The UK's best summer music festivals

Right, 2023 is well underway and festival season is just around the corner!  So we've got no time to waste when planning what UK summer festivals we'll be singing and dancing in this year. 

From the legendary Glastonbury Festival to the dance mecca of Creamfields, there are so many (almost too many) unreal festivals to choose from. And with many fests promising their strongest lineups and production setups to date, the task of deciding where to go can be overwhelming. 

But don’t fret, we’re here to help you decide. We created this list of the best summer music festivals in the UK to help you figure out which one you’ll be partying at in 2023. 

 

Parklife 

Photo: PARKLIFE FESTIVAL / Facebook.com 

When: Saturday 10th - Sunday 11th June 2023

Where: Heaton Park in Manchester, England 

2023 lineup: TBA 

The party that attracts around 160,000 attendees each year will be back with an earth-shattering bang this June. The hottest, wildest party in the country, Parklife boasts the most sought-after acts in hip hop, pop, house, techno, indie, dance and beyond every year. 

Last year's lineup included names such as Peggy Gou, Tyler, the Creator, Solardo, Bicep, Chaos in the CBD, Arlo Parks, and many more, so it’s no surprise Parklife is so immensely popular. In fact, last year it sold out in just a few hours… well, it always sells out rapidly, but you get what we’re saying. 

We haven’t had any lineup announcements yet, but you can bet it’ll be huge. Watch this space for updates. 

 

Click or tap here for Parklife tickets

 

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Glastonbury 

Photo: Glastonbury Festivals / Facebook.com 

When: Wednesday 21st - Sunday 25th June 2023

Where: Worthy Farm in Somerset, England

2023 lineup: Elton John, Arctic Monkeys, Guns 'N Roses, Lizzo, Kelis, Fred Again.., Hot Chip, Fatboy Slim, Rudimental, Thundercat, Rina Sawayama, and many more 

Is there anyone on the face of the earth who hasn’t heard of Glastonbury? The mammoth music fest has thousands and thousands scrambling for tickets each year, selling out in seconds. It goes without saying that Glasto is one of the best summer festivals.

Glastonbury has blossomed into a cultural phenomenon, not just a field full of music. Tunes from a huge variety of genres are showcased over the weekend, as is cinema, poetry, circus performances, theatre, art, and so much more. Glasto is a bucket list festival, for sure. 

 

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Highest Point

Photo: Highest Point / Facebook.com 

When: Thursday 11th - Saturday 13th May 2023

Where: Williamson Park in Lancaster, England 

2023 lineup: Hacienda Classical, Bastille, Anne-Marie, Sub Focus, K-Klass, Elvana, House Gospel Choir, Girls Don't Sync, Sigma, Skream, A Little Sound, Craig Charles, and many more

Lancaster's leading music festival, Highest Point, will return to the scenic Williamson Park for a perfect weekend of tunes, family-friendly fun and an electric atmosphere. 

Boasting spectacular views across the North West coast of England, the festival provides more than just top tunes to its audience. There are plenty of local decadent food vendors to refuel you before you dive back into the action. And with workshops, activities, and theatrical performances, there’s lots for all ages to enjoy. 

So far, the festival has announced Hacienda Classical, Bastille, and Anne-Marie. Already, there’s a great balance of genres, singalongs, and tunes to dance to. 

 

Click or tap here for tickets for Highest Point

 

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Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival

Photo: Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival / Facebook.com 

When: Thursday 27th - Saturday 29th July 2023 

Where: Belladrum Estate in Inverness, Scotland 

2023 lineup: Travis, Bastille, Sigrid, Sam Ryder, Peat & Diesel, KT Tunstall, The Zutons, and many more

Situated amidst the stunning highland backdrop is one of the most popular annual music gatherings in Scotland, the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival. 

Belladrum is renowned amongst the Scots for its welcoming family atmosphere and regular stellar lineups. Frequently attracting some of the most respected musical names on the planet, having hosted Elbow, Paloma Faith and Lewis Capaldi, the event continues to sell out year after year.

Already with Travis, Bastille, Sigrid, Sam Ryder, Fatherson, Alabama 3, Elephant Sessions, Punk Rock Factory and many more, it’ll be a magical weekend of brilliant music spanning many genres. 

  

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Creamfields North

Photo: Creamfields / Facebook.com 

When: Thursday 24th - Sunday 27th August 2023

Where: Daresbury in Cheshire, England 

2023 lineup: Swedish House Mafia, Camelphat, Fatboy Slim, Eric Prydz, Nina Kraviz,Amelie Lens, Carl Cox, Chase & Status, Four Tet, Adam Beyer, and many more 

The biggest date in any ravers calendar, monster electronic fest Creamfields is back again in 2023. 

The multi-award-winning event, which attracts a whopping crowd of 70,000 electronic music-loving ravers, draws the biggest names in the game every single year. And this year will be no different. 

