The Best UK Festivals 2024 | Countryside Camping & London Day Festivals
If you’re someone who enjoys standing in extremely close proximity to mass numbers of other humans; swigging on warm pints; and bobbing your head to a thumping bass… then you’ve come to the right place.
For we have seen some sights, travelled great distances, and endured many a portaloo in our quest to compile a list of only the very best UK festivals this year (along with some great ones that are happening right here in our own backyard, London); which you can read all about below.
JUMP TO: LONDON FESTIVALS
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Glastonbury | The Big One
It’s the grandaddy of them all: Glastonbury is an annual pilgrimage for many and not just the biggest of UK festivals but perhaps the entire planet. It started out in 1970 (originally called Pilton Festival) and has grown in size ever since; measuring up to around 1,200 acres of English countryside, transformed into a musical/artistic/creative haven for 5 days of the year.
Where: Worthy Farm, Somerset
When: 26-30th June
Size: 203,500
Music genre: Any and all
Headliners: Dua Lipa, Coldplay, SZA, Shania Twain, Disclosure
On sale: Sold out (tickets are like gold dust) – info for next year
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Lost Village | The Mysterious One
Located in an ‘abandoned forest’, Lost Village is still on the young side of UK festivals, having being founded in 2015. When navigating your way through the woodland, you’ll not only come across derelict buildings and junkyards but decadent lakeside banquets and chef’s table experiences; feasts whipped up by the British-Indian restaurant gurus Kricket and baking extraordinaires Pophams; wood-fired hot tubs and Finnish saunas; talks; workshops & comedy.
Where: Lincolnshire
When: 22nd-25th August 2024
Size: Around 5,000
Music genre: Mostly dance
Headliners: Crazy P, Flight Facilities, Horse Meat Disco, SBTRKT
On Sale: Final release 3rd May, 10am
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Wilderness | The Foodie One
Image: James Knappe
A weekend of laid-back music, game-changing grub, and lakeside wellness, Wilderness is one of the more relaxing, cushty UK festivals. This year, feast in a forest with chefs like Asma Khan (Darjeeling Express) and Claude Bosi (Brooklands); bop to Craig Charles DJ sets and The Bhangra All Stars; enjoy special editions of Letters Live and Sunday Papers Live; and learn to levitate or join a drag queen wine tasting.
Where: Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire
When: 1st – 4th August 2024
Size: Around 10,000
Music genre: Big-hitters
Headliners: Michael Kiwanuka, Faithless, Jessie Ware, Goldfrapp
On sale: Now
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Camp Wildfire | The Adventurous One
If you’ve ever imagined what an American Summer camp might look like in the UK, then head for Kent. Particularly over one specific weekend each summer, when Camp Wildfire sets up shop in the Heritage Pine Forest. Here you’ll have the chance to try out over 100 activities from stilt walking and coding to krav maga, beatboxing and forensic investigation… then join the house games at sunset (where you’ll compete for points in classic tournament challenges of tug-of-war and ‘pegface’)… and then really let your hair down at the gigs after dark.
Where: Heritage Pine Forest, Sevenoaks, Kent
When: 23rd – 26th August and 30th August – 2nd September
Size: Intimate
Music genre: Crowd-pleasing dance, funk & pop
Headliners: Norman Jay, Grandmaster Flash, Charlotte Church’s Late Night Pop Dungeon, Dutty Moonshine Big Band
On Sale: Ticket resale launches 10th May, 10am
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Latitude | The Kid-Friendly One
Famed for its pink sheep, beautiful woodland scenery and for showing that UK festivals can indeed count as a family weekend away, Suffolk’s Latitude is a winner for all ages. While there’s the mandatory music and DJs (for the latter, think raves in the woods that go late into the night), there’s also poetry, drama shows and comedy on offer.
