Full programme announced for Deer Shed 2026

Deer Shed, North Yorkshire’s independent family-friendly festival, has released the full programme details for July’s 16th edition. Reinvigorated after last year’s sell-out 15th birthday special, this summer is set to sell out yet again with final tickets being snapped up now.

The latest additions to this year’s line-up include captivating conversations, brand new music, fresh comedy, exciting late-night events, and even more family-friendly outdoor activities, alongside the Wilderwild Retreat—the award-winning festival’s biggest ever wellbeing experience.

Megan Evans, Deer Shed Festival Director said:

We’re absolutely thrilled to unveil the final names joining Deer Shed Festival 2026 and share the full programme for what’s shaping up to be our biggest and most ambitious year yet! Alongside an already action-packed weekend, we’re adding even more music, arts, literature, comedy and family experiences across the site — there really is something around every corner at Deer Shed.

With headliners Sleaford Mods, Say She She and Everything Everything leading the charge, plus an incredible mix of new discoveries, festival favourites and immersive experiences, this summer feels like a real celebration of everything people love about Deer Shed.

We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Baldersby Park for what promises to be our best festival yet.

Music Line-up & New Additions

Leading the musical announcements is DJ and BBC 6Music host Deb Grant, bringing a curated collection of brand-new sounds and indie anthems.

• Headliners: Sleaford Mods, Everything Everything, and Say She She (making their UK festival headline debut).
• Special Guests & Rising Stars: The Twilight Sad, Fat Dog, Bar Italia, Jasmine 4.t, and Man/Woman/Chainsaw.
• New Additions: Gretel (grunge-pop), Tenderness (alt-folk solo project of Peggy Sue’s Katy Beth Young), and Rail Replacement Bus Service.
• Apply to Play Winners: The Slow Country, Crimewave, Kloyd, Romy Taylor, and Araya.
• Workshops & Sessions: Her Orange Coat, Angeline Morrison, and Hench Wenches.

Comedy, Cinema & Theatre

The festival’s signature cultural experience spans across major comedy talent and interactive shows themed around this year’s concept: ‘Into The Labyrinth’.

• Big Top Comedy Headliners: Stewart Lee, Adam Buxton (and band), and Rachel Parris.
• New Comedy Additions: Molly McGuinness, Patrick Monahan, Rachel Baker, Frankie Monroe, Katie Pritchard, Jonny & The Baptists, LEKIDDO – Lord of The Lobsters, and Francisco de Nata.
• Cinema & Theatre: Curated shorts from Sheffield Doc Fest, London International Animation Festival, and maze-related classics.

Literature & Spoken Word

• Headline Event: Sathnam Sanghera in conversation with Dave Simpson discussing “Tonight The Music Seems So Loud – The Meaning of George Michael”.
• Exclusive Conversation: A one-of-a-kind conversation between festival headliners Stewart Lee and Sleaford Mods.
• Featured Authors: Daniel Dylan Wray (Groovy, Laid Back and Nasty: A History of Independent Music in Sheffield), Delphine Seddon (The Darkening Song), Louise Powell (Underdogs), and Amy Jane Beer (A River Running Through You).
• Live Podcasts & Panels: Kathryn Penny, Shell Zenner, Mama G Family Quiz, 101 Part Time Jobs Podcast (with guests Brògeal), and Do I Detect A Problem? Podcast (with guest Mez Sanders-Green from LIFE).

After Dark Programme

Deer Shed’s After Dark programme features an array of late-night activities across Baldersby Park:

• Secret Fireside Sessions at the Wilderwild Retreat.
• Special Night Swim sessions in the lake.
• Hench Wenches Silent Ceilidh and Johnnie One Biscuit’s Silent Headphones Line Dancing Disco.
• After Dark editions of interactive favourites like The Dark Room, late-night cinema, and after-hours stand-up comedy.

Family, Wellbeing & Onsite Partners

• The Wilderwild Retreat: An expanded wellbeing destination featuring Wild Swimming, Sound Baths, Forest Saunas, and a Yoga Yurt in collaboration with Leeds studio Yoga Kula.
• Immersive Build: A colossal, centerpiece maze packed with escape-room-style challenges, hidden clues, and puzzles.
• Outdoor & Under 5s: The Marble Maze, The Nectary Arts installation, Brass Aye Band, She Got Brass, Lempen Puppet Theatre, Family Jams, Imagination Tails, and family dance workshops.
• Retail Partners: Crash Records (onsite shop and signing tent) and Toucan Tango (screen print poster shop).