Celebrating Summer 2025: Highlights Of Arts And Music Festivals
Olivia Rodrigo. Image Courtesy BST Hyde Park/ Outside Organisation.
Summer 2025 is set to be a vibrant season for arts and music enthusiasts across the UK and Europe. From groundbreaking new festivals in London to time-honoured cultural celebrations in Slovenia and France, the season promises a rich tapestry of performances, exhibitions, and experiences. Here's a curated guide to some highlights of the most anticipated events.
Whether you're drawn to the innovative sounds of LIDO Festival in London, the legendary musical performances at BST Hyde Park, or the rich cultural experiences of Gala de Danza or Ljubljana Festival, there's something to captivate lovers of music, dance and the arts. These festivals not only showcase exceptional talent but also foster community engagement and celebrate the diverse tapestry of global culture.
LIDO Festival – London (June 13th, 14th, 15th & 16th)
Massive Attack at LIDO Festival © SOPHIA J CAREY
London's newest addition to its festival scene, the inaugural LIDO Festival, takes over the Lido Field of Victoria Park. Spanning two weekends in June, the festival features a diverse lineup curated by some of the most innovative artists today including Charli XCX, Massive Attack, Jamie XX and London Grammar.
Charli XCX headlines on Saturday June 14th and curates a 'Party Girl' day featuring pop/alt superstars and Brat collaborators Bladee, The Japanese House, The Dare, Kelly Lee Owens and A. G. Cook. London Grammar headline on 15th June with a lineup including Celeste, The Blessed Madonna and Roisin Murphy.
British Summer Time (BST) Hyde Park – London (June 27th - July 13th)
Stevie Wonder. Image Courtesy of BST Hyde Park/ Outside Organisation.
BST returns to Hyde Park with a stellar lineup across multiple weekends with a stellar lineup featuring young Pop stars Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter as well as the OG musicians Neil Young, Stevie Wonder and ELO. BST Hyde Park celebrates established and emerging talent and also features Open House–a free midweek programme of live music, food and family-friendly activities.
Multiple GRAMMY Award-winning singer songwriter Olivia Rodrigo will headline the Great Oak Stage on June 27th, supported by Last Dinner Party and Girl in Read. Pop Powerhouse Sabrina Carpenter headlines on July 5th with support from Clairo and BEABADOOBEE.
Musical legend Stevie Wonder tops the bill on July 12th as part of the LOVE, LIGHT & SONG UK performances, and iconic musician Neil Young performs with the Chrome Hearts, Yusuf (Cat Stevens) and Van Morrison on July 11th.
Meltdown Festival – London (June 12th - 22nd)
Little Simz © Thibaut Grevet
Curated by acclaimed UK rapper Little Simz, Meltdown Festival at the Southbank Centre showcases a diverse range of artists across genres. Simz, known for her introspective lyrics and innovative sound, brings together a lineup that reflects her musical journey and influences.
Little Simz follows in the footsteps of music icon Chaka Khan–who curated Meltdown in 2024–and takes the reins for the festival's 30th anniversary edition. Simz has curated eleven days of art, music and workshops with an eclectic line-up including The Streets, James Blake, Mahalia, Ghetts, Lola Young, Jon Batiste, Tiwa Savage, BADBADNOTGOOD and Nubya Garcia. A highlight promises to be a performance by Simz with the Chineke! Orchestra.
Gala de Danza – UK Debut (June 25th and 26th)
Francesca Hayward. Image Courtesy of Gala de Danza.
Renowned international dance festival Gala de Danza makes its UK debut this summer at the Great Hall of Central Hall Westminster in London. The event promises a fusion of contemporary and traditional dance performances, workshops, and masterclasses, celebrating the art of movement and expression.
Gala de Danza redefines the experience of dance and music through multidisciplinary performances, bringing together a talented cast of artists from around the world. A fusion of classical ballet, contemporary dance, opera, and Latin ballroom, Gala de Danza is the brainchild of performing artist Christina Lyon, who founded the dance festival in 2013.
Among the world-renowned artists confirmed to perform at Gala de Danza in London are; Polish countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński, acclaimed choreographers Juliano Nunes and Sadeck Berrabah, Cuban-Canadian dancer Cesar Corrales, a Royal Ballet Principal Dancer; New York City Ballet artist Andres Zuniga, award-winning Latin dance duo Anton Sboev & Patrizia Ranis, Royal Ballet Principal Dancer Melissa Hamilton, and musical innovator William Close, creator of the Earth Harp.
Anoushka Shankar Headlines Solstice at Wasing, June 20th.
Solstice At Wasing 2025 - Artist - Anoushka Shankar.
