LIVE REVIEW: Creamfields 2026

Twenty years since it first landed in Daresbury, Creamfields has cemented itself as one of the UK’s biggest dance music festivals, and this was my first time making the trip. Located just outside Warrington, the site pulls crowds from Liverpool and Manchester in their thousands, alongside ravers from every corner of the country. 

Several transport options run into the site, with signposts and security stationed throughout to keep the flow of thousands moving in the right direction. Once inside, the scale of the festival became clear, the pathways and stage entrances tightly packed with people moving between areas.

Photo Credit: Geoffrey Hubbel

The stages themselves each carried their own identity and branding. Arc, the festival’s largest outdoor stage, showcased some of the biggest names in dance music. While Apex, presented with Capital Dance, offered a huge indoor spectacle drenched in visual effects. The Forest, a brand new woodland-themed stage, is definitely worth checking out, while Teletech’s big top tent provided an alternative techno sound for those looking for something different. Elsewhere, Steel Yard and HALO added further variety, rounding out a stage lineup built to cater to fans of every genre. 

Photo Credit: Coal Poet Media

Beyond the stages, it’s worth saving some time between sets to explore the site’s other facilities. We stopped by San Miguel’s Mixmag, a small DJ stage spinning throwback classics and tried our luck at the Shein shuffleboard pop-up. Food and drink options were spread across the site, we enjoyed a relaxed drink at Casa Sol away from the busier crowds. For those wanting a proper break from the action, Creamfields even offers a spa experience for festival-goers looking to recharge before heading back to the music! 

Photo Credit: PLASTIC TOAST PHOTO

We visited on Sunday, which carried some of the festival’s biggest names, with the likes of Armand Van Helden, Prospa, Becky Hill, Gorgon City, Sonny Fodera and Fatboy Slim all on the lineup. The day wasn’t without its disruptions, as thunder and lightning storms swept across the site, forcing several acts to pause mid-set. However, it wasn’t long before stages began opening back up and the party picked up where it left off. 

The crowd itself was young and energetic, creating the kind of atmosphere that made it easy to see why Creamfields draws such huge crowds, even after 20 years. Whether you’re a dance music fan or considering your first festival, Creamfields is definitely one to recommend!