Slam Dunk North 2026: Gate openings, set times, weather and transport ahead of this weekend's punk summit

The countdown is officially on for alternative music fans as the UK's premier pop-punk, metal, and hardcore summit prepares to take over West Yorkshire this weekend.

Slam Dunk North is returning to the sprawling grounds of Temple Newsam, bringing an absolute powerhouse line-up of international headliners, nostalgic scene favourites, and heavy-hitting breakthrough acts.

For veterans of the festival, you will know that navigating the day requires a bit of tactical planning - from dodging brutal stage clashes to figuring out the best way to get back into Leeds city centre after the final encore.

If you are currently dusting off your chequered Vans, hunting down your earplugs, or trying to figure out if you can bring a water bottle, you have come to the right place.

To help you get from the barricades to the bar without a hitch, we have broken down all the vital logistics, security rules, travel updates, and stage details you need to know ahead of this weekend's massive alternative gathering.

What time do gates open for Slam Dunk North 2026?

The gates to the Festival Village will officially open at 9am on both days, giving attendees plenty of time to get through security before the music kicks off.

The main arena itself will then open its gates at 11am, with the entire site running right through the day until the final headliners finish ahead of the strict 11pm festival curfew.

What is the weather expected to be like for Slam Dunk North 2026?

Festivalgoers can officially leave their ponchos at home because this weekend is shaping up to be an absolute scorcher across West Yorkshire.

According to the latest Met Office forecast for Temple Newsam, Sunday is set to bring glorious, wall-to-wall sunshine with peak daytime temperatures hitting a fantastic 28°C.

With virtually zero per cent chance of rain and only a gentle breeze on the horizon, it is going to feel incredibly warm out in the open fields.

Because you will be spending the entire day out in the sun, organisers are strongly advising everyone to apply sunscreen early, stay hydrated by utilising the free on-site water stations, and consider wearing a hat to beat the afternoon heat.

What can I bring with me to Slam Dunk North 2026?

When it comes to packing for the weekend, organisers advise keeping your belongings to a bare minimum to speed up the entry process.

Festivalgoers are allowed to bring compact bags, provided they do not exceed A3 size dimensions.

While outside food and drinks are strictly forbidden, you are actively encouraged to bring an empty refillable water bottle with you, as free drinking water stations will be available across the Temple Newsam site throughout the day.

If you need to bring specific dietary items due to medical or religious requirements, you must contact the festival organisers in advance to arrange clearance. Additionally, prescription medicines are permitted past the gates, but they must be clearly accompanied by a valid NHS prescription or proper dispensing chemist labelling.

Recreational photography of friends and family is also perfectly fine, as long as it does not involve bulky professional kit or tripods.

What should I leave at home for Slam Dunk North 2026?

Security searches are a strict condition of entry, and any prohibited items found will be permanently removed, confiscated, and destroyed at the gates.

To avoid any disappointment or long delays at the turnstiles, organisers have made it clear that you cannot bring your own food, alcohol, or bulk camping gear onto the Temple Newsam site.

The full list of strictly prohibited items that you must leave at home includes:

• Food and Drink: All outside food and beverages, cans, glass bottles, flasks, hampers, and cool boxes.
• Seating and Shelter: Any form of chairs (including collapsible camping chairs), tents, gazebos, large umbrellas, and parasols.
• Banned Tech and Gear: Laptops, iPads, tablets, drones, UAV devices, selfie sticks, credit card readers, payment devices, and mobile phone SIM card removal tools.
• Pyrotechnics and Noise: Flares, fireworks, smoke grenades, airhorns, lanterns, or anything that can be lit with a naked flame.
• Bags and Signs: Any bags larger than A3 size ($30\text{cm} \times 42\text{cm} \times 19\text{cm}$), flags, banners, and helium balloons.
• Objects and Weapons: Sharp objects, large or sharp rings, laser pointers, pens, glow sticks, and anything that could potentially be used as a weapon.
• Leisure and Animals: Skateboards, roller skates, bicycles, hoverboards, balls, frisbees, kites, barbecues, and any animals (except for registered assistance dogs).

Additionally, if you are planning to vape over the weekend, please note that electronic cigarettes are strictly forbidden inside any of the tented stage areas.

How do I get to Slam Dunk North 2026?

Slam Dunk Festival North takes place at Temple Newsam in Leeds, which sits roughly a 15 to 20-minute drive outside of Leeds city centre.

Organisers have put extensive transport plans in place to ensure attendees can get to and from the site smoothly across the weekend, whether travelling by train, coach, shuttle, or car.

