom1984]

It's a brilliant brilliant festival. Sooooooo much to do. The variety of stuff on site is leaps and bounds ahead of most. 

 

I'd recommend it to anyone, even if the main music lineup is a bit below par.

[efcfanwirral]

3 hours ago, Sparticus said:

When it's see tickets....two devices, one of WiFi one on mobile data, double your chances bud!

Indeed! Just completely scarred by Glastonbury, so it was nice to see those two bars become all the bars within a minute even if in reality it was nowhere near as competitive!!

[dotdash79]

On 16/12/2025 at 16:21, Ozymandias said:

I think the higher up blurred artist is the Lottery Winners - Far from Certain but that's my suspicion 

I agree they have a big show to sell themselves so they might not want to announce the other one is red rum club.

 

Were going to volunteer with festaff we did it a couple of years ago and had a blast and everyone was so nice.

[Goer190]

Officially sold out

[northernangel]

4 hours ago, DomDom1984 said:

It's a brilliant brilliant festival. Sooooooo much to do. The variety of stuff on site is leaps and bounds ahead of most. 

 

I'd recommend it to anyone, even if the main music lineup is a bit below par.

I dont think the lineup is below par considering what the other likewise festivals have. I like The Enemy so apart from them they've blown the others away.

[Sparticus]

15 minutes ago, Goer190 said:

Officially sold out

Thankfully my party decided we're going and bought this evening! I look forward to badgering the vet's over the coming months. Having seen Reverend and the Makers on their Xmas tour revitalised my interest in 00s indie, and Kendal have really nailed it for a very specific demographic.

[DomDom1984]

43 minutes ago, northernangel said:

I dont think the lineup is below par considering what the other likewise festivals have. I like The Enemy so apart from them they've blown the others away.

 

I meant that hypothetically. 

[Goer190]

10 hours ago, Sparticus said:

Thankfully my party decided we're going and bought this evening! I look forward to badgering the vet's over the coming months. Having seen Reverend and the Makers on their Xmas tour revitalised my interest in 00s indie, and Kendal have really nailed it for a very specific demographic.

Went to the same Rev tour & it was fantastic wasn't it

[northernangel]

10 hours ago, DomDom1984 said:

 

I meant that hypothetically. 

Right, go anyway even in a year where the case is this. Fair.

[northernangel]

11 hours ago, Goer190 said:

Officially sold out

We are looking at this but I've no doubt you'll be able to get a weekend ticket later.

[FeverDream]

Took the plunge and got tickets with my partner too. Always wanted to do a camping landfill indie fest and Kendal has been on my radar for a few years but never ended up going for various reasons. Biffy really the icing on the cake for me. As is Wolf Alice. 

 

Anyone know if The Vaccines are doing their debut in full? It's billed as that at other festivals, but only special guests here... 

[efcfanwirral]

3 hours ago, northernangel said:

Right, go anyway even in a year where the case is this. Fair.

NOT saying this is the case in the post you're responding to, but Kendal literally does get a large majority % of the same people every year. It sells incredible amounts each year the day after the festival, which really does speak to what a good experience it is. Especially as it's almost always muddy!!

 

It will lead to The Lottery Winners and/or The Reytons headlining in the next couple of years though - they seem to have been inexplicably adopted by the crowd. 

Edited December 18, 2025 by efcfanwirral

[northernangel]

1 hour ago, efcfanwirral said:

NOT saying this is the case in the post you're responding to, but Kendal literally does get a large majority % of the same people every year. It sells incredible amounts each year the day after the festival, which really does speak to what a good experience it is. Especially as it's almost always muddy!!

 

It will lead to The Lottery Winners and/or The Reytons headlining in the next couple of years though - they seem to have been inexplicably adopted by the crowd. 

I always think the area of the country it is will be a big reason for it. Boardmasters has done well for the same reason. You look at Victorious and that should sell out at that price but it won't because of where it is.

[efcfanwirral]

1 hour ago, northernangel said:

I always think the area of the country it is will be a big reason for it. Boardmasters has done well for the same reason. You look at Victorious and that should sell out at that price but it won't because of where it is.

So true, and then you've got the Manchester people who go up too. Very impressed with what they've done over the years, you can see how far they've come when you look at ex headliners playing further down - Libertines not headlining is mad to me considering they headlined as recently as 2018!