Looking for the best UK Festivals in 2023? Well, you’ve come to the right place because I’ve just updated my guide to the coolest upcoming UK music festivals that are truly spectacular and deserve a place on every festival bucket list!
England. Scotland. Wales. Northern Ireland.
Each with its own distinct history, culture, and vibe, but together make up the great United Kingdom. And what’s the United Kingdom got in spades? Besides tea, castles, black cabs, and rainy days?
Epic music festivals! And a TON of them. From hip-hop to funk, dance to pop, rock to folk, and everything in between, you’ll be hard-pressed not to find a music festival a stone’s throw from. It seems to be festival season all year. Many of the best UK festivals 2023 has to offer also feature on my list of the top music festivals in Europe.
I couldn’t list every UK music festival for you. Otherwise, I’d be here for the rest of my life. But I have put together my shortlist of the 33 best music festivals in the UK for you to keep you dancing all year long!
The Best UK Music Festivals in 2023
1) Glastonbury Festival 2023
Glastonbury is the most iconic of UK Music Festivals!
When: June 21-25, 2023
Where: Somerset, England
https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/glastonburyofficial/
Genre: Various
“Summer’s arrival is celebrated in small ways around the world, but at the Glastonbury festival, the solstice gets a grand welcome. This music festival has a lineup of some of the world’s most talented artists, from up-and-comers to megastars, and the crowd is composed of everyone from hippies to hipsters. Pack your rain boots, pitch a tent, and get ready for one of the muddiest, most musical weekends of your life.”
Glastonbury is one of the longest-running, biggest, and most iconic British music festivals, and 2023 is set to be a HUGE one with an insane line-up (as always). On the same weekend, big names from around the world take to the many stages of the iconic festival, including the main Pyramid Stage.
While tickets are extremely hard to come by, the best festival England (arguably) has to offer should definitely be on your bucket list.
2) Terminal V
One of the Best UK Festivals for Techno addicts!
When: April 8-9, 2023
Where: The Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh
https://www.facebook.com/terminalvfest/
Scotland’s largest electronic music festival!
One of the UK’s fastest-growing dance music festivals, evolving from 2,000 attendees to almost 40,000 in the space of five years, has made a huge splash in the European festival industry.
Previously just a one-day event, Terminal V now includes two full days of partying, techno, and stunning production!
Following a wildly successful special Halloween edition in 2021 (which had one of the most stacked line-ups Scotland has ever seen), Terminal V has set its dates for its April 2023 edition and is ready to blow attendees away again with next-level immersive lighting, brain-altering visuals, and special themed production!
3) Download Festival
Download is one Best Festivals UK offers for rock and heavy metal!
When: June 8-11, 2023
Where: Donington Park, Derby, England
https://downloadfestival.co.uk
Genre: Rock
THE UK’S PREMIER ROCK FESTIVAL
“Download Festival is one of the UK’s and arguably the world’s greatest rock and metal music festivals, showcasing a lineup of the scene’s biggest names and breakthrough stars in Donington Park each June.
Five stages across three days pack in everything from black metal to punk rock, ensuring Download sells out every single year and continues to maintain its place at the top of the UK’s rock music scene.
And once the Arena’s music has finished, the campsite’s after-hours zone keeps things running until 2 am on Friday and Saturday with bars, funfair rides, and even a cinema.”
No wonder it’s one of the biggest festivals in the UK.
4) Isle of Wight Festival
One of the most popular UK Festivals every year | Photo via Facebook
When: June 15-18, 2023
Where: Seaclose Park, Isle of Wight, England
https://isleofwightfestival.com
Genre: Various
“The reincarnation of one of the UK’s first-ever festivals continues to pull in the world’s biggest guitar slingers and the hottest craftsmen and women from pop and electronic genres. Born in 1968 and still rocking out strong 50 years later, IoW has lived through decades of musical and cultural change, always staying relevant and incredibly popular.
Each year it brings close to 90,000 music lovers to the island for a fun-filled weekend of iconic bands, underground dance acts and everything in between.”
