NOS Alive 2026 takes place on 9, 10 and 11 July at the Passeio Marítimo de Algés, 15 minutes from Lisbon by train. This 18th edition brings together Foo Fighters (final show of their Take Cover Tour), Florence + The Machine and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds in front of 55,000 festival-goers per day. 10 and 11 July are already sold out; day tickets for 9 July remain at €84 on nosalive.com. Budget for a 4-night trip from London: around £370 camping, £850 hotel. Book accommodation before your tickets — hotels near Algés sell out within hours of lineup announcements.
Some festivals you watch — others you live. NOS Alive is firmly the second kind: Tagus riverfront, sunset over Lisbon on the horizon, world-class headliners, and tickets that cost roughly half what you’d pay at Glastonbury. In 2026, the lineup is the strongest it’s ever been — three generations of rock, dreamy pop, and Portuguese electronic music colliding over three July nights. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of 9, 10 and 11 July.
1. The 2026 line-up day by day
Thursday 9 July — Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Thursday kicks off with Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds headlining the Palco NOS — their Wild God Tour 2026 draws on their 18th studio album released in 2024. Supporting on the main stage: Twenty One Pilots and A Perfect Circle, while Alabama Shakes take the Palco Heineken (their first show since their 2026 reunion tour, after 8 years away). Emerging Portuguese talent fills the Palco Coreto. According to Marketeer, this day is past 70% capacity and remains the only date with tickets still available as of June 2026.
Highlights
- Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds — setlist built around Wild God plus the classics
- Alabama Shakes — a landmark return after 8 years of silence
- Easier access to stages — lower crowds than 10 and 11 July
Friday 10 July — Foo Fighters (SOLD OUT)
Foo Fighters close their Take Cover Tour 2026 — launched in Oslo on 10 June — on the NOS stage on 10 July. According to NME, the setlist includes All My Life, The Pretender, My Hero, Marigold (surprise return) and instrument swaps between members. Opening the evening: Skunk Anansie and Wolf Alice. The Palco Heineken hosts The War on Drugs and Zara Larsson. WTF Clubbing features SBTRKT and Digitalism. This date has been officially sold out since May 2026.
Highlights
- Foo Fighters — worldwide tour finale
- Wolf Alice and Skunk Anansie — a powerhouse support bill
- SBTRKT (DJ Set) at WTF Clubbing to close out the night
Saturday 11 July — Florence + The Machine (SOLD OUT)
Florence + The Machine close the festival with their Everybody Scream Tour — born from the album Everybody Scream (October 2025), produced with IDLES, Mitski and Aaron Dessner. According to NME, Florence Welch returned to the stage after surgery in 2023 with renewed energy. Opening acts: Lorde (album Virgin), Buraka Som Sistema (exclusive Portuguese return, first show since their 2016 Torre de Belém Gardens concert). The Palco Heineken hosts Pixies. The evening builds to a rare atmosphere — starlit sky, shimmering Tagus, Lisbon skyline glowing on the horizon.
Highlights
- Florence + The Machine — first major European tour since her 2023 surgery
- Lorde — a landmark comeback after years away
- Buraka Som Sistema — exclusive Portugal show, 10 years since their last local appearance
2. The festival site: Tagus riverfront, 15 minutes from Lisbon
Passeio Marítimo de Algés — Oeiras
The Passeio Marítimo de Algés is a waterfront promenade on the banks of the Tagus, in the Oeiras municipality — technically outside Lisbon, but just two stops away by train. According to ArteSonora, a new 67.2-metre pedestrian bridge (designed by architect Gonçalo Byrne) was inaugurated in April 2026, linking Algés station directly to the festival site over the Avenida Marginal. No more the late-night slog round the viaduct. The 7 stages in 2026: Palco NOS (main stage), Palco Heineken (covered tent), WTF Clubbing, Palco Coreto, Palco Comédia, Galp Fado Café and Pórtico. The Galp Fado Café stage deserves a special mention — it hosts traditional fado in an intimate setting from the festival’s first hours.
