The best music festivals in London 2025

With its 30th edition taking place this summer, the Southbank Centre’s Meltdown Festival has long since established itself as a key date in London’s cultural calendar. Each year, the Southbank invites one celebrated artist to curate the festival, and this year it’s the turn of Mercury Prize-winning rapper and previous Time Out cover star Little Simz. She’s promising a boundary-pushing line-up for the eleven-day festival, featuring plenty of local and grassroots organisations, sets from the likes of The Streets and Ghetts, and the one-of-a-kind performances that have characterised Meltdown over the years culminating in a headline gig with the curator herself.

Line-up includes: Little Simz and Chineke! Orchestra, James Blake, BADBADNOTGOOD, Mahalia, The Streets, Ghetts, Sasha Keable, Lola Young, Nubya Garcia. 

Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX. Jun 12-22.

Calling all jazz heads. A new community-led festival is launching in London this summer celebrating the free-form musical genre, taking over De Beauvoir, Islington and Hackney for two days this July. De Beauvoir Jazz Festival will spread over multiple venues, including The Scolt Head, St Peter’s Church and Hoxton hall, with performances from rising stars like Georgia Cecile, and established legends such as the internationally acclaimed clarinetist Adrian Cox. 

Line-up: Georgia Cecile, Mark Kavuma, Gordon Webster, Giacomo Smith, Adrian Cox, Kinetika Bloco

Up at the top of Ally Pally this summer, you’ll find a multifaceted web of genres. Where else can you while away the day with renowned DJs like Eats Everything, Sara Cox and DJ Spoony, drum and bass legend Goldie and the familiar hits of Faithless? There’s also comedy on the books from Shappi Khorsandi, the Beatles Dub Club, hip hop karaoke and high-energy Shakespear. This is one festival that truly lives up to its name.

Line-up includes: Faithless, Goldie, Eats Everything, Sara Cox, Sleeper, DJ Spoony

Alexandra Palace, N22 7AY. Jul 12.

To celebrate its 20th birthday, Wireless has called on Drake to do not one, but three, separate nights with differing setlists. Join Champagne Papi and his mates RnB singer Summer Walker, Afrobeats icon Burna Boy, dancehall star Vybz Kartel, OVO signee PARTYNEXTDOOR and London grime collective Boy Better Know for what promises to be a historic long weekend. 

Line-up includes: Drake, Burna Boy, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Summer Walker and Vybz Kartel, Boy Better Know, more TBC.

Finsbury Park, N4 1EE. Jul 11-13.

Sure, Kew Gardens is maybe London’s most iconic setting to enjoy some horticultural marvels and catch some rays, but it’s also home to this fun little music festival, which is looking to be a proper all-rounder this summer. Craig David will bring his legendary party TS5 to the UNESCO world heritage site, playing all his greatest hits. He’ll be joined on the line-up by UB40, fronted by Ali Campbell, The Human League, DJ Spoony, Alison Moyet, Gypsy Kings and other special guests including Daniel Beddingfield, So Solid Crew and more. 

Line-up includes: Craig David, UB40, The Human League. 

Kew Gardens, TW9 3JR. Jul 8-13. 

It’s been an exciting fixture in London’s musical calendar since 2013, and it’s back with a line-up of some of the biggest stars on the planet. Taking place across weekends in June and July, Hyde Park will host an upmarket festival vibe complete with food, drink and a posh VIP area. Catch Gen Z pop hero Olivia Rodrigo, US country singer-songwriter Zach Bryan and folk-pop artist Noah Kahan. ‘Espresso’ hitmaker Sabrina Carpenter plays two consecutive nights, while Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra perform their final ever live show. 

Line-up includes: Olivia Rodrigo, Zach Bryan, Noah Kahan, Sabrina Carpenter, Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts, Stevie Wonder, Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra plus more. 

Hyde Park, W2 2UH. Various, Jul.

Somerset House Summer Series is back for another year. Held in the Edmond J. Safra Fountain court, in the enclave of the iconic Neoclassical building, this open-air series of gigs has long held space for both exciting up-and-comers and well-known trailblazers from the UK and beyond. Every year, the Summer Series plays host to an eclectic mix of legends and exciting current acts, and 2025 is no different. This year's bill features Rizzle Kicks, Giggs, FLO, Joy Oladokun, St. Vincent, Parov Stelar and more. 

