As festival season is soon approaching, we’ve rounded up the best UK festivals you need to put in your diary asap!
1. Boomtown
Taking place between 9th-13th August at Matterley Estate in South Downs National Park near Winchester, Boomtown collides the best parts of festivals, theatres, and gaming to create a parallel world where the only limit is your imagination.
You can explore the eight themed districts where you can discover the secrets hidden in the Boomtown streets unravelling the ever-evolving story. Expect to hear a soundtrack like no other packed full of established, new, and emerging underground music from across the globe. If you’re looking for an unforgettable and transformative experience then BOOMTOWN is for you. For more information, visit their website here
2. elrow Town London
On Saturday 22nd July, elrow Town is back with over 200 performers and some of the hottest electronic music artists across 9 stages, this is the event you won’t want to miss. You’ll be transported to another world as Fisher, Gorgon City, Patrick Topping, Armand Van Helden, Hi-Lo, Sam Divine, Melvo Baptiste, Arielle Free, Hannah Laing and Flight Facilities take the stage to keep you dancing all day long. Get tickets here: elrowtown.com
3. Creamfields South
Taking place between 26th-28th May (bank holiday weekend woo) at Hylands Park, Chelmsford, Creamfields South is the perfect way to spend your long weekend. With incredible artists on the lineup including Calvin Harris, Swedish House Mafia, and many more. For more information, visit their website here
4. City Splash Festival
Bank Holiday Monday 29th May, City Splash Festival returns with headliners Chronixx, Koffee, Shenseea & Skillibeng taking centre stage at Brockwell Park, London. City Splash Festival is fast becoming a stand-out destination for cultural festival goers as it features 7 stages and a whopping 60+ street food traders and you can bring the kids too. Get tickets for London’s biggest festival featuring Caribbean and African music, food and culture here.
5. Henley Festival
The outrageously glamorous Henely Festival is back and better than ever. If you’re like me and love anything black-tie then this is the festival for you.
Taking place from Wednesday 5th July- Sunday 9th July on the stunning riverside in Henley-On-Thames, this will be the poshest festival you ever attend and you’ll walk away with an unforgettable and unique experience to tell all your co-workers about! For more information, visit their website here
6. 51st Festival
London’s 51st Festival announces its 2023 edition in its new home at Copthall Playing Fields on August 5th, showcasing classic and emerging dance music across six stages. Over 100 legendary acts, including Louie Vega, David Morales, Todd Edwards, Grant Nelson, Norris ‘Da Boss’ Windross, Roger Sanchez, and Mike Dunn, promise to make it a day of hedonistic joy. With diverse genres such as Soulful, Classic, Tech, Afro, Garage, Disco, Soul, RnB, Dancehall, Soca, Amapiano, Drum & Bass and more, the festival remains one of the UK’s most inclusive events that celebrate the heritage of dance. Get your tickets here
7. Reading Festival
Although a few music fans were disappointed to see this year’s lineup, I still think Reading has smashed it once again by securing some incredible acts across all stages including Billie Eilish, Sam Fender, and The Killers headling across the weekend.
Taking place between 25th-27th August at Richfield Avenue in Reading (Just 30 minutes outside of London), this is a festival you must attend. For more information, visit their website here.
8. Love Saves The Day
The award-winning Love Saves the Day brings an energetic crowd of festies to Bristol for two days of electronic, indie, and hip-hop.
The festival has returned to its original date, taking place over the Saturday & Sunday of the Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May. The 2022 event took place on Thursday & Friday in June as a 1-off special, due to the Queen’s Jubilee moving the bank holiday to that date.
This year’s lineup includes Folamour, Years & Years, Four Tet, and many more.
9. krankbrother presents: Four Tet All-Dayer
Taking place on a beautiful tree-lined carriageway within Finsbury Park on Saturday 12th August, Four Tet will play an unmissable 5-hour set -his only extended festival set of the Summer.
True to form, he has also invited an eclectic line-up of artists to join him for the ultimate Summer all-dayer – all to be revealed in due course.
Two stages, two big sound systems, a natural wine bar, mouth-watering street food, cold craft beers, summer-inspired cocktails & a few special surprises, and you have a delightful day on your hands. For more information, click here
10. BST Hyde Park
Between 24th June – 8th July 2023, BST Hyde Park returns with a jaw-dropping lineup including Guns N Roses, Pink, Blackpink, and more.
Taking place in London’s iconic Hyde Park, festivals don’t get more central than that. Whether you’re attending with friends or dragging along the family, BST Hyde Park has something for everyone.
11. Peggy Gou presents Pleasure Gardens
Taking place on a beautiful tree-lined carriageway within Finsbury Park, Peggy has invited a line-up of artists and friends that best represent her cultural vision to come together in an unmissable multi-layered event. Two stages, two big sound systems – this is the perfect opportunity to see Peggy Gou DJ at an event that she has created herself.
Produced by krankbrother, the party will recreate classic elements of a Victorian Pleasure Garden, all within the beautiful surroundings of Finsbury Park. Add to this mouth-watering street food, cold craft beers, summer-inspired cocktails & a few special surprises, and you have a delightful afternoon on your hands.
12. All Points East
All Points East is back with a hugely impressive lineup including Haim, Girl In Red, The Strokes, Stormzy, and many more. Held over two weekends the festival takes place between August 18th -August 28th, 2023.
13. festival republic presents Kygo plus special guests tickets
Taking place at Gunnersbury Park, London on Saturday 12th August 2023, Festival Republic Presents Kygo plus MK, Sofi Tukker & Frank Walker. We can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday in London.
Written by Sophie Bird & Leonard Foster