We Out Here Festival 2026
The upcoming edition continues the festival’s tradition of delivering world-class programming in an intimate rural setting. The 2026 event maintains the multi-genre approach that has defined the festival since its inception, while expanding its family and wellness offerings to create what organizers describe as a “little village” atmosphere.
20th–23rd August 2026
Wimborne St Giles, Dorset
Jazz, Soul, Hip Hop, Electronic, Afro, Dub
Family Activities & Wellness
- Seventh edition of the award-winning festival curated by Gilles Peterson
- Four-day event in the Dorset countryside with world-class sound systems
- 2025 marked the fifth consecutive sell-out, indicating strong demand
- Festival connects scenes, generations, and sounds without hierarchy
- Platforms both legendary pioneers and emerging artists across multiple waves of announcements
- Expands family spaces and wellness programming for 2026
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event Name | We Out Here Festival |
| Edition | Seventh Year |
| Dates | 20th–23rd August 2026 |
| Venue | Wimborne St Giles, Dorset |
| Curator | Gilles Peterson |
| Duration | 4 Days |
| Primary Genres | Jazz, Soul, Hip Hop, House, Afro, Electronica, Dub |
| Family Activities | Available |
| Wellness Programming | Included |
| Ticket Status | Finale Release On Sale |
| Previous Sell-outs | Five consecutive years |
We Out Here Festival Lineup
The 2026 lineup has been announced across multiple waves, featuring an impressive roster of live acts and DJs that span genres and generations. The carefully curated selection includes Grammy-winning artists alongside breakthrough talents, reflecting the festival’s commitment to showcasing both established pioneers and emerging voices in contemporary music.
Live Performances
The live act roster reads as a who’s who of contemporary and classic music across jazz, soul, hip hop, and electronic sounds. Thundercat, the Grammy-winning bassist and producer, leads the bill, bringing his acclaimed live performance to the Dorset countryside. Other highlights include Mulatu Astatke, the Ethiopian jazz pioneer whose influence spans decades, and Arthur Verocai, the legendary Brazilian composer whose work has experienced a modern renaissance.
British talent features prominently, with Joy Crookes, Loyle Carner, Sampa The Great, and Noname joining the lineup alongside jazz innovators like Shabaka, Gary Bartz & NTU Troop, and Nala Sinephro. The electronic and dub elements are represented by Scientist, Jimi Tenor, and the Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp, while soul legends Horace Andy & The Dub Asante Band and Incognito round out a diverse program.
Thundercat, Mulatu Astatke, Peven Everett, Gary Bartz & NTU Troop, Arthur Verocai, Joy Crookes, Digable Planets, Kofi Stone, Shabaka, Sampa The Great, Scientist, Rotary Connection 222, Loyle Carner, Noname, Bashy, Nala Sinephro, Carl Craig, Jalen Ngonda, Pa Salieu, Kokoroko, Emma-Jean Thackray, Joe Bataan, Horace Andy & The Dub Asante Band, James Mason, Hermeto Pascoal, Leroy Burgess, 4AM KRU, MJ Cole Presents: Sincere, Florence Adooni, Orchestre Poly Rythmo De Cotonou, Incognito, Ganavya, Lex Amor, Arp Frique & The Perpetual Singers, Fulu Miziki, Rosie Lowe, Dora Morelenbaum, Nídia & Valentina, Oby Onyioha ft. Sai Galaxy, Smith & Mighty, Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti & Frank Rosaly, Dar Disku (Live), Jimi Tenor, Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp, Bukky Leo, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, Everything Is Recorded, A Guy Called Gerald and The Jungle Drummer, Nubiyan Twist, SHOLTO, HiTech, Kahil El’Zabar, Brighter Days (Live), Tasha, Chip Wickham, Lynda Dawn, Marysia Osu.
DJs and Selectors
The DJ and selector lineup complements the live performances with a roster that spans dub, jazz, soul, and electronic sounds. Nightmares On Wax brings his signature downtempo grooves, while Kenny Dope and Wookie represent the hip hop and UK garage influences respectively. The dub and sound system culture is honored through Iration Steppas and Channel One, continuing the festival’s connection to roots reggae traditions.
Contemporary selectors include Jamz Supernova, who curates the Future Bounce show on BBC Radio 1Xtra, alongside Palms Trax, Calibre, and K-Lone & Facta representing the deeper end of electronic and house music. The roster also features Femi Koleoso, the drummer and producer whose work spans multiple genres, and Oscar Jerome, the musician and selector known for his jazz-influenced performances.
