Glastonbury Abbey night grows into full-scale mini-festival

By Laura Linham 17th Jul 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 17th Jul 2026

Glastonbury Abbey's Night at the Abbey is no longer just a concert in a spectacular setting. When the fundraiser returns on Saturday, 12 September 2026, it will bring four stages, more than 20 acts, DJs, street food, bars and illuminated ruins to one of Somerset's most famous historic sites.

The event has grown into a full-scale mini-festival, with the Abbey grounds split between live music, dance spaces and late-summer food and drink. Organisers say money raised from ticket sales will support the conservation of Glastonbury Abbey.

The headline names have already done the heavy lifting, with Sophie Ellis-Bextor joined on the bill by Inspiral Carpets, The Blow Monkeys, An Dannsa Dub, The Often Herd and Ruzz Guitar's Blues Revue.

Dance music runs right through the programme. Phil Hartnoll of Orbital and Alexis Taylor of Hot Chip will play DJ sets, while D:Ream, Mr C of The Shamen with David H Percussion, Shades of Rhythm and other DJs bring more than three decades of British club culture into the Abbey grounds.

The Abbey's more hidden corners will get their own moments too. The Nook will become an intimate woodland dancefloor beneath the trees, while the medieval Lady Chapel will again host Rave In The Nave, the silent disco that remains one of the event's most Glastonbury-only ideas.

For all the mirrorball energy, the setting is still the point. Founded in the seventh century, Glastonbury Abbey is one of Britain's most important monastic sites, with deep links to the town's myths, archaeology and pilgrimage history.

Helen Smith, director of Glastonbury Abbey, said: "Night at the Abbey allows visitors to experience this remarkable place after hours, surrounded by live music, light and atmosphere, while every ticket sold helps support the conservation of one of Britain's most important heritage sites.

"We're delighted to welcome such an amazing line-up of artists this year and to continue creating an event that feels completely unique to Glastonbury Abbey."

As darkness falls, the Abbey ruins will be illuminated for a night that moves between disco, indie, electronica, blues, bluegrass and contemporary folk. Visitors will also find a world street food market, independent traders and bars serving Somerset drinks, local beers, ciders and cocktails.

Tickets are on sale now, with the early allocation already sold out and Tier Two tickets remaining through Glastonbury Abbey. The event has become one of Somerset's standout late-summer nights, putting the Abbey's ancient stones to very modern use while helping fund their future.