Download Festival is set to return to Donington Park next week, but attendees may be wondering whether to pack sunglasses, waterproofs, or a bit of both.

The annual rock and metal gathering will take place in Leicestershire from June 10–14, bringing thousands of fans together for one of the UK's biggest music events. This year's headline acts include Limp Bizkit, Guns N' Roses and Linkin Park, all making exclusive UK festival appearances in 2026.

Joining them across the weekend will be a packed lineup featuring Bad Omens, Cypress Hill, Tom Morello, Trivium, Halestorm, Pendulum, Mastodon, BABYMETAL, Architects and Feeder. The District X stage will also welcome performances from Five, Electric Six and The All-American Rejects.

Festival organisers have also promised a selection of surprise performances throughout the weekend. Among the more unusual additions are TokenGrass, a bluegrass-inspired tribute to Sleep Token, and Nic Cage Against The Machine, a Rage Against The Machine tribute act fronted by a Nicolas Cage lookalike.

Will It Rain at Download 2026?

Although Download takes place during the summer, the festival has experienced a wide range of weather conditions over the years. Recent editions have seen everything from sunshine to heavy rain and muddy fields, with the 2024 event particularly remembered for its challenging conditions.

According to the latest forecast, festivalgoers should be prepared for a mixed weekend. Light rain is expected on most days, accompanied by moderate winds, though temperatures are forecast to remain relatively mild.

Wednesday, June 10

Light showers are expected throughout the day, with the greatest chance of rain arriving during the afternoon. Temperatures are forecast to range between 9°C and 18°C.

Thursday, June 11

Wet conditions are likely for much of the day, with rain forecast during the morning, afternoon and evening. Temperatures should sit between 11°C and 17°C.

Friday, June 12

Drizzle and breezy conditions are expected, particularly during the first half of the day. Temperatures could reach a high of 20°C after starting around 11°C.

Saturday, June 13

Showers are still possible, although sunny intervals are expected to break through the cloud cover. Temperatures are forecast to range from 12°C to 21°C.

Sunday, June 14

The final day of the festival looks set to be the warmest, with temperatures reaching up to 23°C. While some drizzle is possible earlier in the day, the likelihood of rain is expected to decrease as the weekend comes to a close.

Overall, attendees should prepare for changeable festival weather, with waterproof clothing likely to come in handy alongside lighter layers for the warmer afternoon periods.