23 Best Music Festivals In The UK For 2026 (From Big Names To Hidden Gems)
The UK’s festival scene is unmatched. The best music festivals in the UK are a great way to see your favourite artists live, along with other bands with a similar vibe. Here are the top festivals for 2026, and what to expect from each of them…
If you’re planning a trip to the UK, try to time it with a music festival – it’s one of the best ways to experience the place properly. Whether you’re there for a big-name headliner or you just wander into a tent and find your new favourite artist, the atmosphere is something else.
There’s nothing quite like a UK festival crowd – a bit chaotic, very loud, and always up for a singalong.
UK music festivals you need to try
If you don’t know where to start, don’t worry. Scroll through this list and you’ll find the biggest music festivals in the UK.
1. Leeds & Reading Festival
Duration: 4-6 days
Location: Bramham Park and Reading, UK
Booking: Leeds Festival, Reading festival
Average Ticket Price: £200 – £300
Best for: Younger crowds
Who has performed: Liam Gallagher, Blink 182, Gerry Cinnamon, Lana Del Rey, Nirvana, The Arctic Monkeys, and Eminem
Leeds, set in the lush Bramham Park, is where 80,000 fans come together every year to vibe with artists like Lana Del Rey and Blink-182. It’s all about good music, great energy, and that unbeatable festival buzz.
Reading’s stages are packed with indie gems and rock legends. Each festival has its vibe, but both are all about making memories, meeting amazing people, and soaking up live music at its best. If you’re a music lover, this is your sign, book your tickets now and dive into the magic of Leeds and Reading!
If you’re heading for the festival, exploring nearby student accommodation options through amber can help you stay close to the action.
Fun Fact: At Leeds Festival in the UK, fans once set a world record for the most people in fancy dress, and Reading Festival is often called the ‘Glastonbury of Rock’!
2. Focus Wales
Duration: 3 days
Location: Wrexham, UK
Booking: Focus Wales
Average Ticket Price: £68.75
Best for: Fun on budget
Who has performed: Charlotte Church, Gaz Coombes, and Gruff Rhys
FOCUS Wales is a multi-venue festival in Wrexham celebrating emerging Welsh and international talent. Expect 250+ artists across 20 stages, plus film screenings and industry talks. It’s one of the UK’s best places to discover new music before everyone else catches on.
3. The Great Escape
Duration: 3 days
Location: Brighton, UK
Booking Details: The Great Escape
Average Ticket Price: £73.50
Best for: Stadium-filling artists
Who has performed: Lewis Capaldi and Sam Fender
One of the best music festivals in the UK is The Great Escape. If you’re heading for the festival, exploring nearby student accommodation options through amber can help you stay close to the action.
Fun Fact: The Great Escape music festival in the UK is known for discovering new talent, with over 500 up-and-coming artists performing each year!
4. Gala
Duration: 2 days
Location: Peckham Rye Park
Booking Details: Gala
Average Ticket Price: £60 – £70
Best for: Indie vibes
Who has performed: Midland, Onai, OMOLOKO, Peach
GALA is an independent South London music festival held in Peckham Rye Park over the May bank holiday. Celebrating dance music and club culture, it brings together DJs, live acts, and local food in a community-focused, open-air setting, with a carefully curated lineup spanning house, disco, techno, and more.
Fun fact: The Gala music festival in the UK is famous for its vibrant mix of disco, house, and street food, creating a fun and festive atmosphere!
5. We Out Here
Duration: 4 days
Location: Wimborne, UK
Booking Details: We Out Here
Average Ticket Price: £100 – £200
Best for: UK’s coolest new festival
Who has performed: Gilles Peterson, Sampha, Kae Tempest
We Out Here is a four-day Dorset festival celebrating diverse, genre-spanning music, from jazz and soul to house and hip hop. Curated by Gilles Peterson, it combines live acts, DJ sets, wellness, family activities and talks, creating a relaxed, community-driven experience centred on creativity, culture and connection.
Fun Fact: The ‘We Out Here’ music festival in the UK was founded by DJ Gilles Peterson and brings together jazz, hip-hop, and electronic music for a unique experience!
