The 60+ Best Music Festivals in the UK This Summer [2020]

By Vito Valentinetti / February 16, 2020

This Brighton showcase extravaganza, founded in 2016, brings in 400+ artists to 30+ venues for a weekend of musical discovery. Spotlight shows, secret gigs, club nights and spontaneous collaborations are just a part of a packed weekend of new music.

The multi-award winning and family-friendly festival, Bearded Theory, comes together for their Spring Gathering during the May bank holiday weekend. Besides the eclectic music lineup and children's activities, the festival also hosts a World Record Attempt for the Largest Number of People Wearing False Beards.

The award winning Love Saves the Day brings an energetic crowd of festies to Bristol for two days of electronic, indie, and hip-hop. In recent years, Love Saves the Day moved from the heart of the city to Eastville Park which has done little diminish the popularity of this Bank Holiday weekend fest. Known for unique stage installations and a positive vibe, this festival continues to evolve and amaze each year.

This traveling UK festival features the best up and comers in the region with alumni including The xx, Ed Sheeran, Mumford and Sons, The 1975, Frank Turner, Caribou, Wolf Alice, Jake Bugg, SBTKRT, Florence + The Machine, Peace, and Courtney Barnett. The metropolitan festival moves each day over the weekend from Manchester to Bristol to Nottingham, utilizing the best venues across all three cities.

This two-day indie music festival will take place in Victoria Park this spring. Produced by the same folks who put on Manchester’s Neighbourhood Festival, expect plenty of the biggest bands along with the hottest new talent.

After a standout debut in 2013, the award winning We Are FESTVL continues to evolve into one of the UK's most popular electronic festivals. Taking place over the May bank holiday weekend, hundreds of international DJs descend upon the aptly named Airfield of Dreams (just east on London) to play on more than 15 custom stages. After five years, they've even been able to add camping to the bill.

HowTheLightGetsIn, the world's largest philosophy and music festival, returns with thought-provoking debates, infectiously danceable music, comedy, and, of course, their legendary parties. Hay-on-Wye, a small market town in Wales also called The Town of Books, hosts the event through this incredible five-day journey.

One of the premier family festivals of the season, Wychwood boasts over 100 workshops for kids of all ages along with 4 stages of music. There's also a comedy stage, a kid's literature festival, a real ale festival, The Headphone Disco every night, great food, optional idyllic camping, and loads more.

For a single day in spring, the city of Camden goes off with a massive showcase festival. There's 200+ bands playing at over 20+ venues with one ticket providing access to everything. Camden Rocks is an ideal place to catch the latest emerging acts in the UK scene.

In the packed London festival scene, Field Day continues to stand apart from the crowd each summer in Victoria Park. The outdoor festival has sold out every year since its inception in 2007 -- no wonder since Field Day's alumni include Pixies, Metronomy, Animal Collective, Disclosure, Patti Smith, FKA Twigs, Savages, Of Montreal, and Run the Jewels. This bounty of indie rock also boasts the infamous Village Mentality which features a wry mix of team games, DIY side stalls, and competitive eating!

Open your festival heart to the next chapter of Gottwood. A well-kept secret with a real kick, the buzz heavy Gottwood Festival's annual celebration of the electronic underground makes an indelible impression. Located on the breathtaking Isle of Anglesey, this chill venue boasts lake and forest views along with some of prettiest sunsets in the UK festival scene.

One of the most popular fests in the northwest of the UK, Parklife delivers a massive party to Manchester. Teaming up with some of the top clubbing brands in the world, each stage has its own unique flavor. In total, there's 16 stages of music fronted by some of the biggest bands in the world.

The legendary Isle of Wight Festival is the traditional kick-off to the UK summer festival season. Europe's equivalent of Woodstock started in 1968 and has hosted rock and roll royalty like Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Foo Fighters, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Pearl Jam, Kings of Leon, The Strokes, and Coldplay.

It's loud. It’s crazy. Download isn't pretty and the metal fans that make the annual pilgrimage to the spiritual home of rock in Dongington Park wouldn't have it any other way. The largest rock and metal festival in the UK has featured genre legends like Faith No More, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Slipknot, Motörhead, and System of a Down.

Black Deer aims to bring a dose of real Americana and country music to the UK. The new festival promises to bring a compelling blend of passion, experience, and love with wholesome food & drink, artisan wares, custom-built motorcycles, and the music that inspires this love affair.

There's popular music festivals. There's legendary music festivals. And then there's Glastonbury. What began as a simple party at a farm has transformed into arguably the world's most popular music festival and has inspired an entire generation of greenfield festivals. Don't let the 150,000 attendance and scarcity of tickets keep you away -- Glastonbury should on the wishlist of every festie.

The UK's only camping jazz festival, Love Supreme combines a classic jazz lineup mixed with the spirit of the UK festival scene. Big names are on the bill each year mixed with engaging acts pushing the limits of jazz, along with artists from the world of blues, funk, fusion, and soul.

