UK music festivals in 2023

1. Perth Festival of the Arts

18-27 May: Perth

Starting as an opera and classical music festival in the early 1970s, Perth Festival of the Arts now covers all art forms including drama, rock, folk, jazz, visual art, literature and comedy. This year’s line-up includes Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, and George Hinchliffe’s Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.

perthfestival.co.uk

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2. Bearded Theory

25-28 May: Catton Hall, Derbyshire

The 14th edition of Bearded Theory, a family festival in the Midlands, will have Interpol, Primal Scream, Gogol Bordello, Gary Numan, Echo & The Bunnymen, and Flogging Molly among the list of performers. Taking place in the heart of the National Forest at Catton Hall in Derbyshire, this year’s event will also see the return of the unique Festival School, Rogues Hideout, and Earth Area.

beardedtheory.co.uk

3. Creamfields South

26-28 May: Hylands Park, Chelmsford

Held on the May bank holiday weekend, Creamfields South will see Becky Hill, Example, and Tiësto headline the Friday. Calvin Harris, Camelphat, Chase & Status, Carl Cox and Nina Kravis are on Saturday, while Swedish House Mafia, Fatboy Slim, Gorgon City, Andy C, Patrick Topping, and Sonny Fodera perform on Sunday.

creamfieldssouth.com

4. In It Together

26-28 May: Margam

In It Together festival returns to Wales with a mega line-up for 2023. The Kooks, Anne-Marie, and James will headline, and other acts confirmed include James Bay, Jake Bugg, The Vamps, UB40, Melanie C, Chase & Status, The Reytons, Bjorn Again, and Toploader. Natalie Imbruglia will headline the Thursday campers party.

inittogetherfestival.com

5. HowTheLightGetsIn Hay

26-29 May: Hay-on-Wye, Powys, Wales

If there’s one festival you don’t want to miss it’s HowTheLightGetsIn Hay 2023, the world’s largest philosophy and music festival. Running from 26-29 May in the idyllic booktown of Hay, the festival attracts Nobel laureates, Pulitzer-prize winners and cutting-edge thinkers to think bigger about the great challenges and opportunities of our time. Expect to see Slavoj Žižek, Fiona Hill, Brian Greene, Gillian Tett, Esther Freud, Rowan Williams, Roger Penrose and more lock horns in discussions on the most urgent issues of today. Explore the full programme and get 20% off final tier tickets with code WEEK23.

howthelightgetsin.org

6. Wide Awake

27 May: Brockwell Park, London

Wide Awake is an independent festival brought to life by some of London’s most iconic promoters and small music venues. Celebrating a line-up of leftfield indie, post punk, electronica, techno, and jazz acts, the 2023 bill includes the likes of Caroline Polachek, Daniel Avery (live), Oneohtrix Point Never, Osees, Shy Girl, and Ty Segall.

wideawakelondon.co.uk

7. Slam Dunk Festival

27-28 May: Hatfield House and Leeds Temple Newsam

Slam Dunk is a pop-punk, emo, metal, and alternative music festival held on consecutive days in south and north locations – Hatfield House in Hertfordshire on 27 May and Leeds Temple Newsam on 28 May. Headliners include The Offspring, Enter Shikari, Billy Talent, Bowling for Soup, and Yellowcard.

slamdunkfestival.com

8. Cross the Tracks

28 May: Brockwell Park, London

Jass, funk and soul festival Cross The Tracks will be held on bank holiday Sunday 28 May at Brockwell Park in London. NxWorries Masego (Anderson .Paak & Knxwledge), Kelis, Alfa Mist, Gilles Peterson and the Roy Ayers farewell tour will feature.

xthetracks.com

9. City Splash

29 May: Brockwell Park, London

A one-day spectacular held at Brockwell Park, City Splash is the UK’s biggest celebration of Reggae, Dancehall, Afrobeats, food and culture. Chronixx, Koffee, Shenseea, Skillibeng, Gyakie, Stylo G, Jah9, Ayra Starr, General Levy, Channel One, Iration Steppas, Ras Kwame, Pioneer b2b Supa D ft Coldsteps and many more will play across seven stages with a wealth of black-owned food, drinks and creative markets all making it an unmissable celebration of Caribbean and African culture.

city-splash.com

10. Spring Classic

1-4 June: Woolacombe, Devon

Celebrating live music, surf, skate, ride and van culture, the Spring Classic will showcase a range of high-profile acts alongside local musicians. There will also be live fire cooking feasts, demonstrations and a show and shine area for van and motor lovers. The 2023 line-up includes Arrested Development, Krafty Kuts, Freestylers, BCUC, Sam and the Womp, Keston Cobblers Club, Alfresco Disco, Benny Page, Selecta J-Man, and Indian Man.