Highlights
- New pedestrian bridge (2026): direct station-to-site access, wheelchair accessible
- Views over the Tagus and Lisbon skyline from the main stages
- Cashless festival: contactless card, MB Way, rechargeable NFC wristband
- Accessible platforms at the NOS, Heineken and WTF Clubbing stages
3. Flights from London to Lisbon and getting around
From London: ~2h25 flight, £70–£150 return
easyJet (from Gatwick and Luton), TAP Air Portugal, Ryanair and British Airways fly London to Lisbon in around 2h25. Return fares in July typically sit between £70 and £150 — book 3 to 4 months ahead for the best prices, or use our guide to visiting Portugal on a budget for more money-saving tips. On the ground, the CP Cascais train (Cais do Sodré → Algés, 15 minutes, ~€1.70) is the transport recommended by the festival organisers. Special services run until 4:30am on festival nights. Free night buses (midnight–4am, Docapesca → Santa Apolónia, Marquês de Pombal, Oriente) complete the picture. For a late Uber home, expect 15–25 minutes’ wait after 2am.
Highlights
- CP Cascais train: the fastest and cheapest way to reach Algés
- Free night buses organised by NOS Alive / Carris Metropolitana
- FlixBus: 20% off domestic journeys from 6 to 18 July
4. Accommodation and budget: camping from €32 or a hotel near the festival
Where to sleep during NOS Alive
Lisbon is perfect for combining a festival weekend with city exploration — check out our things to do in Lisbon guide for ideas on your free mornings. The official camping partner since 2008 is Lisboa Camping & Bungalows (Monsanto Park): a ready-pitched tent for 3 nights (check-in 9 July, check-out 12 July) costs €32, shuttle bus included. For hotels, Algés and Oeiras are the closest neighbourhoods: B&B Hotel Lisboa Oeiras (~€61/night), Holiday Inn Express Lisbon-Oeiras (~€84/night). Lisbon city centre stays are still competitive (from €53/night budget), though the €4/person/night city tax — introduced in September 2024 according to The Portugal News — adds up. One key rule: book your accommodation before you buy festival tickets — hotels near the site sell out within days of the lineup announcement.
| Cost | Budget | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Return flight London–Lisbon | £70 | £150 |
| 3-day festival pass | €199 | €199 |
| Accommodation (4 nights) | €32 (camping) | €400 (3-star hotel) |
| City tax | €16 | €16 |
| Local transport | €20 | €50 |
| Food & drinks | €80 | €150 |
| Estimated total | ~£370 | ~£850 |
Highlights
- Lisboa Camping — official partner, shuttle bus included, set in Monsanto Park
- 3-day pass at €199 — roughly half the price of Glastonbury or Primavera Sound
- Lisbon city centre: 30–40 minutes away, more choice and better prices outside festival season
5. Exploring Lisbon between concerts
Your mornings are yours
NOS Alive gates don’t open until 3pm — which frees up every morning for exploring Lisbon. Alfama, the Castelo de São Jorge, the Pastéis de Belém bakery, and the Serra de Sintra (40 minutes by train from Rossio) all make great half-day trips. Beyond the classic sights, Bairro Alto is perfect for a late brunch and LX Factory for local makers. Book any guided tours for the morning so you’re back at the festival for 3pm.
Highlights
- Electric tuk-tuk: the ideal way to take in Alfama and the miradouros in 2 hours
- Tagus river sunset cruise: works with the festival if you’re back before the evening’s first acts
- Sintra: take the 8:30am train, beat the queues at the palaces, back by 1pm
Practical info: eSIM, travel insurance and flights
Stay connected on NOS, Vodafone and MEO networks (automatic switch). NOS is the festival sponsor — coverage on-site is often excellent. A 5GB / 7-day plan is plenty for a festival trip.
From $6 (7 days / 5GB)Nomad Insurance: global medical cover from $56/4 weeks. Worth it when you’ve invested in a 3-day pass (€199) + flights — one medical cancellation covers your full trip cost. 10% off via our link.
From $56 / 4 weeksFor flights from London to Lisbon, compare live prices on Aviasales — fares shift considerably depending on when you book. From July onwards, aim for 3 to 4 months in advance for the best deals.