5) Reading & Leeds Festivals
When: August 25-27, 2023
Where: Reading & Leeds, England (held simultaneously)
https://www.readingandleedsfestival.com
Genre: Various
“The Reading and Leeds Festivals are a pair of annual music festivals that take place in Reading and Leeds in England. The events take place simultaneously on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend, sharing the same bill.
Reading and Leeds are the type of riotous events that Bank Holidays are made for, providing a platform for rising and established indie bands, metal groups, next-generation dance, hip hop and alternative pop acts. If they ain’t playing here, they ain’t worth seeing.”
Reading Festival or Leeds Festival, which one to attend? Well, that depends on which place you like best, as they feature the same line-up, with the only difference being the dates and time they perform on.
Also read: The 10 Best Music Festivals in Leeds, U.K
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–gOkpyZpvo&feature=emb_title
6) TRNSMT Festival 2023
One of the biggest UK Festivals in Scotland | Photo via Facebook
When: July 7-9, 2023
Where: Glasgow, Scotland
Genre: Indie / Rock / Alternative
“TRNSMT 2023 is a Scottish rock and indie music festival that takes place on Glasgow Green, in the east end of the city. Taking the mantle from the now-defunct T In The Park as the go-to festival in Scotland, TRNSMT has become the quintessential event to see the biggest acts on the rock and indie spectrum since its debut in 2017.
Bars, restaurants, and nightclubs surround Glasgow Green so you can continue the party into the early hours once you’ve belted out your favorite tunes with 50,000 other festival-goers.”
Also read: The 18 Best Music Festivals in Scotland To Experience Before You Die
7) Wireless Festival
One of the best England Music Festivals this year for hip hop fans!
When: July 7-9, 2023
Where: Finsbury Park, London, England
https://www.wirelessfestival.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/WirelessFestival
Genre: Urban / Electronic / Hip Hop
3 days of celebrating the best in Hip Hop, Rap and Grime at Finsbury Park!
“Wireless Festival is the UK’s biggest and most famous urban music festival, held for three days each! Showcasing the biggest acts from the worlds of grime, hip-hop, garage and more! Now one of the capital’s musical highlights, Wireless has become the go-to festival for those after the urban side of the mainstream.”
It’s easily one of the best London festivals 2023 has in store for rap fans, with local and international acts rapping their butts off.
8) Creamfields Festival 2023
The Best of the UK Music Festivals Electronic Fans | Photography by: Jack Kimber Photography
When: August 24-27, 2023 (Bank Holiday Weekend)
Where: Daresbury, England
Genre: Electronic / Techno / House
Born in 1998, the original dance festival set out to provide the clubbing world with a bespoke large scale outdoor event and has grown to become the most popular and renowned open air electronic music festival in the U.K.
The Creamfields line-up mixes together genre breaking pioneers from across the DJ and live music spectrum and features two outdoor stages and between 8-10 arenas.
The 4 day camping festival takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend and is located in the heart of the Cheshire countryside in Daresbury and attracts visitors from around the world. Over the last 7 years Creamfields has attracted record breaking numbers selling out months in advance.”
Join the Creamfields North 2023 Festival for more details
9) Camp Bestival 2023
One of the most unique Music Festivals UK!
When: July 27-30, 2023
Where: Dorset, England
https://www.facebook.com/campbestival
Genre: Various
An awe-inspiring multi-award winning family festi-holiday set in the stunning grounds of Lulworth Castle, Dorset every summer!
“Hello and welcome to the wonderful world of Camp Bestival, a multi-award winning U.K festival that combines an all-encompassing family festival experience with an action-packed camping holiday!
Set in the majestic grounds of Lulworth Castle, on Dorset’s dramatic Jurassic coastline, Camp Bestival is jam-packed with entertainment, from stellar musical morsels and cultural delights to stunning sideshow attractions and lashings of family fun.
