LIDO Festival Guide
Curated Line-Ups, Victoria Park Vibes and Everything You Need to Know
When: June 12th, 13th & 14th
Where: Victoria Park, East London, UK
Type: City Festival
Line-up Highlights: CMAT, Maribou State, Metronomy, Bombay Bicycle Club
Price: £60-£80 GA, £100 VIP
Who’s it for: Anyone who loves eco-conscious festivals, sunny park vibes, a few cheeky arvo drinks, and catching the best of East London rizz.
LIDO Festival feels like London’s most curated summer day out – intimate, intentional and artist-shaped rather than overwhelming. Set in Victoria Park and often compared to a more boutique counterpart of All Points East, each date carries its own atmosphere, shifting from dreamy, slow-groove afternoons to high-energy crowd moments depending on who’s playing. It’s navigable, social and stylishly low-stress, with the kind of crowd that comes for the music first but stays for the experience.
Last year marked the festival’s debut, launching in style with headline sets from Jamie xx, Massive Attack, Turnstile, London Grammar and Charli XCX. The concept quickly proved successful, offering fans the chance to experience distinctly different atmospheres across each day. For 2026, headliners including Maribou State, CMAT and Bombay Bicycle Club have been announced, with each artist given creative freedom to shape their lineup and influence the overall feel of the site. Last year’s Massive Attack curated day even introduced a largely plant-based food offering, reflecting the band’s long-standing commitment to climate conscious touring. This artist led approach adds personality to each date and makes LIDO feel less like a traditional festival and more like a curated musical experience.
This year, alongside the headliners, highlights include Father John Misty and Getdown Services opening for CMAT, Folamour supporting Maribou State, and Metronomy appearing with Bombay Bicycle Club. There are many more names to be announced however, so keep an ear out.
Alongside its programming, LIDO places a strong emphasis on sustainability and environmentally conscious production. The festival integrates renewable energy solutions such as large scale solar installations and battery storage to help power the site, reflecting a growing shift towards greener festival infrastructure. LIDO picked up The Festival Award at the Rolling Stone UK Awards 2025, recognising its environmentally focused approach and strong debut year. This focus on sustainability has become a key part of the event’s identity and contributes to its appeal among environmentally minded audiences.
From a visitor perspective, LIDO strikes an appealing balance between scale and comfort. With three stages spread across Victoria Park, the site remains easy to navigate, rarely taking more than ten minutes to cross from one side to the other. I never ran into any trouble getting a quick beer and the food options were priced typically for a festival, but again never huge wait times. Crowds can vary depending on the artists, with smaller tents occasionally filling quickly when a breakout act draws unexpected attention, but overall the layout allows for a relaxed and manageable festival experience. Last year demonstrated the versatility of the format, with London Grammar’s day offering a laid back atmosphere built around slow pop and jazz-leaning acts, while Outbreak’s hardcore lineup delivered pure chaos, and Charli XCX’s sold out show transformed the park into a full scale pop celebration.
For London based festival goers, LIDO may be one of the easiest summer events to attend. Tickets have remained relatively affordable compared to other major city festivals, starting around the £60 mark, and access is straightforward with several Underground and Overground stations within walking distance (you will even have time for a drink or two on the way). Arrivals feel smooth and manageable, and the festival makes provisions for e-bike users with designated parking areas near the entrance. Departures can be more challenging, as road closures affect taxis and some bus routes, but the manageable crowd sizes help avoid the overwhelming congestion often associated with larger events.
Overall, LIDO stands out as a thoughtfully curated alternative to traditional large scale live music experiences. With artist driven lineups, a strong sustainability ethos and a relaxed London friendly layout, it offers an easygoing yet musically focused day out that continues to grow into one of the capital’s most interesting summer events.
Check out more festival coverage in our complete Summer Festival Guide