Nightmares On Wax, Kenny Dope, Wookie, Iration Steppas, Channel One, Jamz Supernova, Palms Trax, Calibre, K-Lone & Facta, Femi Koleoso, Oscar Jerome, Tama Sumo & Lakuti, Greentea Selecta, Colleen Cosmo Murphy, Coco Maria, Ivy Lab, MADELEINE, SALIMATA, Tone B Nimble, Tobibio, Ehua.
Schedule Information
Set times for the 2026 edition have not yet been released. The festival typically announces detailed schedules closer to the event date, and attendees are advised to check the official festival website for the latest updates on performance times and stage allocations.
We Out Here Festival Dorset Location
The festival takes place at Wimborne St Giles, a village deep in the Dorset countryside that has hosted the event since its inception. The rural setting provides a stark contrast to the urban origins of much of the music celebrated at the festival, creating an immersive experience where attendees can disconnect from city life while enjoying world-class sound systems and programming.
Venue Features
The venue is known for its high-quality sound systems that have earned praise from attendees and artists alike. The site accommodates the festival’s family-friendly ethos with dedicated spaces where families can enjoy the event in a comfortable environment. Cultural areas throughout the site host workshops, wellness activities, and community gatherings that extend the festival experience beyond the music.
The Dorset location also offers the opportunity to explore the surrounding countryside, with the festival creating a self-contained village atmosphere during its four-day run. Accommodation options include on-site camping as well as various add-ons available through the official ticketing platform.
Getting There
Transport add-ons are available through the official site for those requiring assistance with travel arrangements. The rural location means that attendees traveling by public transport should plan their journeys in advance, with the festival providing information on recommended routes and shuttle services closer to the event date.
Capacity and Site Map
Specific capacity figures for the festival have not been publicly disclosed. However, the event’s consistent sell-out performance over five consecutive years indicates limited availability, with the 2026 edition currently on Finale Release tickets. Detailed site maps showing stage positions, facilities, and family areas are expected to be published closer to the event date.
The festival has sold out its previous five editions consecutively. With Finale Release tickets now available, early purchase is strongly advised to secure attendance at the 2026 event.
We Out Here Festival Review and Background
We Out Here Festival was founded by broadcaster and DJ Gilles Peterson, whose curatorial vision has shaped the event into one of the UK’s most distinctive music festivals. Entering its seventh edition in 2026, the festival has evolved from its origins to encompass a broader cultural offering while maintaining its core focus on jazz, soul, hip hop, and electronic music.
Festival History
The festival has built its reputation on presenting music without traditional genre hierarchies, bringing together artists and audiences who might not otherwise encounter each other. This approach has attracted a devoted following and critical acclaim, with the event recognized for its programming excellence and immersive atmosphere.
The 2025 edition marked a record-breaking year for the festival, selling out for the fifth consecutive time and cementing its position as a must-attend event in the UK festival calendar. This continued success has allowed the festival to expand its programming and facilities, with the 2026 edition promising further developments in family activities and wellness offerings.
Critical Reception
“★★★★★ A celebratory weekend of raucous dance and cosmic jazz.”
“Where families thrive and music unites all generations.” For those looking to plan ahead, you can find Dom Dolla tickets 2026 at Dom Dolla tickets 2026.
Reviews from previous editions consistently praise the festival’s ability to create a welcoming atmosphere that appeals across generations while maintaining high artistic standards. The blend of legendary performers with emerging talent has been highlighted as a particular strength, offering attendees the opportunity to discover new artists alongside established names.
What Sets It Apart
The festival’s commitment to family activities and wellness programming distinguishes it from other music events of similar size and scope. Rather than treating these as afterthoughts, the festival has integrated them into its core offering, creating what organizers describe as a “little village” where attendees of all ages can enjoy the experience together.
This approach reflects the broader ethos of curator Gilles Peterson, whose radio shows and club nights have long celebrated the connections between different musical traditions and communities. The festival extends this philosophy into a four-day event that brings together diverse audiences around shared musical passions.