It’s a four-day festi-holiday offering hundreds of things to see and do from music and family shows to comedy, spoken word, arts, science shows and circus workshops for all. Camping Plus, Boutique Camping, Hospitality, and Backstage Camping upgrades are also available, and you can split the total cost of your tickets over 8 monthly payments by selecting the installment plan at check-out.”
As you can see, Camp Bestival is one of the best festivals UK families can attend that ensures fun for all ages.
10) We Are FSTVL 2023
When: August 25-27, 2023 (Bank Holiday England)
Where: Damyn’s Hall Aerodrome, Upminster, England
https://www.facebook.com/wearefstvl/
Genre: Electronic / Techno / House
Come celebrate 10 years of We Are FSTVL in 2023. The biggest chapter ever in the festival’s history is about to begin.
“We Are FSTVL has been bringing dance music’s biggest and best names to its self-proclaimed Airfield of Dreams in London since 2013, making it one of the UK’s most popular music festivals. Its stages are curated by some of dance music’s most established brands, including Defected, ABODE and Bassjam, meaning its lineup jumps from house and techno to grime, UKG and drum and bass.”
With them celebrating a decade with a bang, this is one of those dance festivals UK dance fanatics should attend.
11) All Points East UK Festival 2023
When: August 18-28, 2023
Where: Victoria Park, London, England
https://www.allpointseastfestival.com
Genre: Various
“All Points East is a love letter to London.” – Noisey
“All Points East is a music festival held over two weekends once a year in London’s Victoria Park. The festival is run by AEG Presents who are also behind London’s British Summer Time Hyde Park Festival. This 10-day event comprises of two weekends of the most exciting names in music, and four days of free entry and community activities known as ‘In the Neighbourhood’.
Only around for five years, All Points East has already solidified itself as one of those music festivals UK audiences look forward to all year. Apart from the good music, it’s a family-friendly festival with free activities like an outdoor cinema, sports activations, and more.
12) Parklife Festival 2023
Photo via Parklife Festival Facebook
When: June 10-11, 2023
Where: Manchester, England
Genre: Various
“Parklife Festival is a multi-genre music festival in Manchester, England. Fresh off its biggest edition to date, the festival is firmly cemented as one of the UK’s favorites.
Annually putting together a lineup anchored by some of the best underground DJs in the world, Parklife has expanded in recent years to include everything from grime and hip-hop to pop and rock.
To complement the stellar musical lineup, Parklife also features chill-out zones, funfair rides, installations, roaming entertainers, interactive art, and much more, making it a completely immersive experience.”
13) Green Man Festival
One of the coolest and biggest UK festivals in Wales!
When: August 17-20, 2023
Where: The Brecon Beacons, Wales
https://www.facebook.com/greenmanfestival
Genre: Indie / Alternative
Tumble through ten wild lands of laughs, literature, art, science, mischief and music at this premier UK Festival!
“Green Man is an independent music festival held annually in Wales. The lineup is a feast of indie and alternative music, set against the beautiful backdrop of the stunning Brecon Beacons. The festival is also renowned for going beyond the music, to offer a whole host of other activities and adventures for festival-goers of all ages. Whether that’s enjoying a science talk in ‘Einstein’s Garden’ watching comedy or spoken word, enjoying a pint in The Green Man or simply exploring the hills, streams and surrounding nature.”
“Whatever kind of festival-goer you happen to be, there’s bound to be an area that floats your boat, be it for the laughs, literature, art, science, mischief or music. So whether it’s reveling in the thumping tones of a new band, catching some illuminating literature or soaking up the sunshine with a pint of Welsh beer, you’re sure to unearth some serious magic…”
14) End of the Road Festival
When: August 31 – September 4, 2023
Where: Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset, England
https://endoftheroadfestival.com
https://www.facebook.com/EOTRFestival
Genre: Rock / Folk
‘More than any other outdoor British festival, End Of The Road has its own kind of magic’
“End of the Road Festival is an annual music festival in England that focuses on independent rock and folk music. It is hosted at the Larmer Tree Gardens, on the border of north Dorset and Wiltshire!