Line-up includes: Rizzle Kicks, Giggs, Jacob Banks, FLO, St. Vincent, Joy Oladokun and more.

Somerset House, WC2R 1LA. July 10-20.

A new wholesome day festival has entered the chat. From the people behind Brainchild, Desire Lines promises to be an all-day extravaganza of DJs, live music, theatre, works-in-progress performances, local craft, zine and art vendors, and a selection of eats from some of southeast London’s finest independent restaurants. It’s taking place at the Shipwright, a multi-purpose venue by the river in Deptford. The line-up is still TBC, with an announcement coming soon. 

Line-up includes: TBC

The Shipwright, SE8 3JF. Sat Jul 19. 

One of London’s biggest dance music festivals is back to take over Boston Manor Park in 2025. If previous years are anything to go by, you can expect Junction 2 to provide a careful balance of massive names and hotly-tipped up-and-comers across the last Friday, Saturday and Sunday of July. This year you’ve got a stacked selection of house and techno juggernauts like Ceri, Ahmed Spins, Amber Broos and Kolter. They come alongside the likes of Nina Kravitz, Bashkka, Mount Kimbie, Moxie and Soul Wax. Basically, it’s the holy grail of raves.

Lineup includes: Nina Kravitz, Bashkka, Mount Kimbie, Moxie, Soul Wax Adam Beyer, Job Jobse, Charlotte De Witte, DJ Seinfeld.

Boston Manor Park, TW8 9JU. Jul 25-27.

Boiler Room's summer festival returns to south London for another massive open-air celebration. Its 'lethal program of talent' comes led by some of the country's most influential dance crews.

The party-starters have curated their own stage of world-class talent. That includes producer extraordinaire Joy Orbison and the iconic DJ Theo Parrish leading the charge. On the Places + Faces stage, you've got Kendrick Lamar collaborator Mustard, superstar DJ Kenny Beats, legendary beatmaker The Alchemist and Time Out cover star DJ AG, among other big-hitters. Meanwhile, you've got Dialled In coming through with DJ sets from the likes of Kahani vs Kunal Merchant and Yuné Pinku, and Recess enlisting Dlala Thukzin and Crazy Cousinz pres. Funky House All Stars plus many, many more. 

Line-up includes: Joy Orbison, Theo Parrish, Kenny Beats, DJ AG, Mustard, The Alchemist and more

Burgess Park, SE5 0RJ. Fri Aug 1.

Krankbrother is hosting a series of unmissable live shows in Finsbury Park this August. From ‘Beyond Beliefs’ hitmaker Ben Böhmer to superstar DJ Honey Dijon and duo CamelPhat playing their first-ever headline outdoor event in the capital, these gigs-meet-day-fests are not to be missed by the capital's club kids.

Line-up includes: Ben Böhmer, ANOTR, Honey Dijon, Logic1000, Kerri Chandler, Horse Meat Disco, CamelPhat.

Finsbury Park, N4 1EE. Various dates, Aug 1-11.

Wake up babe, a new house and techno festival in London just dropped. Legendary house DJ Jamie Jones has announced he is bringing a brand-new festi to the capital this summer, taking over Boston Manor Park with one of his world-famous Paradise parties. Spread across four stages, Paradise in the City promises to have ‘cutting-edge sound and state-of-the-art production’, all produced by partners LWE. The line-up spans to a variety of techno and house DJs, all hand-selected by Jones, with DJs including Richy Ahmed, Seth Troxler and Hot Since 82 announced. Expect a day of four-to-the-floor belters with an Ibiza vibe. 

Line-up includes: Jamie Jones, Richy Ahmed, Seth Troxler, Hot Since 82, Omar S, Fleur Shore.

Boston Manor Park, TW8 9JU. Sat Aug 2.

