Gay London Life | Feb '26 Edition - Magazine - Page 20
Mighty Hoopla 2026:
Lily Allen, Scissor Sisters & Zero Plans for a Quiet Weekend
It’s official: Mighty Hoopla has dropped its full lineup of
artists for 2026, and it’s already chaos in the best way. With
Lily Allen and Scissor Sisters headlining across two huge
days in Brockwell Park, summer has plans - and they’re loud,
pop-heavy and very, very gay!
It’s official: Mighty Hoopla has dropped its full lineup of artists for 2026, and it’s
already chaos in the best way. With Lily Allen and Scissor Sisters headlining
across two huge days in Brockwell Park, summer has plans - and they’re loud,
pop-heavy and very, very gay!
The wait is over, the group chats are feral, and calendars are being blocked out
as we speak. Mighty Hoopla is back on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May 2026:
giving pure pop joy!
This is the UK’s biggest LGBTQ+ pop festival, and it knows it. No moody
headliners, no pretending you don’t love a chorus - just two days of bangers, big
feelings, and a crowd that’s here to sing every word like it’s a religious experience.
Saturday belongs to Lily Allen, who headlines in a UK festival exclusive
performing her West End Girl album in full. Yes, in full. Expect pop classics,
sharp lyrics, emotional whiplash, and that unbeatable feeling of thousands of
people screaming along in unison.
Sunday closes with Scissor Sisters, stepping back into the headline slot for
a mega, hit-packed set that feels tailor-made for Hoopla. Glitter, sweat, sass,
Sciss
or Sis
and hands-in-the-air euphoria - should a festival end any other way?
te r s
Lily A
llen
And honestly, that’s just the start. Saturday also brings Jessie J in full vocal
powerhouse mode, while Sunday welcomes Perrie, ready to prove that pop
vocals still matter. Five are also on the bill as Sunday’s special guests, which
means yes, there will be nostalgia, choreo flashbacks, and at least one “I forgot
how many hits they had” moment.
Across the weekend, the line-up is stacked with the kind of names that
make Hoopla feel like a pop lover’s dream playlist come to life. JLS, Todrick Hall,
Agnes, Alexandra Burke, Louise, Cascada, Estelle, Heather Small, Tulisa, The
Wanted 2.0, and Liberty X are all confirmed - with plenty more to come. This is
only the first wave, and there are over 100 additional acts still to be announced.
If you’ve done Hoopla before, you’ll know it’s not just about the main stage.
The Bump returns for 2026, once again serving peak dancefloor chaos with
headline sets from Trixie Mattel and Horse Meat Disco, plus Jodie Harsh and
fka.m4a. It’s the place you accidentally end up all afternoon and leave covered in
glitter and regret - in a good way.
Queertopia is also back, shining a spotlight on emerging queer artists who
are doing exciting, boundary-pushing things right now. Names like Empress
Of and Mykki Blanco are already locked in, with more to be announced. If past
years are anything to go by, this is where you’ll “discover” someone just before
they blow up.
It’s wild to think how far Hoopla has come. What started back in 2017
has grown into a full-blown institution, with 2025 seeing over 65,000 people
through the gates. And yet it’s still kept the same spirit: a space where queer joy
is front and centre, pop is taken seriously, and everyone’s invited to join in.
So yes, start planning your glittery outfit now. Start mentally preparing
your knees. And maybe book the Monday off work, because if this first
announcement is anything to go by, Mighty Hoopla 2026 is going to rinse you
emotionally and physically, and we CANNOT WAIT!
Mighty Hoopla 2026
Dates: Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 May 2026
Location: Brockwell Park, London
For more info & tickets: www.mightyhoopla.com
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