Love to be… one of the UK’s most enduring house music brands, has closed the curtain on yet another fantastic festival, held on the Stray in Harrogate on Saturday 5th September. 6,000 house music fans of all ages descended on the scenic site for the third edition of the festival, and an 11-hour danceathon to modern and house music classics on an all-new and improved site.
Love to be… Director Marc Dennis said, “Love to Be… Festival 2026 was everything we hoped for and more. After some huge challenges 24-hours before the event with winds taking down a large part of infrastructure and the main stage tent, the team pretty much rebuilt the site overnight to deliver a superb day. It was an incredible celebration of house music, community and togetherness. Seeing generations of fans dancing side-by-side, sharing pure energy and unforgettable moments, made all the hard work worthwhile. The artists, crew and audience created something genuinely special. We are proud of how the festival continues to grow while staying true to its roots. Thank you to everyone who made it happen.”
Highlights across the weekend included massive headliner Claptone, Defected’s Sam Divine, and highly respected selector Paul Woolford, as well as Gok Wan packing out the Music Factory Stage alongside US legend Todd Terry, and a live performance from rave pioneers K-Klass. Funky Love’s takeover in the VIP area delivered full-throttle house vibes and live PAs from start to finish. On the huge new main stage, dancers and full festival production provided the backdrop to countless knock-out performances, from the likes of vocalist Julie McKnight (her performance of Kings Of Tomorrow’s “Finally” was spine-tingling), Spanish housemaster David Penn, hit-maker Mousse-T, and many more.
The upgraded festival site received a noticeable stamp of approval from all. It included the new chillout zone complete with comfy beanbags, upgraded sound and lighting systems for a fuller, more powerful experience, a new VIP garden with classic fairground games, an improved layout for better flow, and an upgraded bar system, making it the best and most enjoyable Love to be… yet.
Planning is already underway for Love to be… Festival 2027, which returns to the Stray on Saturday 4th September. Those wanting to be one of the very first to grab a ticket to the next celebration of house music can sign up now via Skiddle.
Love to be… has been a defining force in UK house culture since 1994, evolving from its Sheffield roots into a global event brand, a record label and a syndicated radio show. Its Harrogate festival has quickly become one of the North’s essential annual celebrations of house music, uniting generations of fans in one of North Yorkshire’s most iconic green spaces.
Love to be…
