For music lovers, these are the best music festivals in the UK. There are many excellent ones in the country and the festivals showcase a large variety of music genres.
Whether you want to see famous musicians or discover emerging artists, there will be a festival that’s the perfect fit for you. From jazz to pop to many other genres, these music festivals have a lot to offer for all music lovers looking for a wonderful time.
Take your dance shoes with you, see incredible artists, make new friends, and have the time of your life at one of these amazing festivals.
Music Festivals in the UK
Leeds Festival
The Leeds Festival is an annual 3-day music festival that takes place in the summer during the month of August. This is a festival that started in the year 1999.
The line-up of the festival includes many world-famous artists. Moreover, the genres that this festival includes are rock, alternative, punk, and a few other ones.
Also, it is possible to camp at the festival site to have a few days of fun.
Besides that, the festival has many attractions, such as a Ferris wheel that make attending the festival an even greater summer experience.
London Jazz Festival
Jazz lovers will enjoy going to the London Jazz Festival, which takes place in the capital for 10 days in November.
During these 10 days, people can enjoy great live jazz performances by talented musicians from all across the world.
Moreover, the festival features both emerging as well as well-known artists that are famous all around the globe.
Furthermore, the London Jazz Festival focuses on promoting cultural diversity and opportunity.
Creamfields
This one is for those that love electronic dance music. Creamfields is the music festival to go to!
This is an electronic dance music festival that takes place in Daresbury, Cheshire. It is a 4-day event that takes place in August.
Many of the world’s most famous DJs perform at Creamfields, including David Guetta and Calvin Harris.
Moreover, it is possible to camp at the festival grounds if you want to experience several days of electronic dance music.
Jingle Bell Ball
The Jingle Bell Ball is a great Christmas festival during which some of the world’s most well-known musicians perform.
Some past performers include Stomzy, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, and many others.
Every year, great music can be enjoyed for 2 nights of the year at The O2 in London.
Manchester Jazz Festival
The Manchester Jazz Festival is an amazing festival that takes place annually in May.
The first edition of the festival took place in the summer of 1996. Nowadays, hundreds of musicians perform during it.
Also, many regional jazz artists perform their music at the Manchester Jazz Festival and there are many talented up-and-coming artists.
Boardmasters
Boardmasters is an annual music festival that takes place on the coast in Newquay, Cornwall for 5 days.
The event takes place in the month of August and has been happening since the year 1981.
Boardmasters is a festival that surfing, a beach lifestyle, and music.
There are various stages at the festival that all have a specific theme.
At the stages, both up-and-coming musicians, as well as world-famous musicians, perform.
For example, in the past Bastille, Ed Sheeran, Calvin Harris, and many other artists performed here.
Besides great music, all kinds of activities related to surfing and beach activities take place during the festival.
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival is a very large and famous music festival that takes place in Pilton in the month of June.
The festival takes five days and focuses on contemporary performing arts.
During the festival, many well-known musicians from all around the world perform. For example, in 2023, Elton John performs at the festival.
Besides music, there are other interesting acts of contemporary performing arts as well such as comedy, cabaret, live theater, and more.
Midstock Festival
Midstock Festival is a 2-day festival that takes place during the month of May in Dalkeith.
Many local artists perform at the festival and the festival covers a variety of genres.
For example, during the festival listeners can enjoy great dance, indie rock, trance, and more genres.
Isle of Wight Festival
The Isle of Wight Festival is one of the UK’s largest and most famous music festivals.
This festival takes place at Seaclose Park on the Isle of Wight in Newport for 3 days in total during the month of June.
Some of the most famous artists of the country perform at the festival. And there are several stages.
Glasgow Music Festival
The Glasgow Music Festival is one of the oldest annual music festivals on this list as it has been taking place since the year 1911.
During the festival, thousands of performers perform in the month of March in Glasgow.
This music festival showcases a wide variety of genres. From classical to jazz to traditional Scottish music, the variety of genres is very large. Moreover, there are solo artists, orchestras, bands, choirs, and other groups of artists.
Besides great music, one can enjoy dance, drama, and a variety of other acts.
Eden Festival
The Eden Festival takes place in Raehills Meadows during the month of June.
This is a great music festival that is perfect for those that love alternative music, but there are many other types of genres that can be listened to at the festival.
In total, there are more than 250 different acts during this event and these take place across 10 different stages.
Slam Dunk Festival
The Slam Dunk Festival takes place in Leeds and Hatifeld.
This festival showcases the best performances in the genres of rock, pop-punk, and alternative music.
Moreover, this is an all-ages festival which makes it a great festival to visit for everyone.
English Music Festival
The English Music Festival is another great festival to attend and this festival takes place in May.
This 4-day music festival is all about English music and the heritage of Britain’s music.
At the festival, you can listen to great works by British composers from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Furthermore, the festival covers music from all times, as you can listen to all types of music from medieval times till the present day.
Cross the Tracks
Cross the Tracks is one of the best UK music festivals that take place in London.
This is an annual festival that focuses on jazz, funk, and soul music.
Furthermore, the festival lasts one day and focuses on much more than only music.
You can also find food vendors, boutique pop-up shops, and workshops at the festival.
