Highfield Cricket Club Launches Summer Sounds Festival 2026
April 2026
Wigan Highfield Cricket Club in Wigan is set to host its biggest event to date with the launch of Summer Sounds Festival, a new large-scale tribute music festival expected to welcome more than 2,500 people as part of its Summer Series 2026.
Taking place on Saturday 27 June 2026 in Wigan, this new event will deliver a full day and evening of live tribute music, alongside food, drink and a festival-style atmosphere from 1.00pm to 9.30pm.
Although well-known for hosting many community events throughout the year, Summer Sounds 2026 marks the first time Highfield will transform its extensive 13,000 sq.m grounds into a dedicated music festival. Headlining the main stage will be Ian Gallagher, fronting the ‘Deffo Maybe’ Oasis tribute. Widely regarded as one of the UK’s most authentic Oasis tribute performers, Ian has toured extensively across the UK and internationally, sharing stages with Kasabian, Pete Doherty, Reverend and the Makers and Status Quo.
The wider Summer Sounds bill also includes renowned tribute acts ABBA Alike and Manchester’s Take Off That, alongside tributes to Robbie Williams, George Michael and Blondie. They will be supported by local artists Tom Byrom, Rick Whitehead and John Blaylock, who recently returned from touring with Wet Wet Wet.
Alongside a full day programme of live music, Summer Sounds Festival will feature street food and drink vendors, an outdoor bar, and private gazebo pitches. The event aims to bring a true festival atmosphere to Highfield, combining nationally recognised acts with a strong local line-up.
While Summer Sounds marks the first music event of its kind at the club, it builds on Highfield’s long-standing reputation for delivering much-loved community events. The Summer Series 2026 series includes the return of the club’s well-known Family Fun Day on Sunday 30 August. Now in its fourth decade, this family-focused day is one of the area’s most established days out, featuring fairground rides, inflatables, live entertainment and family themed activities. Last year, more than 2,500 visitors attended, enjoying a live music programme featuring local artists along with Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo tribute performances.
Michael Gregory, Chairman of Highfield Cricket Club said:
“Summer Sounds is an exciting new chapter for Highfield. It builds on our long history of community events while creating something new for adult audiences, with all proceeds supporting grassroots sport and opportunities for young people locally.”
Summer Sounds Festival has already gained strong early momentum, with early bird tickets, VIP and gazebo pitches sold out, and sponsorship secured from local and regional businesses including Metrorod, Barton Group, Greenmount Projects, QED Scaffolding, and Bithells Waste Management. A limited number of sponsorship opportunities remain.
Together, the two Highfield Summer Series events are expected to welcome more than 5,000 visitors to the club this summer.
A limited number of standard tickets remain, priced at £30 per person, with the option to pay via Klarna. With demand already high, early booking is advised for what is set to be one of Wigan’s biggest live music events this summer.
For further information, tickets and updates, please visit:
https://www.highfieldcricketclub.co.uk/event-list
