Forwards Festival 2026 Opens This Weekend with Lorde, Djo, and Family-Friendly Expansions
Forwards Festival returns to Bristol Downs from August 28 to 30, 2026, marking its most ambitious edition yet. The event kicks off tonight (Friday, August 28) with a brand-new 'Forwards Presents' show featuring Lorde and Djo making their Bristol debuts, before the main two-day music festival unfolds on Saturday and Sunday with headliners including Self Esteem, Wet Leg, Little Simz, and Amyl and The Sniffers. Organizers have also unveiled an expanded Kids' Area, new travel arrangements, and accessibility provisions to accommodate a growing and diverse audience.
Gates on Saturday and Sunday open at 12pm and close at 11pm, with last entry at 8pm. Friday's special event runs from 2pm to 11pm. According to the official Forwards website, weekend tickets start at £134.30 plus booking fee, while single-day Saturday tickets start at £74.90 and Sunday tickets at £71.90. All three days take place on the iconic Downs, a sprawling green space in Bristol that has become synonymous with the festival's community-oriented atmosphere.
What's New at Forwards 2026: From 'Forwards Presents' to Expanded Kids' Activities
Forwards Presents: A New Friday Night Experience
This year introduces 'Forwards Presents', a standalone event designed to broaden the festival's appeal beyond the traditional weekend. Lorde and Djo are the marquee names for Friday night, both performing for the first time in Bristol. The addition reflects a wider trend in the UK festival market: organizers are increasingly adding single-day or standalone events to attract audiences who may not commit to a full weekend. Forwards' move follows similar strategies at other festivals, though it remains unique in its focus on family-friendly programming.
Kids' Area: A Full Programme of Play, Learning, and Calm
Being a family-friendly event, Forwards has always welcomed attendees of all ages, but this year's Kids' Area is more extensive than ever. Highlights include The Flying Seagull Project, returning with its play and laughter programme; an immersive world of bubbles and ball pools from The Adventure Team; Kiss My Putt, a mini crazy golf course; and sustainability-focused craft workshops where children can turn waste cardboard from the festival build into art. The Pony Farm Bus offers hands-on food workshops exploring where food comes from, while Bristol's Twisted Theatre brings theatrical games, costumes, and dancing. Access Creative College gives kids the chance to experiment with musical instruments and DJ equipment, and Diverse Artist Network hosts additional activities. A dedicated sensory calm space, provided by Diverse UK, offers children a quieter place to decompress and reduce overstimulation.
Family Deals and Parental Re-Admission Policy
To make the festival more affordable for families, the first child of the family goes free with an adult ticket, and an additional kids' ticket costs just £5. However, there is no general re-entry to the festival, so if you leave, you won't be able to return. But there is an official parental re-admission policy: someone with a child can leave the site to drop them off and come back in without the child. Anyone planning to use this should speak to staff when they enter the festival. This policy is particularly helpful for families who want to enjoy the daytime activities but need to get children home before the evening crowds arrive.
Travel and Accessibility: New Advice for Getting to and From the Downs
No Public Parking, But Shuttle Buses and Drop-off Zones Ease the Journey
Forwards organisers are urging fans to plan their travel carefully. There is no public parking on the site, and road closures and parking exclusions will be in place in the surrounding area. Instead, attendees are encouraged to walk, cycle, or use public transport. A shuttle bus service will run between the festival and the city centre, starting at Bristol Temple Meads, stopping at Queen Square on Prince Street, and heading up to the Downs, with a drop-off point 800m from the festival entrance. Operated by First Bus, advance return tickets cost £8, singles £5, with tickets also available on the bus but cheaper via the First Bus app. Taxis and Ubers have a designated drop-off and pick-up point on Ladies Mile, approximately 500m from the festival site, with the What3Words address Cowboy.Roses.Units. Residents in affected areas have been notified of road closures by post, and organisers encourage specific concerns to be emailed to forwards@teamlove.org.
Cycling and Coach Options
Limited bike parking is available, but you must bring a lock, and bikes are left at owners' risk. For those coming from further afield, FlixBus operates more than 100 daily services to Bristol city centre from across the UK, and festival-goers can get an exclusive 20% discount on their journey. These travel provisions are part of a broader effort to reduce the environmental impact of the festival and manage traffic congestion on the Downs, a sensitive green space.
Accessibility Provisions
Forwards 2026 has also expanded its accessibility offerings, including a Personal Assistant/Companion ticket, viewing platforms, accessible parking, accessible toilets, and lowered bar areas. To access these amenities, attendees need to purchase a ticket through the website and then apply for the relevant provisions. This reflects a growing industry-wide commitment to making festivals more inclusive.
The Bigger Picture: Festival Season 2026 Trends and What They Mean for Attendees
The launch of Forwards 2026 comes at a pivotal moment for the UK festival scene. With Glastonbury on a fallow year, this summer's major events are vying for attention. Reading and Leeds Festival, which runs concurrently (August 27-30), has overhauled its stages and boasts six headliners, including Charli xcx, Chase & Status, Dave, Florence and the Machine, Fontaines DC, and Raye. This year is being described as a 'mega' edition for many festivals, with organisers pulling out all stops to attract crowds.
Forwards distinguishes itself by doubling down on family-friendly programming and community engagement. The addition of a dedicated sensory calm space and the emphasis on sustainable crafting are not just add-ons; they signal a broader industry shift towards inclusivity and environmental responsibility. As festivals increasingly become multi-generational spaces, the demand for such facilities is likely to grow. Forwards is positioning itself as a leader in this niche, and its success could influence other urban festivals to follow suit.
The travel and accessibility measures also highlight a growing concern: how to manage the logistics of large-scale events in urban green spaces. With climate change prompting more sustainable travel options, festivals are under pressure to provide alternatives to car use. Forwards' partnership with First Bus and FlixBus, along with its cycling provisions, is a model that other events might adopt.
For attendees, this weekend's festival promises not just a line-up of top-tier music but also a carefully planned experience that caters to all ages and needs. Whether you're a parent looking for a fun day out with the kids, a music fan eager to catch Lorde's first Bristol performance, or a seasoned festival-goer wanting to enjoy the atmosphere on the Downs, Forwards 2026 has something for everyone. And with the parental re-admission policy, you can enjoy the evening acts after safely seeing your children home.
As the festival season reaches its climax, Forwards is proving that it's not just about the music—it's about creating a welcoming, sustainable, and memorable experience for all. That's a trend worth watching as we look ahead to 2027 and beyond.
If you're planning your own end-of-summer events, you might also want to check out Streaming in August 2026: Award Winners, New Hits, and Hidden Gems for a curated list of films and shows to enjoy after the festival dust settles. Or, if you're already thinking about the next big city event, Manchester Village Pride 2026: New Era Begins as Parade Returns to City Streets offers a glimpse of another major 2026 gathering.
Comments