Tiree Music Festival
Tiree Music Festival is a festival that takes place on Tiree, an island with beautiful white sand in Scotland, which makes it a very unique festival to attend. The combination of beaches and music makes for a great party environment.
Furthermore, the festival won numerous national awards in the past, including the award for best Scottish event.
The festival takes place for 3 days in total in July and the event focuses on Scottish folk music.
Birmingham Mela
The Birmingham Mela is also one of the UK’s hottest music events to attend.
This 2-day annual music festival takes place in Victoria Park in Smethwick during the summer.
At the festival, people can enjoy great South Asian music. In fact, this is the largest South Asian music festival in Europe.
Some of the UK’s most famous musicians perform on this festival’s stage.
Also, you can experience South Asian dance, food, and art at the festival.
True North Music Festival
The True North Music Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in the city of Aberdeen.
At this festival, you can listen to great performances by the best musicians in Scotland. What’s more, you can see both performances by emerging artists as well as performances by renowned musicians.
Also, the festival doesn’t have a focus on one specific genre, instead, you can go to this festival to enjoy a broad range of genres.
Liverpool Sound City
Liverpool Sound City is one of the best independent music festivals in the United Kingdom to go to and this one takes place in Liverpool.
Sound City Liverpool is a 3-day festival during which you can enjoy great performances by up-and-coming artists from all around the world and listen to music by well-known ones.
At the festival, you can discover the best new music, and the festival was one of the first to host some of the UK’s most famous artists.
Wide Awake Festival
Another great festival in London is the Wide Awake Festival.
This annual festival that takes place on one day in May takes is held in Brockwell Park in London.
This festival is perfect for those that like independent music and it is a great place to get to know new types of music.
Edinburgh Summer Sessions
The Edinburgh Summer Sessions is an annual concert series that takes place in summer in the month of August. Moreover, the festival takes place in the Princes Street Gardens of the city.
Many of the UK’s most famous musicians performed here in the past.
It is the perfect place to relax while listening to music and overlooking Edinburgh Castle.
Mighty Hoopla
Mighty Hoopla is a great pop music festival that takes place in London at Brockwell Park.
It is a 2-day music event that focuses on freedom and expression and the festival takes place in June, which makes it a great event to enjoy summer. Moreover, the festival has a special focus on diversity.
The festival hosts more than 200 different artists and other performers and there are 7 stages.
At the festival, you can experience great pop and alternative music acts. Furthermore, there are comedy acts, mass karaoke events, and other types of events.
Connect Music Festival
The Connect Music Festival also takes place in the city of Edinburgh.
This is an indie music festival that takes place at the Royal Highland Showgrounds during the month of August.
During the festival, you can also experience other types of entertainment besides music. For example, you can go to spoken words and comedy events at this interesting festival.
Also, there is a camping area where festival-goers can stay in their own tent.
GALA Festival
GALA Festival is an independent South London festival that is held at Peckham Rye Park at the end of May.
It is a three-day community-driven event that focuses on phenomenal electronic music, great partying, and making a positive impact in terms of sustainability and diversity.
Moreover, you can listen to create music by the best up-and-coming artists.
Let’s Rock
For those festival-goers that like retro music, Let’s Rock is an amazing festival to check out.
This is a festival with many versions that take place throughout the UK. For example, you can attend the festival in Leeds, Exeter, Shrewsbury, Norwich, and various other places.
At the festival, one can listen to great music from the 80s, and many great artists from that time perform here.
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
The Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival is a great event that takes place annually in Edinburgh in July.
This festival was founded in the year 1978 and it is one of Europe’s largest jazz and blues festivals.
During the festival, you can enjoy more than 100 different concerts that take place throughout the city at theaters, parks, and other venues.
Furthermore, one can enjoy many different types of jazz and related genres during the festival.
Also, lots of Scottish artists perform during the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival.
Parklife
Parklife is an annual 2-day music festival that takes place in Manchester and that can’t be missed by festival goers.
The festival takes place I’m June and has a focus on dance, electronic, pop, and hip-hop music.
The nine stages host many different artists, including well-known ones and emerging artists you don’t want to miss out on!
Simmer Down Festival
For those that like reggae music and arts, the Simmer Down Festival is a great festival to check out.
The festival is held annually in Birmingham and some of the most famous artists perform here.
Besides great live music, you can also go here for art workshops and numerous other activities.
Field Day
Field Day is an annual one-day music event that takes place in August at Victoria Park in East London.
On this day, you can enjoy great electronic music by some of the best artists. Furthermore, you can listen to the best indie music at the festival as well.
Moreover, this outdoor festival takes place in August, making it a great way to celebrate summer.
More United Kingdom Travel Articles
Tips for the UK Music Festivals
It can be helpful to plan far in advance which festivals you don’t want to miss out on. That way, you can book your tickets once the tickets go on sale. Many of the festivals on this list are very popular and tickets can sell out quickly.
When you are too late to buy tickets, you can often still get tickets through official resales of the festival.
Besides that, you can also buy tickets from someone else or from another resale website. When you buy tickets there, you should always be cautious as it could be that tickets are not working when you show up at the festival.
This was our list of the best music festivals in the UK. There are many incredible ones so we’re sure you’re going to have a great time if you’re going to attend one of them!