Perfect timing: When to unveil your festival bill

With some gatherings now announcing headliners a year in advance, IQ gathers a mix of top events to explain their inner workings

News By James Hanley | 7 July 2025

The 2025 European festival season was barely underway when the first announcements for next summer started filtering through.Portugal’s Rock in Rio Lisbon was first to show its hand, confirming Linkin Park as its first 2026 headliner in early June – 12 months in advance. Germany's Rock am Ring/Rock im Park also followed suit, spreading the word via a spectacular light and pyrotechnic show at this year's festivals.Linkin Park will also top the bill at a new one-day event in Belgium in June next year, Werchter Parklife, organised by the team behind the Werchter festivals. But all things being equal, when is the optimum time for prom

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