UK festival season and Pride events generate massive demand for colourful fancy dress, accessories, and party wear from June through September. For retailers, this is a high-margin opportunity that bridges the gap between the spring events (World Book Day, Easter) and the autumn Halloween rush.
The UK Festival and Pride Calendar 2026
Key dates to plan your wholesale stock around:
- June: Download Festival, Isle of Wight Festival, London Pride (late June)
- July: Wireless Festival, WOMAD, Brighton Pride (usually late July/early August)
- August: Reading & Leeds, Creamfields, Notting Hill Carnival, Manchester Pride, Edinburgh Fringe
- September: Bestival, End of the Road, late-season festivals
Pride events in particular have grown enormously across the UK — Manchester Pride, Brighton Pride, London Pride, Birmingham Pride, and dozens of smaller local events now attract millions of attendees combined.
Must-Stock Festival Fancy Dress
Neon and UV Reactive
Neon tutus, UV face paint, glow accessories, and fluorescent bodysuits are festival staples. They photograph brilliantly for social media (which drives more sales) and work for day and night events. Stock a full colour range: pink, green, yellow, and orange are the most popular.
Animal Onesies and Character Costumes
Onesies remain hugely popular at festivals — unicorns, dinosaurs, and animal suits are seen at every major UK festival. They double as sleepwear for camping, making them practical purchases.
Glitter, Face Gems, and Body Art
Biodegradable glitter, stick-on face gems, and temporary tattoos are low-cost, high-margin items that sell in huge volumes. Many festivals now require biodegradable products, so stock eco-friendly options.
Tutus, Wings, and Headpieces
Tutus in every colour (especially rainbow), angel and fairy wings, flower crowns, and statement headpieces are festival essentials. These are easy to display, photograph well, and offer excellent margins.
Must-Stock Pride Accessories
Pride events require a specific colour palette — rainbow is the dominant theme, with progress flag colours increasingly popular:
- Rainbow flags, capes, and banners — The essential Pride accessory
- Rainbow tutus, boas, and wigs — Colourful, eye-catching, and affordable
- Face paint in rainbow colours — Individual colours and multicolour palettes
- Badges, pins, and lanyards — Low-cost items that sell in huge volumes
- Rainbow sunglasses and headbands — Impulse purchases at point of sale
Pricing and Margins for Festival/Pride Stock
Festival and Pride accessories offer some of the best margins in the fancy dress industry:
- Neon accessories: 4-6x markup on wholesale cost
- Tutus and wigs: 3-4x markup
- Glitter and face paint: 5-8x markup on low-cost items
- Rainbow accessories: 4-5x markup during Pride season
Stock Up for Summer 2026
Browse our range of wholesale coloured wigs, festival accessories, and costumes to build your summer stock. We offer same-day dispatch from our Manchester warehouse on orders before 2pm.
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