Dot To Dot Festival 2027 – United Kingdom

Overview

Dot To Dot Festival 2027 – United Kingdom is award winning, multi-venue, metropolitan festival, in Bristol and Nottingham on Bank Holiday weekend. Held annually in Bristol and Nottingham, festival is renowned for diverse lineup spanning genres from indie and pop to electronic and alternative. Since inception in 2005, Dot to Dot has gained reputation for curating cutting-edge performances, with past performers including Sam Fender, Florence and the Machine and The 1975.

An award winning festival, Dot To Dot Festival has been bringing taste of summer festivals to city centres since 2005, but has grown into mainstay of festival calendar. Festival Guide describes name Dot To Dot Festival where Manchester, Bristol and Nottingham city centres host headliners such as Sundara Karma, Amber Run, The Growlers and over 400 more acts in some years, with twenty pounds offering eleven stages, fifteen hours of fun and fantastic band roster.

Dot to Dot Festival 2024 took place in Bristol and Nottingham with lineup including Jockstrap, Wunderhorse and many more. 20th anniversary celebrated in 2025 with emphatic celebration and growth into mainstay. Official information at https://www.dottodotfestival.co.uk/.

What Makes This Event Special

Multi-Venue Metropolitan: Award winning, multi-venue, metropolitan festival in Bristol and Nottingham with venues such as O2 Academy Bristol, Electric Bristol, Thekla, The Fleece, Strange Brew, The Louisiana and Rough Trade in Bristol, with Rock City, Rescue Rooms, Bodega, Stealth, Metronome and Rough Trade among those hosting in Nottingham. More than 200 performances across each city.

New Talent Discovery: UK’s premier festival for unearthing best new talent, giving platform for breakthrough artists to play on stages in East Midlands and South West. Known for booking future headliners, Nottingham and Bristol festival has featured Idles, Hard Life and London Grammar all before they made it big. Previous lineups included The xx, Ed Sheeran, Florence and the Machine, Lewis Capaldi, Foals, Fontaines D.C., The 1975, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Wolf Alice, Mumford and Sons, Caribou, Dua Lipa and many more.

Grassroots Ethos: Grassroots venues and artists are at centre of Dot To Dot’s ethos, with spotlight on over 130 local acts across Bristol and Nottingham for 20th anniversary, including 50 plus regional artists in Bristol and 80 plus local performers in Nottingham, championing East Midlands talent.

Affordability: Perhaps biggest selling point is affordability even on student budget with day tickets available for low price, offering entry to all participating venues and opportunity to catch tonnes of bands in single day for less than most gig tickets cost. Twenty pounds historically offered eleven stages and fifteen hours.

Fastest Selling Edition: Dot To Dot 2026 is fastest selling edition ever with bank holiday weekend set to host biggest celebration of new music, with Bristol sold out on the day last year and Super Early Bird, Early Bird and Second Release tickets SOLD OUT for 2026, showing huge demand.

Lineup / Featured Artists

Dot To Dot Festival brings whole host of incredible emerging talent from around globe across best stages in UK with genre-spanning lineup.

2026 Headliners Reference: Lambrini Girls, Fcukers, NewDad announced for 2026 lineup as huge lineup with many more. Initial lineup for 2026 featured exciting new and emerging artists with over 30 acts confirmed, including Lambrini Girls, Fcukers and NewDad. Final wave includes Brògeal, ROCKET and more completing lineup.

2025 Reference: Lineup included Sprints, Fat Dog, The Horrors, Big Special, Honeyglaze, Jasmine.4.t and more joining 20th anniversary celebrations with Big Special gearing up with SON Estrella Galicia headline show.

Local Talent Spotlight: 20th anniversary expands lineup spotlighting over 130 local acts across Bristol and Nottingham. Bristol additions include My First Time, Grandmas House, Mother Vulture, Clemencie and Sober Sundays. Nottingham roster features Girlband, Bloodworm, Blood Wizard, Grain Mother, Davoli, Marvin’s Revenge, Skitz and Swallowtail leading charge of 80 plus local performers.

Historic Alumni: Previous lineups have also included Idles, Hard Life, London Grammar, Jake Bugg and lots of other local artists, plus The xx, Ed Sheeran, Florence and the Machine, Lewis Capaldi, Foals, Fontaines D.C., The 1975, Wolf Alice, Mumford and Sons, Caribou, Friendly Fires, The Horrors, SBTRKT, Dua Lipa, Courtney Barnett, Sports Team, Squid, Yard Act, Ghetts, Alvvays, Spiritualized, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly and many more.