We’ve only had one announcement so far, confirming Swedish House Mafia, but, as every single year’s lineup is killer, we know 2023's will be too. In the past, they’ve welcomed Bicep, Fatboy Slim, Camelphat, Carl Cox, Armin Van Buuren, Tiesto, Chase & Status, Pete Tong, and many more, keeping lineups strong and diverse. 

Combine the no-doubt hugely impressive lineup with ground-breaking production and a notoriously up-for-it crowd, and you've got one of the most impressive, important musical gatherings in the world. Are you down? 

 

Click or tap here for tickets for Creamfields North

 

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Creamfields South

Photo: Creamfields / Facebook.com 

When: Friday 26th - Sunday 28th May 2023

Where: Hylands Park in Chelmsford, England 

2023 lineup: Carl Cox Hybrid Live, Andy C, Swedish House Mafia, Calvin Harris, Nina Kraviz, Chase & Status, Fatboy Slim, Patrick Topping, Tiesto, Sonny Fodera, Camelphat, Example, Gorgon City, Becky Hill, more TBA 

Following the repeated success of the original iconic festival, the team behind Creamfields decided to expand by taking their event south for a massive rave in the lovely Hylands Park.

As the northern festivals southern's counterpart, the giant festival already has the biggest names on its 2023 lineup, including Fatboy Slim, Nina Kraviz, Calvin Harris, and Tiesto. 

The 50,000-capacity two-day camping event has already proved itself as fantastic as its northern sister, and we can’t wait to see what 2023 brings. What do you reckon? Is Creamfields South your 2023 summer festival? 

 

Click or tap here for tickets for Creamfields South

 

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Wireless Festival 

Photo: Wireless Festival / Facebook.com 

When: Friday 7th - Sunday 9th July 2023

Where: Finsbury Park in London, England 

2023 lineup: Playboi Carti, Lil Uzi Vert, Ice Spice, Latto, Travis Scott, Flo, Bryson Tiller, Lil Yachty, D Block Europe, 50 Cent, and many more

From championing up-and-comers to introducing international superstars to new audiences, Wireless Festival and its team of dedicated organisers continues to uphold its reputation as the top dog among its rivals.

Having previously attracted names such as Jay-Z, Drake, Rihanna and Kanye West to London, the festival’s organisers have always had their finger on the pulse and know exactly how to make a crowd go wild. 

Last year's lineup featured some of the hottest names, such as ASAP Rocky, Dave, SZA, Tyler, the Creator, Central Cee, Jhene Aiko, Little Simz, Burna Boy, and Kali Uchis. With such insane lineups, the team behind Wireless Festival will have a challenge topping previous editions, but we bet they’ll manage. 

 

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Reading and Leeds Festival

Photo: Leeds Festival / Facebook.com

When: Friday 25th - Sunday 27th August 2023

Where: Reading - Little John's Farm in Reading, England / Leeds - Bramham Park in Leeds, England 

2023 lineup: Billie Eilish, The Killers, Lewis Capaldi, Foals, Imagine Dragons, Sam Fender, and many more

Two festivals happening simultaneously over the same bank holiday weekend in August, R&L hosts some of the biggest and most celebrated names in world music from a diverse spectrum of genres every year. 

It’s not unusual to find rock, alternative, indie, pop, dance and electronic acts on the lineup, giving their eclectic following something to suit everyone. Attendees this year can expect to see world-class performances from Billie Eilish, The Killers, Sam Fender, Foals, Lewis Capaldi, and Imagine Dragons. And those are just the headliners! 

With six huge headliners and no clashes, R&L, as always, is likely to be incredibly popular this year.

 

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Boomtown Fair 

Photo: Boomtown Fair / Facebook.com 

When: Wednesday 9th - Sunday 13th August 2023

Where: Matterley Estate near Winchester, Hampshire, England 

2023 lineup: TBA 

Another bucket list festival, Boomtown is easily one of the UK's biggest and best-loved. Like Glastonbury, thousands are desperate to attend, not only for the killer music lineup but for the production and other entertainment on site.

It’s common to wander the grounds, discovering crazy little tents, weird worlds, and all sorts of other madness that simply cannot be replicated at another festival. Truly unique and special, Boomtown has a home in the hearts of thousands.

We haven’t had any lineup announcements for 2023 yet. But last year they didn’t announce any names at all. So we’ll have to see if keeping the lineup under wraps is something they continue. 

 

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Riverside Festival

Photo: Riverside Festival Glasgow / Facebook.com 

When: Saturday 3rd - Sunday 4th June 2023

Where: Riverside Museum in Glasgow, Scotland

2023 lineup: Mall Grab, Frazi.er, Sherelle, Hector Oaks, Denis Sulta, Charlie Sparks, 999999999, Patrick Topping, and many more 

Riverside is celebrating its 10th anniversary with, as always, a killer lineup of underground electronic artists. Overflowing with international and local stunners from house and techno, the fest also boasts afterparties for those who aren’t ready for the night to end featuring SOSA, Eclair Fifi, TAAHLIAH, Patrick Mason, All U Need, and more on the decks at SWG3. 