Where: Henham Park, Suffolk
When: 25th – 28th July 2024
Size: 35,000
Music genre: Mostly pop and alt-rock
Headliners: Duran Duran, Kasabian, Keane, London Grammar
On sale: now
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We Out Here | The Edgy New One
Image: Karla Lizethe Hunter
Combine Gilles Peterson’s top music picks with the idyllic Dorset countryside and you’ve got We Out Here, a festival from the mind of the famed French broadcaster and DJ. The lineup includes Peterson himself, of course, and the rest of it is as on-trend as you’d expect with André 3000, Sampha and spoken word artist Kae Tempest among 2024’s main acts. Need a breather away from it all? There’s a wellness zone too, and the area – with woodlands and a seven-acre lake – is very walkable.
Where: Wimborne St Gil(l)es, Dorset
When: 15th – 18th August, 2024
Size: 10,000
Music genre: Jazz, disco, soul, house
Headliners: André 3000, Sampha, Kae Tempest, Mount Kimbie
On sale: now
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Green Man | The Eco One
Besides an always impeccably-curated lineup that results in close-to immediate sell-outs, Green Man festival is revered for its ethical practices and environmentally-friendly engagement that includes drawing upon local Welsh vendors for the food and drink, using solar power and compost loos, and banning single-use plastics.
Where: Brecon Beacons, Wales
When: 15th – 18th August 2024
Size: 25,000
Music genre: An eclectic mix
Headliners: Sampha, Jon Hopkins, Arlo Parks, The Jesus and Mary Chain
On sale: Resales available here
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The Big Feastival | The Chilled One
Held on Blur bassist Alex James’ farm, The Big Feastival is clearly on to a good thing. This year, the laid-back Cotswolds festival features live cookery demos with Raymond Blanc and Cherish Finden; comedy; crafts; wood-fired tubs; street food from Only Jerkin’ and BBQ courtesy of ACME Fire Cult; a vintage funfair and 3 stages of varied music. Oh, and amazing loos.
Where: Alex James’ Farm, The Cotswolds
When: 23rd – 25th August 2024
Size: 55,000 across 3 days
Music genre: 00s indie & house, with a sprinkling of new chart-toppers
Headliners: Becky Hill, Snow Patrol, Ministry of Sound Classical, Johnny Marr
On sale: now
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Camp Bestival | The Family-Focussed One
The more family-orientated version of the now defunct Bestival (RIP) offers loads of activities and attractions to appease the little ones (think circus performers, bushcraft and face painting) while adults can have their moment at the main stage dancing to the likes of McFly and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Where: Lulworth Castle, Dorset; Weston Park, Shropshire
When: 25th-28th July (Dorset); 15th-18th August (Shropshire)
Size: 10,000
Music genre: A focus on indie and dance
Headliners: Faithless, Paloma Faith, Rick Astley, McFly
On sale: now
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End Of The Road | The Independent Rock and Folk One
Image: Sonny Malhotra
Having started up in 2006, End of the Road festival is far from it. It remains independent, meaning you won’t have to stare at any huge sponsorship banners whilst enjoying the music; comedy; food trucks, and potential peacock sightings.
Where: Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset
When: 29th August – 1st September 2024
Size: 14,000
Music genre: Rock and folk
Headliners: Idles, Slowdive, Fever Ray
On sale: now
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Houghton | The Ravey One
Remember those nights stumbling out of Fabric at 7am? Probably not… Well, this is a bit like the iconic London club only in festival form, masterminded by its resident DJ Craig Richards and with a 24-hour music licence. Expect similar dusk to dawn euphoria, in a hidden forest, with explosive sets coming from some of the most in-demand artists working the underground electronic music scene today.
Where: Houghton Hall, King’s Lynn, Norfolk
When: 8th – 11th August 2024
Size: 10,000
Music genre: Electronica
Headliners: Actress, Horse Meat Disco, Calibre, Palms Trax
On sale: now
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Shambala | The Hippie One
Image: Ania Shrimpton
Every year, hordes of free spirits and pleasure-seekers arrive in Northamptonshire (the actual location is kept secret right up until just before the event) for a sustainably-minded weekend of hedonism. The food is entirely vegan, festival-goers are encouraged to create their own outfits from recycled material; and alongside the 12 music stages there’s also workshops, talks and movie screenings that seek to underline the importance of protecting the environment.
