Wild on the Wall is back – bigger and better than ever – with a new date for the diary!
WILD ON THE WALL 2026
Wild on the Wall is back – bigger and better than ever – with a new date for the diary!
by Danni Murphy
This year Wild on the Wall returns, but their dates are slightly different to previous years. Wild on the Wall is gearing up to fill the hole left by the fall of Solfest – August Bank Holiday, 2026!
There is no denying it, festival fans across Cumbria felt a real pang of heartbreak when the legendary Solfest announced it would not be going ahead this year. For more than twenty years it brought joy, colour and world class talent to the county, and as the team at Wild on the Wall put it, “no one ever could replace such a beloved event”.
But while it is the end of an era, it is not the end of the Cumbrian festival scene!
This August Bank Holiday, Wild on the Wall is stepping confidently into its new slot, inviting festival goers to Walton, Brampton, near Hadrian’s Wall, for what promises to be a truly special weekend. Traditionally held in July, the grassroots family festival has made the exciting decision to move to 28, 29 and 30 August, filling the gap left in the Bank Holiday calendar and giving Cumbria a family-friendly celebration to look forward to.
The decision was not taken lightly. When Solfest announced it was going into liquidation on the very day Wild on the Wall had planned to release tickets, it simply did not feel like the right time. After conversations behind the scenes, the team chose to rearrange their dates, something they had always hoped to do, bringing the festival to the Bank Holiday weekend!
Importantly, the heart of the festival remains unchanged. Wild on the Wall is proudly a Community Interest Company and completely non profit, run by a small and mighty team determined to keep its community spirit alive.
It continues to centre around original live music and local creatives, traders and attendees, with a strong family focus and under twelves going free.
The beauty of Wild on the Wall is that it is all about family, friends and community, Organiser Dan said: “ Its a true to the ground grassroots festival that takes you back to the heart of what a festival should be filled with joy, laughter, good music and good craic, it is simply wonderful!” That sense of warmth and authenticity is what keeps people coming back year after year, and even with this exciting growth, the ethos and community style remain firmly at its core.
And growth there is. This year will see an extra tent bursting with live music, bringing the total to three music tents alongside a circus tent packed with workshops and activities. Across the weekend, festival goers can expect a wide mix of genres from pop and punk to folk, ska, reggae, blues, rock, electronic and dance. It is a lineup designed to keep everyone moving, whatever their musical taste.
There is also a strong sense of solidarity running through this year’s plans. The team has reached out to those affected by Solfest’s closure, opening their doors to volunteers, crew members, vendors and artists who still want to be part of Cumbria’s vibrant festival scene.
Yes, it is sad to say goodbye to a giant that inspired so many and brought so much to the region. But there is something beautifully fitting about another independent festival rising to meet the moment, staying true to its roots while embracing a new opportunity.
This August Bank Holiday, if you are looking for good vibes, great music and proper community spirit, you will not need to look any further than Brampton.
Wild on the Wall is ready to make the field its own, the show must go on!
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