Full Moon Festival Edges Closer…

Less than three weeks now stand between the Isle of Man and the return of one of its fastest-growing summer music events.

As Full Moon Festival 2026 edges ever closer, organisers say preparations are in full swing behind the scenes to make sure it delivers another standout weekend.

The three-day festival, held at Rose Hill Farm on Richmond Road, will once again bring DJs, live music and camping to the island from June 26 to 28, with set-up and build activities stretching either side of the main event.

After a year of uncertainty earlier in the season over whether it would be able to return, organiser Scott Bradshaw says things are now firmly back on track following the unanimous granting of planning consent.

That approval, secured in May, means the festival will go ahead for a fourth consecutive year, a milestone Mr Bradshaw described at the time as a major relief after a tense few months.

‘It’s been a rough few months not actually knowing if the event would go ahead but we are there now,’ he said after the decision.

Planning permission had been a key focus after Mr Bradshaw previously warned that without approval, the festival’s future could have been in jeopardy.

However, the committee ultimately backed the application, noting the event’s previous track record and lack of serious issues over its first three editions.

Since launching in 2023, Full Moon Festival has grown into a significant fixture on the Isle of Man’s summer calendar, attracting around 4,000 attendees annually and showcasing a mix of local talent and visiting artists.

This year’s line-up includes DJs Fish56Octagon and Infrared among the headline names, with organisers again aiming to balance established acts with emerging performers from the island’s music scene.

Mr Bradshaw has previously spoken of ambitions for the festival to grow into something comparable with larger UK events, including the Isle of Wight Festival, saying: ‘We’re about halfway there.’

Behind the scenes, preparations are now intensifying as the countdown begins, with logistics, staging, infrastructure and travel arrangements all being finalised ahead of opening night.

Support has again come from Best Cars and the Domestic Event Fund, while a partnership with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company will also allow package deals for visitors travelling from the UK, something organisers hope will help boost attendance and accessibility.

Despite its rapid growth, the festival has also been keen to emphasise its community relationships.

Over the past three years it has reported no arrests, no significant incidents and no formal complaints, with organisers crediting careful planning and strong engagement with neighbours and authorities.

While Rose Hill Farm remains the current home of Full Moon Festival, Mr Bradshaw has indicated that organisers are still looking for a relocation, with a search ongoing for potential alternative venues.

‘We are on the lookout for a new venue so if anyone has anything suitable, please get in touch,’ he said. ‘We pay well and leave no mess afterwards.’

For now though, attention is firmly fixed on the fast-approaching weekend at the end of June, with organisers promising another packed programme and a continuation of what has quickly become one of the island’s most recognisable summer gatherings.

For more information, including tickets that are still available, visit www.thefullmoonfestival.co.uk.