The festival is run over four stages: the Woods Stage, the Garden Stage, the Big Top Stage and the Tipi Tent. Late-night entertainment on offer usually includes high profile DJ sets, a silent disco, secret pop-up performances, and karaoke. Due to the nature of the gardens the festival is set in it is not unlikely to see peacocks wandering around the area and macaws in the trees.”
As one of the biggest UK music festivals in recent years, End of the Road has won several awards, including the following:
“Best Medium Festival” Winners, Festival Awards 2017
“Best Festival, 2015 & 2016” BBC Radio 6 Music
‘Best Small Festival’ NME Awards, 2015 & 2016
Not too bad, right?
Join the End Of The Road Festival UK 2023 Facebook event for more information!
15) Field Day Festival
When: August 19, 2023
Where: Victoria Park, London, England
Genre: Electronic / Techno
“Field Day is a diverse dance and alternative music festival in London. Started in 2007, the festival has gone through a number of mutations along the way, growing into one of the city’s most beloved. Curating an on-trend lineup that showcases the pinnacle of creativity in house, techno, hip-hop, and more, Field Day is put together by some of the hippest clubs and promoters in the London music scene.
Attracting a diverse and engaged audience, the festival is known for having an inclusive atmosphere. Beyond its top-of-the-line music program, Field Day also features a wide range of activities and games, making it an immersive festival experience for the astute music fan.”
Even though it’s a one-day event, it’s one of the techno festivals UK fans look forward to for a musical field day dancing (pun intended).
16) Houghton Festival 2023
When: August 10-13, 2023
Where: Norfolk, England
https://www.houghtonfestival.co.uk
Genre: Electronic / Techno / House
“Houghton Festival, hosted in Norfolk, is one of the dance music festivals UK audiences always mark on their calendars. Since its debut in 2017, the weekender has jumped right onto the list of everyone’s favorite electronic music festivals.
Unique in that it has a 24-hour license, meaning the music never stops at Houghton, the festival, curated by the one and only Craig Richards, has a special emphasis on the special: think spontaneous back-to-backs and longer-than-usual sets with an impressive line-up.”
17) Strawberries & Creem Festival
One of the best UK festivals for hip hop and rap fans!
When: Taking a Break in 2023 (returning in 2024)
Where: Cambridge, England
https://www.strawberriesandcreem.com
https://www.facebook.com/strawberriesandcreem/
Genre: Urban / Hip Hop
The UK’s tastiest festival for Music & Youth Culture
“Strawberries & Creem is Cambridgeshire’s biggest popular music event and one of the UK’s most exciting young festivals. Set up by six friends in 2014 as a garden party for 800 people, it has grown fast over the last few years – and we celebrate our 8th Birthday in 2023 when we’ll welcome 15,000 of you to Haggis Farm, Cambridge, to party with us!
Previous years’ guests include the likes of Nelly, Shaggy, Skepta, Wiley, Kano, AJ Tracey, and J Hus – mixing household, ‘throwback’ names with the hottest new talent.”
Consistently one of the top UK festivals, Strawberries & Creem decided to take a break from festival life this year and celebrate their 10th year in a unique style.
You can still catch your favorite acts during their “HUGO Nights”, a series of unique parties across London headlined by popular artists.
18) British Summer Time (BST) Hyde Park
When: June 30 – July 9, 2023
Where: London, England
Genre: Various
“British Summer Time Hyde Park’ (BST Hyde Park) is a music festival held over two weekends once a year in London’s Hyde Park. It was the first event AEG Presents held in Hyde Park since they acquired the rights to host concerts there, and features a wide range of musical genres.
Since 2013, BST Hyde Park has seen headliners such as The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Lionel Richie, Kylie Minogue, Black Sabbath, Neil Young, The Libertines, Arcade Fire, The Who, Blur, The Strokes and Taylor Swift. In 2018, headliners included Roger Waters, The Cure, Eric Clapton, Michael Bublé, Bruno Mars and Paul Simon.