After a great debut last summer, London’s Jazz Cafe returns to Burgess Park for its sophomore edition in early August, with a line-up traversing jazz (of course), RnB, hip hop and electronic sounds across four stages. Headlining the 15,000-capacity festival in September is American singer and saxophonist Masego, best known for his RnB hit ‘Tadow’.  And just announced on the lineup is New York rapper Westside Gunn, who will make his UK stage debut. Also on the lineup is Benny the Butcher, Elmiene, Nooriyah and more. 

Line-up includes: Masego, Westside Gunn, Benny the Butcher.

Burgess Park, SE5 0RJ. Aug 3.

After setting up in its new home of Burgess Park last year, Maiden Voyage will once again transform the south London space into one big grassy dancefloor for its 2025 edition. This time, Azealia Banks will headline the PXSSY PALACE main stage, while R&B fusion star Amaarae will also appear on the bill alongside a host of the hottest DJs right now, including Ben Klock, Shanti Celeste and Call Super. 

Line-up includes: Azealia Banks, Amaarae, Ben Klock, Call Super, Manuka Honey, Shanti Celeste, Or:la. 

Burgess Park, SE5 0RJ. Aug 9.

After a hugely successful first year in 2024, award-winning and influential rapper, DJ, and record label head Skepta is not only bringing his Big Smoke festival back for a second year but expanding it too. This year, the event will take over Crystal Palace Bowl for two days, with both closed out with sets from the man himself. On August 9, he’ll deliver a full-scale performance and will be joined on the line-up by a mix of rising stars, including Chy Cartier and SkylaTylaa, and grime and drill legends like Central Cee, JME, Frisco and Chip, with more acts TBA. August 10 will be presented by Skeppy’s label Más Tiempo and see the big man wrap things up with a DJ set, plus special guest performances throughout the day.

Line-up includes: Skepta, Central Cee, JME, Frisco, Chip, Chy Cartier, SkylaTylaa, BXKS

Crystal Palace Bowl, SE19 2BA. Aug 9-10

This summer, some contemporary dance music greats will take up residence at a stunning venue. Labyrinth On The Thames – masterminded by promoter Labryinth – will see different artists from the world of electronic music takeover the Old Royal Naval College (a UNESCO World Heritage Site!) for six days of unmissable performances. So far, South African DJ and producer Black Coffee, melodic house star Anjunadeep, global dance phenom FISHER and legendary techno DJ Solomun have been confirmed as headliners, with further acts TBA.

Line-up includes: Black Coffee, Anjunadeep, FISHER, Solomun.

Old Royal Naval College, SE10 9NN. July 31- August 3; 8-10.

Now in its fourth year, South Facing might still be a fledgling festival compared to some of the other events on the calendar, but it continues a long and impressive legacy of live music events at the Crystal Palace Bowl, which has previously hosted the likes of Elton John, Bob Marley, Vera Lynn and Pink Floyd. South Facing brings the same level of thrilling eclecticism with its line-ups for summer 2025, with headline shows from Busta Rhymes, Basement Jaxx, Mogwai, Tinlicker, Nile Rodgers and Morcheeba, plus takeovers from Flackstock and Love Motion festivals. 

Line-up includes: Busta Rhymes, Morcheeba, Basement Jaxx, Tinlicker, Nile Rogers and Chic, Louie Vega, Dimitri From Paris, Mogwai, Lankum.

Crystal Palace Bowl, SE19 2BA. August 8-24.

All Points East returns to Vicky Park for its seventh edition in 2025. Since debuting in 2018, the festival has garnered a reputation for building some of the most exciting line-ups in the UK. Its headliners are often indie or dance-focused big-hitters, while its undercards are packed with cult heroes and rising stars you can say you saw first. As well as the ticketed weekend events, look out for All Points East In the Neighbourhood, the festival’s free midweek programme of community activities including film screenings, live sports, theatre, family fun and more. 

Line-up includes: Barry Can’t Swim, RAYE, The Maccabees, Confidence Man, Shygirl, Tyla, Bombay Bicyle Club, Dry Cleaning, Chase And Status, Sammy Virji. 

Victoria Park, E3 5SN. August 15–17, 22-24.

