UK Mountain Adventure Festivals in 2026
Last updated: October 2025
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Ben Ledi, Scotland
Information on mountain adventure festivals across the UK in 2026
Mountain adventure festivals are packed full of inspiring speakers, outdoor brand exhibitors, workshops, and information on adventure activities.
Whether you’re looking for a big international event to enjoy with friends, a small local gathering, or virtual streaming, you’ll find something here to spark your next adventure.
Organised in date order👇
BANFF Mountain Film Festival UK Tour
Held at the start of November each year since 1975, the Banff mountain film festival is one of the best known in the world. Following the festival, the best films head off on the Banff Mountain Festival World Tour. Dates are available across the UK throughout 2026. Head to the link and you can search via region - click on 2025 dates and it will open up the 2026 dates too.
Dates: Various throughout 2026 - see link for full details
The Adventure Travel Show (London)
Research new places to visit, plan your next adventure, and listen to stories about amazing adventures. Includes a gravel and adventure bike expo, photography workshops, exhibitors, and more.
Dates: 10th to 11th January 2026
The National Running Show (Birmingham)
Aimed at runners of all distance, type, and ability, this annual show at Birmingham’s NEC includes inspirational speakers, brands, new technologies, and nutrition. There are three stages, training camps led by Steve Cram, gait analysis, and tons more.
Dates: 31st January to 1st February 2026
Fort William Mountain Festival (Scotland)
The festival in the Scottish Highlands has inspiring talks, adventure workshops, films, and guided outdoor events. The full programme for 2026 is expected launch in November 2025.
Dates: 12th to 15th February 2026
London Mountain Film Festival
This film festival screens films in London and online. It encourages community organisations to curate their own events too, and raise funds for their projects or charities. You can buy a household pass which gives you access to the films online during the festival dates. The 2025 event raised £20,000 for communities and non-profits.
Dates: 7th to 22nd March 2026
Braemar Mountain Festival (Scotland)
This event isn’t taking place in 2026 but is planned to return in 2027.
Dates: Not taking place in 2026
Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (ShAFF)
Sheffield, also known as The Outdoor City, holds a month-long festival of the outdoors every March. ShAFF is part of the celebration with a packed weekend of films, talks, and community events that celebrate outdoor adventure and exploration. The films are in grouped into categories including climbing, running, bike packing, skiing, and more.
Dates: 20th to 22nd March 2026
The National Outdoor Expo (Birmingham)
Held annually at the NEC in Birmingham, this is one of the biggest outdoor community meet-ups of the year. It includes inspirational speakers, the latest tech, outdoor brand exhibitors, and the chance to take part in performance workshops. The National Cycling Show is also here on the same weekend.
Dates: 21st to 22nd March 2026
Keswick Mountain Festival (Lake District)
Keswick Mountain Festival includes mountain sports, activities, live music, inspirational speakers, and outdoor brands. There are 16 sports events on offer in 2026, including trail running, hiking, open water swimming, cycling, and more.
Dates: 15th to 17th May 2026
The OMM Festival (Lake District)
Running festival with events, advice, and workshops. At the time of writing, the 2026 dates haven’t been published, but the link below takes you to the festival website where you can check for updates.
Dates: 2026 dates tbc
Base Camp Festival (Lake District)
An action-packed weekend in the Lake District with free outdoor activities, skills sessions, inspirational speakers, and live music. At the time of writing, the 2026 dates haven’t been published, but the link below takes you to the festival website where you can check for updates.
Dates: 2026 dates tbc
The Armchair Adventure Festival (Cornwall)
Taking place on a Cornish hilltop at Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, The Armchair Adventure Festival is a celebration of adventure travel. It includes inspiring speakers, adventurous activities, and live music.
Dates: 23rd to 26th July 2026
Alpkit Big Shakeout (Peak District)
The Alpkit Big Shakeout is packed with on and off-site activities. All the proceeds from the Alpkit Big Shakeout go directly to the Alpkit Foundation, which helps to remove barriers for getting outdoors and into wild places. At the time of writing, the 2026 dates haven’t been published, but the link below takes you to the festival website where you can check for updates.
Dates: 2026 dates tbc
Kendal Mountain Festival (Lake District)
Founded in 1980, Kendal Mountain Festival is probably the UK’s biggest and most well known get together of outdoor enthusiasts. The main festival date is in November, but you can also stream the Kendal Mountain Festival Films online.
Dates: 2026 dates tbc
Dundee Mountain Film Festival (Scotland)
Full of inspiring speakers, the Dundee Mountain Film Festival is held at Dundee University. They don’t have a film competition but film makers can use the festival as a showcase for their film.
Dates: 2026 dates tbc
If you’re looking for walking festivals taking place throughout the year, take a peek at TGO Magazine’s 2025 pick of outdoor events and walking festivals in the UK
I plan to keep this post updated regularly, so I can continue supporting our mountain adventure festival organisers - many of whom are volunteers.
If you know of any great outdoor adventure festivals not listed, please get in touch or comment below with details.
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