Their mission was to bring a 10-day event like no other. Across two weekends, they put on six incredible concert days featuring legendary headliners & support from today’s rising stars, plus great food and drink and hospitality packages. Sitting between our two weekends is our four-day free midweek program called Open House, featuring fantastic free activities and entertainment.”
2023 headlining performance by Guns ‘N Roses, Bruce Springsteen, Lana Del Rey, and Billy Joel.
19) Lost Village Festival
When: August 24-27, 2023
Where: Norton Disney, England
https://lostvillagefestival.com
Genre: Electronic
Lost Village is a truly unique UK festival experience. A surreal world, misplaced in the sands of time.
“Lost Village is a festival that takes place in a secluded woodland near the village of Norton Disney, Lincolnshire. The event is structured around interactive theater performance, with an ongoing event-wide narrative about a Lost Village using a large cast of actors.
The three-day event includes music, global food, art, comedy, and talks, which take place in several areas and stages with colorful names, including the Abandoned Chapel, Lost Theatre, Lake of Tranquillity, and Bureau of Lost.
Deep in the woods lies an abandoned village filled with all manner of unusual beings. A spectacular dreamscape awaits all who enter…
As you navigate its leafy corridors, you’ll encounter all manner of unusual people and places. An array of the world’s finest music resonates from areas such as the Forgotten Cabin, Abandoned Chapel and Burial Ground. But hidden areas, secret performances and unforeseen escapades lie around every corner.
Much more than just a music festival, Lost Village is a world of experiences. Global street food, comedy in the Lost Theatre, wood-fired hot tubs and yoga by the Lake of Tranquility, tribal banquets with Michelin-starred chefs, and so much more.
One minute you’re dancing to a disco under a canopy of leaves; the next, you’re face-to-face with one of the village’s native inhabitants. Gather your tribe and ready your senses…
20) Standon Calling Festival
When: July 20-23, 2023
Where: Standon, England
https://www.facebook.com/standoncalling
Genre: Various
Independent UK festival with big acts, breaking bands, fun for families and late-night partying.
“Standon Calling is a UK family-centric festival, laying on a lineup of music, activities and more for all ages. Such diversity has made Standon Calling one of the UK’s favorite boutique music festivals, and has featured sets from Paloma Faith, George Ezra, and Goldfrapp in recent years.
Around the music, the festival’s program goes from comedy and theater to art and workshops, while it is also the only festival in the country to boast its own swimming pool, meaning you have the ultimate way to cool off after all that jiving.”
Undoubtedly, it’s one of the best festivals in UK history for people who want more than just music.
21) Gottwood
When: June 8-11, 2023
Where: Gottwood, Wales
Genre: Electronic
WITH 10 STAGES ACROSS 4 DAYS. WE CELEBRATED 10 YEARS OF GOTTWOOD
“The mystical little party hidden in the depths of a Welsh forest. Gottwood is a free-spirited, independent, boutique, and very intimate underground electronic music festival celebrating some of the most diverse sounds of the underground. No hassle, no rules, just a physically and visually uplifting stride toward the perfect weekend away from reality.
“The list of artists joining up at Gottwood Festival 2023, including 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 many more!”
As one of the best electronic music festivals UK musos in Wales attend, it’s worth checking out, and it isn’t as saturated as the other biggest festivals.
22) Noisily Festival
When: July 6-9, 2023
Where: Leicester, England
https://www.facebook.com/noisilyfestival
Genre: Electronic / Techno / House / Trance
“Noisily Festival is an electronic music and arts festival inside Leicestershire’s intimate Coney Woods, each year curating a weekend of hedonism and escapism in the company of musicians, artists, performers, and dancers. Jump into this wild woodland wonderland and find a musical lineup that ranges from bassline to psytrance via house and techno, all showcased amongst innovative art installations, immersive workshops, surreal visuals, and quirky bars and stages.
You can expect to hear an extremely diverse collection of music, ranging from Bass, Glitch, and Breaks, through House and Disco, via the Noisily mainstay of Progressive Techno, and not forgetting the Liquid Stage, which has fast become the best outdoor psychedelic trance experience in the UK.