springclassic.co.uk

11. AVA Festival Belfast

2-3 June: Titanic Slipways, Belfast

International icons from the live and electronic worlds will head to the heart of Belfast city to play alongside grassroots southern and northern Irish talent. Held at Titanic Slipways, a new venue with an iconic Belfast docklands backdrop, the two-day event will feature slamming techno, bumpin’ house, fizzy garage and raucous breakbeats, through to meditative ambient, soul-soothing r’n’b, Irish hip-hop and rap.

avafestival.com

12. Forbidden Forest

2-4 June: Belvoir Castle, Nottinghamshire

Electronic powerhouse Michael Bibi joins the Forbidden Forest line-up for its eighth edition, along with Massano, Secondcity, Jess Bays, The Shapeshifters and more. For the first time ever the event will have live music on the Friday exclusively for campers, transforming it into a full three-day festival. And kicking off the weekend will be a Glitterbox x Defected takeover on the opening night.

forbidden-forest.co.uk

13. Gottwood Festival

8-11 June: Anglesey Forest

Nestled in the middle of the Anglesey Forest in Wales, Gottwood Festival has long been one of electronic music’s best-kept secrets. Artists confirmed for the intimate underground electronic music festival include Mathew Jonson (live), DJ Tennis, Mano Le Tough, Kai Campos from Mount Kimbie playing a techno set, Ame (live), Sonja Moonear, Gene on Earth b2b The Ghost, Margaret Dygas, Move D and more.

gottwood.co.uk

14. Parklife

10-11 June: Heaton Park, Manchester

Held at Heaton Park in Manchester, the Parklife festival “blends beats from multiple music genres, including hip hop, grime, pop, rock, club, house and dance DJs”, said the Daily Mirror. The 2023 line-up includes The 1975, Aitch, Fred Again.., The Prodigy, Little Simz, and Wu-Tang Clan & Nas.

parklife.uk.com

15. Capital’s Summertime Ball

11 June: Wembley Stadium, London

London’s iconic Wembley Stadium will be the setting for Capital’s Summertime Ball on 11 June. The packed musical line-up includes Lewis Capaldi, Anne Marie, Sigala, Raye, Jess Glynne, Zara Larsson, Jonas Brothers, Niall Horan, Ellie Goulding, Calvin Harris and more.

capitalfm.com

16. Isle of Wight Festival

15-18 June: Seaclose Park, Newport

Pulp, George Ezra, The Chemical Brothers and Robbie Williams have been announced as the 2023 Isle of Wight Festival headliners. Pulp are joined by Courteeners, OneRepublic, Sugababes, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor on the Friday main stage. George Ezra and The Chemical Brothers are on the Saturday main stage with N-Dubz, Anne-Marie, Sam Ryder, Gabrielle, and Scouting For Girls. While on the Sunday main stage it’s Robbie Williams, Blondie, Niall Horan, James Bay, Mika, and Ella Henderson. Other confirmed acts include The Human League, Example, Manic Street Preachers, Groove Armada (DJ set), and Echo & The Bunnymen.

isleofwightfestival.com

17. Black Deer Festival

16-18 June: Eridge Park, Kent

Bonnie Raitt and Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats will headline the Black Deer Festival of Americana. Other acts include The Teskey Brothers, Lucinda Williams, Calexico, Allison Russell, Elles Bailey, Amythyst Kiah, Robert Vincent, Bella White, and Dylan Earl.

blackdeerfestival.com

18. West End Live

17-18 June, London

Each summer Trafalgar Square hosts a free weekend of live performances from top West End musicals for audiences to enjoy London’s most celebrated musicals and discover new must-see shows. There are no tickets and you don’t need to book, just turn up on the day and join in.

westendlive.co.uk

19. Glastonbury Festival

21-25 June: Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset

Elton John has been announced as the first headline act for Glastonbury 2023. The Rocket Man will play the Pyramid Stage on the Sunday night, for what will be the final UK show of his last ever tour. The other confirmed Pyramid Stage headliners are Arctic Monkeys (Friday night) and Guns N’ Roses (Saturday night). Yusuf/Cat Stevens will play the Sunday teatime legend slot.

glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

20. Coastella Festival

30 June-2 July: Percy Park RFC, North Shields

There’s a brand-new coastal music festival on the scene for 2023, nestled in the heart of North Shields. Headline acts include Futureheads, Judge Jules and Andrew Cushin.

newcastlegateshead.com

21. BST Hyde Park

June and July: Hyde Park, London

There will be some huge names on the bill at this summer’s BST Hyde Park series of concerts. P!nk and special guest Gwen Stefani will kick things off with two shows, on 24-25 June. Guns N’ Roses are on Friday 30 June, while a day later, Saturday 1 July, Take That will play a UK exclusive with special guests The Script and Sugababes. On Sunday 2 July it’s the turn of South Korean girl group Blackpink, then on 6 and 8 July Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band will rock Hyde Park. Billy Joel will play his only European show of 2023 on Friday 7 July.