Full lineup for 2027 will be announced via official website with first wave in December and second wave with local talent in spring.

Event Experience

Venue Hopping: Multi-venue event with eclectic lineup featuring rock, indie and post-punk showcasing new and emerging talent across city centres. Stages confirmed include O2 Academy Bristol, Electric Bristol, Thekla, The Fleece, Strange Brew, The Louisiana and Rough Trade in Bristol, with Rock City, Rescue Rooms, Bodega, Stealth, Metronome and Rough Trade in Nottingham.

Grassroots Venues: Grassroots venues and artists at centre of ethos with venues including Thekla boat venue, The Lanes, The Louisiana being lit up with diverse range of musical talent, plus The Bodega Formerly The Social, Stealth, Rescue Rooms and Rock City in Nottingham.

Atmosphere: Nottingham’s third and biggest Dot to Dot festival was worth cost with eleven stages, fifteen hours of fun and fantastic band roster for one little note. Festival provides taste of summer festivals to city centres since 2005 with Manchester edition historically boasting huge and atmospheric Albert Hall, independent venue Band on the Wall and edgy underground basement Soup Kitchen.

Accessibility: Seated gigs offer disabled access within first three rows inside venue at Metronome and other venues. Various venues across Nottingham and Bristol provide accessible entry with festival known for inclusive atmosphere.

Day to Night: Doors at 12pm with expected finish time 11pm, providing full day of discovery from early afternoon until late night with stage times such as 2.30 pm doors, 3 pm to 3.30 pm opening acts through to 10 pm to 10.30 pm headliners.

Date & Schedule

Event Dates: BRISTOL – SAT 29th MAY 2027 NOTTINGHAM – SUN 30th MAY 2027

Schedule Structure:
Bristol – Saturday: Dot To Dot Festival 2027 Bristol takes place Saturday with doors at 12pm and expected finish time 11pm across various venues. Various venues across Bristol including O2 Academy Bristol Frogmore St BS1 5NA host lineup featuring Lambrini Girls style headliners. Third release from $45 plus booking fee. This is award winning multi-venue metropolitan festival.

Nottingham – Sunday: Dot To Dot Festival 2027 Nottingham takes place Sunday with doors at 12pm and expected finish time 11pm at various venues, Nottinghamshire NG1 5GG including Nottingham Rock City 8 Talbot Street. Festival brings whole host of incredible emerging talent from around globe.

Bank Holiday Weekend: Festival held in Bristol and Nottingham on Bank Holiday weekend as twin-site festival with eclectic lineup, providing biggest celebration of new music and platform for breakthrough artists.

Tickets on sale now via alttickets.com and official website dottodotfestival.co.uk.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Location & Venue

Venue: Various venues across Bristol and Nottingham

Address Bristol: O2 Academy Bristol Frogmore St Bristol BS1 5NA plus Electric Bristol, Thekla, The Fleece, Strange Brew, The Louisiana and Rough Trade

Address Nottingham: Various Venues Across Nottingham NG1 5GG including Rock City 8 Talbot Street Nottingham, Rescue Rooms, Bodega, Stealth, Metronome and Rough Trade

Venue Overview Bristol: Bristol venues include O2 Academy Bristol, Electric Bristol, Thekla boat venue, The Fleece, Strange Brew, The Louisiana and Rough Trade, with spaces such as Thekla, The Lanes and The Louisiana being lit up with diverse musical talent. Thekla is historic boat venue in harbour.

Venue Overview Nottingham: Nottingham venues include Rock City, Rescue Rooms, Bodega Formerly The Social, Stealth, Metronome and Rough Trade, with history at The Bodega, Stealth, Rescue Rooms and Rock City. Metronome hosts seated gigs with disabled access within first three rows.

Capacity: Multi-venue metropolitan festival with more than 200 performances across each city and 11 stages, 15 hours of fun historically, with Bristol sold out entirely on the day in 2025.

Facilities: Each venue offers bars, food vendors, merchandise and accessibility features. No on-site camping as city centre festival, with easy walk between venues in each city.

Event History

2005 Inception: Dot to Dot Festival is annual music festival taking place since 2005, currently held at various venues in Nottingham, Bristol and previously Manchester across bank holiday weekend. Festival has been bringing taste of summer festivals to city centres since 2005.

