Blyth Live Music Festival 2026: What You Need to Know

Blyth Live is back for 2026, and this year's festival looks like the biggest yet. The free, all-day music festival returns to the seafront on Saturday 20 June, with a full lineup of live music, street theatre, food vendors, craft stalls, and a funfair. Entry is completely free -- no tickets, no wristbands, just turn up and enjoy.

Best for: Blyth Live 2026 takes place on Saturday 20 June at the seafront. Free entry, all day, no tickets required.

The Headline Acts

Topping the bill this year are D:Ream, the iconic 90s pop and dance group best known for their UK number one hit Things Can Only Get Better. They dominated the charts throughout the 1990s with favourites like U R The Best Thing, Take Me Away, and Shoot Me with Your Love. It promises to be a memorable headlining set as the evening sky settles over the North Sea.

Also confirmed are the Bay City Rollers, returning to Blyth to finish what they started. Last year's headline set was cut short when an unexpected thunderstorm swept across the site, forcing organisers to cut power to the stage. The band were determined to come back and give Blyth the full performance, and this year they get their chance.

Best for: D:Ream headline, with the Bay City Rollers returning to complete their storm-shortened 2025 set.

What Else Is On

Blyth Live has always been about more than just the main stage. Across the day, expect:

• Live music from midday -- a full programme of bands and solo artists, building from local community acts in the morning to the headline performances in the evening
• Street theatre -- walkabout performers, stilt walkers, and family-friendly entertainment throughout the site
• Food and drink -- a wide variety of food concessions from local and regional vendors, covering everything from street food to fish and chips
• Craft and community stalls -- showcasing local talent, artisan goods, and community organisations
• Funfair -- rides and attractions for younger visitors (and those young at heart)

The main stage is expected to open at around 10:30am with performances from community groups, with the full band lineup running from midday through to the headline acts in the evening. Last year's festival drew around 15,000 people, and similar numbers are expected this time.

Getting There

The festival takes place at the seafront, centred around the Mermaid Car Park area near the beach huts and promenade.

By car: Follow the A189 into Blyth and head for the seafront. The Mermaid Car Park is free and sits right next to the festival site. South Beach car park, further along the promenade, is also free. On busy festival days, both car parks fill early, so arriving before midday is sensible. Overflow parking may be available -- check Blyth Town Council's website closer to the date for details.

By bus: Arriva services run to Blyth from Newcastle, Cramlington, and Ashington. The bus station is a 15-minute walk from the seafront.

By bike: There's cycle parking available near the promenade, and the seafront is well connected to local cycle routes.

Best for: Mermaid Car Park and South Beach car park are both free. Arrive before midday for the best chance of a space.

What to Bring

A few things that will make the day more comfortable:

• Sun cream and a hat -- the seafront offers little shade, and June sun can catch you out
• A light waterproof -- this is Northumberland, and weather can turn quickly (as last year's headline act will testify)
• A folding chair or blanket -- for staking out your spot near the stage
• Cash -- some stalls and vendors may not take cards
• Warm layers for the evening -- temperatures drop once the sun goes down, even in June

Before and After the Festival

If you're making a day of it, Blyth has plenty to offer beyond the festival. The beach is worth exploring in its own right -- a wide stretch of golden sand with a paved promenade, children's play area, and those famous colourful beach huts. For food and drink after the music finishes, the town has some excellent pubs within easy walking distance of the seafront. And if you're driving, our parking guide covers all the options across town.

Keep Up to Date

The full lineup and running order are expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks. For the latest announcements, follow Blyth Town Council on social media or check their events page. We will update this post as more details are released.