While tickets are much less cheaper than UK alternatives, this festival has a line-up packed with incredible big name acts, and you’re much less likely to be wading through mud in this sunny city
Leave your wellies at home and opt for a festival in sunny Spain(Image: Daily Record)
Festivalgoers will have a Glastonbury-shaped hole in their hearts in 2026 as the world-famous festival takes a year off. The festival’s tradition of having a “fallow year” every few years is designed to let Worthy Farm’s land recover and regenerate from the huge event.
But music lovers need not despair, there are lots of Glastonbury alternatives out there both in the UK and beyond. One in particular that’s popular with Brits thanks to its affordable ticket prices and lack of mud has a great line-up for 2026, and flights take just under 2.5 hours from London.
FIB Benicàssim – often simply known as Benicàssim – takes place in Castelló de la Plana, just north of the city of Valencia. Its location close to the sunny Spanish coast and July dates mean that you’re practically guaranteed sunny days, so no need to pack your wellies for this one.
Taking place between July 16 and 18, the festival has an incredible line-up for fans of all sorts of genres, and includes performances from The Prodigy, Biffy Clyro, The Kooks, Kaiser Chiefs, and Tinie Tempah among the big names. There are also lots of punk and indie acts to look out for such as DEADLETTER, Circa Waves, and RATA.
Ticket prices are much lower than UK festivals. In 2025, Glastonbury tickets cost £373.50 plus a £5 booking fee. FIB Benicàssim tickets start at just €55, about £48 for general admission, which gives you access to the site and all stages for four days.
For €135 (approximately £117), there are also VIP tickets which include access to VIP bars and food options, exclusive toilets, preferential access lanes into the festival, plus three pints of beer. Golden VIP tickets cost from €245, around £213, and come with all the advantages of VIP as well as front stage access to the Main Stage and nine drinks.
However, it’s worth noting that unlike Glastonbury, camping isn’t included. This is because many people choose to stay in nearby hotels or glampsites. A basic camping pitch on the festival grounds costs €27, about £23, and for another £9 you can buy a voucher that gives you unlimited access to showers. Summer camping can be a sweltering experience, so large tarps are installed to shade the tents underneath and cool things down.
If you don’t fancy taking all your camping gear on the plane, there are glamping options that also give you a more comfortable experience. While these aren’t yet available to buy, there will reportedly be a range of bell tents and other pre-pitched options so you can leave your bulky camping kit at home.
Many festivalgoers skip the tent entirely and stay in nearby Castellón or Oropesa. The festival offers the option of an official shuttle bus from towns close to the festival site, so you pay for the wristband once and don’t need to worry about transport. Staying in a hotel means you can enjoy air conditioned nights in a proper bed, charge your phone, and get ready for the day ahead.
You could even combine your festival trip with a beach holiday, and a couple of days in sunny Valencia will soon help you recover from any party excesses. Nearby Grau de Castelló is a charming port town with Mediterranean beaches, Valencian restaurants, and the beauty of the mountains in Desert de les Palmes.
READ MORE: Ryanair launches new £23 flights to home of ‘Europe’s answer to the Maldives’READ MORE: Alton Towers gives sneak peek of new Bluey rollercoaster opening this year
Brits travelling to Benicàssim have two options for airports. The closest one is Castellón–Costa Azahar Airport, about half an hour from the festival site. However, flights from the UK are limited to a Ryanair services from London-Stansted and Manchester. Valencia Airport is just over an hour from Benicàssim and offers a wide range of flights including an easyJet route from London-Gatwick, and Ryanair services from regional airports including Birmingham, East Midlands, Bristol, and more.
Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com