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Here's the weather forecast for Download 2026 so far...
10 June 2026, 13:46 | Updated: 10 June 2026, 14:05
The hard rock festival returns this weekend, but will it be hot and dry or rainy this year? Radio X takes a look at the lastest forecast.
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Download Festival takes place this week from 10th - 14th June with Limp Bizkit, Guns N' Roses and Linkin Park as headliners.
With its early June date, the music event - which takes place at the spiritual home of rock Donington Park - usually kicks off the start of the summer, but it's been victim to a few washouts over the years, with one instalment even being coined 'Drownload Festival'.
So what is the weather forecast for Download Festival 2026? Find out if you'll be moshing in the sunshine or rain below...
NB: Weather is accurate at the time of article's last publish date. Always check for the latest updates.
Read more:
- Download Festival 2026: Headliners, line-up, stage times & more
- Guns N' Roses' Slash shares doubts on playing Las Vegas Sphere
What's the weather for Download Festival 2025?
Wednesday 10th June 2026:
On the day the festival officially opens its doors, punters can expect to see highs of 15 degrees according to the BBC and lows of 7 degrees with "thundery showers" predicted by BBC Weather.
The Met Office paints a very similar picture with "heavy rain," alongside highs of 13 degrees and lows of 10 degrees.
Thursday 11th June 2026:
On a day where many festival-goers will no doubt be setting up camp, Download looks to have the most chance of rain between 8am and 5pm, together with highs of 17 degrees and lows of 14 degrees and "heavy rain and a moderate breeze," according to the BBC.
The Met Office tells a similar tale, with there being a highs on 18 degrees, lows of 14 degrees and a strong likelihood music fans will be caught in showers at some point on this day.
Friday 12th June 2026:
On the day that Fred Durst and co take to the stage, BBC Weather predicts highs of 21 degrees, lows of 10 degrees with "drizzle and a moderate breeze". The highest chance of rain takes place at around 2pm, with only 17% rain when the Break Stuff rockers begin their bill-topping set.
The Met Office forecast also predicts a high of 21 degrees and a low of 12 degrees with 20% chance of rain when the Rollin' rockers begin to perform.
Saturday 13th June 2026:
On the second official day of the festival where Guns N' Roses headline, BBC Weather predicts highs of 20 degrees and lows of 11 degrees with a "sunny intervals and a moderate breeze". Fans of the Paradise City rockers will be happy to hear there appears to be 0% rain on the horizon at the time they hit the stage.
According to the Met Office, on this day Donington Park will see highs of 20 degrees and lows of 10 degrees with a predicted 5% chance of rain at the time GNR play.
Sunday 14th June: 2026
On the last official day of the festival, where Linkin Park will make history when vocalist Emily Armstrong becomes its first female headliner, BBC predicts it will be "sunny with a gentle breeze" with highs of 22 and lows of 11 degrees. As it stands there's also 0% rain when the band are scheduled to play.
According to the Met Office though there is a small chance of showers, this will be the warmest day of the festival, with highs of 22 degrees and lows of 11 degrees with only a 10% chance of rain.
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