6. Kendal Calling
Duration: 3-4 days
Location: Lowther Deer Park
Booking Details: Kendal Calling
Average Ticket Price: £208.95
Best for: R&B blues
Who has performed: James, Mumford & Sons, Calvin Harris
Kendal Calling is a four-day music and arts festival set in the Lake District’s Lowther Deer Park. Known for its eclectic lineup spanning indie, rock, and electronic, it blends live music with comedy, art installations, and family-friendly activities, creating a vibrant, creative atmosphere in a scenic countryside setting.
Fun fact: Kendal Calling music festival in the UK takes place in the beautiful Lake District and features a fun, secret venue hidden in the woods!
7. Glastonbury Festival
Duration: 5 days
Location: Pilton, Somerset, England
Booking Details: Glastonbury Festival
Average Ticket Price: £355 + a £5 booking fee
Best for: Ticking off an über-festival from the wish list
Who has performed: David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Adele, Beyonce
Glastonbury Festival is the UK’s most iconic music and arts event, held at Worthy Farm in Somerset. Spanning five days, it features world-class headliners, emerging talent, theatre, circus, and immersive areas, alongside a strong focus on sustainability, activism, and community, creating an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind cultural experience.
Fun Fact: Glastonbury Festival in the UK has its own on-site dairy farm, producing fresh milk for festival-goers every year!
8. Isle of Wight Festival
Duration: 4 days
Location: Seaclose Park, Newport
Booking Details: Isle of Wight Festival
Average Ticket Price: £269.95
Best for: Stadium-filling artists
Who has performed: Jimi Hendrix, The Who, or David Bowie
The Isle of Wight Festival is a historic four-day music event held at Seaclose Park in Newport each June. Known for launching the UK festival season, it blends legendary headliners with emerging artists across genres, set against a scenic island backdrop with a friendly, holiday-like atmosphere.
Fun Fact: The Isle of Wight Festival in the UK was the largest music festival in the world back in 1970, with over 600,000 people attending!
9. Download Festival
Duration: 3 days
Location: DONINGTON PARK
Booking Details: Download Festival
Average Ticket Price: £345.00
Best for: Rock music
Who has performed: Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Black Sabbath
Download Festival is the UK’s premier rock and metal event, held at Donington Park in Leicestershire. Known as the “home of rock”, it attracts the biggest names in heavy music alongside emerging acts, delivering high-energy performances, iconic mosh pits, and a passionate fan atmosphere across multiple stages each June.
Fun Fact: Download Festival in the UK is famous for its dog mascot, “Download Dog,” who appears on merchandise and even has his own stage!
10. Lovebox Festival
Duration: 3 days
Location: Gunnersbury Park, London, England
Booking Details: Lovebox Festival
Average Ticket Price: £345.00
Best for: Angry hip-hop
Who has performed: Snoop Dogg, Rudimental, and Nas
Lovebox is a vibrant urban music festival known for its high-energy atmosphere and genre-spanning lineups, from electronic and house to hip hop and R&B. Originally founded by Groove Armada, it blends big-name acts with creative stages, street food and art, offering a stylish, city-style festival experience.
Fun Fact: The Lovebox Festival in the UK began in 2002, founded by Groove Armada, transforming from a club night into a huge festival.
11. Parklife Festival
Duration: 2 days
Location: Heaton Park
Booking Details: Parklife Festival
Average Ticket Price: £129.50 +Booking Fee
Best for: Rap Music
Who has performed: Tyler the Creator, Megan Thee Stallion, 50 Cent, and Chase & Status
Parklife is a two-day music festival held in Manchester’s Heaton Park each June. Known as the UK’s largest metropolitan festival, it showcases major global artists across dance, hip hop, pop and electronic music, alongside multiple stages, street food and art, creating a high-energy, city-centre summer party atmosphere.
Fun Fact: Parklife Festival in the UK started in 2010, held in Manchester’s Heaton Park, showcasing diverse music genres and artists.
12. Green Man Festival
Duration: 4 days
Location: Near Crickhowell, South Wales
Booking Details: Green Man Festival
Average Ticket Price: £129.50 + Booking Fee
Best for: Natural mystics
Who has performed: Kraftwerk, Bicep, Laura Marling, Van Morrison
Green Man is an independent music and arts festival held in the Brecon Beacons, Wales each August. Known for its intimate, non-corporate feel, it showcases indie, folk and electronic music alongside science, literature and wellness, all set within stunning mountain scenery and a strong focus on sustainability and community.