Fresh from her epic performance at Brighton Festival–which she expertly curated around the theme of 'New Dawn'–Grammy-nominated composer and musician Anoushka Shankar will headline Solstice at Wasing at Wasing Estate. The intimate one-day event takes place in the Sacred Glade within The Woodland at Wasing in celebration of the Rite of Summer
Anoushka Shankar will be supported by artists including Salif Keita, Omer Gonen-Haela and pe Chimba. Solstice at Wasing offers a diverse programme of music, nature and wellness activities including breath-work and meditation.
All Points East | August 15th, 16th & 22nd–24th
Cleo Sol. Courtesy of All Points East.
Acclaimed soul singer Cleo Sol will perform a headline set titled 'Provenance' at All Points East 2025 on 15th August, marking a major moment for the East London festival. Sol will be joined by the renowned Reggae artist Chronixx and the elusive collective SAULT for a world exclusive show.
London born artist Cleo Sol's soulful voice and exquisite lyrics make her one of the UK's most exciting young artists, and the All Points East performance will be her biggest headline moment to date.
The Maccabees headline on 24th August for their first show in eight years, joined by Bombay Bicycle Club, Dry Cleaning, The Cribs, Nilüfer Yanya, The Murder Capital, Divorce and Prima Queen. Barry Can't Swim tops the bill on 22nd August with Shygirl, Confidence Man, Leon Vynehall, Interplanetary Criminal, Marlon Hoffstadt (presents Daddycation) and DJ HEARTSTRING joining him.
Girl Power rules on 23rd August when RAYE will headline with Tyla, Doechii and JADE, and on 16th August dance music takes over when Chase & Status headline with their RTRN II DANCE takeover.
73rd Ljubljana Festival – Slovenia (July–August 2025)
Simfonični orkester Avditorija ADDA Alicante
One of Europe's oldest cultural festivals, the Ljubljana Festival celebrates its 73rd edition with a diverse programme including MAMMA MIA! the musical, La Fura Dels Baus performing Haydn's 'The Creation' and ADDA Simfònica Alicante performing 'El Amor Brujo'. The festival features a blend of opera, ballet, jazz, and popular music, attracting world-class artists and audiences from around the globe.
Ljubljana Festival in 2025 continues its legacy as Slovenia's premier cultural event, offering a rich tapestry of performances and exhibitions that span classical music, opera, ballet, jazz, and contemporary theatre. Held in the heart of Ljubljana, the festival transforms the city into a vibrant cultural hub, attracting world-class artists and audiences alike.
Festival d'Avignon – France (July 5th - 26th)
Festival d'Avignon Festival Director Tiago Rodrigues
Avignon's legendary Festival d'Avignon returns for its 79th edition–under the direction of Tiago Rodrigues, Festival director since 2022–with a packed of theatre, dance, music, and contemporary art performances throughout the city.
Founded in 1947 by Jean Vilar, the Festival d'Avignon has grown into one of the world's most influential international theatre events, renowned for its celebration of contemporary live performance. Each summer for nearly eight decades, the historic city of Avignon transforms into a vibrant hub of theatrical innovation, drawing artists and audiences from around the globe.
The festival's heart lies in the Cour d'honneur of the Palais des Papes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its original stage. Today, more than 30 venues across Avignon and the surrounding region—ranging from chapels and cloisters to gardens, quarries, and gymnasiums—host over 400 events, including performances, debates, readings, screenings, and public talks. Attracting more than 120,000 spectators annually, the Festival d'Avignon remains a dynamic meeting point for artistic experimentation and cultural dialogue—a celebration of memory, history, heritage, and the bold possibilities of the future.
Les Étés du Louvre Festival, Louvre Museum, Paris (July 2nd - 25th).
Encantado de Lia Rodrigues © 2021, Sammi Landweer
Les Étés du Louvre festival is set to return to Paris for its second edition this summer, transforming the historic museum into a vibrant summer open-air stage for cinema, fashion, dance, and music. Spanning three major events, the festival promises a dynamic open-air program, with more than half of the offerings free to the public.
Kicking off the season is Cinéma Paradiso Louvre, a four-night film series taking over the Louvre's grand Cour Carrée from July 2nd to 5thc. The mini-festival will conclude with a special homage to director David Lynch, featuring a screening of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me.
Fashion takes center stage on July 10th with La Nuit de la Mode, a museum-wide celebration blending concerts, artist talks, workshops, and live performances. Among the highlights is a much-anticipated performance by Jordan Roth, merging theatrical flair with high fashion.
Throughout the month, visitors can also enjoy a series of performances in the Carré du Sanglier, transformed into a temporary open-air theater. Ten days of programming will showcase contemporary dance by Lia Rodrigues, MazelFreten, and Silvia Gribaudi, as well as musical performances from Chloé & Vassilena Serafimova, Matthieu Bardin and the ethereal duo Birds on a Wire.
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