A guest DJ appearance by TV celebrity Gok Wan is not the only innovation coming to the Stray thanks to dance music extravaganza Love to be… Festival.

The 6,000-capacity House music event has just announced exciting major site upgrades for its 2026 edition.

Taking place on the Stray on Saturday, September 5, the event’s three stages will not only welcome Claptone, Sam Divine, Paul Woolford, Todd Terry, Gok Wan and many more, it will also introduce an expanded main stage, new chillout zone, an upgraded VIP offering, an upgraded bar system and a host of fresh additions.

The festival’s main stage has been rebuilt with a larger structure and increased 3,000-capacity, paired with upgraded sound and production for a fuller, more powerful experience.

Glam and glitz coming to Harrogate- A guest DJ appearance by TV celebrity Gok Wan is not the only innovation coming to the Stray in Harrogate this summer thanks to Love to be… Festival. (Picture contributed)

placeholder image — Glam and glitz coming to Harrogate- A guest DJ appearance by TV celebrity Gok Wan is not the only innovation coming to the Stray in Harrogate this summer thanks to Love to be… Festival. (Picture contributed)

The festival’s overall footprint has also been completely reworked to improve flow, with more space between stages and clearer routes across the site.

Organisers have also announced a move to a traditional bar system, replacing the previous wristband top-up approach.

With contactless and card payments throughout, service will be faster and queuing times shorter to keep the drinks flowing.

Further additions across the site include an expanded food village with more choice than before.

Love to be… has been a defining force in UK house culture since 1994, evolving from its Sheffield roots into a global event brand, a record label and a syndicated radio show.

Its Harrogate festival has quickly become one of the North’s essential annual celebrations of house music, uniting generations of fans in one of Yorkshire’s most iconic green spaces.

A standout new feature for 2026 will be the Glam Van from Ilkley business, The Hair & Makeup Project. Inside a luxury mobile beauty space, punters can get camera-ready glam with a range of treatments, including festival braids, biodegradable glitter, soft and full glam makeup, hair styling and face painting.

Fully equipped with professional styling stations and statement lighting, plus a 360° video booth along with party props to capture the moment forever, the Glam Van is where getting ready becomes part of the event itself.

Tickets are available from Skiddle at: https://www.skiddle.com/festivals/love-to-be-festival/