The Cornbury Festival describes itself as 'a one-of-a-kind festival: a lovingly crafted, top notch, very English open air party, tailor-made for the whole family set in the heart of the Cotswolds.' The festival prides itself as having something for everyone across its 4 stages and magical children's area. There's even a vintage mobile cinema, disco shed, and relaxing therapy and massage zone.

It's London's ultimate summer music festival. Every year, the Wireless Festival brings an epic-sized lineup to Finsbury Park with past artists including New Order, The Strokes, Daft Punk, Jay-Z, Morrisey, Kanye West, and LCD Soundsystem.

Discover the mysteries of El Dorado, a British boutique festival birthed from the creators of Cirque Du Soul. The varied forms of dance music all come together on the magical venue of Ledbury's Eastnor Castle. 'Leave your inhibitions at the gates for your summer days will be filled with fun and games and when the sun sets and the moon begins to shine the bizarre and wonderful will let loose on the city of gold.'

Held in London's Gunnersbury Park, Lovebox is a celebration of the best of British and international music, dance, and the arts. Founded by DJs Groove Armada, Lovebox pushes out a world-class lineup of electronic and dance music or as they call it - flamboyant mayhem.

It's action sports meets a rave when they hard-partying NASS Festival comes to the south-west of England. Dance down at the warehouse party, mosh at the main stage, or check out world class BMXers, inline skaters, and skateboarders.

Scotland's newest mega-festival moved into Glasgow to fill the void left by the legendary T in the Park. Now stretching over two weekends, TRNSMT has already made a name for itself by assembling a world-class roster of talent along with multiple UK exclusives.

Back in 2006, the Beat-Herder Festival saw 1200 festies. Since then it has grown to a colossal creation of 16 additional areas for music, 14 bars, fairgrounds, 40+ stalls, and thousands upon thousands of devoted fans. 'Built on unconditional love and the tireless efforts of many,' Beat-Herder prides itself on the magical atmosphere.

For two straight weekends, British Summer Time holds a series of concerts in London's Hyde Park. Some of the biggest names in the world like The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Blur, The Strokes, Stevie Wonder, Phil Collins, and Kings of Leon, have been on the lineup.

Offering an alternative to mainstream festival culture, the inclusive Noisily festival is a haven 'where underground music thrives and self expression flourishes.' Capping attendance at under 5000 attendees, Nosily keeps the vibes tight with three main stages, hidden venues, two satellite stages, and a policy that every attendee is a VIP.

Leave the festival fantasy world behind and embark on the Bluedot experience. The award-winning Bluedot is an 'intergalactic festival of music, science, arts, culture and the exploration of space.' Taking place on the grounds of a deep space observatory, the festival combines an out-of-this-world lineup with a pioneering program of live science, experiments, and expert talks.

The pioneering Latitude festival is of the UK's favorite mega-festivals. The world class lineup is mixed with comedy, literature, poetry, and theater -- all set in the fairytale setting of Henham Park in the Suffolk countryside. One of the highlights of the festival season, Latitude is sure to have something for everyone.

After ten years, Tramlines moves to a new home new home in Hillsborough Park outside of Sheffield. The city's biggest and longest running city music festival has welcomed artists like Public Enemy, Basement Jaxx, The Charlatans, The Libertines, Metronomy, Sister Sledge, The Cribs, Parliament-Funkadelic, Katy B, alt-J, the xx, and AlunaGeorge.

For more than 25 years, Larmer Tree has been celebrating the independent UK festival scene like few others. 5000 fans a day fill the grounds of Larmer Tree Gardens each day, taking in music acts across six stages, along with comedy and activities for children of all ages.

The UK's ultimate family festival, Deer Shed is fun for everyone at Baldersby Park in North Yorkshire. There's plenty here to keep everyone entertained, with a deep lineup of music, science tents full of experiments, plenty of sports activities, and much more festival fun. There's all kinds of camping options including vintage tents, yurts, and tipis, if you don't feel like setting up your own site.

Set in the picturesque Lake District and featuring a giant lineup including huge headliners, Kendal Calling is a true fan favorite of the UK summertime. Move quick, this amazing weekend of music, art, comedy, food, and drink sells out every year.

Formed in 1998 after finding mainstream festivals too commercial, the anti-major Truck Festival finds itself expanding to four days, adding a Thursday schedule to the lineup. The tranquil Hill Farm venue in the pretty Oxfordshire countryside hosts some of the biggest and best emerging artists in the UK across six wonderfully curated stages.

It's summer camp for both kids and adults when the legendary Bestival delivers their unique spin on the family-friendly festival. The multi-award winning Camp Bestival combines an all-encompassing family festival experience with an action packed camping holiday; something that they like to call a Festi-Holiday. Set on the majestic grounds of Lulworth Castle on Dorset’s dramatic Jurassic coastline, Camp Bestival is jam-packed with entertainment.

