Dot to Dot Festival – Bristol/Nottingham, England 2026

Overview

Dot to Dot Festival 2026 is the UK’s premier metropolitan showcase for emerging music talent, transforming the vibrant cities of Bristol and Nottingham into immersive live music playgrounds over a dynamic weekend. Celebrating its 21st year since launching in 2005, this award-winning event (previous Best Metropolitan Festival at UK Festival Awards) features over 200 acts across dozens of intimate venues, blending indie, punk, electronic, pop, and experimental sounds from global rising stars and local heroes, drawing thousands of fans for a treasure-hunt-style discovery experience.

As a strictly 14+ multi-venue festival, it emphasizes accessibility and serendipity—one wristband unlocks all stages, encouraging attendees to wander between hidden gems and iconic spots without the hassle of camping or large crowds. With a legacy of launching careers (alumni include Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Florence + The Machine, IDLES), Dot to Dot 2026 promises a stacked lineup of fresh announcements, aftermovies from past editions, and a community vibe that captures the raw energy of British music scenes in Bristol’s harborside haunts and Nottingham’s gritty urban corners.

Event Highlights

• Main Activities or Performances: Over 200 emerging acts across 30+ venues per city, with sets spanning indie rock, drum ‘n’ bass influences, post-punk, and electronic; past waves included The Horrors, Sprints, Fat Dog, Lord Apex, Snooper, Sextile, Master Peace, plus 130+ local talents like My First Time and Grandmas House.
• Special Traditions or Features: Annual deep dives into regional scenes with dedicated local slots; wristband exchanges at key spots like Thekla (Bristol) and Rock City (Nottingham); aftermovies and Spotify playlists to relive vibes; 20th anniversary commemorations in 2025 set the stage for even bigger 2026 celebrations.
• Unique Attractions for Visitors: Multi-venue hopping for personalized itineraries—stay for a full set or chase discoveries; pop-up Rough Trade record stalls; city-center exploration blending music with street art and harborside strolls; app downloads for Bristol/Nottingham maps, stage times, and lineup updates.
• About This Event: A 14+ inclusive, no-camping urban festival championing DIY discovery and grassroots talent, held across Bristol (Saturday) and Nottingham (Sunday) for a two-city adventure; it’s a launchpad for new music while honoring historic venues that shaped UK sounds. See Official Site

Why Attend

Dot to Dot Festival 2026 delivers an exhilarating, low-commitment dive into the UK’s hottest emerging acts, where you can curate your own sonic journey across Bristol’s trip-hop roots and Nottingham’s punk heritage, all without tents or traffic jams. It’s perfect for indie enthusiasts, first-timers, and groups seeking authentic vibes—stumble upon a game-changing band in a basement bar or catch a harborside set, with one wristband granting seamless access to 30+ stages packed with global and local fire like Sprints or My First Time.

Beyond the music, the festival’s focus on community and discovery fosters connections in walkable city centers, blending performances with urban exploration, craft brews at spots like The Fleece, and post-show hangs at legendary clubs. As a 21-year staple that’s boosted icons from Florence to IDLES, attending means supporting the ecosystem that keeps British music alive, creating unforgettable memories in a compact, energetic format that’s equal parts adventure and escape.

Date and Duration

• Dates: May 23 – May 24, 2026 (Bristol: Saturday, May 23; Nottingham: Sunday, May 24)
• Duration: 2 days

Venue and Location

• City: Bristol and Nottingham, England
• Main Venue: Various multi-venue setups in city centers (Bristol: harborside starting at Thekla; Nottingham: urban hubs around Rock City)
• Notable Areas: Bristol venues like O2 Academy, Thekla, The Fleece, Louisiana, Strange Brew; Nottingham spots including Rock City, Rescue Rooms, Stealth, The Bodega, Metronome
• Additional Venues: Bristol: Dockside (SON Estrella Galicia), Rough Trade, The Island, Exchange; Nottingham: Beta, Black Cherry Lounge, The Palais, Jamcafé, The Carousel
• Exact Address: Bristol Wristband Exchange: Thekla, The Grove, East Mud Dock, Bristol BS1 4RB; Nottingham Wristband Exchange: Near Rock City, Talbot Street, Nottingham NG1 5GG