Whilst rooted in electronic music scenes, Noisily is a holistic environment that feeds the mind, body, and soul. It’s a celebration of psychedelic art and culture in a society which is increasingly looking within for happiness and fulfillment, and away from material goods and money as the definition of success.”
Join the Noisily Festival of Music & Arts 2023 for more info, line-up, and announcements!
23) Belsonic Festival
When: June 3-30, 2023 (Multiple Shows throughout the month)
Where: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Genre: Various
“Belsonic Festival returns to the idyllic setting at Ormeau Park, Belfast. The popular music festival will bring a host of international headline acts to the heart of Belfast city center across the month of June. The big names on the bill guarantee large audiences: the opening gig sold out, and tickets for the other events are going fast. And the sheer range of acts on offer – rap, dance, rock, ska – means Belsonic not only has cross-genre appeal but cross-generational pull too.”
Belsonic 2023 Line-up includes: Lionel Richie, David Guetta, George Ezra, Lizzo, and The Prodigy!
24) Truck Festival
When: July 20-23, 2023
Where: Steventon, England
https://www.facebook.com/TruckFestival/
Genre: Various
“The Godfather of the small festival scene”, Truck is one of the longest-running and most popular British festivals.
“Truck Festival is an annual independent music festival in Oxfordshire, England. It was started in 1998 by the Bennett family, who decided that mainstream festivals such as Glastonbury had become too commercial and predictable. “The Godfather of the small festival scene” coming straight out of the idyllic Oxfordshire countryside, we’ve been able to treat you to some of the biggest and best emerging artists since 1998!”
You don’t have to take my word on it though, as others have sung plenty praises for one of the biggest English music festivals.
‘This year was a veritable feast of bangers, emotion and sunshine…packed to the rafters with our favorite bands’ – Dork
‘Like a miniature Glastonbury that you don’t need GPS to get around’ – NME
25) El Dorado Festival
When: July 6-9, 2023
Where: Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire, England
https://www.facebook.com/eldoradofestival/
Genre: Electronic / Techno / House / Drum & Bass
“For centuries, explorers have searched the world over for the lost kingdom of El Dorado, a land believed to have streets paved with gold, layered with lakes of freshwater and green jungles – a land so beautiful you would never want to leave. We leave the confines of urban cities and underground hot spots as we head to the big outdoors. Nestled in the beautiful grounds of Eastnor Castle, we invite you and thousands of other like-minded explorers to join us as we escape everyday life in search of something far more exotic.
Discovered by a vibrant traveling collective of party-starters, El Dorado is the ultimate expression of togetherness and beauty. More than just a music festival, El Dorado is an attitude. In this storybook world there is comradery, inclusivity, nature and a stiff dose of sensual hedonism. It’s an invigorating mix and there isn’t another vibe like it.”
As one of the house music festivals UK audiences wait for in anticipation, the 2023 version had the biggest line-up to date for the festival.
26) Boomtown Fair
When: August 9-13, 2023
Where: Winchester, England
https://www.boomtownfair.co.uk
Genre: Various
Welcome to Boomtown, a city of music, theater, escapism, community and creativity! Come and explore the mind-blowing stages, the intricate winding streets and the intimate immersive venues… There are 14 distinctly individual districts, each with their own identity, characters and stories to discover… the question is, which one will you call home?
“Starting in 2009, our mission has always been to celebrate a diverse line-up of underground and global music, including reggae, world music, folk, jazz, ska, hip hop, drum and bass, techno, house, disco, jungle, psytrance (the list goes on…) along with a focus on boundary-pushing immersive art, theater, and performance. All of which come together as a living, breathing, fictitious city.
Boomtown remains a proudly independent festival that has managed to keep a sense of community and unity despite being one of the fastest-growing festivals in the UK.
Citizens travel from across the globe to experience one of the most diverse line-ups and most groundbreaking theatrical concepts on offer, collectively celebrating underground music in a totally immersive world.
