Top 20 Music Festivals in the UK for 2023

Few countries can boast the same history and fanaticism for festivals as the UK, from longstanding legends to modern favourites, boutique gems to big-budget behemoths, and everything in between.

Whether you're after the quintessential green-field experience, the inner-city day festival, the coastal weekender, or something else altogether, the UK has something to offer across the summer months (and beyond).

Here's a selection of the biggest and best.

Glastonbury

Festival lineup (2022): Billie Eilish, Paul McCartney, Kendrick Lamar, Diana Ross, Foals, Lorde, Megan Thee Stallion, Pet Shop Boys

Glastonbury Festival is one of the world's most famous music and performing arts festivals. Embracing each and every genre across the spectrum, from rock and pop to, hip-hop, funk, jazz, minimal house, techno, full-throttle drum and bass and beyond; music-lovers flock to its spiritual fields down in Somerset.

When & where: 21st - 25th June 2023; Pilton

Glastonbury Festival Guide & Mailing List

All Points East

Festival lineup (2022): Gorillaz, Tame Impala, The National, Disclosure, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Charli XCX, Fleet Foxes, Caroline Polachek

After a thrilling debut in 2018, All Points East has become a staple of East London as they continue to take things to an even higher level year-on-year, bringing slickly curated lineups of global, genre-spanning talent to the famous Victoria Park. 

When & where: August 2023; London

All Points East Guide & Waiting List

BST Hyde Park

Festival lineup (2023): Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band + more TBA

BST Hyde Park – or British Summer Time to some – brings a host of the world's biggest artists to the famous London Park for a series of events each summer; be it Adele, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, or Céline Dion.

When & where: June/July 2023; London

BST Hyde Park Guide & Waiting List

Field Day

Festival lineup (2022): The Chemical Brothers, Kraftwerk, Peggy Gou, Squarepusher, Folamour, Floating Points, HAAi, Daniel Avery

Now one of the capital's most-loved music festivals, Field Day is curated by a collection of clubs and promoters from the London music scene, culminating in a forward-thinking, genre-pushing lineup that features live performances and DJ sets that showcase underground electronic music's brightest and best.

When & where: August 2023; London

Field Day Guide & Waiting List

TRNSMT Festival

Festival lineup (2022): Paolo Nutini, The Strokes, Lewis Capaldi, Foals, Wolf Alice, Sam Fender, Nile Rodgers, beabadoobee

Started as a replacement for T in the Park, the city-centre event includes all the revelry of a traditional music festival, but also gives festival-goers the chance to explore the city's bars, restaurants, nightclubs and cultural attractions.

When & where: 7th - 9th July 2023; Glasgow

TRNSMT Festival Guide & Waiting List

Boundary Brighton

Festival lineup (2022): Hybrid Minds, Patrick Topping, Kings of the Rollers, David Rodigan, Dan Shake, DJ Boring, Bou, Chris Stussy

Boundary Brighton is Brighton's biggest electronic music festival, showcasing a lineup of house and bass music inside the city's Stanmer Park each September. Spread across three stages, festival-goers can expect to party alongside some of the finest artists in the scene.

When & where: September 2023; Brighton

Boundary Brighton Guide & Waiting List

Terminal V Festival

Festival lineup (2022): Amelie Lens, Helena Hauff, Nina Kraviz, Marcel Dettmann, Maceo Plex, Solardo, Sven Väth, Tale of Us

After a tough time with enforced postponements over the past couple of years, Terminal V returned to Edinburgh's Royal Highland Centre over the Easter weekend of 2022 for the first ever two-day edition. And they'll be back for another, offering up an impressive array of house and techno stars

When & where: 8th - 9th April 2023; Edinburgh

Terminal V Festival Guide & Waiting List

Parklife

Festival lineup (2022): Tyler, the Creator, 50 Cent, Megan Thee Stallion, Lewis Capaldi, Chase & Status, Bicep, Jamie xx, Peggy Gou

Parklife Festival is one of the UK's most popular and famous weekend music festivals, laying on a programme of diverse and cutting-edge music inside Manchester's Heaton Park.

Curated by a number of the UK's most renowned clubbing brands, the weekender has rubber-stamped its position at the very front of the country's dance music scene.

When & where: 10-11 June 2023; Manchester

Parklife Festival Guide & Waiting List

Isle of Wight Festival

Festival lineup (2022): Muse, Lewis Capaldi, Kasabian, Pete Tong presents Ibiza Classics, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Blossoms, Madness

The reincarnation of one of the UK’s first ever festivals continues to pull in the world’s biggest guitar slingers and the hottest craftspeople from pop and electronic genres. 

Born in 1968 and still rocking out strong 50 years later, IoW has lived through decades of musical and cultural change, always staying relevant and incredibly popular.

When & where: 15-18 June 2023; Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight Festival Guide & Waiting List

AVA Festival

Festival lineup (2022): Bicep, Mura Masa, Jon Hopkins, Biig Piig, TSHA, Floorplan, Gemma Dunleavy, VTSS

AVA Festival is a cutting-edge house and techno music festival in the Northern Ireland capital of Belfast. Built around five core pillars – forward thinking lineups, artist development, high production values, a commitment to visual arts and community – AVA's latest instalment will deliver on all five.

