special programmes on Sky Arts on 5 and 6 June featuring the best headliners from the past 10 years of Download. As part of the second phase of the UK Government's Event Research Programme, a pilot testing event of Download Festival 2021 was announced on 26 May 2021 called Download Festival Pilot. The event was held from 18 June to 20 June with an all-British lineup headlined by Frank Carter & the Rattlesnakes, Enter Shikari and Bullet For My Valentine. The main stage on the Sunday experienced a few sound issues, notable during Loathe's set which saw them lose their sound during the final song of their set, and The Wildhearts who ended their set early and left the stage. 2022 The 2022 UK Download event took place from 10 to 12 June. Donington The dates for the 2022 Download event in the UK were announced on 1 March 2021, with Kiss, Iron Maiden and Biffy Clyro set to headline. Wednesday 13 pulled out a few weeks before due to bicep surgery. On Saturday 11 June, East Midlands Airport was forced to close its runway for a short time due to drones being in the vicinity, which were reported by Leicestershire Police and the Festival as being flown by guests at the festival. Germany Japan 2023 The 2023 event is scheduled to take place from Thursday 8 June to Sunday 11 June. As a celebration for the twentieth anniversary of the festival, a four night event was announced. On 7 November over sixty artists were announced to perform at the festival; including headliners Bring Me the Horizon, Slipknot and two unique sets from Metallica Donington See also List of Festivals at Donington Park List of historic rock festivals Love Not Riots References External links Heavy metal festivals in the United Kingdom Rock festivals in England Annual events in the United Kingdom Music festivals in Leicestershire Music festivals established in 2003 Rock festivals in Australia