Forest Fest 2026 Line-Up First Acts Announced
By Echo and the Bunnymen, Deacon Blue, The Charlatans among first acts announced for Forest Fest 2026
࣭The Lemonheads ࣭ Feeder
The Wonderstuff ࣭ Black Grape ࣭ The Fratellis
࣭Ned’s Atomic Dustbin ࣭ Lloyd Cole
Legendary Acts. Modern Boutique Experience
Forest Fest has unveiled the first wave of artists set to perform at its 2026 edition, returning to Emo Village, Co. Laois, from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 July.
The 2026 line-up brings together an exceptional mix of iconic and era-defining artists, including post-punk pioneers Echo and the Bunnymen, beloved Scottish pop-rock outfit Deacon Blue, indie stalwarts The Charlatans, beloved alt-rockers The Lemonheads, anthemic rock outfit Feeder, high-energy trailblazers The Wonderstuff, genre-bending groovers Black Grape, era-defining indie band The Fratellis, cult alt-rock heroes Ned’s Atomic Dustbin and the acclaimed singer-songwriter Lloyd Cole.
This first announcement of 10 acts sets the tone for what promises to be one of the standout festival bills of next summer.
Early Bird tickets are on sale now at €210 for a weekend ticket, with single day ticket options available. Special family, adolescent and single parent family tickets are available. Children under 12 go free with a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Campervan, caravan and camping tickets sold separately.Tickets are available from forestfest.ie and are subject to booking fees.
For 2026, the Forest Fest team has reimagined the festival layout in direct response to audience feedback. Festivalgoers asked for better walkability, more comfort and additional space across key areas, and the new design delivers exactly that. While Forest Fest remains entirely within the picturesque confines of Emo Village, the site has moved to Bee’s Wing Farm. This shift allows for improved facilities and a smoother, more enjoyable flow throughout the weekend. The updated layout includes expanded amenities, more toilets, additional food and drink vendors and increased space in the arena, camping and campervan areas.
Also new for 2026, the VIP experience has been elevated even further. Enhancements include shortcut access to the main stage area, direct views of the main stage and live-feed screens within VIP, express accreditation and fast-lane entry, and dedicated express bar service both inside VIP and at the main bars. Luxury flushing toilets have been increased for added comfort. VIP guests will also enjoy a specially curated programme of music, magic and comedy exclusive to the area, creating a festival within the festival. Now entering its fifth year, Forest Fest continues to go from strength to strength. The festival has just been awarded Best Festival / Event at the Midlands 103 Hospitality Awards, seeing off stiff competition from major national events including Electric Picnic and the National Ploughing Championships.
Festival Director Philip Meagher says: “I’m so excited at the prospect of welcoming and hearing some of my own personal favourite acts from over the past 40 years to Emo next summer. Acts that kept me and my friends entertained in our late teenage years through college, into working life and our first gigs and festival experiences and beyond, up to the present day. As you can see from the line-up so far, it’s a wonderful representation of a very eclectic mix which is borne from my own personal taste over the past number of years. From the full on sing-a-long anthems of The Fratellis, The Wonderstuff, The Charlatans, Deacon Blue and Feeder to the wonderfully moody classics of Echo and the Bunnymen, interspersed with the amazing The Lemonheads, Black Grape, Ned’s Atomic Dustbin and Lloyd Cole, these first 10 acts to be announced certainly represent our intentions for 2026 at Forest Fest – an absolute feast of the very best music for all to enjoy.”
About Forest Fest
Founded by Laois native Philip Meagher, Forest Fest was created with a clear purpose: to bring exceptional music to audiences who value quality line-ups and a premium festival experience. It is a festival for those who want to see artists who have not appeared together on Irish soil in decades, the kind of poster that feels instantly iconic.
Forest Fest champions the best of indie, Britpop and rock, complemented by top-tier homegrown talent across its dedicated trad, folk and new music stages. With the entire village of Emo transforming into the festival site, everything from stages to food to camping is just a short stroll away.
Deliberately prioritising atmosphere and experience over commerciality, it transforms the small village of Emo in Co. Laois into an idyllic festival hub with a capacity of 12,000. The involvement of local businesses, volunteers and residents is central to the festival’s warm and distinctive character.
Recognised as Best Festival in 2023 and 2025 at the Midlands 103 Hospitality Awards, and ranking no. 4 in The Irish Times’ Festivals of the Year 2024, it continues to set the standard for boutique music events nationwide. The long-term vision is clear. Forest Fest will continue to grow into one of Ireland’s most loved festivals while preserving the boutique atmosphere and premium experience that set it apart, an independent event that stands proudly alongside the world’s leading festivals
Community, Sustainability and Local Partnerships
Forest Fest actively supports local enterprise, with glamping provided by Abbeyleix-based Pitched Perfect and craft beers supplied by Wicklow Wolf and Ballykilcavan Brewing Co. Sustainability is a core pillar of the festival’s ethos. In partnership with Native Events and Emo GAA, the Smart Waste Management programme returns for 2026, focusing on waste reduction, material repurposing and stronger audience engagement. Initiatives include upcycled crew uniforms and an onsite waste segregation hub to educate attendees on sustainable practices.
2026 Site Improvements
Responding to audience feedback, Forest Fest 2026 features a reimagined site layout designed for greater comfort, walkability and space. While remaining within the confines of Emo Village, the festival has relocated to Bee’s Wing Farm, allowing for improved amenities, more food and drink options, increased toilet facilities and expanded arena, camping and campervan areas.
Accommodation, Travel and Catering
The festival offers a range of accommodation, including Pitched Perfect glamping units from two-person pods to eight-person suites equipped with hot showers, phone charging and pamper facilities. Dedicated campervan and caravan passes are available, with extensive tent camping options also provided. Local hotels in Portlaoise, Kildare, Tullamore and Abbeyleix are served by regular shuttle buses. Forest Fest is easily accessible, located one hour from Dublin and just 5km from the M7 (Exit 15), with complimentary parking, hourly trains to Portlaoise and Portarlington and additional private buses planned for 2026. A wide selection of artisan and street food stalls, including vegetarian and vegan options, complements a full bar service featuring wine, Prosecco and craft beers.
Forest Fest 2026 takes place from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 July at Bee’s Wing Farm, Emo Village, Co. Laois. Early Bird tickets are on sale now from forestfest.ie