When & where: June 2023; Belfast

AVA Festival Guide & Waiting List

Reading & Leeds Festivals

Festival lineup (2022): Arctic Monkeys, Dave, The 1975, Halsey, Megan Thee Stallion, Bring Me The Horizon, Wolf Alice, Run The Jewels

Reading and Leeds are the type of riotous events that Bank Holidays are made for, providing a platform for rising and established indie bands, metal groups, next generation dance, hip hop and alternative pop acts. An enduring rite of passage for the UK festival-goer.

When & where: 25th - 27th August 2023; Reading & Leeds

Reading Festival Guide & Waiting List / Leeds Festival Guide & Waiting List

Junction 2 Festival

Festival lineup (2022): Maceo Plex, Nina Kraviz, Robert Hood, TSHA, Ben Klock, Amelie Lens, Jon Hopkins, Four Tet

A key weekend in the UK's techno calendar, the festival's name originates from its setting – quite literally underneath a motorway – and the industrial-meets-park surroundings are the perfect accompaniment to Junction 2's gritty, but alternative, sound.

When & where: 2023 Dates TBA; London

Junction 2 Festival Guide & Waiting List

Wireless Festival

Festival lineup (2022): Cardi B, SZA, Nicki Minaj, A$AP Rocky, J. Cole, Tyler, the Creator, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion

Wireless is not quite bigger than hip-hop, but it's certainly getting that way. This soiree is the best chance to see a line up of rap royalty, leaning heavily on the side of trap, grime, hip-hop and R&B. One of very few UK dates that this pedigree of scene superstars book in advance.

When & where: 2023 Dates TBA; London

Wireless Festival Guide & Mailing List

Creamfields

Festival lineup (2022): Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox, Martin Garrix, Nina Kraviz, Tiësto, Fatboy Slim

Dance brand Cream has become a global superstar, taking its legendary parties across continents; and yet it all began as an offshoot from Liverpool's Cream nightclub.

Now in Daresbury, Creamfields attracts tens of thousands every year seeking to party to the finest names in dance, along with immense visuals, lighting and pyrotechnics. Joined by a devoted following, Creamfields continues to shape the dance scene as we know it.

When & where: 24th - 27th August 2023; Daresbury

Creamfields Guide & Waiting List

Green Man

Festival lineup (2022): Metronomy, Kraftwerk, Beach House, Michael Kiwanuka, Cate Le Bon, Bicep, Parquet Courts

Amidst the foothills and rolling green fields of the Brecon Beacons National Park, southern Wales, lies a magical land where folks have gathered for more than two decades; coming together each summer for a inclusive, inviting, and intriguing showcase of indie, alternative, and under-the-radar music from across the globe.

When & where: August 2023; Crickhowell

Forwards

Festival lineup: The Chemical Brothers, Jamie xx, Little Simz, Khruangbin, Caribou, Floating Points, Roísín Murphy, Sleaford Mods 

A new city festival for Bristol, held on Clifton Downs, Forwards brings together a stellar lineup of music with a programme of some of the world’s most inspirational experts, disruptors, artists, writers and thinkers from across the social and political spectrum, all to help create incredible music moments and spark positive change.

When & where: September 2023; Bristol

Forwards Bristol Guide & Waiting List

Boardmasters Festival

Festival lineup (2022): George Ezra, Disclosure, Kings of Leon, Damian Marley, De La Soul, Bastille, IDLES, Bombay Bicycle Club

Hidden amongst the swell and sunshine of the south-west coast of England, Boardmasters mixes the best boarders in the world – whether they’re surfers or skaters – with BMX kings, and soundtracks the action with dance dons, folk stars, and pop favourites. 

With cliff-top sessions and surf shack shows, it's only a cocktail short of the best weekend of the year. Ready to make your Instagram followers jealous?

When & where: August 2023; Newquay

Boardmasters Festival Guide & Waiting List

Beautiful People

Festival lineup (2022): Arrested Development, Masters at Work, Moodymann, DJ Jazzy Jeff, David Rodigan, Evelyn 'Champagne' King, Anané, Easy Mo Bee

Billed as "the world's friendliest party", Beautiful People is all about bringing people together under a shared love of music and the summer sun – returning to London to once again to showcase a vibrant day of all things house, soul, R&B, garage and disco.

When & where: September 2023; London

Beautiful People Guide & Waiting List

We Out Here

Festival lineup (2022): Pharoah Sanders, Underground Resistance, KOKOROKO, Masters at Work, The Comet is Coming, Emma Jean Thackray, Sherelle, Overmono

Despite being in its relative infancy, with the debut outing in 2019, the brainchild of Gilles Peterson already feels like a staple of the UK calendar – earning plaudits for its inviting atmosphere, immaculate vibes, and dedication to showcasing eclectic talent.

We Out Here shares the same ethos, and champions the same sounds, as both his Worldwide brand and Brownswood label. That is to say, jazz maestros share the billing with purveyors of global club sounds, underground electronic veterans, and exciting new talent from the worlds of soul, hip-hop and beyond.

When & where: August 2023; Abbots Ripton

Photo: Rob Jones

NASS Festival

Festival lineup (2022): Loyle Carner, AJ Tracey, Hannah Wants, Headie One, Mabel, Becky Hill, Andy C, Wilkinson

NASS Festival is the UK’s biggest celebration of music, street art, skate and BMX, and is the UK's only professional action sport and music festival.

Showcased across four days and 11 stages at the Bath & West Showground, NASS lays on a weekend of sports competitions in Skate, BMX, Inline and FMX, as well as music from the worlds of drum and bass, hip-hop, grime, house and more.

When & where: July 2023; Shepton Mallet

NASS Festival Guide & Waiting List