Lymelight Festival 2026 Announces Full Line-Up for May Bank Holiday Weekend in Newcastle-under-Lyme

Lymelight Festival returns to Newcastle-under-Lyme this May, with the full line-up now announced for two days of live music, culture and town centre energy.

Taking place on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th May, the festival will once again turn the town into a live music takeover, with three outdoor stages across the Guildhall, Ironmarket and the 6 Towns Radio Acoustic Stage outside Keele in Town, alongside a wider programme happening in venues and spaces across Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Delivered by Newcastle-under-Lyme BID, Lymelight is supported by stage sponsors NSCG, Keele University and Heywoods Property alongside 6 Towns Radio and a range of local venues, businesses and partners who help bring the festival to life across the whole town.

Lymelight Festival 2025 Hotel Cola

Now in its 13th year, Lymelight has grown into a key date in the local calendar, known for championing the Staffordshire music scene and creating a festival atmosphere that runs right through the town.

Across the weekend, more than 40 artists will perform across the three main stages, with live music continuing into the evening at venues including The Crossways, The Rigger and Artisan Tap as part of the wider festival weekend. Visitors can also enjoy delicious street food, Castle Artisan Market traders, pop up activity from Drop City Books and free creative workshops delivered in partnership with ArtsKeele. On Sunday morning, visitors can also take part in a free ‘Stretch & Start’ session with Divinity Studios in the town centre.

It creates a full weekend of live music and town centre activity, encouraging people to explore, stay longer and support local businesses.

“Lymelight has grown year on year because it’s built around the town and the people in it. It brings people into the town centre, supports our local businesses and creates a real atmosphere right across the weekend.

Keeping Lymelight free is really important to us. People can come down for an hour, stay all day, or make a full weekend of it without that barrier. It means more people can enjoy live music throughout the day across the three stage, discover new artists and then continue their evening in some of Newcastle’s independents bars and venues.”

Charl Pearce, BID Manager at Newcastle-under-Lyme BID

The event continues to deliver strong footfall for the town centre, with around 16,000 visitors attending across the 2025 weekend.

Lymelight Festival runs from 12pm to 9:30pm on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th May. Full line-ups and programme details are available on www.lymelightfestival.co.uk or on social media @lymelightfestival

Lymelight Festival 2025 Greg Murray & the Seven Wonders

Full Line Up

Saturday 23rd May

Guildhall Stage

13:00 Kaskade 14:00 The Groves 15:00 Clayhead 16:00 Gregzy 17:00 Noise of Angels 18:00 SideEye 19:00 Camp Stag 20:30 The Crowns

Ironmarket Stage

12:30 Bob M 13:30 Oli NG 14:30 And What! 15:30 Mystiek 16:30 Jorge Wilson 17:30 Fractured Mind 18:30 K-Estate 19:45 Mara Liddle

6 Towns Radio Stage

12:00 Jay Johnson 13:00 Attack Of The Vapours 14:00 Dennis Dinkle 15:00 Scott Walklate 16:00 Alway 17:00 Beth Hill

Sunday 24th May

Guildhall Stage

13:00 Whaterface 14:00 Blackbirds 15:00 Gambling with Dogs 16:00 Glass Ghosts 17:00 Snowdrop 18:00 The Ghoules 19:00 KOALA 20:30 Raj Mahal & the Beatroots

Ironmarket Stage

12:30 Scullopendras 13:30 Sarah Riches 14:30 Daniall Lee 15:30 Heidi Rolph Scott 16:30 Eve Buckley 17:30 Redi 18:30 Johntay 19:45 Greg Murray and the Seven Wonders

6 Towns Radio Stage

12:00 Ava Ralph 13:00 Hannah Sophie 14:00 Samantha Lloyd 15:00 Ellie Galvin 16:00 Samantha Cantliff 17:00 Nettles