It wouldn’t be a UK Summer without a jam-packed roster of music festivals to enjoy in the warmer weather. As you might expect, these festivals are popular with Brits and international visitors alike who come to see global acts and rising stars perform, with dance tents, food trucks, and idyllic settings being the cherry on top.
To give you some inspiration, here are some of the best UK music festivals to hit up during your time over in Blighty. There’s a bit of everything here, from the big hitters to the more eclectic, family-friendly festivals, so pack your tent and get saving (they’re not cheap!).
Glastonbury Festival, Somerset
June
The grand-daddy of them all, Glastonbury is a giant of a festival that music fans should definitely make a beeline to any time it’s on. Even for those who just want an experience, going to Glastonbury at least once in your life is something you’ve got to do. Given the stature of the festival, it’s no wonder that the festival has attracted greats including David Bowie, Beyonce, and Stevie Wonder in the past. The multiple different stages, themed areas, and chilled fields make Glastonbury a veritable town in itself. Awesome, in a word.
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The Great Escape Festival, Brighton
May
Unlike many of the UK’s other music festivals, Brighton’s Great Escape is an urban festival, exchanging cow pastures and fields for pubs and hideaway lanes. The festival sees over 400 bands and other music acts performing across 35 venues across the city. Grab yourself a wristband and go for it – the festival venues are all eminently walkable, after all. And if you don’t know Brighton, it’s the ideal introduction to the often quite alternative city.
Isle of Wight Festival, Isle of Wight
May-June
The long history of the Isle of Wight Festival gives it a certain amount of prestige: it was founded way back in 1968 and it’s still going strong to this day. This UK music festival is all classic acts, with old-school legends The Who and Jimi Hendrix first giving the festival its name. This year you can expect more modern purveyors of music mixed with vintage acts, from Sigrid to Lionel Ritchie. And you get a trip to the Isle of Wight at the same time, win-win.
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Boardmasters Surf and Music Festival, Cornwall
August
Compared to many music festivals in the UK, Boardmasters in sunny Cornwall is a relatively small festival. But that doesn’t mean this festival doesn’t pack a punch. There’s an eclectic mix of performances to look forward to here, from hip hop and indie, to dance and alternative rock. But as you might be able to tell from its name, there’s more to Boardmasters than just music. This is a very outdoorsy festival, so there’s kayaking, surfing, yoga sessions, and even coastal runs to get involved with. And if that all sounds too much for you, just kick back on the beach and take it all in.
Green Man Festival, Brecon Beacons, Wales
August
Creativity is the name of the game at the sublime Green Man festival. Here it’s not just about the musical performances – for the most part a mix of indie, alternative rock, and folk – but the interactive side of festivals, too. There’s sound therapy sessions, workshops, and debates to attend across the duration of the festival. And if you don’t like things too crazy, don’t worry – Green Man is about as family-friendly as UK music festivals come.
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Latitude Festival, Suffolk
July
Speaking of family-friendly music festivals, Latitude is definitely up there as a solid option who like things less crazy and party-oriented. Alongside the music, there’s poetry, literary events, and even comedy on the cards at Latitude. This UK music festival is also one for all the foodies out there, with food being a key element of Latitude thanks to a team-up with Street Feast, a London-based company who bring all the street food, stalls, and trucks you could ever want. There’s even paddleboarding on the lake to enjoy.
Reading & Leeds
August
Held simultaneously in both Reading & Leeds (see what we did there?) this festival is not for the faint-hearted. With its international rockstar lineup, artists play in one location on Friday, then the other on Saturday. Previous headline acts have included The Killers, Billie Eilish, Arctic Monkeys, Rage Against The Machine and more.
Lost Village Festival, Lincolnshire
August
Lost Village is a pretty unique UK music festival. If you like the sound of wandering along mysterious woodland trails through forests, discovering abandoned buildings, and disused airports, then you’ll love Lost Village. This is what it’s all about – with stages, workshops, and various discoverable scenes in between. Music-wise, the vibe is very much dance and electronic.
Dancing to your hearts content at these festivals is just one of the many incredible experiences you can find in the UK. If you’re thinking of a gap year, UK Hospo Co. has you covered with jobs available all over the UK. Apply today and you too could be planning your next overseas adventure.
