The 25 best UK festivals to book this summer

Telegraph

15-03-2025

As the evenings start to stay lighter, later, and blue skies make their long-awaited reappearance, it's finally acceptable to start dreaming of spring and summer. The tantalising thought of delicious barbecues, camping trips, holidays abroad and closer to home, and, of course, fun-filled weekends spent either getting burnt or soaking wet (thanks, Britain) at various music festivals, is just the ticket to get you through this last burst of winter.
There is little Britain does better than music festivals, and it's not only because our nation's commitment to getting drunk in muddy fields is as pivotal a coming-of-age experience as leaving school or passing your driving test; from city shindigs like All Points East and Mighty Hoopla to world-leading events such as Glastonbury and Reading and Leeds, each summer is a reminder of just how brilliant British music can be.
So, dust off your wellies, dig out your suncream – it's always safest to pack both – and get the car loaded with emergency snacks, because it's almost time for festival season. To help you along, here's our pick of the 25 best events across the UK in 2025.
The 25 best UK festivals to book this summer
The Great Escape, May 14-17
Each year, for a week in May, Brighton is taken over by that most terrifying of creatures: the music industry A&R. The Great Escape, having long been celebrated as the launchpad for Britain's most exciting new bands and artists, features sets around the city from fresh talents just begging to be signed by major labels; enter said A&Rs. It's always fun, messy and delightfully DIY – aka everything new music should be. Plus, you can go to the beach (or Soho House – your prerogative) after each set. What could be better? Tickets here.
Bearded Theory, 21-25 May
Taking place in the idyllic grounds of Derbyshire's Catton Hall, this intimate, delightfully old-school festival is perfect for families – or just people who miss the days when festivals meant more great music, less fancy bells-and-whistles (I'm looking at you, yoga and hot tub providers). The line-up is, once again, packed with legendary names, from punk pioneer Iggy Pop to Welsh rockers Manic Street Preachers, recent Mercury Prize-winners English Teacher and Paul Heaton, plus many more. Away from the music, you can drop the children off at the UK's only Ofsted-regulated festival school, where maths, science and P.E. get fun makeovers. Tickets here.
Radio 1's Big Weekend, May 23-25
It's been quite the year for North Shields' guitar hero Sam Fender: another Number 1 album with People Watching, a sold-out stadium tour to come this summer. And the widely-described 'Geordie Springsteen' ticks off another accolade as headliner of the BBC's annual roving festival, this year taking place in Liverpool's Sefton Park. Elsewhere on the line-up, you can catch Blossoms, Messy singer Lola Young and Brits Rising Star winner Myles Smith. Information here.
Mighty Hoopla, May 31-June 1
Bored of indie, not into hip hop or thudding dance and looking for a slice of cheesy, pop-fuelled euphoria? Then London's most fun festival, Mighty Hoopla, which returns to Brockwell Park, is your safest bet. The wonderfully wacky array of Nineties and Noughties pop heroes on this year's line-up include Ciara, Little Mix-er Jade, Kesha, Vengaboys and, uh, reality TV star Heidi Montag. Trust us – if you put enough glitter on and suspend all pretensions, you won't stop dancing all weekend. Tickets here.
Lido, June 6-15
Muscling in on All Points East's monopoly on East London day festivals, this brand-new event from the same team promises some of the best line-ups to be found in the capital this summer. My picks for the best events are Massive Attack's eco-friendly headline set on 6 June, and Charli XCX's career-crowning, self-curated event on Saturday 14; other headliners include Jamie xx, Turnstile and London Grammar. Tickets here.
Meltdown, June 12-22
The Southbank Centre's annual festival is a perfect fit for anyone who prefers their music with a cold glass of wine, a comfy seat and, perhaps most importantly, a roof. Past editions have been curated by the starry likes of David Bowie, Patti Smith, Morrissey, and Jarvis Cocker, and now the excellent London rapper/actor/creative Little Simz is joining their esteemed ranks. The line-up is yet to be announced, but it's bound to be impressive. Tickets here.
Download, June 13-15
The UK's biggest rock festival lures another 100,000+ moshers to the Midlands' Donington Park for a weekend of deafening tunes, deadly riffs and, hopefully, slightly less mud than that which plagued last year's event. As ever, the line-up is a who's who of metal, pop-punk and heavy rock, with Green Day, Sleep Token and Korn heading up proceedings and the likes of Weezer and the Sex Pistols (with Frank Carter) featuring elsewhere. Tickets here.
