Skip to content

In Pictures: Festival has record-breaking year

Stuart RustSouth of England
News imageCamp Bestival A performer is on stage at a keyboard and microphone with his backturned. Beyond him is an enormous crowd of people. Behind the crowd there is a large castle. Camp Bestival
Toploader drew a huge crowd against the backdrop of Lulworth Castle

Camp Bestival welcomed record-breaking crowds as it returned for 2026, with organisers confirming the biggest opening day in the festival's history.

Self Esteem headlined on Friday night at Lulworth Castle in Dorset, ending her set with a Shirley Bassey-inspired conga line that swept the crowd off their feet. Billy Ocean also played the Castle Stage.

Bastille topped the bill on Saturday, marking their return to performing after a two-year break.

Away from the main stage, Radio 2's Sara Cox recorded a live podcast in the Library Tent, traditional Morris dancers brought a touch of nostalgia and Joe Wicks helped festivalgoers keep fit.

News imageCamp Bestival Joe Wicks, a man with long and dark curly hair, strikes a pose on stage, crouching and placing his hands together. He is wearing a red tank top. Camp Bestival
Joe Wicks led festivalgoers through a Wake Up & Workout session on the Castle Stage
News imageCamp Bestival A group of female performers are illuminated on stage. In the centre is Self Esteem, wearing all white and singing into a microphone while smiling. Camp Bestival
Self Esteem headlined the Castle Stage on Friday night
News imageCamp Bestival Sara Cox, a woman with long blonde hair, is holding a clipboard and speaking into a microphone. Another woman wearing a yellow T-shirt is stood next to her. Camp Bestival
Radio 2's Sara Cox brought a live story session to the festival's Library Tent
News imageCamp Bestival The keyboard player and guitarist of the band Toploader look in each other's direction as they perform on stage. Camp Bestival
British rock band Toploader played to an afternoon crowd in the sunshine
News imageCamp Bestival Example, who has his back to the camera, is performing on stage. He is leaping into the air while holding his phone aloft in his right hand. Beyond him is a huge crowd of people, many of whom have their arms raised in the air. There is a large castle behind the crowd. Camp Bestival
Dance music star Example played the Castle Stage on Saturday evening
News imageCamp Bestival Self Esteem is silhouetted as she tilts her head back to face the sky and hold a microphone. Camp Bestival
Self Esteem's headline set was one of the weekend's standout performances
News imageCamp Bestival Billy Ocean, a man with long white hair and a beard, is pictured on stage in a red suit. His band can be seen behind him. Camp Bestival
Billy Ocean brought his classic hits to the Castle Stage
News imageCamp Bestival Crowds of people are pictured walking around a festival site in the sun. There are various tents and flags and a large sign reading "Bollywood". Camp Bestival
Thousands of families packed into Lulworth Castle for this year's Camp Bestival
News imageCamp Bestival A group of Morris dancers are pictured performing on stage. At the head of the group, a man in rainbow-coloured clothing and a bowler hat dressed in flowers extends his arms to the sides.Camp Bestival
Traditional Morris dancers brought a touch of folk nostalgia to the festival
More on this story