Now heading into its 13th Chapter, Boomtown fuses a diverse line-up of underground and global music with breathtaking set design, immersive theater, and performance to create a living, breathing, fictitious city.”
Watch this amazing film below for a better understanding of this unique festival experience!
27) Y Not Festival
When: July 28-30, 2023
Where: Pikehall, Derbyshire, England
Genre: Various
Come to the beautiful Peak District, surrounded by rolling hills and gorgeous scenery, and enjoy as much indie-rock-pop goodness as your heart desires…
“Y Not Festival has come a long way since it started out 15 years ago, scooping up the UK’s Best Small Festival award and becoming one of the country’s most popular intimate festivals in the decade and a half since.
It takes place in the beautiful surroundings of the Peak District National Park, curating a lineup that spans from rock and indie into sprinkles of dance. That’s not to say Y Not hasn’t had its hiccups.
In 2017 the festival was canceled after the weather played absolute havoc, turning the site into a mud bath. But a year later, it returned triumphantly on a new site, headlined by The Libertines, Catfish and the Bottlemen, and Jamiroquai. And beyond the music, festival-goers can also enjoy a variety of local ales, themed cocktails, mouth-watering food, crazy golf, comedy, and an epic paint fight, all in the company of panoramic, lush countryside views.”
28) Forbidden Forest Festival
When: June 2-4, 2023
Where: Belvoir Castle, Nottinghamshire
Genre: House / Techno / DnB
A magical place where we unite to celebrate our love of music, nature and dance.
“Now in its 8th year, Forbidden Forest 2023 will see the widely popular event reach dizzyingly new heights where over 25,000 weekend festival attendees will get to witness 2 days of must see performances from an exhaustive list of over 50 of the world’s leading acts from the Techno, House, Disco, Drum & Bass and Bass scene, marking 2023 as Forbidden Forest’s biggest line up to date. Set across 8 huge stages/arenas over the two-day weekend – it’s quickly become one of those house festivals UK audiences don’t miss!
Once again, offering on-site camping at its home of Belvoir Castle…welcome to the Forbidden Fields. The boutique festival camping experience hosted by Candypants is the beat behind some of the world’s wildest parties!
29) In It Together Festival
Credit: In It Together Festival UK
When: May 26-28, 2023
Where: Margam, Wales, UK
https://www.facebook.com/InItTogetherFestival
Genre: Various
“This game-changing event comes from festival juggernauts Escape Records, who are experts in their field with many years of experience as well as some of Wales’ biggest and best festivals behind them.
Set across 8 stages of diverse music, In It Together is a festival for everyone, young and old, no matter the race, gender or sexuality, with luxury camping options, a dedicated campsite for 16-17-year-olds, a separate quieter campsite for those who want to relax, as well as a louder campsite for the real party animals.”
30) Cross The Tracks Festival 2023
When: May 28-29, 2023
Where: Brockwell Park, London, United Kingdom
https://www.facebook.com/xthetracks
Genre: Soul / Jazz / Funk
Cross the Tracks is one of the biggest music festivals UK music lovers rarely stop talking about, and for good reason. An all-encompassing day of jazz, funk, and soul, delicious street food, craft beer, thought-provoking talks, immersive workshops, and plenty more will head to Brockwell Park for a fourth edition. Running from midday to 10 pm.
31) Hospitality Weekend In The Woods
© Photography by Jake (instagram.com/jakephilipdavis)
When: August 19, 2023
Where: Beckenham Park, London
https://hospitalityinthewoods.com/
Genre: DnB
London’s Drum & Bass Festival
“Hospitality In The Woods is set to take place in the 98-acre green and lush location of Beckenham Place Park, which boasts enchanted woodland, large lakes, and a Palladian-style mansion. It is there that thousands of festival goers are treated to multiple stages of music with their own unique design, world-class sound, and immersive production.
Each dedicated arena will bounce to non-stop bangers with huge stage hosts as well all your favorite artists, old and new from the whole spectrum of drum & bass, as well as never before seen b2bs and a fine array of the tastiest street food South London has to offer.