Ticket Information

• How Tickets Are Sold: Online via alttickets.com, Skiddle, or Gigantic; super early bird sold out, early bird available now; on-site at wristband exchanges if not sold out (cash/card); no central box office—wristbands collected day-of
• Admission Type: Paid, 14+ event (some venues 18+ after 9 PM); under 14s not permitted; ID may be required
• Ticket Pricing (USD): Early bird from £22.50 (~$29 USD) + booking fee; standard ~£35 (~$45 USD); full price TBD, typically £40–£50 (~$52–$65 USD)
• Special Seating or VIP Options: No dedicated VIP; some venues offer standing/reserved via app; group bundles on Skiddle; SON Estrella Galicia lounge access at select stages (add-on ~£10)
• Price Range: $29–$65 (per city pass, excluding fees)

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Contact Information

• Email: hello@dottodotfestival.co.uk (general inquiries); press@dottodotfestival.co.uk (media); apply@dottodotfestival.co.uk (performers)
• Phone: Not specified; use contact form on website or social DMs for urgent queries
• Website: https://dottodotfestival.co.uk
• Social Media: @d2dfest (Instagram, 50K+ followers); Dot To Dot Festival (Facebook, 32K likes); @D2DFest (X/Twitter, Spotify playlists)
• Key Staff: Not specified; team via hello@dottodotfestival.co.uk
• Press/Volunteers: press@dottodotfestival.co.uk (accreditation); volunteers via contact form (stewarding roles TBD)
• Note: Response time ~24–48 hours; English support; sign up for mailing list at dottodotfestival.co.uk/signup for exclusive updates

Getting There

• Nearest Airports: Bristol Airport (BRS, 8 miles to Bristol venues); East Midlands (EMA, 20 miles to Nottingham) or Manchester (MAN, 60 miles)
• Public Transport: Trains to Bristol Temple Meads (from London ~90 mins, £30–£50) or Nottingham Station (from London ~2 hrs, £40–£60); local buses/trams to city centers; festival apps map walking routes (10–20 mins between venues)
• Parking: Limited city-center paid lots (£10–£20/day); recommend public transport or Park & Ride (Bristol: £5 + bus); Blue Badge spaces at key exchanges
• Taxi: Uber/Bolt from airports (~£15–£30 to centers); local cabs for inter-venue hops (~£5–£10)
• Sat Nav: Bristol: BS1 4RB (Thekla); Nottingham: NG1 5GG (Rock City area)

Accommodation Options

• City Hotels: Bristol: Bristol Harbour Hotel or Ibis Bristol Centre (£80–£150/night, harborside); Nottingham: Crowne Plaza or Roomzzz Nottingham (£70–£130/night, city views)
• Boutique Stays: Bristol: Artist Residence or Airbnbs in Stokes Croft (£60–£120/night, artsy vibe); Nottingham: The Nedlud or Hockley spots (£55–£110/night)
• Hostels/B&Bs: Bristol: Bristol Backpackers or YHA Bristol (£30–£60/night, groups); Nottingham: Hostel 44 or local B&Bs (£25–£55/night)
• Camping: No on-site; nearby Glastonbury Festival site (20 miles from Bristol, £20–£40/night off-season) or Nottingham East Midlands (£15–£35/night)
• Note: Book early for May bank holiday; 90% venues walkable; festival partners offer discounts via app (10–20% off select hotels)

Reviews

• Epic discovery fest—stumbled on three new faves in Bristol’s basements alone!
• Seamless multi-venue magic; Nottingham’s energy was unreal, wristband worth every penny.
• Emerging talent overload—Fat Dog stole the show, but locals like Grandmas House killed it too!