Festival Timeline
- – Inaugural We Out Here Festival held at Wimborne St Giles, Dorset
- – Second edition, establishing the festival’s multi-genre approach
- – Return after disruptions, growing audience and programming
- – Fourth edition, expanding sound systems and facilities
- – Fifth edition, continues sell-out trajectory
- – Sixth edition, further expansion of family and wellness areas
- – Record-breaking sell-out, fifth consecutive year
- – Seventh edition, 20th–23rd August, current announcements
What We Know and What Remains Unclear
| Confirmed Information | Information Not Yet Available |
|---|---|
| Dates: 20th–23rd August 2026 | Specific set times for performances |
| Location: Wimborne St Giles, Dorset | Detailed site map with stage positions |
| Curator: Gilles Peterson | Official capacity figures |
| Duration: 4 days | Complete list of all performing artists |
| Ticket status: Finale Release on sale | Full schedule of workshops and activities |
| Genres: Jazz, Soul, Hip Hop, Electronic, Afro, Dub | Transport shuttle schedules and details |
| Family activities and wellness programming confirmed | Additional announcement dates |
Festival Context and Cultural Significance
We Out Here Festival occupies a unique position in the UK festival landscape, representing a curatorial vision that prioritizes artistic depth over commercial appeal. The festival’s focus on jazz, soul, hip hop, and electronic music reflects Gilles Peterson’s own broadcasting career, which has consistently championed artists working at the intersection of these genres.
The decision to hold the festival in rural Dorset, far from the urban environments where much of this music originated, creates an interesting cultural dialogue. Attendees travel from cities to experience the music in a countryside setting, while the festival brings international artists to a location they might not otherwise visit, creating economic and cultural benefits for the local community.
The festival’s success has contributed to a broader revival of interest in jazz and genre-defying music in the UK, with We Out Here serving as both a destination event and an inspiration for other programming initiatives. Its model of combining live performances with DJ sets, wellness activities, and family programming has influenced how other festivals approach multi-generational audiences.
Sources and References
The primary sources for information about We Out Here Festival 2026 include the official festival website, which provides current ticket information and artist announcements, and music publications such as Wordplay Magazine, which has covered the lineup reveals and festival history. The venue’s own website at St Giles Dorset offers additional context about the location.
“Where families thrive and music unites all generations.” — Festival Description
Social media presence across Instagram and Facebook provides ongoing updates and behind-the-scenes content, while SoundCloud features curated recordings that offer a taste of the festival’s musical scope. For those seeking the most current information, the official festival channels remain the definitive resource for announcements and schedule updates.
Summary
We Out Here Festival 2026 continues the event’s tradition of delivering an exceptional four-day celebration of jazz, soul, hip hop, electronic, and genre-defying music in the Dorset countryside. With an impressive lineup featuring artists from Thundercat to Noname, alongside dedicated family and wellness programming, the seventh edition maintains the festival’s reputation for quality and inclusivity. Tickets are currently on sale through the official website, though with the event having sold out consecutively for five years, early purchase is strongly recommended. For those interested in other major events happening around the same time, coverage of the WWE Survivor Series 2025 and Snooker World Championship 2025 Schedule is available on our site.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is We Out Here Festival 2026 taking place?
The festival runs from 20th to 23rd August 2026, a four-day event in the Dorset countryside.
Where is We Out Here Festival held?
The festival takes place at Wimborne St Giles in Dorset, a rural village location known for its world-class sound systems and immersive programming.
Who curates We Out Here Festival?
The festival is curated by Gilles Peterson, the renowned broadcaster and DJ whose musical vision has shaped the event since its inception.
Is We Out Here Festival suitable for families?
Yes, the festival includes dedicated family spaces, wellness programming, and activities for all generations, creating what organizers describe as a “little village” atmosphere.
Are tickets still available for We Out Here 2026?
Finale Release Tickets are currently on sale through the official website. The festival has sold out for five consecutive years, so early purchase is advised.
What music genres are featured at the festival?
The festival celebrates jazz, soul, hip hop, house, afro, electronica, dub, and genre-hopping music across multiple stages and programming areas.
Has the 2026 lineup been fully announced?
Multiple waves of artists have been announced, with confirmed performers including Thundercat, Mulatu Astatke, Loyle Carner, Noname, and many others. Additional artists may be added in future announcements.
What is the capacity of We Out Here Festival?
Official capacity figures have not been publicly disclosed, though the festival’s consecutive sell-outs indicate limited availability.
Olivia Hartley is Business & Economy Correspondent at DailyCity.co.uk, reporting on the city economy, property, retail, hospitality and employment.