Forest Live at Cannock Chase 2026: Line up times, tickets, transport, food and drink options - and everything you need to know
It's time for Forest Live 2026 at Cannock Chase - here's everything you need to know about one of the UK's most unique concert series in Staffordshire for five days.
It's become a much-loved and popular addition to the music scene across the United Kingdom, bringing thousands of people into open air amphitheatres and unique forest settings to see some of the biggest acts in the world.
Forest Live will again bring thousands of people over four days to watch the concert series in the natural bowl of Cannock Chase Forest, with four big nights place between Wednesday, June 24 and Sunday, June 28.
We've taken a look at the acts, the venue and the history of the event and present this guide to Forest Live.
Forest Live is a major live music series held in the nation’s forests and organised by Forestry England, first held in 2001 as a way of hearing the best live music and connecting with nature in unique settings.
Buying tickets from Forestry England also helps to grow and protect the nation’s forests for generations to come.
The concerts traditionally take place across four forest venues in the UK, which are Cannock Chase Forest, Delamere Forest in Cheshire, High Lodge in Thetford Forest and Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire.
The Cannock Chase shows take place in the natural bowl at Birches Valley, which provide a full view from the bottom to the top of the bowl.
Who is playing at Forest Live 2025?
Wednesday, June 24:
Support Acts - Katie Owen and Dylan Walton
Headline Act - Billy Ocean with special guest Marti Pellow
Thursday, June 25:
Support Acts - Ian Davies, Sasha GiGi and Sarah Story
Headline Act - Fatboy Slim
Friday, June 26:
Support Acts - Hannah Wants, Emily Makis and Mia Kirkland
Headline Act - Becky Hill
Saturday, June 27:
Support Acts - Ian Davies, Reggae Roast feat. Horseman and Bitty Mclean
Headline Act - UB40 feat. Ali Campbell
Sunday, June 28:
Support Acts - Twin Atlantic and Remember Monday
Headline Act - McFly
Timings are approximate and subject to change
Among the big acts to have played at Forest Live in the past include Jools Holland, Paul Weller, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Sugababes, Madness, Status Quo, UB40, Embrace, Blondie, Travis, Simply Red, Texas, Keane and Sam Ryder.
Tickets for Billy Ocean will cost £55.95, while there is also the Glade VIP ticket, which is £99.95 and comes with views at the front of the stage, a dedicated VIP entry lane, souvenir wristband and luxury facilities which include toilet facilities and a exclusive bar.
Tickets for Fatboy Slim start at £62, with the Glade VIP ticket costing 99.95, Becky Hill tickets have sold out, but Glade VIP tickets are available for £99.95, while tickets for both UB40 feat. Ali Campbell and McFly have sold out for both regular and Glade VIP tickets.
There is also the option for a Forest Live Five Day Festival Pass, with the Standard Five Day Festival Pass costing £230 and the Glade VIP Five Day Festival Pass costing £395.
For people looking to drive in, standard car parking is available for £10, while Forestry England members can park for free and priority parking, which is located on a grass surface, close to the pedestrian entrance with a dedicated fast entry gate and allows quicker exit from the site, is £30.
There is also a return shuttle bus from Cannock Town, which costs £8, and Blue Badge Parking is available for £10, while the nearest train station is Rugeley Town, which is just over two miles away.
A fully licensed bar and a variety of food and drink outlets are available at all venues, with all bar and food outlets accepting card payments only.
A ‘challenge 25’ policy is in operation at the bar and people may be asked to present ID when purchasing alcohol.
Forestry England said that acceptable forms of ID are passport, driving licence or the government proof of age scheme card.
Food vendors cater for vegetarian, vegan and gluten free diets and people are encouraged to discuss any allergies or intolerance with the food vendors on site.
Concerts will go ahead regardless of weather, except in extreme conditions where the venue is deemed unsafe or unfeasible to hold the event.
A show by Jack Savoretti in 2023 had to be stopped and the venue evacuated after a thunderstorm and lightning started.
Forestry England said it advises all customers to wear suitable clothing and footwear for an outdoor event, but does not permit umbrellas to be taken into the arena.
There is a full Further Asked Questions page on the Forestry England website which answers as many questions about the event as possible.
Comment Guidelines
Iconic Media encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.