Early Growth: 2016 festival took place in Manchester, Bristol and Nottingham with lineup including Mystery Jets, Augustines, The Temper Trap, Spring King, Rat Boy, Dua Lipa, Sundara Karma, The Sherlocks and loads more. 2017 headliners included Sundara Karma, Amber Run, The Growlers and over 400 more including Honeyblood, PINS and Bad Sea.

Discovery Reputation: Since inception, gained reputation for curating cutting-edge performances with past performers including Sam Fender, Florence and the Machine and The 1975, plus Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Lewis Capaldi, London Grammar, Wolf Alice, Years and Years, Beach House, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Fontaines D.C., Ghetts, Metronomy and many more before they made it big.

Recent Era: 2024 took place with Jockstrap, Wunderhorse lineup, 2025 celebrated 20th anniversary with emphatic celebration and growth into mainstay with genre-defiant lineup packed with most exciting emerging talent. 2026 fastest selling edition ever with bank holiday weekend set to host biggest celebration of new music.

Getting to the Event

Bristol – By Train: Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway stations provide mainline services from London and across UK with local buses to city centre venues including O2 Academy Bristol Frogmore St and Thekla near harbour.

Bristol – By Bus: Local buses serve Bristol city centre with many venues within walking distance of centre and harbourside. Walking between venues in Bristol is easy with compact city centre.

Nottingham – By Train: Nottingham station provides mainline services from London St Pancras and across Midlands with tram and bus connections to various venues across Nottingham including Rock City 8 Talbot Street.

Nottingham – By Tram and Bus: Nottingham Express Transit tram system serves city centre venues with stops near Rock City and Rescue Rooms. Local buses serve all venues.

Accessibility: Seated gigs offer disabled access within first three rows inside Metronome and other venues. Various venues provide accessible entry, with city centre locations close to public transport.

Where to Stay Nearby

No On-Site Camping: No, Dot to Dot festival Bristol does not offer on-site camping and Dot to Dot festival Nottingham does not offer on-site camping as city-based multi-venue festival. Accommodation must be arranged in respective cities.

Bristol Hotels: Hotels, guesthouses, hostels and serviced apartments across Bristol city centre, harbourside and near O2 Academy Bristol provide options within walking distance of venues.

Nottingham Hotels: Hotels in Nottingham city centre, near Rock City and Nottingham Trent University area provide options within walking distance of venues including Rock City, Rescue Rooms and Bodega.

Budget Options: Premier Inn, Travelodge, hostels and student accommodation provide affordable options with early booking recommended due to bank holiday demand and fastest selling edition status.

Booking: Bristol sold out on the day last year with Super Early Bird, Early Bird and Second Release tickets SOLD OUT for 2026, showing high demand for accommodation as well as tickets.

Things to Do Before or After the Event

Bristol Culture: Bristol offers harbourside attractions, street art including Banksy, museums, independent shops and nightlife within short walk of venues including Thekla and The Louisiana.

Nottingham Culture: Nottingham offers historic castle, Robin Hood attractions, caves, independent shops in Lace Market and nightlife near Rock City and Rescue Rooms.

Grassroots Venues: Explore grassroots venues that are centre of ethos year-round, including Rough Trade record shops in both cities hosting in-store performances.

Food and Drink: Both cities offer extensive street food markets, independent cafes and bars near venues ideal for between sets.

Beyond The Music: Dot to Dot have curated stages at other festivals such as Beyond The Music at MediaCity Studios on Russell Club stage with lineup including SILVERWINGKILLER, Bloodworm and others, showing festival’s booking talent extends beyond own cities.

Restaurants & Dining Nearby

Festival Food: Each venue offers bars and food with venue-specific options including Pie Minister at Academy venues historically and street food near Rock City and O2 Academy.

Bristol Dining: Bristol offers harbourside seafood, street food markets, independent cafes, vegan options and diverse cuisines near O2 Academy Bristol and Thekla.

Nottingham Dining: Nottingham city centre offers extensive dining near Rock City including Hockley area restaurants, street food and independent eateries.

Venue Bars: Each of venues such as The Fleece, The Louisiana, Bodega and Stealth offers bars with craft beer, cocktails and local ales.

Late Night: Both cities offer late-night bars and eateries serving food after showcases until late, with expected finish time 11pm allowing for afterparties.

Ticket Information

Tickets sold via alttickets.com and official website dottodotfestival.co.uk. All pricing shown in USD, converted from previous UK pricing where 2027 pricing has not been announced.