Frequently asked questions
Are there still tickets for NOS Alive 2026?
As of June 2026, 10 and 11 July are officially sold out. 9 July (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Twenty One Pilots, Alabama Shakes) is past 70% capacity. Day tickets for 9 July may still be available on nosalive.com/tickets (€84/day, €199 for a 3-day pass). For sold-out dates, TicketSwap is the safest resale platform. Avoid Viagogo — it doesn’t guarantee ticket authenticity.
How do I get to NOS Alive from Lisbon?
The CP Cascais train is the best option: from Cais do Sodré station, get off at Algés in ~15 minutes (~€1.70). Special services run until 4:30am on festival nights. The new pedestrian bridge opened in April 2026 (designed by architect Gonçalo Byrne, 67.2m long) links the station directly to the Passeio Marítimo. Free night buses (midnight–4am) run from Docapesca to Santa Apolónia, Marquês de Pombal and Oriente.
Can you camp at NOS Alive 2026?
NOS Alive has no on-site camping. The official partner (since 2008) is Lisboa Camping & Bungalows in Monsanto Park, a 5-minute shuttle from the festival. A ready-pitched tent for 3 nights (9–12 July) costs €32, shuttle included. Book directly at lisboacamping.com or call +351 217 628 200.
What’s the budget for NOS Alive 2026 from London?
A 4-night trip with a 3-day pass comes to around £370 on a budget (return flight ~£70, 3-day pass €199, camping €32, city tax €16, transport €20, food €80). Opting for a 3-star hotel in Lisbon pushes the total to around £850. Note: Lisbon’s city tax is €4/person/night since September 2024 — that’s €16 for 4 nights.
What should you pack for NOS Alive?
The festival is cashless: bring a contactless card or top up your NFC wristband before arriving. Essentials: sunscreen (gates open at 3pm — full sun), a hat, a portable charger, earplugs, a small backpack, an empty reusable water bottle (free water points on site). Pack a light jacket for late nights — the Tagus breeze cools things down after 10pm even in July. The NOS Alive app gives you real-time set times and a site map.
Is Lisbon safe during NOS Alive?
The festival is family-friendly (minimum age 6) and well-organised. Lisbon is one of Europe’s safest capitals. The main risks for festival-goers are pickpockets in queues and crowded areas — keep your phone in a front pocket. Algés is a safe neighbourhood; just avoid isolated car parks on the way home late at night, and walk back with others if it’s very late.
What traffic restrictions apply during NOS Alive?
According to The Portugal News, at night (11:30pm–5am) the IC17 lane between Miraflores and the Avenida Brasília roundabout is closed. Traffic is blocked on the Avenida Brasília, Avenida Marginal and the CRIL/IC17 viaduct from 3pm onwards. These restrictions apply on all three festival nights (9, 10 and 11 July) — one more reason to take the train rather than drive.
Sources
- NOS Alive — Official website — programme, tickets, practical info
- NOS Alive — Ticket Office — 2026 prices and availability
- NOS Alive — How to get there — official transport info
- Visit Lisboa — NOS Alive ’26 — Lisbon tourism portal
- Oeiras.pt — NOS Alive 2026 press conference — statements by Álvaro Covões and Isaltino Morais
- NME — Florence + The Machine headliner — official announcement
- NME — Foo Fighters setlist on tour — Take Cover Tour details
- ArteSonora — New pedestrian bridge Algés — April 2026 inauguration
- Marketeer — 10 July sold out — official sold-out announcement
- Lisboa Camping — NOS Alive 2026 — official camping partner
- The Portugal News — Traffic restrictions — road closures during the festival
- Music Week — Interview Álvaro Covões — founder of Everything is New
- Skyscanner — London Gatwick to Lisbon flights — return fares and availability
- The Portugal News — Lisbon city tax — €4/night since September 2024
- 24Noticias Sapo — 55,000 festival-goers/day — Álvaro Covões statement
Research carried out on 15 June 2026 from official sources and specialist music press.
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