Where: Secret Country Estate, Northamptonshire
When: 22nd-25th August
Size: 7000
Music genre: World music, folk, rock, pop and dance… the whole spectrum, really.
Headliners: Flamingods, Lynks, Murmuration Choir, Old Time Sailors
On sale: now
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Edinburgh Fringe | The Theatre One
Image: Robert V. Ruggiero
Deemed one of the world’s largest arts festivals, Edinburgh Fringe was started up in 1947 and has always allowed absolutely anyone to participate, from big name comedians to student theatre. Shows are broken down into 10 main categories; cabaret and variety; children’s shows; comedy; dance, physical theatre and circus; events; exhibitions; music; musicals and opera; spoken word; and theatre. Plan your schedule well in advance and you can find yourself hopping from venue to venue across the historic city, soaking up bite-sized culture all day long.
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
When: 2nd – 26th August 2024
Size: Hundreds of shows, in variously sized venues
On sale: See the programme here (and get your hotel room booked pronto)
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El Dorado | The Bohemian One
Image: Giulia Spadafora
There’s an escapist Burning Man vibe to El Dorado – a vibrant UK festival from the people behind Cirque du Soul that takes you out of reality and drops you into the heart of a sun-drenched (on a good day…) valley in Herefordshire, inhabited by colour-splashed set design, glittered-up costumed party-goers and the current crop of must-see artists making headlines in dance.
Where: Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire
When: 11th July – 14th July 2024
Size: 12,000
Music genre: House and disco, drum ‘n’ bass, jungle, dubstep
Headliners: Boney M, Honey Dijon, SBTRKT, Ross From Friends, Shy FX
On sale: now
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Boomtown | The Immersive One
Image: One Eye In
Held in the Winchester wilderness every August, the Boomtown experience involves fairytale villages (there’s eight of them, each with a special, distinct theme), giant storybook-like stages, heavy metal moshes in a dystopian hangar and secret dance parties in the woods. As all the music and mayhem goes on, there’s also a plot unfolding in the background… told through hundreds of roaming actors (dressed up in-character) who interact with the crowd and set challenges which can be then completed for festival currency. Expect high-production values and incredible visuals.
Where: Matterley Estate, South Downs National Park, near Winchester, Hampshire
When: 7th – 11th August 2024
Size: 66,000
Music genre: Reggae, metal, folk, techno – every genre you can think of, and there’s around 500 acts on the bill over the five days.
Headliners: TBA, but previously they’ve included Lauryn Hill, The Specials, The Streets
On sale: Now
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Black Deer | The Americana One
Not saying you have to bring your plaids, old washed jeans and cowboy hats to this, but if there was ever a festival in the UK for it, it’s Black Deer; a boutique, three-day celebration of Americana. Expect country, blues and roots music; massive barbecues and mighty smokers; live fire demonstrations; gospel brunches; custom motorcycles and more than a few drunken campfire songs…
Where: Eridge Park, Kent
When: 14th – 16th June 2024
Size: 1500
Music genre: Americana
Headliners: Joe Bonamassa, Sheryl Crow, Rufus Wainwright
On Sale: Now
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Boardmasters | The Seaside One
Will Bailey
Boardmasters has one of the most scenic festival backdrops in the world in its locker – down Watergate Bay and along Newquay’s coastline – and partners it with surfing competitions, water sports, beach bars and crowd-pleasing acts that for this year include Courteneers, Katy B and Kate Nash.
Where: Newquay, Cornwall
When: 7th – 11th August 2024
Size: 53,000
Music genre: Rock, indie, dance
Headliners: Chase & Status, Sam Fender, Stormzy
On sale: Now
LONDON FESTIVALS
Field Day | The Classic One
Having started out in 2007, Field Day is now getting ready for round 17 having made its grand homecoming back to Victoria Park recently. The music is geared towards the dancey crowds – last year you had legendary electronic producer-artists Bonobo and Aphex Twin fronting proceedings and the likes of Jon Hopkins, Moderat and Juliana Huxtable filling out the rest of the day.
