25 October 2026 — Public voting is now open for the UK Festival Awards 2026, with Country on the Common among the finalists following the announcement of this year’s shortlist.
The country music festival has secured a place in the final six for Marketing Campaign of the Year, competing alongside Bearded Theory, Love Supreme Jazz Festival, Tramlines, Victorious Festival and Y Not Festival.
The nomination is a welcome achievement for Country on the Common and highlights the growing professionalism and ambition of Britain’s dedicated country music festival scene. While the original longlist featured several country-focused events, Country on the Common is the only dedicated country festival to appear among the finalists published on the official voting website.
Elsewhere, Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival has been shortlisted for Medium Festival of the Year. The Scottish event, which featured country and country-influenced performers including Kezia Gill, Janet Devlin, Cammy Barnes and Southern Reverie in its 2026 programme, is competing against 2000trees, Kendal Calling, Latitude, Mighty Hoopla and Truck Festival.
Truck Festival has also been shortlisted for Medium Festival of the Year. Although primarily an indie and alternative music event, the Oxfordshire festival’s 2026 line-up included country-rock singer-songwriter Gina Larner, Irish country-pop artist CMAT, and Americana-influenced performers including Divorce and Australia’s Southern River Band. Truck joins Belladrum, 2000trees, Kendal Calling, Latitude and Mighty Hoopla in the category.
The shortlist also marks the end of the road for several country festivals recognised in the original longlist, including The Long Road, Buckle & Boots, Country Calling, Country on the Coast and State Fayre. Nevertheless, their initial recognition reflects the increasingly important place of country music within the wider British festival industry.
How to Vote in the UK Festival Awards 2026
Music fans can now have their say through the official UK Festival Awards 2026 voting website.
Voters will need to log in to cast their votes, with Country on the Common listed under Marketing Campaign of the Year and Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival under Medium Festival of the Year.
Voting closes on Tuesday 3 November 2026, with the winners announced at the UK Festival Awards ceremony at DIECAST in Manchester on Tuesday 1 December.
For country music fans, the final voting stage offers an opportunity to support the festivals helping to bring country music to audiences across Britain.