Fun Fact: The Green Man Festival in the UK, set in the Brecon Beacons, features music, arts, and stunning nature since 2003.
13. All Points East
Duration: 10 days
Location: Victoria Park, London
Booking Details: All Points East
Average Ticket Price: £58.20
Best for: Staying on the pulse
Who has performed: The Strokes, Mumford & Sons, and Bon Iver
All Points East is a multi-day music festival held in London’s Victoria Park each summer. Spanning two weekends, it features major headline shows alongside curated lineups, plus free community events during the week, blending live music, culture and local engagement in a vibrant city festival setting.
Fun Fact: All Points East has a hidden city farm! You can wander through it and learn about growing food in the middle of the festival.
14. Y Not
Duration: 4 days
Location: Pikehall, Derbyshire
Booking Details: Y Not
Average Ticket Price: £99.50
Best for: Moshpits
Who has performed: Royal Blood and Kasabian
Y Not Festival is a four-day music event held in the Peak District at Pikehall, Derbyshire. Known for its indie, rock and alternative lineups, it blends big-name headliners with emerging artists, alongside comedy, food and arts, offering a friendly, mid-sized festival with a strong community feel in a scenic countryside setting.
Fun Fact: Y Not Festival started as a tiny party for just 120 people in a disused quarry! Now, it’s a massive music weekend.
15. Boomtown Fair
Duration: 4 days
Location: Matterley Estate, Alresford Road, near Winchester, Hampshire, England
Booking Details: Boomtown Fair
Average Ticket Price: £76.25
Best for: Experiential adventure
Who has performed: Chase & Status and Pendulum
Boomtown Fair is a five-day immersive music and arts festival held near Winchester, Hampshire. Set within a fictional city of themed districts, it blends diverse music genres with theatre, storytelling and interactive experiences, creating a unique, high-energy world where creativity, community and exploration are at the heart of the experience.
Fun Fact: Boomtown Fair isn’t just music! It’s like a giant play with actors, storylines, and crazy-themed areas to explore!
16. Love Supreme
Duration: 3 days
Location: Glynde Place, South Downs, East Sussex, UK
Booking Details: Love Supreme
Average Ticket Price: £189.20
Best for: Discovering jazz
Who has performed: Herbie Hancock or Quincy Jones
Love Supreme is a three-day jazz, soul and funk festival held each summer at Glynde Place in East Sussex. Europe’s largest outdoor jazz event, it blends world-class artists with emerging talent, alongside talks, wellness and family-friendly activities, creating a relaxed, music-led weekend in the South Downs.
Fun Fact: Love Supreme is the UK’s only jazz festival where you can camp under the stars!
17. Latitude
Duration: 3 days
Location: Henham Park in Beccles, Suffolk, England
Booking Details: Latitude
Average Ticket Price: £180
Best for: Laidback fun
Who has performed: The 1975, Mumford & Sons, and George Ezra
Latitude Festival is a four-day music and arts event held in Henham Park, Suffolk each July. Known for its eclectic lineup, it blends live music with comedy, theatre, literature and wellness, alongside family-friendly activities, creating a colourful, creative and relaxed atmosphere in a picturesque countryside setting.
Fun Fact: Latitude Festival isn’t just music! They have a whole area for kids with games, crafts, and even a mini-festival just for them.
18. ALSO
Duration: 3 days
Location: Compton Verney, Warwickshire
Booking Details: ALSO
Average Ticket Price: £150
Best for: Family-friendly activities
Who has performed: Jessica Winter, Stornoway, Edie Bens
ALSO Festival is a boutique Warwickshire event blending music, comedy, food and big ideas. Set in a scenic countryside estate, it features talks, workshops and wellness alongside live performances, creating an intimate, thought-provoking weekend focused on creativity, learning and connection in nature.
Fun Fact: ALSO Festival includes a popular ‘Floating Stage’ set on a picturesque lake, adding a magical touch to performances.
19. Pub in The Park
Duration: 3 days
Location: Chiswick, Reigate and St Albans
Booking Details: pubintheparkuk.com
Average Ticket Price: £60 – £200
Best for: Al-fresco feasting
Who has performed: Scouting for Girls, Tinie Tempah, Busted
Pub in the Park is a touring UK food and music festival celebrating British pub culture. Held across multiple locations, it brings together award-winning chefs, top gastropubs and live music, alongside cooking demos and family-friendly entertainment, creating a relaxed, social atmosphere centred on great food, drink and community.
