Music lovers, mark your calendars: 2026 is shaping up to be a blockbuster year for festivals on both sides of the Atlantic. From the rolling hills of Bilbao, Spain, to the vibrant streets of New Orleans, two of the world’s most beloved music gatherings—Bilbao BBK and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival—are set to deliver unforgettable experiences with stacked lineups and unique collaborations. The anticipation is palpable as organizers unveil their first waves of acts and open ticket sales to eager fans around the globe.
Let’s start in the Basque Country, where the renowned Bilbao BBK Live will return to Kobetamendi from July 9 to 11, 2026. According to NME, the festival’s initial lineup reads like a who’s who of contemporary music: Lily Allen, Robbie Williams, David Byrne, IDLES, Interpol, and CMAT headline a roster that also features Charlotte De Witte, Alabama Shakes, Soulwax, Belle and Sebastian, and the legendary Malian singer Fatoumata Diawara. Rising stars such as German DJ horsegiirL, folk singer Paris Paloma, and the Folk Bitch Trio—recent NME cover artists—add fresh energy, while Spanish talents Bb trickz and Ralphie Choo ensure the local scene is well represented.
For many, the 2026 edition marks a triumphant return to form for Bilbao BBK, which NME recently described as an event that "continues to stand at the forefront of the European festival circuit." Last year’s festival boasted a similarly impressive lineup, with acts like Pulp, RAYE, Bicep, Kneecap, Amyl And The Sniffers, Kaytranada, Japanese Breakfast, Michael Kiwanuka, and Kylie Minogue gracing the stage. The festival’s reputation for curating genre-spanning, high-caliber lineups remains firmly intact.
Ticket sales are already underway, with pre-sale access open for returning attendees as of December 11, 2025. First-timers can join the pre-sale from December 15, while general sales kick off on December 17. The buzz is unmistakable—fans are eager to secure their spots at what promises to be one of the summer’s hottest tickets.
Lily Allen’s appearance is especially noteworthy given her recent resurgence. Her 2025 album, West End Girl, earned a glowing four-star review from NME, who praised it as evidence that "the relationship in this tale might be over, but Lily Allen’s comeback is just getting started." The record’s critical acclaim has translated into commercial success: Allen has sold out the largest North American tour of her career for 2026 and announced arena shows across Ireland and the UK. She also made a recent splash as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on December 13, 2025. Notably, both Allen and CMAT’s albums landed on NME’s 50 Best Albums of the Year list, cementing their status as must-see festival acts.
Robbie Williams will take the opportunity to showcase material from his forthcoming album, BRITPOP, while David Byrne brings his latest project, Who Is The Sky?, to the Bilbao stage as part of a world tour. CMAT, riding high on the success of her celebrated album Euro-Country, is also slated for a prominent slot. For festivalgoers, the chance to see these artists—each at a creative peak—on the same bill is nothing short of thrilling.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival—affectionately known as Jazz Fest—returns to the Fair Grounds Race Course for two weekends, from April 23 to 26 and April 30 to May 3, 2026. As reported by Times Now Digital and other outlets, the 2026 lineup is a dazzling blend of classic rock legends, contemporary chart-toppers, and Louisiana’s own musical royalty.
The Eagles, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, and David Byrne headline a bill that also features Mavis Staples, Jon Batiste, Lainey Wilson, Earth, Wind & Fire, Tyler Childers, Teddy Swims, Lorde, The Black Keys, T-Pain, Raye, Herbie Hancock, Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers, Little Feat, Rickie Lee Jones, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Irma Thomas, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, The Isley Brothers, Samantha Fish, Ron Carter Quartet, Ani DiFranco, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Nas, St Vincent, the Revivalists, Sean Paul, Blind Boys of Alabama, and Burning Spear—just to name a few.
Jazz Fest’s 2026 edition is already generating excitement for a number of reasons. The Eagles’ appearance marks their first performance outside their Las Vegas residency since June 2024, according to Times Now Digital. Stevie Nicks, meanwhile, will share the stage with The Eagles—a rare collaboration, as concert records show she has only performed with them once before. Nicks also has a storied history with Rod Stewart, having toured together in 2011. For Stewart, the festival represents his only scheduled performance for 2026, as he takes a brief hiatus from his farewell tour. And with David Byrne in the midst of a major world tour, his Jazz Fest stop is sure to be a highlight.
Jazz Fest is much more than a concert series; it’s a celebration of the culture, food, and heritage that make New Orleans unique. Since its founding in 1970, the festival has attracted fans from around the globe, offering a kaleidoscope of musical genres—from jazz and blues to rock, R&B, hip-hop, and beyond. Performances unfold across multiple stages, while attendees enjoy local cuisine, art exhibits, and crafts booths. Four-day passes went on sale December 12, 2025, and early-bird tickets are already in high demand.
Both Bilbao BBK and Jazz Fest have a knack for blending nostalgia with discovery, pairing legendary acts with up-and-coming talent. Alabama Shakes, for instance, will play both festivals, offering fans on both continents a chance to catch their electrifying live show. RAYE, another breakout artist, will also appear at both events, underscoring the increasingly global nature of festival lineups in the streaming era.
For many music fans, these festivals are more than just dates on the calendar—they’re annual pilgrimages, opportunities to reconnect with friends, discover new artists, and immerse themselves in the communal joy of live music. With ticket sales brisk and anticipation running high, 2026 is set to be a year to remember for festival-goers from Bilbao to New Orleans and beyond.
As the stages are built and the lineups locked in, one thing is certain: the coming year’s festivals promise not only stellar performances but moments of connection, celebration, and musical magic that will linger long after the final encore.