Parklife, June 14-15
Established in Manchester almost two decades ago as a haven for hedonistic students, Parklife has quickly become one of the UK's biggest festivals, regularly attracting the biggest names in electronic music, hip hop and pop. Punters flocking to the city's Heaton Park this year will be treated to sets by rap legend 50 Cent, popstar Charli XCX – still riding high from her Brits (and Brat) glory – and West Midlands R&B singer Jorja Smith, as well as DJs Peggy Gou, Pawsa and Bicep. Tickets here.
Isle of Wight Festival, June 19-22
Tied with Glastonbury for historical heft – with the starry likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and Fleetwood Mac having performed – Isle of Wight is always a guaranteed good time. Hop on the ferry to Newport and prepare to be whisked away to the musical glory days of yesteryear with the classic likes of Sting, The Corrs, Stereophonics, Supergrass and more. Tickets here.
Glastonbury, June 25-29
So, you didn't get tickets (again). It's overrated, anyway, and it's bound to rain after years of perfect weather, and it's too expensive these days. Plus, you really hate Matty Healy (more on that later). But if you're one of the lucky few to have bagged Glastonbury tickets, you'll be buzzing to get back on Worthy Farm, that vast wonderland of world-leading pop, rock, jazz, comedy and just about everything else in between. This year's edition will be headlined by Cheshire indie outfit The 1975 (fronted by Healy), rock veteran Neil Young and Gen Z megastar Olivia Rodrigo, while Rod Stewart will appear in the prestigious Sunday afternoon legend slot. Elsewhere, sets from Charli XCX, Doechii, Deftones and Alanis Morissette promise to be highlights. Tickets are sold out, but there will be a resale in April.
BST Hyde Park, June 27-July 13
Another year, yet more of the world's most famous musicians descending on Hyde Park for British Summer Time. Across two weekends in June and July, artists including US megastar Olivia Rodrigo (Fri 27), country hero Zach Bryan (Sat 28 and Sun 29), folk-pop singer Noah Kahan (Fri 4), Espresso hit-maker Sabrina Carpenter (Sat 6 and Sun 7), veteran rocker Neil Young (joined by Yusuf/Cat Stevens and Van Morrison, on Fri 11), and Jeff Lynne's ELO, on the final date of their farewell tour, will perform. Grab your tickets while you can, here.
2000trees, July 9-12
This reliably raucous celebration of all things rock, punk and indie returns to Cheltenham's Upcote Farm with another jam-packed line-up: catch the political Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap, Black Country rising stars Big Special, rock mainstays Taking Back Sunday and Alexisonfire and Dublin garage-punk band Sprints. Tickets here.
TRNSMT, July 11-13
It was no easy task to fill the gap left by the demise of Scottish festival mainstay T in the Park, after its final event in 2016, but this annual event in Glasgow Green has tried its best. Each day is a self-contained day of music, meaning you'll need individual tickets; choose between 50 Cent, The Script and Kneecap (Fri 11); Biffy Clyro and Fontaines D.C. (Sat 12); or Snow Patrol and Gracie Abrams (Sun 13). Tickets here.
Wireless, July 11-13
Apparently, the bookers behind London's premier hip hop festival didn't bother tuning into Kendrick Lamar's internet-breaking Super Bowl half-time show. Either that, or they simply chose to ignore the rapper's jibes about nemesis Drake – because the latter is set to headline all three days of the event, which sold out in minutes. The Hotline Bling star will be joined by the likes of grime collective Boy Better Know (performing as 'The Mandem') and Afrobeats chart-topper Burna Boy in north London's Finsbury Park. Tickets here.
Latitude, July 24-27
Constantly tying for the crown of Britain's 'most middle-class festival' along with Wilderness, Latitude returns to the stunning surroundings of Suffolk's Henham Park for a weekend offering great tunes (provided by Sting, Fatboy Slim, Snow Patrol, and more), delicious street food and an array of activities, from wellness and comedy workshops to cold water swimming and a fantastic family area. Tickets here.
Kendal Calling, July 31-August 3
Taking place in Lowther Deer Park in the Lake District, Kendal Calling is surprisingly easy to access from several major cities (including London, Birmingham and Manchester) thanks to strong train links. Hop aboard and be transported to a world of fun, predominately indie-rock tunes, inventive stage design and secretive parties hidden in the woods. The festival is celebrating its 20th birthday this year, meaning it'll be a party to remember – catch the likes of Courteeners, Fatboy Slim, The Prodigy and Kaiser Chiefs on the bill. Tickets are sold out, but for resale news, click here.
