Forest Fest 2026 Lineup: Headliners, Tickets, More

Forest Fest started small and has grown into a summer institution. With headliners Echo & the Bunnymen, James, and Madness, the 2026 edition balances nostalgia with fresh energy.

Festival dates: July 24–26, 2026 · Location: Emo, County Laois, Ireland · Confirmed headliners: Echo & the Bunnymen, James, Madness · Capacity: TBA (2025: ~15,000–20,000) · Ticket price range: From €210 weekend (2026 tier 3)

Six key facts at a glance:

Who’s playing at Forest Fest 2026?

The lineup is headlined by three heavyweight acts, each closing a different night. Friday belongs to Echo & the Bunnymen, Saturday to James, and Sunday to Madness — a trio that spans post-punk, Britpop, and ska-pop, giving the weekend a broad emotional arc. Support acts fill out each day with Irish and UK talent.

Friday headliners and acts

• Headliner: Echo & the Bunnymen (confirmed by RTÉ News)
• Support: Kerbdog (Forest Fest official Facebook page)
• Additional acts include Björn Again (tribute, closing Friday, per eonmusic)

Saturday headliners and acts

• Headliner: James (Nialler9)
• Support: The Coronas, The Dublin Gospel Choir (RTÉ News)
• Also on the bill: The Charlatans, Feeder (listed on Eventbrite and Songkick)

Sunday headliners and acts

• Headliner: Madness (RTÉ News)
• Support: Deacon Blue, The Boomtown Rats (RTÉ News)
• Also listed: The Undertones, Bad Manners, The Lemonheads, The Wedding Present, Bruce Foxton, Neds Atomic Dustbin, These Charming Men, Dylan Flynn And The Dead Poets (per Skiddle)

Supporting acts and emerging artists

• 32 new acts were added in a March 2026 announcement, as reported by RTÉ News
• The festival features four stages: Main Stage, Village Stage, Perfect Day Stage, and Forest Fleadh Stage (Forest Fest lineup page)
• Family entertainment, comedy, and street food are also part of the programme

Bottom line: Forest Fest 2026 packs up to 50+ acts across four stages. For anyone who loves 80s/90s alternative music, this lineup is a sweet spot. First-timers should plan to sample multiple stages, especially Saturday.

What is the capacity of Forest Fest 2026?

Forest Fest 2026’s official capacity has not yet been announced, but looking at 2025 gives a solid clue. According to Forest Fest’s official site, the event grounds in Emo, County Laois can expand, but crowd limits are set by Laois County Council. In 2025, the festival drew approximately 15,000–20,000 attendees per day. Organisers may increase capacity slightly, but a sell-out at similar numbers is likely.

Official capacity figures

• No official 2026 capacity published as of April 2026
• 2025 capacity was estimated at 15,000–20,000

Comparison with previous years

• Year-on-year growth: the festival has expanded from roughly 10,000 in its early years
• Local authority approvals limit the maximum capacity

How capacity affects ticket availability

• Tier 1 and Tier 2 tickets are already sold out (Forest Fest)
• If capacity remains at 2025 levels, only Tier 3 tickets remain for now

The implication: with tier 3 still available, you have a window, but history shows Saturday tickets vanish first. Act soon if you want the full weekend.

Can you bring alcohol to Forest Fest?

Forest Fest’s Terms & Conditions clearly state that alcohol is not permitted in the main arena. However, there is a nuance for campers. Here’s what you need to know.

Alcohol policy at Forest Fest

• No alcohol allowed into the main arena (per Forest Fest official terms)
• Bags are subject to search at entry

What is allowed in camping areas

• Campers may bring a reasonable amount of alcohol for personal consumption in the campsite, subject to festival rules
• Glass bottles are typically prohibited; cans or plastic containers are advised

On-site bars and craft drinks

• The festival offers a wide range of craft beers, ciders, and spirits from Irish producers
• Street food vendors and coffee stalls are also scattered across the site

Bottom line: You can’t bring your own drinks into the music area, but the on-site selection is solid. Campers get a bit more flexibility. The trade-off: you’ll pay festival prices for drinks, so budget accordingly.

Does Forest Fest sell out?

Short answer: yes, and Saturday day tickets go first. Forest Fest has sold out in multiple previous years, and 2026 is following the same pattern. According to Forest Fest’s ticket page, Tier 1 and Tier 2 tickets are already gone.

Historical sell-out data

• 2025: near sell-out with increased capacity
• 2024: sold out in advance, particularly Saturday day tickets

Factors that influence sell-out

• Headliner strength: Madness, James, and Echo & the Bunnymen have strong Irish followings
• Capacity cap: if limited to ~18,000, demand likely exceeds supply
• Early bird pricing encourages early purchases

Tips for securing tickets

• Buy from Forest Fest official site before Tier 3 runs out
• Set alerts on Eventbrite for restocks if festival adds more
• Consider weekday or Sunday-only if Saturday is sold out

What is the Forest Fest 2026 schedule and stage times?

Full stage times are typically published 4–6 weeks out, but we know the festival runs from Friday afternoon through Sunday evening. Here’s what we can expect based on past years and official info.

Daily schedule overview

• Friday, July 24: gates open around 2pm, music until late; headliner Echo & the Bunnymen closes
• Saturday, July 25: main day with music from midday to late; headliner James
• Sunday, July 26: midday start, grand finale with Madness

Stage times and clashes

• Four stages: Main, Village, Perfect Day, Forest Fleadh (Forest Fest lineup page)
• Overlaps are inevitable; use the official app (launching in June) to plan your day

How to plan your day

• Check the official website in May for the full schedule
• Prioritise must-see acts; leave room for discovering new artists at the Village stage
• Arrive early on Saturday to avoid queues and get a good spot for James

Bottom line: The schedule is still forming. Once it drops, use the app to avoid clashes. If you can, camp — it saves travel time and lets you soak in the full weekend vibe.

Forest Fest timeline: key dates

• Late 2025 – Initial lineup teasers and early bird tickets announced (Forest Fest)
• January 2026 – First wave of lineup announcements (headliners confirmed) (RTÉ News)
• March 2026 – Second wave of announcements (32 new acts) (RTÉ News)
• May 2026 – Full lineup, stage splits, and daily schedule released (expected)
• June 2026 – Final lineup additions, set times, app launch (expected)
• July 24–26, 2026 – Forest Fest 2026 takes place

The pattern: organisers have been releasing information in waves. If you’re planning your schedule, bookmark May for the biggest drop.

What we know and what’s uncertain

What organisers and fans are saying

“Kerbdog are playing Forest Fest 2026!” – Forest Fest official Facebook page (@forestfestemo)

“From July 24 – 26, 2026, Forest. Expect an incredible lineup of world-class headliners, fantastic supporting acts, and an atmosphere that’s second to none.” – Forest Fest website (forestfest.ie)

Those two snippets capture the festival’s tone: direct, enthusiastic, and community-focused. The social media engagement suggests strong local support, with many posts sharing personal memories of past editions.

For Irish festival-goers, the choice is clear: grab a Tier 3 ticket now, or risk missing out on a lineup that blends nostalgia and fresh energy. With a history of sell-outs and a 2026 bill that’s already turning heads, Forest Fest is shaping up to be one of the summer’s most talked-about events. Plan ahead, pack your camping gear, and get ready for three days in the heart of Laois.

Music fans looking for another woodland gathering might also check out the Night and Day Festival 2026, which takes place on the shores of Lough Owel.

Frequently asked questions