Festival Hairstyles 2026 | Trending Easy Festival Looks

Festival season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate the season than with some summer festival hairstyles to jazz up your look? 2026 is officially moving away from those hyper-stiff, heavily product-coated styles. 

Instead, this summer is a collision of ’90s minimalism, unbothered boho texture, and playful Y2K accents that prioritise ease and structural durability. Perfect for those looking for fun and carefree styles that look even better the messier they get. 

4 Mainstage Festival Hairstyles to Recreate This Summer 

There are four major trending styles to take note of for this season that perfectly capture the energy we’re taking into this year’s festival season. The following is a guide to the styles and how to recreate them. 

The “Off-Duty” Whimsy Mermaid Waves  

What the style looks like: Soft, tousled, and brushed-out crimped ribbons that embrace weightless, lived-in texture with a brilliant, sun-catching finish. It is a slightly messy finish that is completely intentional.  

Which hair types suit it best: Universal, exceptional for fine-to-medium long hair or those utilising natural balayage tones to add dimensional visual interest. 

Styling suggestions: Prep with a sea-salt spray or dry texturiser for grittiness, use a triple-barrel multi-wave styler, and loosely run fingers through to shatter the waves. Finish with a weightless high-gloss shine spray.  

Why it works well for the trend: It is the ultimate low-maintenance look because it looks better the more undone and windblown it gets over a multi-day weekend. 

Celebrity example: Charli XCX (celebrated for her iconic, raw, and liquid-looking lived-in summer waves). 

Sophie Chandler, Rush Artistic Team Member said: “In 2026, the chicest festival hair has an ‘unbothered’ poetry to it. The goal is hair that looks incredibly cool when it’s neat, but even better by hour three of a festival set when it starts to beautifully collapse and unravel.”

Glitzy Multi-Tone Space Buns 

What the style looks like: Playful high double buns on both sides of the head in either a messy or neat and compact style, with glitter painted onto the roots and/or tinsel wrapped in for extra bedazzle or coloured clip-in extensions to add a pop of colour to the look.

Which hair types suit it best: Highly customisable and versatile for all hair types looking for a fun Y2K festival look with different combinations of coloured extensions, tinsel or glitter, bringing a touch of uniqueness to the look. 

Styling suggestions: Section your hair into even high ponytails and wrap into matching buns and shape by pinning into place. The world is your oyster when it comes to glitter; however, it is most frequently seen down the parting. Set the look with an extra-hold hairspray to keep it lasting all day long. 

Why it works well for the trend: It’s the perfect style for adding a touch of nostalgia to your look while keeping your hair off your face, providing a highly energetic look that will have heads turning your way. 

Celebrity example: Kylie Jener at Coachella 2017 – fusing femininity and edge.

Unravelling Bubble Braid Ponytails 

What the style looks like: This iconic festival look is defined by the voluminous, bubble-like shapes stacked upon each other to create the illusion of braids. You can easily customise this look similar to the space buns with coloured clip-in extensions, hair gems and accessories.  

Which hair types suit it best: The longer the hair, the more striking the bubble braids look; however, it is still highly versatile depending on your hair type, helping finer hair look thicker while also breaking up thick hair with the delicate bubble shapes. 

Styling suggestions: This is a super easy one to style. Start by dividing your hair into sections, securing each ponytail with a hair tie and then going roughly an inch down each ponytail and adding in smaller elastics. This is how we create the bubble shape. Continue this down the length of the hair to create even bubble shapes. Gently pull the hair outwards between the elastics to create more impactful, rounded puffs for the bubble-like shapes.

Why it works well for the trend: It’s super low maintenance while also preventing your hair from those unwanted tangles and keeping your hair out of your eyes all day long. It also looks better the longer you wear it, as the wind helps to create the unravelling look.

Celebrity example: Hailey Bieber – a classic style with contemporary edge.

Charm-Laden Accent Baby Braids 

What the style looks like: This look combines tightly structured braids with bold charms, hoops, jewellery cuffs and even some coloured threads. Mixed in with messy, undone waves for a perfectly unique festival look.

Which hair types suit it best: This look is highly versatile for most hair types, ranging from straight to wavy hair. This look can be customised for you; the charms are key for bringing depth to your natural hair.

Styling suggestions: Start by prepping the hair: a dry shampoo is perfect if that’s all you can bring in your festival backpack: you just need something that will provide extra grip. Section off your hair and choose where you want the baby braids to be positioned. Braid the hair tightly and in an under-sectioning (Dutch) pattern for the braid to stand out against your hair, securing the ends with an elastic. Thread in your chosen charms and finish with a hairspray to keep the style lasting all day long. 

Why it works well for the trend: This is a super low-maintenance style that works well with your natural hair pattern, bringing effortless luxury to your hair. For extra durability, position the baby braids as face-framing pieces to help keep your hair off your face.

Celebrity example: Rihanna – the queen of experimental style.

Sophie Chandler, Rush Artistic Team Member comments on the messy and unravelling trend we’re seeing in this year’s festival hair trends: “In 2026, the chicest festival hair has an ‘unbothered’ poetry to it. The goal is hair that looks incredibly cool when it’s neat, but even better by hour three of a festival set when it starts to beautifully collapse and unravel.”

The Ultimate Survival Guide: Keeping Festival Hair Fresh at the Campsite 

We know what it’s like trying to pack for a festival when you literally don’t know where to start, so here’s our super practical, high-value campsite survival steps to protect your hair fibre and keep your looks lasting. 

1. Pack an anti-humidity defence spray. Atmospheric dampness and morning tent humidity are primary causes of frizz when camping. It’s advised that you coat the lengths with a professional anti-humidity shield or a water-resistant barrier spray before leaving for the site.
2. The Dry Shampoo Method: Spray the dry shampoo lightly onto the roots before going to sleep. This allows the powder to naturally absorb sweat and scalp oils overnight, preventing flat, separated strands in the morning. So you can wake up and start your festival hair look straight away.
3. Nocturnal Security: It’s strongly advised that you loosely gather long braids or mermaid waves into a high, soft satin scrunchie or wrapping it in a silk bonnet to prevent any rough friction matting against your sleeping bags.

Book a Festival Hair Consultation with the Experts at Rush 

If you are currently planning your hair looks for an upcoming festival, why not book an exclusive festival hair trial or custom colour-placement service at your nearest Rush salon? Whether you want to install seamless, grit-proof human hair extensions for unmatched volume, test a vivid temporary block-colour hue or get a sharp, airy low-maintenance bob cut before pitching your tent, our expert team is here to design your ultimate summer look and help you get into the festival spirit.