The Roots Picnic is packing up and pulling up in a new city — and country — this summer. The annual music festival created and curated by The Roots and based in Philadelphia is branching out from the City of Brotherly Love and going international. After Roots Picnic 2026 kicks off summer festival season in late May, the inaugural Roots Picnic London will debut in August with a solid lineup of artists from both sides of the Atlantic.
Roots Picnic London is scheduled for the weekend of Saturday, August 8th and Sunday, August 9th, to take place at the Crystal Palace Bowl. The outdoor venue in the London borough of Bromley will welcome thousands to experience the first-ever international edition of Roots Picnic.
Of course, The Roots will be on hand for this historic occasion. They’re on deck to headline the opening day with legendary rapper Nas in a special two-hour joint performance that will be as iconic as it sounds. Before Nas and The Roots end the day, there’ll be sets by British singers Sasha Keable and Nia Smith and J. Period, who’s bringing his J. Period Live Mixtape to the stage with mic rockers Black Thought, Yasiin Bey and Benny The Butcher.
Another sensational roster of performers is on tap for Sunday’s closing day festivities. Picnickers will be entertained by soul brother Anthony Hamilton, Musiq Soulchild and Floetry — making this Marsha Ambrosius and Natalie Stewart’s first performance in London in over a decade. Jazz, hip-hop and soul will collide during an epic jam session led by Robert Glasper and Questlove featuring Common and Bilal. Rounding out that day’s performers will be London’s own Gotts Street Park with Olive Jones. BBC Radio producer, presenter and DJ Benji B will be on the decks throughout the weekend.
Compared to the original Roots Picnic, Roots Picnic London is smaller in scale, but the tight lineup is rather impressive. It’s unclear if more artists will be announced, but it’s honestly good to go as-is. Produced by Live Nation Urban and Palace Bowl Presents, this global expansion of the Roots Picnic brand is an exciting addition to the annual music festival calendar.
Tickets to Roots Picnic London go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, April 21st at 12 p.m. BST. General admission and VIP level tickets for single days and the weekend will be available for purchase through Ticketmaster. For more information, visit the Roots Picnic website.