Wilderness, July 31-August 3
Michelin-starred chefs rustling up tasting menus. Glamping pods that make your actual house look shabby. Champagne on tap. Children's activities so inventive your little one will be having too much fun to moan 'Mummy, please, I HATE Basement Jaxx!' What other festival could it be but Wilderness, Oxfordshire's poshest shindig that one imagines causes the Made in Chelsea producers a major headache each year as its full cast rolls off for a jolly. Tickets here.
Boardmasters, August 6-10
If Boomtown (see below) isn't up your alley, the same weekend also plays host to Cornwall's leading festival, Boardmasters. Arguably the UK's most naturally beautiful festival, it takes place high on the cliffs of Newquay overlooking the sea and thus attracts as many punters wanting to surf as dance along to great music. Raye, Central Cee and The Prodigy head up proceedings this year, with support from The Wombats, Nelly Furtado and Flo. Tickets here.
Boomtown, August 6-10
The UK's answer to Belgium's awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping electronica-extravaganza Tomorrowland, Boomtown returns to the Matterley Estate on the South Downs for another celebration of all things weird, wacky and wonderful. The stage design is second-to-none – expect mysterious lands, themed areas and plenty of fancy dress. As ever, the line-up remains a secret until closer to the event, but it's typically filled with leading DJs from the world of bassline and dubstep. Tickets here.
Green Man, August 14-17
If Boardmasters takes the title of 'Most beautiful seaside festival', than Green Man, which takes place in the stunning surroundings of the Brecon Beacons, in Wales, surely edges the competition for mountains and greenery. It sells out as fast as Glastonbury – before announcing the line-up, may we add – and is constantly declared by attendees to be the best-kept secret in the music industry, so if you're going, count yourself lucky. The finest names in indie and electronica, from Underworld and Wet Leg to Wunderhorse, TV on the Radio, Beth Gibbons and Yard Act, are set to perform alongside countless exciting new bands. Tickets are sold out, but for more information, click here.
All Points East, August 16-24
No self-respecting millennial Londoner's summer is complete without at least two trips to this Victoria Park festival. Nestled in the heart of the beautiful east London park, All Point Easts always attracts the brightest names in indie rock, rap and electronic music across its August run. This year's line-up features drum 'n' bass titans Chase and Status (Sat 16); Scottish DJ Barry Can't Swim, supported by Aussie hedonists Confidence Man (Fri 22); Brit-sweeper Raye, and rising rap star Doechii (Sat 23); and Noughties indie heroes The Maccabees (Sun 24). Tickets here.
Reading and Leeds, August 21-24
Every British teenager's drunken rite of passage returns for another year, split across two sites in Reading and Leeds across the August Bank Holiday weekend. But it's not just about the cider-fuelled shenanigans in the campsites or the late-night dance tents: the line-up is always packed with stars, and this year – headlined by Hozier, Chappell Roan, Bring Me the Horizon and Travis Scott, with Limp Bizkit, Bloc Party and Amyl and the Sniffers also set to appear – is no exception. Tickets here.
Victorious Festival, August 22-24
Bringing some of the biggest names in rock and indie to Portsmouth's Southsea Common on Bank Holiday Weekend, Victorious has gone from strength-to-strength in recent years, and 2025's line-up easily holds its own against the behemoths that are Isle of Wight or Reading and Leeds; catch sets from US mega-rockers Queens of the Stone Age and Kings of Leon, arty indie heroes Vampire Weekend and the ever-reliable likes of Madness, Michael Kiwanuka, Bloc Party and The Charlatans. Tickets here.
FORWARDS, August 23-24
This relatively new city affair takes place in Bristol with some of the finest names in electro, pop and soul making up its eclectic line-up; there's DJ Barry Can't Swim, Grammy-winning rapper Doechii, soul singer Olivia Dean and indie favourites The Last Dinner Party to sink your teeth into, plus many more. Tickets here.
End of the Road, August 28-31
Always a wonderful way to round off the summer, Britain's most laid-back – and arguably coolest – festival returns, bringing the talented likes of Father John Misty, Self Esteem, Sharon Van Etten and the Attachment Theory and Black Country, New Road to the tranquil surroundings of Larmer Tree Gardens, near Salisbury. Tickets here.