bst-hydepark.com

22. Dog Day Afternoon

1 July: Crystal Palace Park, London

Iggy Pop is headlining Dog Day Afternoon at Crystal Palace Park in London this summer. The Buzzcocks, Blondie, Billy Idol and some former Sex Pistols will be joining the 75-year-old rocker for a one-off celebration of punk.

ticketmaster.co.uk

23. El Dorado Festival

6-9 July: Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire

El Dorado returns in July with a host of established and emerging live and electronic acts across the four-day festival of music, wellness, art and creativity held in the idyllic woodland space of Eastnor Castle Deer Park in Herefordshire. The line-up for 2023 includes KC & The Sunshine Band, Sampa the Great, and Vengaboys.

eldoradofestival.com

24. TRNSMT 2023

7-9 July: Glasgow Green, Glasgow

Pulp, Sam Fender and The 1975 will headline TRNSMT 2023. They will be joined in Glasgow by acts such as George Ezra, Kasabian, Niall Horan, Royal Blood, Becky Hill, and The Kooks.

trnsmtfest.com

25. ALSO

14-16 July: Park Farm, Compton Verney, Warwickshire

ALSO marks its ten-year anniversary with the theme of “Re-Enchantment”. The festival – which includes wellness, art, theatre and cabaret, talks, comedy and music – will host 300 events across 14 stages. Music acts include K.O.G, Love Itoya, and Get the Water, while the comedy line-up includes Sara Pascoe, Celya Ab, and Robin Ince.

also-festival.com

26. Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival

14-23 July: Edinburgh

Held over ten days in the Scottish capital, the popular Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival will feature more than 150 performances. Showcasing the best of Scotland’s jazz and blues talent, the event welcomes more than 70,000 people every year.

edinburghjazzfestival.com

27. Kew The Music

11-16 July: Kew Gardens, London

The festival of picnic concerts at Kew Gardens in London will feature headline performances from Jack Savoretti, The Human League, Haçienda Classiçal, and Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.

kewthemusic.org

28. Latitude

20-23 July: Henham Park, Suffolk

Latitude festival at Henham Park in Suffolk will see Pulp, Paulo Nutini and George Ezra headline in July. Other acts this year include The Kooks, Metronomy, Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott, and Siouxsie.

latitudefestival.com

29. Tunes on the Sands

21-22 July: Blackpool Sands Beach, Devon

Tunes on the Sands will return to the beautiful Blackpool Sands in Devon this July. Martin Kemp 80s Party, Toploader, and Dodgy have been confirmed for the Friday, while Sister Sledge and Stereo MCs will play on the Saturday.

tunesonthesands.com

30. On The Beach Brighton

21-23 and 28-30 July: Brighton Beach, Brighton

On the Beach in Brighton will have two weekend festivals in 2023. The first will be held from 21-23 July and the second on 28-30 July. Line-ups will be announced soon.

onthebeachbrighton.com

31. Birmingham Mela 2023

22-23 July: Victoria Park, Smethwick

The UK’s biggest South Asian music festival will bring some of the most popular British and international names to Victoria Park in Smethwick. Visitors can enjoy performances from up-and-coming and major artists alongside street theatre, visual arts, craft and dance workshops and a global food village.

birminghammela.com

32. Womad

27-30 July: Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire

Womad features music from all over the world. Held in Wiltshire, there will be six stages and the musical line-up includes Femi Kuti and the Positive Force, Bombay Bicycle Club, Kate Rusby, Mariza, Horace Andy with Dub Asante Band, and The Comet Is Coming. There’s also a children’s field with rock climbing, puppetry and themed crafts.

womad.co.uk

33. Camp Bestival Dorset

27-30 July: Lulworth Castle, Dorset

Camp Bestival’s 15th birthday bash will have an “Animal Snap” theme at Lulworth Castle in July. Grace Jones tops the bill and Craig David, The Kooks, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Ella Henderson, Confidence Man, Sam Ryder, Melanie C, and Scouting For Girls will also perform.

campbestival.net

34. Camp Bestival Shropshire

17-20 August: Weston Park, Shropshire

As well as the event in Dorset, there will also be Camp Bestival in Shropshire. The line-up for Weston Park includes Primal Scream, Rudimental, The Human League, Groove Armada (DJ set), Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Confidence Man, Sam Ryder, and Melanie C.