Fun Fact: The festival celebrates the British pub with food, music, and drinks.
20. Wilderness Festival
Duration: 4 days
Location: Wilderness Festival, Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire
Booking Details: wildernessfestival.com
Average Ticket Price: £278
Best for: Pure boutique vibes
Who has performed: Bicep, Faithless, Jessie Ware
Wilderness Festival is a four-day music and arts event held in Oxfordshire’s Cornbury Park. Known for its eclectic mix of live music, theatre, food and wellness, it combines outdoor adventure with creativity, offering everything from wild swimming and banquets to workshops, talks and late-night parties in a scenic countryside setting.
Fun Fact: The festival is set in a 1,700-acre park with ancient forests and native wildlife.
21. Creamfields
Duration: 4 days
Location: Creamfields, Daresbury Estate, Cheshire WA4 4AG
Booking Details: creamfields.com
Average Ticket Price: £100 – £200
Best for: Hands-in-the-air dancing bliss
Who has performed: Calvin Harris, Alesso, MK
Creamfields is one of the UK’s biggest electronic music festivals, held over the August Bank Holiday weekend in Daresbury, Cheshire. Known for world-class DJs, huge stage productions and cutting-edge sound systems, it brings together global dance music fans for a high-energy, immersive experience across multiple arenas and stages.
Fun Fact: The festival is set in a 1,700-acre park with ancient forests and native wildlife.
22. End of the Road Festival
Duration: 4 days
Location: Larmer Tree Gardens, near Blandford, Dorset
Booking Details: endoftheroadfestival.com
Average Ticket Price: £80 – £150
Best for: Outdoor vibes
Who has performed: Idles, Slowdive, Lankum
End of the Road is a four-day independent music festival held in the gardens of Larmer Tree Gardens on the Dorset-Wiltshire border. Known for its carefully curated indie and folk lineup, it blends music with comedy, literature and arts, creating an intimate, relaxed atmosphere in a beautiful countryside setting.
Fun Fact: Due to the nature of the gardens the festival is set in, it is not unusual to see peacocks wandering around the area.
23. Victorious Festival
Duration: 3 days
Location: Southsea Common, Portsmouth
Booking Details: victoriousfestival.co.uk
Average Ticket Price: £80 – £150
Best for: Seaside vibes
Who has performed: Kings of Leon, Stereophonics, Mel C
Victorious Festival takes place right by the sea, with stages spread across the common and views over the Solent. Lineups mix big-name headliners with indie favourites and up-and-coming acts, while there’s plenty beyond the music, from comedy tents to family areas and local food traders. It’s one of the UK’s most accessible festivals too, with day tickets available and no camping required, making it ideal for a more relaxed, flexible festival experience.
Fun Fact: I only live about a mile from this festival – it’s great!
Packing for a festival
Packing for a UK music festival is all about being comfy and prepared for anything! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Clothes for all weather: It can rain, shine, or be a bit of both! Bring layers like a raincoat, comfy tees, and maybe a hoodie in case it gets chilly. Wellies are a lifesaver for muddy fields!
- Comfy shoes: You’ll be dancing and walking all day, so ditch the fancy shoes and bring your trainers.
- Sun protection: Remember a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen – even if it’s cloudy, you can still get burned.
- Cash and card: Not all vendors take cards, so bring some cash just in case.
- Water bottle: Stay hydrated and save money by bringing a reusable water bottle you can refill.
On to the fun stuff!
- Festival fashion: This is your chance to get wild! Wear sequins, bandanas, or crazy glasses – whatever makes you happy!
- Camping stuff: Pack your tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping mat.
- Phone charger: Keep your phone alive to take photos and videos of the awesome music!
- Flashlight: This is handy for finding your way around the campsite at night (or those late-night bathroom breaks!).
- Wipes and hand sanitiser: Festivals can be dusty and messy, so pack some wipes and sanitiser to stay clean.
Remember: Don’t bring anything super valuable – big crowds can sometimes mean lost items. Most importantly, pack your sense of adventure and a big smile – you’re going to have a blast!
Right, now you’ve got your guide to the best music festivals in the UK, it’s time to actually book something. Don’t hang about – the good ones sell out fast. Grab your tickets, rally your mates, and get something in the diary.