One of hip-hop’s most iconic festivals is officially crossing the Atlantic. The legendary Roots Picnic will make its international debut at Crystal Palace Bowl from Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 August 2026, bringing a heavyweight lineup of hip-hop, soul and R&B talent to South London.
Headlining the opening night, Nas joins forces with The Roots for a special two-hour collaborative set, marking one of the weekend’s biggest draws.
Star-Studded Lineup Across Two Days
Day one of Roots Picnic London will see performances from rising and established acts alike, including Sasha Keable and Nia Smith. A standout moment comes from J.PERIOD’s Live Mixtape, featuring Black Thought, Yasiin Bey and Benny The Butcher.
Sunday shifts into a soulful celebration with a “Sunday Jam” led by Robert Glasper and Questlove, joined by special guests Common and Bilal. Closing out the weekend, Anthony Hamilton headlines alongside support from Musiq Soulchild, Floetry and Gotts Street Park.
Notably, both Anthony Hamilton and Floetry will be performing in the UK for the first time in over a decade.
Palace Bowl Presents: A New London Festival Series
Roots Picnic forms part of Palace Bowl Presents, a brand-new festival programme running from 31 July to 16 August 2026 at Crystal Palace Bowl.
The wider lineup reflects a diverse mix of genres and global stars, including:
- Grace Jones with Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Soul II Soul
- Kirk Franklin and Tasha Cobbs Leonard for the Gospel Garden Festival
- Tom Jones with Billy Ocean
- Gary Numan
- Bastille and The Wombats
- Davido
The series aims to position Crystal Palace as a major summer music destination, blending heritage with contemporary culture.
A Historic Venue with Legendary Roots
First established in 1961, Crystal Palace Bowl has hosted decades of unforgettable performances. From Bob Marley’s final London show to sets from Pink Floyd, The Beach Boys and Lou Reed, the open-air venue remains one of the capital’s most culturally significant stages.
The Legacy of Roots Picnic
Since launching in 2007 in Philadelphia, Roots Picnic has grown into a cultural institution, known for blending hip-hop, soul, jazz and beyond. Previous lineups have featured artists like Lil Wayne, The Weeknd, Pharrell Williams and Snoop Dogg.
The 2026 US edition will be headlined by Jay-Z & The Roots and Erykah Badu, highlighting the festival’s continued global influence.
Tickets, Access & Local Offers
Local residents in SE19, SE20 and SE26 postcodes will have access to discounted tickets, making the event more accessible to the surrounding community.
Mastercard cardholders can access preferred tickets from 20 April at 12PM BST via https://www.priceless.com/music
