Discovery Festival in Darlington cancelled and pushed back

Discovery Festival, which was due to be held at Mowden Park on August 8 and 9, has been pushed back to the same weekend next year, organisers have announced. 

The event was due to host 80s Calling on the Saturday, headlined by one-half of synth-pop duo Soft Cell Marc Almond, followed by DJs Sigma and The Wanted 2.0 on the Sunday.

Bosses of the event said that rising costs and other events, such as Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sunderland in May, has had a “huge impact”.

It said this has meant that organisers are “not able to deliver the experience you have previously enjoyed with us and we believe you deserve”. 

Marc Almond was due to headline ’80s Calling at Discovery Festival, Darlington in 2026 (Image: Chameleon Music Marketing Ltd)

Ticket holders can now either get a full refund if they can’t attend the 2027 dates – August 7 and August 8 – or can hold on to their ticket and get a free extra complimentary ticket for any day at the festival next year. 

A statement from organisers said: “It is with great disappointment that we must announce the postponement of Discovery Festival, in Darlington 2026. 

“When we planned this event a year ago, none of us could have anticipated the current economic situation and the impact it would have on all our lives, affecting everyone’s disposable income. 

“Despite our best efforts, the combination of rising costs and other events announced locally, particularly BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend which has had a huge impact on the festival and means that this year we are not able to deliver the experience you have previously enjoyed with us and we believe you deserve. 

“Having exhausted all potential alternatives, we have reached the heart-breaking decision to postpone the festival until August 7 to August 8, 2027.

“The full 2027 exciting line ups will be announced shortly, so why not hold on to your tickets and make your decision then! We are all so very sorry, and we truly hope you’ll stay with us for 2027.”

Discovery Festival’s lineup on Saturday featured Level 42, Marc Almond and Heaven 17 while Sunday included Five, Sigma, The Wanted 2.0, XO, and Bjorn Again. 

More than 15,000 people attended the festival in 2025.