Seasoned London festival-goers have been singing the praises of this 10,000-capacity Southwark Park festival since it debuted in 2023, thanks to its boutique size, community vibe and collaborative line-ups created with help from some of the city’s best culture venues. So we’re pleased to note that Rally is returning for its third edition in August 2025, with another genre-hopping line-up of cutting-edge British sounds traversing dance music, hip-hop and indie rock. 

Line-up includes: CASISDEAD, Floating Points, Ben UFO, Speaker’s Corner Quartet, Porridge Radio, TAAHLIAH.

Southwark Park, SE16 2TX. Aug 23.

Having outgrown its first home in Hackney Wick, London’s queer nightlife festival Body Movements levelled up last summer, making a dazzling debut in Southwark Park with five stages showcasing the great and good of the LGBTQ+ party scene in the capital and beyond. It was easily the best edition yet of the groundbreaking festival, so we’re thrilled that the great and good of the London queer scene will once again come together in the same location for its 2025 edition, on the Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend.

Line-up includes: Mura Masa, HAAi, I.Jordan, Coucou Chloe, Cakes Da Killa, Adonis, Pxssy Palace, Little Gay Brother.

Southwark Park, SE16 2TX. Aug 24.

Organised by the people behind Percolate and Love International festival in Croatia, mid-September’s electronic music one-dayer Waterworks is a final chance to squeeze every last drop of festival fun out of the summer. Returning to west London’s Gunnersbury Park for its fifth edition, the festival’s line-up features a plethora of talented selectors playing just about every genre of dance music. 

Line-up includes: Two Shell, Yung Singh, Special Request, Palms Trax, Skee Mask, Octo Octa, Eris Drew, Djrum.

Gunnersbury Park, W3 8LQ. Sat Sep 13.

Created by the minds behind Brainchild Festival, Colour Factory, Orii Community and Voices Radio, Jazz on Wick is a new festival for 2025. Taking place across multiple venues in Hackney Wick, the day-to-night celebration of jazz and adjacent astral sounds features neo-soul singer BINA., genre-blending quartet oreglo, multi-instrumentalist Allexa Nava and a special edition of the Orii Jam (complete with special guests TBA). 

Line-up includes: Allexa Nava, BINA., oreglo, Orii Jam feat.special guests, Brainchild DJs, Eglo Records, Voices Radio.

Colour Factory and nearby venues, E9 5EN. Sat Sep 13.

Bringing together a wide spectrum of voices from various disciplines of alternative East and South-East Asian creativity, Margins United is back for its second year in the capital. The line-up centres around Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, a trailblazer in both hyperpop and J-pop who previously collaborated with SOPHIE and Charli xcx. She's joined by DJ Jax Jones, LA’s alt-pop riser Emei and south London rapper Jianbo.

Line-up includes: Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Jax Jones, Tohji, Jianbo, DJ Love, Lucy Tun.

Exhibition (and Scala, King’s Cross), W12 7FU. Sat Sep 27.

Pitchfork Music Festival is gearing up for another November edition with a jam-packed schedule of eclectic live music encompassing everything from avant-rock and post-punk to psych-pop, UK rap and deconstructed dance music. Gigs take place at plenty of the capital’s most illustrious music and nightlife venues. Previous years have seen shows at Fabric, EartH and The Roundhouse, as well as atmospheric small venues like the Shacklewell Arms, Hackney Church and Union Chapel. Joining the likes of Oklou and King Gizzard are plenty of up-and-comers who will no doubt be household names in years to come.

Line-up includes: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Oklou, Laurie Anderson, 10K Global, Kali Malon, Unwound.

Various venues. Nov 4-8.

Every year, the EFG London Jazz Festival brings together the best and brightest of the genre in venues across the city, from capital’s arts venues like Southbank Centre and Barbican, to atmospheric gig spots like Village Underground and Union Chapel. This year is no different. The 2025 line-up promises a bounty of bops, whether you’re looking to discover new artists on the scene (Rita Payés, Nov 19), or want to witness some legends in action (Dee Dee Bridgewater, Nov 15). As well as tons of concerts every day, there’s also sessions, workshops, talks and more to take part in and enjoy. More announcements to come. 

Line-up includes: Tune-Yards, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Hiromi, Fergus McCreadie, Chris Thile and more TBC. 

Various venues. Nov 14-23.