Where: Victoria Park, London
When: 24th August 2024
Size: 10,000
Music genre: Electronica
Headliners: TBA – previous acts include The Chemical Brothers, Jorja Smith, James Blake
On sale: Now
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Mighty Hoopla | The Pop-tastic One
A pop-tastic glittery extravaganza, with a little LGBTQ+ fabulousness thrown in; celebrating diversity and all things pop-centric with disco, funk, dancing and club nights/collectives including The Karaoke Hole, Shotgun Carousel and Guilty Pleasures.
Where: Brockwell Park, London
When: 1st & 2nd June 2024
Size: 16,000
Music genre: Pop
Headliners: Bananarama, Nelly Furtado, Jessie Ware, Rita Ora
On sale: Now (only Sunday tickets remaining)
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BST | The Star-Studded Lineup One
Running for three successive weekends over July, BST (British Summer Time) is where to catch rock-n-roll legends, pop groups that dominated the charts at the turn of the millennium and, well, essentially every artist with multiple entries on the best-selling single and albums lists. This year you’ll be able to climb up on somebody’s shoulders to see the likes of Kylie, Robbie Williams, and Stevie Nicks, and the free open-house programme running during the week offers up live music, open-air cinema, street food markets and more.
Where: Hyde Park, London
When: 29th June – 14th July 2024
Size: 65,000 across 3 weekends
Music genre: The biggest names in the business
Headliners: SZA, Kings of Leon, Shania Twain
On sale: Now
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Kaleidoscope Festival | The Hilltop One
Live music at Alexandra Palace is normally linked to iconic indoor gigs, but for one day in the summer, the party travels outside where 10,000 sun-kissed, beer-swigging punters take over the grass bank in front of the Pally and let their hair down under the laser lights with a peach of a panorama across the city.
Where: Alexandra Palace
When: 13th July 2024
Size: 10,000
Music genre: Indie, pop, electronica
Headliners: Soul II Soul, The Go! Team, Mr. Scruff, Ministry of Sound Classical
On sale: Now
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GALA | The Hip One
Image: Frankie Casillo
If you want to give off the impression that you’ve got a cutting-edge, ultra-cool taste in music, just memorise the GALA line-up. This year’s all-dayer features appearances by OMOLOKO, Angel D’lite and Joy Orbison, and is held in Peckham Rye Park over the late May bank holiday weekend.
Where: Peckham Rye Park
When: 24th – 26th May 2024
Size: Intimate
Music genre: The hottest names currently doing the rounds in the UK’s underground circuit
Headliners: DJ EZ, Job Jobse, Folamour
On sale: Now
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Meltdown Festival | The Long-Running One
Image: Victor Frankowski
Each year, the lineup to this London festival held at the Southbank Centre is handpicked by one of the most respected names in the industry to reflect his/her musical tastes. This year it’s the turn of the legendary Chaka Khan, who’s packed out her programme with appearances from the likes of Emeli Sandé and Todrick Hall alongside free gigs and outdoor dance parties with collectives like Habibti Nation and Sisters in Dub.
Where: Southbank Centre
When: 14th – 23rd June 2024
Music genre: Whatever the curator likes – so leaning towards jazz, R&B and soul this year
Headliners: Chaka Khan, Emeli Sandé, Todrick Hall, Lady Blackbird, Bruce Hornsby and Incognito
On sale: Now
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All Points East | The Up-and-Coming One
Image: Luke Hannaford
Spread over three days in East London’s leafy Victoria Park, All Points East is a relatively new kid on the festival block, having only started up in 2018. In its brief history it’s already won Line-Up of the Year at the UK Festival Awards, and has called the likes of Stormzy, Aphex Twin and Bonobo to the stage.
Where: Victoria Park, London
When: 16th – 25th August 2024
Music genre: Electronica, indie, rock
Size: 40,000
Headliners: Loyle Carner, Lianne La Havas, Ezra Collective, Jai Paul, Pixies
On sale: Now
Want this, without the portaloos? Check out the best bars in London with live music