There will be seven stages of music, with the likes of Fabio & Grooverider and the Outlook Orchestra, High Contrast, Kings of the Rollers & INJA, Calibre, DJ Storm, Flava D, and more involved across five stage hosts that include Calibre Presents and FabricLive.”
32) Flashback Festival
When: May 20, 2023
Where: Manchester, England
https://flashbackfestival.co.uk/
Calling all 90s kids, 00s lovers, dance floor heroes, and old-school ravers. It’s time to go back to that era you love so much as a brand new music festival is bringing “timeless tunes and fresh vibes” to Platt Fields Park in Manchester on Saturday, May 20th, to kick-start the summer season in style.
No matter what you’re into – whether it be euphoric trance and clubland classics, retro house, garage, jungle, hardcore, and just about everything in between – Flashback Festival has it covered. You won’t want to miss this!
33) Wellnergy Festival
Credit: Wellnergy Festival
When: June 17, 2023
Where: London, England
https://www.wellnergy.co.uk/event/wellnergy-2023/
“Wellnergy brings the five pillars of mindfulness, fitness, food, music and laughter together in a unique festival experience that enriches the mind, body and soul. It is a day of fun wellness activities and experiences to educate and transform friends, families and couples.
We welcome Wellnergy to a new home for 2023, in South London, just a short walk from Putney station. Spend the day exploring our variety of stalls, workshops and chatting to experts, all whilst getting a well-rounded wellness experience.”
Also, Wellnergy Festival recently announced its plans to become one of the most inclusive festivals in the UK as it partners with Spectrum First to create the first-ever neuro-inclusivity festival safe space which will cater for all neurotypes, which is super cool to see!
Am I Missing Any Epic UK Festivals in 2023?
There really are an infinite amount of the best music festivals UK audiences can look forward to every year, and it was really hard to narrow it down to only 33 festivals!
I’d love to hear from you guys if you think I need to add any to my list! I’m planning on spending some time in the UK this upcoming summer, and definitely planning on checking out as many of these UK music festivals as I can!
Looking for more European Summer Festivals…?
I used to live in Europe, and I attended my first ever music out in Amsterdam back in 2009! There is no better time for music festivals than Europe during the summer, so check out a few of my favorite articles below, and start planning a summer full of festival madness!!
- Top 20 Techno Festivals in Europe To Experience Before You Die
- The 20 Best Music Festivals in Barcelona
- The 20 Best Music Festivals in Italy for the Bucket List
- Top 15 Music Festivals in Spain To Experience Before You Die
- The 20 Best Music Festivals in Madrid to Experience Before You Die
- The 18 Best Music Festivals in Paris That’ll Keep You Dancing All Year Long
- Top 20 Music Festivals in Malta to Experience Before You Die
- Top 21 Music Festivals in Berlin To Add to Your Bucket List
- Top 17 Music Festivals in Portugal to Experience Before You Die
- The 15 Best Music Festivals in Iceland To Experience Before You Die
What To Bring To These UK Music Festivals…?
There are a lot of different camping festivals out in the UK, so make sure you go very prepared and read through some of these articles for festival essentials!
- The Ultimate Camping Packing List | Festival Essentials
- 42 Festival Accessories, Gear, and Must-Haves | Festival Packing List
- Top 10 Music Festival Hydration Backpacks
- The 10+ Best Festival Shoes for Men & Women in 2023
- Top 15 Festival Gadgets To Enhance Your Festival Experience
Thanks for reading about the best UK Music Festivals 2023!
How many will you be attending this year!?
Hey there. Pretty good list that but ‘Bluedot Festival’ at Jodrell Bank, ‘Beautiful Days’ at Escot park in Devon and ‘Bearded Theory’ all spring to mind.
All three are great vibe festivals with plenty to offer.
Check ‘em out 👍
…oh and ‘Boardmasters’ at Fistrel Beach in Newquay, Cornwall is surely worth a mention too.