Stockton Calling, one of the North East’s most beloved music festivals, is set to return for its 15th edition on Easter Saturday 4th April 2026. Spanning eight venues across Stockton town centre and featuring over 60 live acts, the all-day multi-venue event continues to be a major draw for music fans, bringing thousands into the town each spring and offering a vital boost to local businesses.
The first act confirmed for 2026 is indie rock favourites Hard-Fi. Known for their Mercury Prize-nominated debut album and era-defining tracks like ‘Hard to Beat’ and ‘Living for the Weekend’, the band will headline the ARC stage. Their booking marks a major coup for the festival. Alex Ferris of ARC said: “The Stockton Calling team have had their eye on Hard-Fi since the band reunited in 2022. They’re the perfect choice to kick off the 2026 line-up, and we’re thrilled to finally bring them to Stockton-on-Tees.”
Tickets for Stockton Calling 2026 are on sale now, with prices held at last year’s rate of £40, inclusive of all booking fees. This ticket grants access to all participating venues throughout the day. For the first time, a discounted ticket is also being introduced for younger music fans aged 14 to 17, priced at £25 including fees. It’s a move designed to welcome the next generation of live music lovers into the fold.
Chris Cobain of Tees Music Alliance explained that the decision came from growing interest among younger audiences. “A £40 ticket can be a big ask for someone just getting into live music. We’ve done a lot to welcome young people into our venues, so it made sense to extend that to the festival.” Under the new scheme, 14- and 15-year-old ticket holders must be accompanied at all times by a responsible adult aged 25 or over. Each adult can supervise up to three under-16s, with exceptions possible by contacting organisers.
The 2025 festival featured sets from Maximo Park, Finn Forster, The Paddingtons, Lizzie Esau, Picture Parlour, Avalanche Party, and many more, blending national talent with a strong showcase of the region’s rising stars. 2026 promises the same electric mix of discovery and nostalgia. Further line-up announcements will follow in the coming months, and music lovers are encouraged to act quickly if they want to secure tickets early – or drop a few hints for Christmas stocking fillers.
Tickets are available now via stocktoncalling.co.uk, which directs fans to the official ticketing partner Fatsoma to make purchases.