By rail and shuttle bus

If you are travelling by rail, the nearest major hub is Leeds Train Station. From there, the easiest way to access Temple Newsam is via the festival's dedicated, official shuttle bus service, which runs directly from Leeds city centre at Sovereign Street straight to the festival gates between 8:45am and 3pm.

For the return journey back into the city, the shuttle buses will operate from 8pm until 1am, dropping passengers off at Eastgate.

Festivalgoers are highly advised to book their shuttle bus tickets online in advance to avoid long delays on the day.

By coach

For those looking for a sustainable and hassle-free option, Big Green Coach is returning as the official travel partner for 2026. They are running carbon-neutral, return coach services directly into Slam Dunk North’s official coach park from dozens of locations across the UK, including Sheffield, Manchester, Newcastle, York, Birmingham, and Nottingham.

Seats can be guaranteed in advance from £35, ensuring fans get to the gates before the music starts and leave safely after the headliners without worrying about missing the last train.

By car or taxi

If you plan to drive, please note that festival car parking passes are sold out and no longer available to purchase. If you secured a pass before the deadline, parking will be on open, grassy parkland accessed via farm tracks.

Organisers have issued a strict warning to drivers not to follow satnavs, traditional traffic routes, or previously used postcodes on approach. Instead, car park ticket holders must use the specific instructions sent to them via email and follow the colour-coded event signage that will be deployed across major access routes roughly two miles out from Temple Newsam.

The car parks will officially open at 9am and close shortly after the festival ends, with a strict rule stating that no vehicles can be left overnight.

For those being dropped off by friends, family, or local taxis, the official pick-up and drop-off area for 2026 is located at the Go Ape Car Park. This area can only be reached via Temple Newsam Road.

Drivers are strongly warned not to follow general festival car park signs for drop-offs, as those car parks operate a one-way system that may prevent vehicles from exiting until after 8pm. Additionally, Elm Tree Walk through to Colton and Cross Gates Train Station will be fully closed for the entire duration of the event.

What are the set times at this year’s Slam Dunk North?

With an absolute powerhouse roster performing across Temple Newsam, planning your day around potential clashes is essential.

Here is the complete stage schedule for the main arenas so you can map out your weekend down to the minute:

Main Stage West

• 11:40am- 12:10pm: Beauty School
• 12:35pm - 1:10pm: unpeople
• 1:35pm - 2:15pm: To Be Announced
• 2:40pm - 3:20pm: Zebrahead
• 3:45pm - 4:30pm: Goldfinger
• 4:55pm - 5:40pm: Dashboard Confessional
• 6:05pm - 7:05pm: Taking Back Sunday
• 7:30pm - 8:30pm: Sublime
• 9:00pm - 10:20pm: Good Charlotte

Main Stage East

• 11:40 am- 12:10pm: Pest Control
• 12:50pm - 1:25pm: Angel Dust
• 2:10pm - 2:45pm: Dying Wish
• 2:50pm - 3:25pm: Candy
• 3:30pm - 4:05pm: Guilt Trip
• 4:10pm - 4:45pm: Saosin
• 4:50pm - 5:25pm: Comeback Kid
• 5:30pm - 6:10pm: Currents
• 6:20pm - 7:05pm: The Ghost Inside
• 7:05pm - 7:55pm: Bury Tomorrow
• 9:05pm - 10:05pm: Knocked Loose

Scott's Key Stage (Monster Energy Stage Right)

• 11:30am - 12:00pm: Youth Fountain
• 12:05pm - 12:35pm: A Loss For Words
• 12:40pm - 1:10pm: Madina Lake
• 1:15pm - 1:50pm: Bayside
• 1:55pm - 2:30pm: Hawthorne Heights
• 2:35pm - 3:10pm: Set Your Goals
• 3:15pm - 3:55pm: Cartel
• 4:00pm - 4:40pm: Boston Manor
• 4:45pm - 5:25pm: Stand Atlantic
• 5:30pm - 6:15pm: Tonight Alive
• 6:35pm - 7:10pm: The Menzingers
• 7:15pm - 7:55pm: Vukovi
• 8:05pm - 8:55pm: State Champs

Are there any tickets left to attend Slam Dunk North 2026?

According to the Slam Dunk website, there are still tickets to attend this weekend’s festival.

While the premium Final Release tier for individual North day tickets is currently listed as not on sale yet, fans can still grab a spot via the General Admission (North) allocation, which is priced at £139.00 (including a £10.00 booking fee plus a £1.50 transaction fee).

For those looking to make a massive weekend of it and catch the action across both sites, General Admission Weekend tickets are also still available to purchase for £250.00 (inclusive of a £10.00 booking fee).

If you are bringing little ones along, children under the age of five can enter completely free of charge, though a complimentary kids' ticket must be added to your basket alongside a full-priced adult admission during the online checkout process.