Easily one of the best electronic festivals in Glasgow and the UK in general, it’s 100% worth it for keen ravers. 

 

Click or tap here for tickets for Riverside Festival

 

Click or tap here for tickets for Riverside By Night afterparties

 

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Reggae Land Festival

Photo: Reggae Land / Facebook.com

When: Saturday 5th - Sunday 6th August 2023

Where: The National Bowl in Milton Keynes, England

2023 lineup: Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Barrington Levy, General Levy, Shy FX, Kabaka Pyramid, Steel Pulse, Congo Natty, Mungo's Hi Fi & Friends, and many more

Let's be real for a second, is there any genre that screams summer like reggae? We’d say definitely not. The laidback chick-chick of the guitar, the boomy, wholesome bass, and often plenty of lyrics about happiness and contentment - it’s as summery as it gets. 

Reggae Land is a massively adored fest with jungle, dub, and dancehall alongside reggae tunes by some of the biggest names in those scenes. 30,000 people are set to head over this year to enjoy over 80 artists across four stages, fairground rides,  rum shacks, gin bars, and over 50 food traders including Caribbean treats. In the peak of the English summer, it’s going to be gorgeous.

 

Click or tap here for tickets to Reggae Land

 

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NASS Festival

Photo: NASS / Facebook.com 

When: Thursday 6th - Monday 10th July 2023

Where: The Bath And West Showground, Shepton Mallet in Shepton Mallet

2023 lineup: Chase & Status, Little Simz, Wu-Tang Clan, Anne-Marie, Bru-C, Shy FX: Specials, Greentea Peng, Hedex & Eksman, Flava D B2B S.P.Y, Mella Dee, Sammy Virji B2B Notion, Hannah Laing, and many more

Truly smashing it with a blinding lineup that spans hip-hop, pop, drum and bass, garage, house, techno, and more, NASS Festival really doesn’t need to pull any tricks out of the bag to make their fest one of the best summer festivals this year. But of course they went and did it anyway!

Alongside all these insane artists, attendees can check out live street art, graffiti battles, and murals, or get stuck into BMX competitions, free skating, scooting or riding, and the ring of fire jump if they dare. 

 

Click or tap here for tickets to NASS Festival

  

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Latitude

Photo: Latitude Festival / Facebook.com

When: Friday 21st - Sunday 23rd July 2023

Where: Henham Park in Suffolk, England 

2023 lineup: Pulp, Paolo Nutini, George Ezra, Metronomy, The Kooks, Mimi Webb, Confidence Man, and many more

This family-friendly festival has been one of the UK's favourites for some time now. Offering indie, pop, electronic, and rock alongside a wealth of comedy, art, theatre, wellbeing activities, an award-winning children's, teenagers, and family programme, lake swimming, poetry, and more. 

If you’re after a festival full of extra activities to check out, Latitude is definitely one to consider.  

 

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Kelburn Garden Party

When: Friday 30th June - Monday 3rd July 2023

Where: Kelburn Country Centre in Largs, Scotland 

2023 lineup: Mungo’s Hi Fi ft Charlie P & Aziza Jaye, Eclair Fifi, My Baby, Crazy P, K.O.G, Afriquoi, DJ Flight, and many more

If you prefer music festivals with less mainstream artists on the lineup, take a look at Kelburn. Perfect for those who love a bit of everything, the lineup offers disco, drum and bass, house, techno, jazz, blues, funk, reggae, folk, world music, hip-hop, rock - basically everything. 

Going hard with a massive programme, there's also art, a huge campfire, spoken word, hidden grottos, bizarre attractions, the waterfall pool, and so, so much more. They even have a Turkish steam room! 

 

Click or tap here for tickets to Kelburn Garden Party

 

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Body&Soul 

Photo: Body&Soul / Facebook.com 

When: Friday 16th – Sunday 18th June 2023 

Where: Ballinlough Castle & Gardens in County Westmeath, Ireland

2023 lineup: Moderat, The Blessed Madonna, Kojaque, Denise Chaila, Kneecap, The Murder Capital, and many more

Leave your daily life behind at this Irish festival. Body&Soul is packed with activities including live music, art, comedy, wellbeing, theatre, spoken word, drag aerobics, aerial artists, yoga, and so much more. It’s wild how much they can fit into one weekend. 

Some other artists to look forward to at this year's Body&Soul include Fabio & Grooverider and The Outlook, Shanti Celeste, The Blaze, and Fever Ray. Focusing mainly on electronic, hip-hop, jazz, acoustic, head here for pure escapism with dreamy music. 

 

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Summer and music festivals go together like salt and pepper. Or an ice-cold pint on a warm evening. Or like... well, we think you get it. It's a magical combination. What UK summer festivals will you be moshing, raving, skanking, or shuffling at in 2023? 

 

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If we've got you in the mood for a bit of festival planning, you might want to take a look at our guides to the best festivals in Croatia, Spain and all of Europe. You can also check out Skiddle's full festival guide here. 

 

 

  

 

 

Header: Reading Festival / Facebook.com