Rock N Roll Circus has announced a major expansion for its 2026 festivals, turning both the Sheffield and Norwich editions into full four-day events with the addition of Thursday night shows.
The new opening dates will be led by The Kooks and James, marking a significant step up for the festival that combines live music with immersive circus spectacles inside its signature Big Top arenas.
At Don Valley Bowl, Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield will now kick off on Thursday 27 August, turning the August Bank Holiday weekend into a four-day celebration. The Kooks will headline the newly added opening night, performing their breakthrough debut album Inside In / Inside Out in full to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
They will be joined by local favourites Milburn, who are also celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut album Well, Well, Well, and indie stalwart Miles Kane.
Meanwhile, Rock N Roll Circus Norwich will run from Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 August at Earlham Park. The new Thursday opening night will feature James as headliners, bringing their four-decade catalogue of anthems like “Sit Down” and “Laid” to the Big Top.
Joining James in Norwich will be Razorlight and fast-rising Merseyside band The K’s. Both festivals have promised more artist announcements in the coming weeks.
Tickets for the newly added Thursday dates in both Sheffield and Norwich will go on general sale on Friday 6 March at 10 am, with a presale starting on Wednesday 4 March at 10 am via the official Rock N Roll Circus website. VIP packages offering fast-track entry and premium viewing areas are also available.
Festival Director Ali O’Reilly said: “Expanding both Sheffield and Norwich into four full days is a huge moment for us. To have artists like The Kooks, James, Milburn and Miles Kane leading that expansion shows how far Rock N Roll Circus has come. Both cities have embraced what we’re creating, and 2026 is about taking that energy to the next level.”
The full lineups for the events currently stand as follows:
Rock N Roll Circus Norwich (Earlham Park, 20-23 August 2026)
- Thursday 20: James, Razorlight, The K’s
- Friday 21: The Streets performing A Grand Don’t Come For Free in full
- Saturday 22: The Kooks, The Vaccines, The Fratellis
- Sunday 23: Madness, Ocean Colour Scene, The Wailers, The Selecter, David Rodigan
Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield (Don Valley Bowl, 27-30 August 2026)
- Thursday 27: The Kooks, Milburn, Miles Kane
- Friday 28: The Streets performing A Grand Don’t Come For Free in full
- Saturday 29: Wunderhorse, Baxter Dury, English Teacher, Fat Dog
- Sunday 30: Richard Ashcroft, The Fratellis, Cast
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