Smartphones, street food and Boho chic: Biggest festival trends of 202 | Music | Entertainment

The biggest trends for festival season 2026 have been revealed – and top of the list come smartphones, social media and street food. New research has revealed that keeping in touch during this summer’s live music events is now more important than traditional essentials such as tents and wellies.

A staggering 87% of festival-goers say reliable connectivity is crucial to making the most of a festival weekend, according to Vodafone’s Connected Crowd Report. In fact, 14% of festival goers would rather lose their tent, 20% would prefer to wave goodbye to their wellies and 16% would rather lose their friends than their phones.

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The study also found that phones and connectivity are increasingly influencing every aspect of festival life, from discovering artists and planning outfits to tracking down the hottest food stalls.

Social media plays a huge role in deciding who to watch at a live event with 81% searching online to discover new acts before attending.

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Festival fashion is also increasingly dictated online, with 77% planning their outfits in advance and TikTok overtaking friends, Instagram and celebrities as the biggest source of inspiration.

Meanwhile, glitter and glam are giving way to more practical looks, with searches for “comfy festival outfits”, “festival head scarf” and “boho festival outfits” among the biggest trends of summer 2026.

Food has become as important as the music itself, with 67% expecting high-quality options and 63% seeking out globally inspired dishes. Six in 10 said posting a picture of their meal on social media is now as important as actually eating it.

The trend feeds into what is expected to be the most shared festival season yet, with 76% planning to document their weekend online.

For eight in 10 (80%) festival goers, having good connectivity matters to them so they can stay in touch with friends and family on site and back home during a festival weekend.

The rise of the “remote festival goer” is also gathering pace, with two thirds saying they have video-called friends or family during a live performance so they can experience the moment in real time.

​A Vodafone spokesperson said: “At Vodafone, our ambition has always been to connect people to the UK’s biggest moments, on The Nation’s Network.

“We’ve seen data usage continue to grow across the festivals we support, reflecting the increasingly important role connectivity plays in the festival experience.

“Whether it’s helping people stay in touch with friends in a busy crowd, navigate the site, or share unforgettable moments as they happen, reliable connectivity has become an essential part of making the most of a festival.

“That’s why we’re committed to providing the best possible network experience, so festival goers can stay connected and enjoy every moment.”

As the Official Connectivity Partner of nine music festivals across the UK, Vodafone is helping festival goers stay connected to every unforgettable moment. This festival season, non-Vodafone customers can try their network for free, with no commitments and no strings attached. They’ll receive 7-days on The Nation’s Network, including 50GB of data, 500 minutes and 500 texts, so they can stream, share and stay connected all weekend long.