campbestival.net

35. All Points East

18 August: Victoria Park, London

The first headliner announced for All Points East in August will be Stormzy. He will team up with the festival for his own headlining day at Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets, and play a UK exclusive show. A full day of artists, to be announced, will be curated by Stormzy and All Points East.

allpointseastfestival.com

36. Hospitality In The Woods

19 August: Beckenham Place Park, London

Hospitality In The Woods is back for another bumper one-day celebration of all things drum and bass on Saturday 19 August. There will be five stages with headliners including Netsky, High Contrast, A.M.C Calibre, Roni Size, DJ Marky, Camo & Krooked, Goddard, LTJ Bukem, Metrik and more.

skiddle.com

37. International Beatleweek

23-29 August: Liverpool

A week-long celebration of the Fab Four takes place in Liverpool in August. The annual International Beatleweek brings tribute bands from around the world to the famous Cavern Club where it all began. The Beatles played the Cavern Club nearly 300 times, helping it become the most famous live music venue in the world.

internationalbeatleweek.com

38. Creamfields North

24-27 August: Daresbury, Cheshire

The northern edition of iconic dance music festival Creamfields will take its usual spot on the August bank holiday schedule. Tickets are already sold out for the event that will see Calvin Harris, Swedish House Mafia and Tiësto headlining.

creamfields.com

39. Lost Village

24-27 August: Lincolnshire

Held on the bank holiday in a beautiful forest, set amongst the Lincolnshire countryside, Lost Village is a four-day festival featuring music, food, wellness, comedy and adventure.

lostvillagefestival.com

40. Rye International Jazz & Blues Festival

24-28 August: Rye, East Sussex

A stellar line-up of jazz and blues artists will feature at this international festival in Rye, East Sussex. As well as events at venues around the town, there will also be a host of free music and fringe events taking place. A variety of ticketed and non-ticketed events are on offer throughout the weekend.

ryejazz.com

41. We Are FSTVL

25-27 August: Damyns Hall Aerodrome, Upminster

We Are FSTVL’s tenth edition returns to Damyns Hall Aerodrome in Upminster, affectionately known as “The Airfield of Dreams”. The dance festival celebrates the best in house, urban, bass, techno, and drum and bass. The 2023 line-up includes The Prodigy, Michael Bibi, FISHER, Annie Mac and Carl Cox.

wearefstvl.com

42. Reading and Leeds Festivals

25-27 August: Richfield Avenue, Reading; Bramham Park, Leeds

A host of artists have been confirmed for the festivals in Reading and Leeds this August. Billie Eilish, Sam Fender, Foals, The Killers, Imagine Dragons and Lewis Capaldi will headline the main stages, while other acts on the bill include Becky Hill, Bicep, Wet Leg, Central Cee, Steve Lacy, Slowthai, Trippie Redd, Yung Lean, Loyle Carner, Don Broco, and MUNA.

readingfestival.com

43. Big Feastival

25-27 August: Alex James’s Farm, The Cotswolds

Held over the August bank holiday weekend at the farm owned by Alex James, bassist of Blur, the Big Feastival is a fusion of great food and great music. As well as a number of musical headliners there will also be a line-up of chefs cooking up a storm in the Cotswolds.

thebigfeastival.com

44. Victorious Festival

25-27 August: Southsea, Portsmouth

Victorious Festival returns to Southsea seafront this summer with a phenomenal line up of acts. Jamiroquai will be the Friday headliner and is joined by Katy B, Newton Faulkner, and Wunderhorse. The Saturday and Sunday headliners are yet to be announced, but acts performing include The Divine Comedy, Amyl & The Sniffers, The Coral, Inspiral Carpets, Sigrid, The Vaccines, Beabadoobee, The Enemy, Dylan Crawlers, and Modernlove.

victoriousfestival.co.uk

45. CarFest

25-27 August: Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire

Motoring and music enthusiasts will be gearing up for CarFest at Laverstoke Park Farm in Hampshire. The family fundraising festival will see McFly, Craig David, Texas, and Rick Astley on the musical line-up.

carfest.org

46. Battersea Park In Concert

26-28 August: Battersea Park, London

Battersea Park’s inaugural open-air picnic concert series will celebrate the best in classical, West End musicals, soul and jazz this August. There will be performances from the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, Gabrielle, Yolanda Brown and Ronnie Scott’s All Stars.

batterseaparkinconcert.com

47. FORWARDS

1-2 September: Bristol, England

International music festival FORWARDS returns to Clifton Downs in Bristol on 1-2 September. Erykah Badu, Bonobo, and Raye headline the Friday while Aphex Twin, Primal Scream, Arlo Parks, and Leftfield take centre stage on the Saturday. With three stages, the festival aims to present a contemporary curation of music while paying homage to Bristol’s long-standing history of being a music city.

forwardsbristol.co.uk