Each summer, Standon Calling tells a new story, bringing their garden party to life with a themed world that has included monsters, the circus, and legends of the lost sees. Across four fun-filled days you’ll hear music from the acts you love and the very best in emerging talent. Savor incredible food, dance until the early hours, enjoy an abundance of family activities, lounge by the pool, luxuriate in a hot tub, or relax with a massage.

Head to the Scottish Highlands for a weekend of music and fun at the Tartan Heart Festival. This three day camping festival features a wild range of music from national acts on the main stage to an amazing array of traditional talent on the Grassroots stage. There’s so much to do here besides the music like comedy, wrestling, poetry readings, movie sing-a-longs, art presentations, and whisky tastings.

51st State Festival celebrate their 5th birthday edition in 2019 with their biggest edition to date and once again promises to be an all encompassing celebration of every style of house music that joins the dots between Chicago, New York, London and beyond. This year the party takes place on Saturday 3rd August at the beautiful and sprawling Trent Country Park.

Undoubtedly one of the largest day festivals in the UK, Eastern Electrics serves up a hearty mix of underground house and techno. Born out of London's warehouse party culture, this festival celebrates artists from the cutting edge to emerging acts.

Dive into the Neverworld with this amazing festival just outside of London. Formerly started as a backyard bash called LeeFest, this British boutique fest has evolved into a themed wonderland of pirates, mermaids, and lost boys. Journey into the Neverworld for an unforgettable weekend.

The inspired Wilderness Festival welcomes festies to a British boutique experience in a stunning nature reserve. Everyone is invited to be part of a community and a celebration with a 'vast and unique program that celebrates each art with equal significance.' A truly unique summer festival in Oxfordshire.

Over 100 international rock and metal acts descend on the peaceful village of Walton on Trent in Derbyshire for four days of mayhem. Bloodstock has earned a fan favorite reputation 'by consistently showcasing the strongest metal line up on UK soil.'

'Boomtown rose up from the underground to become one of the UK’s wildest and most inspiring independent festivals. A sprawling metropolis and home to every species of creative miscreant, its thousands of citizens embark a journey of discovery, dancing through its labyrinthine streets and plazas on a non stop weekend joyride to a soundtrack of ska, folk, gypsy, reggae, world, punk, pirate, disco, electro-swing, jazz, blue-grass, breaks, bass, jungle, techno and all in a spirit of unity and freedom!'

It's a magical combination when competitive surfing joins up with a music festival on the beaches of Cornwall, the surfing mecca of the UK. Boardmasters mixes professional surfers with 50,000 festies a day along with an electronic and rock lineup.

Beautiful Days, hosted by the Levellers, takes place at Escot Park in the heart of Devon. It's a family music festival with five stages, spectacular site art, a huge children's area in the center of the festival, comedy, theater, family camping, carefully selected food and craft stalls.

The infamous Reading & Leeds Festival is heralded as the best music show on the planet. With the most revered artists from across the globe playing each year across the August Bank Holiday weekend, it is a genuine rite of passage for discerning music lovers everywhere.

It's double the love when the dual weekend Reading and Leeds Festival arrive in late August. The mega-fests feature the same lineup in the same weekend in two different UK locations. The roster is always packed with one of the strongest rock and alternative schedules of the summer.

Victorious, the UK’s biggest metropolitan festival, takes place over August Bank Holiday Weekend. Featuring the best of British indie-rock, Victorious is an amazing family friendly experience with the best live acts, an enormous free kids arena, bustling markets, real ale, real food and an atmosphere not to be missed.

The Southwest Four Festival, nicknamed SW4, is an annual EDM festival that takes place in Clapham Commons, London, over the August Bank Holiday Weekend.

With two decades spent at the forefront of electronic music, there's not many festivals in the world that can compare to the behemoth that is Creamfields. The UK fests features 300 artists performing across a mind-blowing 30 stages with over 70,000 festies in attendance. Every summer, this four-day festival unleashes a lineup that covers the full spectrum of dance music.

Deep in an abandoned woodland village, this intimate festival reveals a world-class lineup, tasty food, gut-busting comedy, creative workshops, and lakeside chilling. The immersive festival experience draws festies in with an event-wide narrative that features structured around an interactive theater performance.

An adventure in utopia, the Shambala Festival has been delivering creativity for over a decade. According to Shambala this festival is 'a space to play, to reinvent, revitalize, and return to the world fueled-up on the beauty of being alive.'

Indie rock and folk are the hallmarks of this Dorset festival which takes places at the end of the season. It's hosted at the Larmer Tree Gardens and features four stages.

The perfect way to close the busy summer festival season with one last party in the sun, Sundown Festival hosts only the biggest and best in pop, dance and urban acts across a weekend of music and mayhem.

The new Cool Britannia Festival debuts at the end of summer in Knebworth. The festival will also see the premiere of Britpop Classical, which will feature a full orchestra with guest soloists such as The Farm’s Peter Hooton, Republica’s Saffron and Heaven 17’s Glenn Gregory performing Britpop favorites.