Lily Allen Set To Headline Boardmasters 2026 Festival

Boardmasters, the iconic Cornish festival that fuses music, surf, and coastal culture, is set to make waves again from August 5 to August 9, 2026, at Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach in Newquay. This year’s edition is already making headlines with the announcement of Lily Allen as its final headliner, joining an eclectic roster that spans pop, indie, electronic, and soul. For Allen, this performance marks not only her Boardmasters debut but also a triumphant return to the festival stage after a seven-year hiatus.

Lily Allen’s journey to Boardmasters 2026 has been anything but straightforward. According to Billboard, she was originally slated to perform at Boardmasters back in 2019, but the festival was abruptly canceled due to severe weather, just hours before her set. Now, at 40, Allen is poised to finally take the Cornish stage, bringing with her the full force of her critically acclaimed 2025 album, West End Girl.

The album, released in October 2025, has been at the center of both critical and popular acclaim. Described by BBC News as a “brutally honest take on the breakdown of her marriage to Stranger Things star David Harbour,” West End Girl quickly became one of the most talked about records of the year. Its candid lyrics sparked viral memes and videos, and the record soared to number two in the Official Charts. The album’s impact was further cemented with BRIT Award nominations for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Best Pop Act.

For Boardmasters, Allen’s appearance is more than just a booking; it’s a statement. She will perform West End Girl in full on Saturday, August 8, offering fans a rare chance to experience an album that, as CornwallLive notes, “marks a bold new chapter in her career, blending reflective storytelling with emotional depth and razor-sharp observation.”

The festival’s 2026 lineup is nothing short of impressive. Alongside Allen, fellow headliners Fatboy Slim and Kasabian will keep the energy high, ensuring that Boardmasters continues its tradition of mixing legendary acts with next-generation talent. The Kooks, Loyle Carner, Rudimental, Tash Sultana, and The Darkness are among the other big names set to grace the stages across the five-day event, as confirmed by Filmogaz and CornwallLive.

But Boardmasters has never been just about the headliners. The Wave 2 lineup additions reflect the festival’s ongoing commitment to showcasing emerging and diverse talent. This year’s roster includes Joy Crookes, whose soulful sound has drawn widespread praise; Jacob Alon, the Mercury Prize nominee and BRITs Critics’ Choice winner; and a host of rising stars such as Rose Gray, Charlotte Plank, Etta Marcus, Holysseus Fly, and Chloe Qisha. According to Billboard, other notable acts include Lucy Spraggan, Beans on Toast, Fleetmac Wood, Sicaria, Lens, Gotham B2B Deekz, Charlie Boon with BBC Radio 1’s Sarah Story, Old Mervs, Dirty Nice, Good Health Good Wealth, and Oh My God! It’s The Church.

Boardmasters is also a celebration of the region’s rich surf heritage. The Boardmasters Open will once again bring elite international and UK surfers to Fistral Beach, with WSL Men’s and Women’s Pro competitions and the Junior Open drawing crowds and competitors from around the globe. The festival offers more than just spectating—attendees can sign up for surf lessons, participate in wellness experiences, and enjoy yoga, sound baths, and fitness sessions. There’s even a dedicated spa on site, featuring saunas, hot tubs, and ice baths for those in need of a little relaxation between sets.

For those seeking more than music and surf, Boardmasters 2026 promises a full slate of art, cultural, and wellbeing programming. Organizers have teased immersive installations, workshops, talks, skate sessions, silent discos, comedy, and more, with further details to be announced in the coming months. The festival’s unique blend of music, sport, and lifestyle experiences continues to set it apart, drawing more than 50,000 attendees each year, as reported by BBC News.

Ticketing for Boardmasters 2026 is already in full swing. Final tier tickets are now available via the official Boardmasters website, with adult weekend camping passes starting at £279 (approximately $384), plus associated fees and a litter bond, according to Billboard and Filmogaz. For those looking for alternative accommodations, a variety of options are available, including three, four, and five-day camping passes, coach and ticket bundles, VIP camping, hospitality lounge tickets, and dedicated child and teen tickets. Day tickets are set to go on sale at the end of February 2026.

In addition to her Boardmasters appearance, Allen’s 2026 calendar is packed. She will embark on a major tour across theaters and arenas in the UK, Ireland, Europe, and North America during the spring and summer, and she’s also scheduled to headline the Mighty Hoopla festival in London’s Brockwell Park on May 30. As BBC News points out, “Her first album in more than seven years became one of the most talked about records of the year,” and her return to live performance is highly anticipated by fans and critics alike.

With its blend of established icons, breakthrough talent, and a deep connection to Cornwall’s surf culture, Boardmasters 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting editions yet. The festival’s ability to balance major names like Lily Allen, Fatboy Slim, and Kasabian with a diverse and innovative supporting lineup is a testament to its enduring appeal. Add in the dramatic Atlantic backdrop, and it’s easy to see why Boardmasters remains a highlight of the UK’s festival calendar.

As the countdown to August begins, all eyes are on Newquay—and on Lily Allen, whose long-awaited Boardmasters debut promises to be a defining moment for both artist and festival alike.