Grab your thermals, your leather jacket, and a pint that’s 90% foam – Winter’s End is back for 2026 and it’s bringing a tidal wave of riffs to Trecco Bay Holiday Park in South Wales from Thursday 29th January to Sunday 1st February.
And for the first time ever, there’s a Warm-Up Night on Thursday – meaning more beer, more bands, and more chances to embarrass yourself before the festival even “officially” begins. Proper job! 🏴
🎟 Tickets & Prices – The Damage to Your Wallet (and Soul)
The good news? Winter’s End includes accommodation in most ticket options. The bad news? Your bank account might cry louder than a Tyketto chorus.
Accommodation + Weekend Pass
(Per booking – not per person, so share with your mates to make it tidy)
| Tier | Type | Price (inc. fees) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 2-bed (2 ppl) | £636.52 | Newer units, free T-shirt |
| 3-bed (4 ppl) | £1,001.36 | Big group = big fun | |
| Silver | 2-bed (2 ppl) | £595.13 | Solid middle ground |
| Bronze | 2-bed (2 ppl) | £533.03 | Best value, but expect “retro charm” |
💡 Pro tip: Missed the Early Bird? Thursday Warm-Up Night costs an extra £75 per booking – still worth it for the extra chaos.
🍺 Survival Tips for Winter’s End
- Hydrate like a camel – beer doesn’t count as water, sadly.
- Bring layers – South Wales in January? Your nipples will cut glass.
- Caravan etiquette – if you burn the bacon at 3am, the whole block will know.
- Don’t underestimate the seagulls – they will steal your chips, your pasty, and possibly your dignity.
- Mosh pit manners – if you drop your pint, it’s gone. Don’t go fishing for it.
🎸 The Bands – Who’s Bringing the Noise?
Orianthi (Headliner)
The guitar goddess who’s played with Michael Jackson, Alice Cooper, and anyone who can afford the fire insurance for her solos. Expect face-melting licks, glam, and enough stage swagger to knock you off your feet.
GUN (Headliner)
Scottish rock royalty. You’ve definitely shouted along to “Better Days” in a pub at 1am. Anthemic, punchy, and guaranteed to make you lose your voice by song three.
Tyketto (Headliner)
Melodic rock done right. Perfect for air-guitaring so hard you’ll need a physio afterwards. “Forever Young” will hit you right in the nostalgia.
Tailgunner
New wave of British heavy metal energy with enough twin-guitar harmonies to make Iron Maiden proud. They play like they’ve been shot out of a cannon – fitting, given the name.
The Damn Truth
Bluesy, soulful, gritty – imagine Janis Joplin fronting Led Zep in 2026. Bring tissues for the power ballads and a neck brace for the bangers.
Fury
Speed, precision, and galloping riffs that sound like they were born in 1986 but raised in 2086. Will 100% make you headbang until you see double.
These Wicked Rivers
Groovy southern rock that smells faintly of whiskey and BBQ. They’re the band you’ll watch with a pint in hand and a stupid grin on your face.
PREYRS
Dark, brooding, atmospheric – for when you want your rock with a side of drama and just enough gloom to make it mysterious.
Preacher Stone
Southern-fried swagger, slide guitar, and stories about whisky-fuelled nights. Wear cowboy boots and you’ll fit right in.
Seven Sisters
Old-school metal heroes flying the NWOBHM flag high. Expect big riffs, bigger choruses, and twin leads sharp enough to shave with.
Lucie Sue
One of the freshest voices on the line-up. Expect powerful vocals and heartfelt tunes that could silence even the loudest beered-up punter.
Black Lakes
Welsh heavy hitters mixing alt-metal and hard rock into a slick, dark package. Local lads – expect a home crowd roar.
Jack J Hutchinson
Blues rock with grit, sweat, and guitar solos that could strip paint.
Saffron Gorman & The Black Eagle Band
Soulful rock with a classic edge. Perfect for swaying with a pint before the next face-melter.
The Hot One Two
High-energy rock ‘n’ roll that’ll have you bouncing whether you want to or not.
Ransom
Young, hungry, and ready to nick the whole show. They’ll either be your new favourite or the band that leaves you wondering how the hell they’ve not made it big yet.
🏆 Final Verdict
Winter’s End 2026 is shaping up to be a tidy weekend of riffs, beers, and braving the Welsh weather. You’ll get world-class guitarists, singalong choruses, and enough variety to keep your neck sore for a week.
Plus, you get a caravan to crash in afterwards – none of this freezing-in-a-tent malarkey. If you’re smart, you’ll grab tickets before they’re gone… and if you’re really smart, you’ll start training your liver now. 🍻
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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