General Admission: Tickets are on sale now via alttickets.com and priced at $44.63 at $35 pounds plus booking fee for 2026 third release. Tickets priced at $38.25 at $30 pounds for initial release. Bristol and Nottingham both cost $44.63. Super Early Bird and Early Bird now SOLD OUT with Second Release tickets on sale now for just $38.25 plus booking fees in early campaign.

Early Bird Tiers: Super Early Bird, Early Bird and Second Release tickets are now SOLD OUT for 2026 with latest tickets priced at $44.63 plus booking fees. Fastest ever selling year with tickets set to sell out in advance. Bristol sold out on the day last year.

Historical Pricing: Perhaps biggest selling point is affordability with day tickets available for $16.58 at $13 pounds historically, offering entry to all participating venues and opportunity to catch tonnes of bands in single day for less than most gig tickets cost. Twenty pounds historically offered eleven stages.

Booking Fees: Booking fee added per ticket plus transaction fee per order. General admission from $44.63 plus booking fee with doors 2.30 pm in some venues.

No Camping: No camping offered so accommodation costs separate.

Tips Before You Go

Buy Early as Fastest Selling: Dot To Dot 2026 is fastest selling edition ever with bank holiday weekend set to host biggest celebration of new music and platform for breakthrough artists. Super Early Bird, Early Bird and Second Release tickets now SOLD OUT with latest at $44.63 plus booking fees. Bristol sold out entirely on day in 2025 so buy early.

Use Venue Map: Stages confirmed include O2 Academy Bristol, Electric Bristol, Thekla, The Fleece, Strange Brew, The Louisiana and Rough Trade in Bristol, with Rock City, Rescue Rooms, Bodega, Stealth, Metronome and Rough Trade in Nottingham. Plan walking route between venues as more than 200 performances across each city.

Support Grassroots: Grassroots venues and artists at centre of ethos with spotlight on over 130 local acts across Bristol and Nottingham. Support local artists like My First Time, Grandmas House, Girlband, Bloodworm and others alongside headliners Lambrini Girls, Fcukers and NewDad.

Prepare for Full Day: Doors at 12pm expected finish time 11pm provides full day of discovery with stage times such as 2.30 pm doors through to 10 pm headliners. Wear comfortable shoes for city centre walking between venues and bring small bag.

Check Local Talent: Festival championing East Midlands talent with Idles, Hard Life, London Grammar, Jake Bugg and lots of other local artists having played before they made it big. Check second wave announcements for local talent that often becomes highlight.

Official Event Information

Official Website: https://www.dottodotfestival.co.uk/

Venue Bristol: O2 Academy Bristol Frogmore St Bristol BS1 5NA plus Electric Bristol, Thekla, The Fleece, Strange Brew, The Louisiana and Rough Trade

Venue Nottingham: Various Venues Across Nottingham NG1 5GG including Rock City 8 Talbot Street Nottingham, Rescue Rooms, Bodega, Stealth, Metronome and Rough Trade

Organizer: Dot To Dot Festival

Capacity: More than 200 performances across each city with 11 stages historically and Bristol sold out on day

Format: Twin-site multi-venue metropolitan festival on bank holiday weekend, no camping

First Held: 2005

Stages: 7 plus stages per city including O2 Academy, Thekla, The Fleece, Rough Trade and Rock City

Attendee Experiences

Worth Cost: Attendees note twenty pounds does not get you much these days so eleven stages, fifteen hours of fun and fantastic band roster for one little note would undoubtedly seem appealing offer and Nottingham’s third and biggest Dot to Dot festival was worth cost.

Affordability: Perhaps biggest selling point is affordability even on student budget with day tickets available for $16.58 offering entry to all participating venues and opportunity to catch tonnes of bands in single day for less than most gig tickets cost.

Diverse Talent Lit Up: Festival spaces such as Thekla, The Lanes and The Louisiana being lit up with diverse range of musical talent with stellar performances from electro-pop duo Jockstrap, singer-songwriter Alfie Templeman, political punk two-piece Bob Vylan, Irish Shoegazers Just Mustard and experimental rock group Squid in recent years.

Future Headliners: Visitors praise booking talent for future headliners with Nottingham and Bristol festival featuring Idles, Hard Life and London Grammar all before they made it big, with festival known for booking future headliners at other curated stages.

Fastest Selling: Attendees note fastest selling edition ever with bank holiday weekend hosting biggest celebration of new music and platform for breakthrough artists, with Bristol sold out on day last year creating buzz and community atmosphere across grassroots venues.