LIDO Festival Reschedules to August: CMAT and Bombay Bicycle Club Dates Cancelled

Fans of Irish singer CMAT and indie staples Bombay Bicycle Club have received disappointing news as the LIDO Festival announces a significant overhaul of its 2026 schedule. Originally slated for June, the festival has been pushed back to late August to protect the environmental integrity of London’s Victoria Park, resulting in the cancellation of several headline dates.

Why LIDO Festival Moved Its Dates

Organizers revealed that the decision to reschedule was driven by the need to protect park ground conditions. Following one of the wettest winters in recent history, advisors recommended giving newly improved areas of Victoria Park more time to recover before hosting large crowds. This follows a successful reseeding and improvement programme delivered by AEG to address dust issues that occurred during a drought last summer.

LIDO Festival stated that protecting the condition of the park is of “paramount importance” to both the event organizers and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH). The decision was made solely by the organizers to ensure the park remains available for community use throughout the spring and early summer.

Impact on Lineup and Cancellations

While the festival is moving to August, it will not maintain its original three-day format. Instead, LIDO 2026 will now be a one-off date on August 31. This change has led to the following cancellations:

• Friday, June 12: The event featuring CMAT, Father John Misty, and Sharon Van Etten has been cancelled.
• Sunday, June 14: The event featuring Bombay Bicycle Club and Metronomy has been cancelled.

The August 31 date will now feature Maribou State and their full support bill.

“I am truly devastated not to be able to play this festival,” CMAT shared in a statement on social media, apologizing to fans who had already purchased tickets and arranged travel.

Ticketholder Information and Refunds

Organizers have emphasized that these changes are not the fault of the artists or the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. All ticketholders for the cancelled June 12 and June 14 dates will receive a full refund.

Key Takeaways for Attendees

• Latest Festival Date: August 31, 2026.
• Cancelled Acts: CMAT, Father John Misty, Sharon Van Etten, Bombay Bicycle Club, and Metronomy.
• Remaining Act: Maribou State will perform on August 31.
• Refunds: Full refunds are being issued to those with tickets for the cancelled June dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the festival rescheduled?

The move was necessary to protect the ground conditions of Victoria Park following an extensive reseeding programme and an unusually wet winter.

Can I still see CMAT or Bombay Bicycle Club at LIDO?

No. Their specific headline dates in June were cancelled and could not be rescheduled for the new August date.

How do I get my money back?

According to official LIDO Festival communications, all ticketholders for the cancelled dates will receive a full refund automatically.

As the festival shifts its focus to the end of August, the community can look forward to the continued recovery of Victoria Park, which will remain open to local residents and visitors throughout the spring.