Queen’s Park Spring Weekender returns for 2026 with new JD Twitch Stage

The Queen’s Park Spring Weekender returns to Glasgow’s Queen’s Park Recreation Ground on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 May 2026, once again uniting Melting Pot and Optimo (Espacio) for a two-day celebration of forward-thinking music and community over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

This year, besides the main stage Big Top, the festival introduces the JD Twitch Stage on Sunday in loving memory of Keith and his huge contribution as an artist and co-curator for this annual event. There’s a stacked line-up of Optimo Music label artists alongside friends from the local and international Optimo family, reflecting the spirit and sound that Keith helped to shape.

Speaking on the line-up Jonnie Wilkes said: “It’s really a dream line-up this year for Optimo at Queen’s Park Spring Weekender. A lovely balance of live performance, individual dj sets and fun back to back sessions. In addition to the main arena, to have another stage in loving memory of my partner Keith, feels very special. It’s somewhere we can host artists from the Optimo Music label roster alongside local dj’s we love. Gonna be a STOATER this one!”

The Queen’s Park Spring Weekender continues a long-standing collaboration between Melting Pot and Optimo (Espacio), a partnership that has shaped Glasgow’s May Bank Holiday celebrations into one of the city’s defining events. From its roots as a one-day party to its evolution into a full Weekender, the festival remains a cornerstone of Scotland’s music calendar.

Across two days and two stages, the festival brings together an impressive mix of boundary-pushing DJs, live acts, and rising talent. We see the return of DFA Records titans as New York’s Hercules & Love Affair return to  light up the stage with a celebration of queer disco energy and timeless house euphoria with their first live performance in Glasgow since 2011. Daphni (Caribou’s club moniker) is set to deliver his kaleidoscopic blend of rhythm and melody, while Danilo Plessow (MCDE) will bring his trademark, jazz-infused house grooves. Haçienda legend DJ Paulette will channel decades of dancefloor wisdom and energy, and HAAi will take the crowd on a high-octane, genre-bending trip through techno and beyond. Factory Floor will bring their intense, industrial-edged live show.

Few DJs have earned their stripes as honestly or are as universally loved as Dutch selector Job Jobse. Rising from Amsterdam’s iconic Trouw to become one of Europe’s most in-demand names, he’s known for deeply emotional, life-affirming sets that capture the spirit of the dancefloor at its best. Mr Scruff is set to deliver one of his famously unpredictable, groove-rich journeys through sound, while Glasgow’s Accident Machine bring their visionary, beat-driven soundscapes. Babycinno will showcase the fearless, acid-tinged energy of the city’s new underground, and fierce feminist punks Big Joanie perform their acclaimed live show alongside Edinburgh art-punk favourites Bikini Body, known for their razor-sharp, socially charged performances.

Bonzai Bonnar and Bosco will bring the soulful electronic pulse of Glasgow’s scene, joined by Amy Rodgers and Shaun G, two of the city’s most dynamic DJs. Ribeka continues her rise as one of Glasgow’s most exciting selectors, while Saint Sappho are set to deliver a captivating live show steeped in 90s-influenced alternative rock. With more acts still to be announced, they add an extra spark to the weekend nestled in Glasgow’s Southside.

As ever, Saturday will be curated by Melting Pot, one of the UK’s longest running club nights while Sunday sees Optimo (Espacio) take over for their legendary day of music and togetherness. Both days will feature exclusive collaborations and back-to-back sets that can only happen at the Weekender.

Mark Mackechnie, Melting Pot Director, said: “The Queen’s Park Spring Weekender is our favourite weekend of the year. Every year it keeps getting better and this year we are delighted with the line up  - we feel it really reflects the creative vibe of the area.” 

The Queen’s Park Spring Weekender continues a tradition of collaboration between Melting Pot and Optimo (Espacio) that has defined Glasgow’s May Bank Holiday celebrations in recent years. From its origins as a one-day event to its evolution into a two-day Weekender, the festival has become a cornerstone of the city’s musical calendar.

Tickets on sale now here.