The best music festivals in London in 2022

May 27-28

Wide Awake bills itself as south London’s answer to leftfield indie, post-punk, electronica, techno and jazz. And going by its 2022 line-up, it’s definitely hitting the spot. For the first time in the festival’s short-lived history, there will be two days of programming – with Bicep playing a live set to headline the Friday and Primal Scream topping the bill on Saturday. Caribou, Leon Vynehall and Call Super have also been announced for Friday, meanwhile, Saturday will host Floating Points, Fat White Family, Overmono, Billy Nomates and many, many more. 

Line-up includes Overmono, Caribou, Floating Points, Fat White Family, Carista, Kiara Scuro, Loraine James and more

May 29

This one-day south London festival celebrates the best in reggae, dancehall and afrobeats, spotlighting the importance of Caribbean and African music in British culture. There will be Caribbean street-food vendors in collab with Black Eats LDN, serving up everything from mouth-watering jerk chicken to fried plantains, as well as a jam-packed music line-up still to be revealed. 

Line-up includes Mr Eazi, Barrington Levy, Sister Nancy, Kranium, Stonebwoy, Luciano, King Tubby’s, CVSS, Saxon Sound. Mad Professor and more

June 2-4 

This three-day Peckham Rye Park weekender was one of the first London festivals post-Covid, and boy, did it come back with a bang. With a line-up focusing on variations of underground electronic music (but mostly house and techno), and some live instrumental acts thrown in for good jazzy measure, it’s returning in 2022 with long-term collaborators Rhythm Section and Horse Meat Disco.

Line-up includes Goldie, Children of Zeus, Nu Genea, Shanti Celeste, Gerd Janson, Little Dragon, Palms Trax, Charlie Bones, Hunee, Nubya Garcia and more

June 3-4

Bow down to techno and house royalty at this weekend festival that boasts a packed line-up of electronic music stars in a chill natural setting. This year’s edition has moved from its former M4 motorway flyover site to the greener surroundings of north London’s beautiful Trent Country Park. Go for a line-up of pure unadulterated dance and many breezy vibes. 

Line-up includes Nina Kraviz, Amelie Lens, Four Tet, Ben UFO, Avalon Emerson, Jossy Mitsu, Tasker, Willow, Zenker Brothers, Eris Drew b2b Octo Octa and more

June 3-4

Spread over two days for the first time, Mighty Hoopla is a fabulous antidote to snobby festivals dominated by po-faced straight white guys. Here, pop faves from back in the day will be greeted like returning heroes, while a largely LGBTQ+ crowd parties like it’s still 1999 and they’re in the ‘CD:UK’ audience. It’s not just about nostalgia, though: Mighty Hoopla has pulled off a real coup by booking Brazilian drag superstar Pabllo Vittar.

Line-up includes Sugababes, Steps, Katy B, Macy Gray, Basement Jaxx, Charity Shop Sue, Jessie Ware, Cascada, Jodie Harsh, Sink The Pink, The Bitten Peach, Little Gay Brother and The Cocoa Butter Club and more

June 5

Returning for a third year, this one-dayer in Brockwell Park offers a tasty combination of funk, soul and jazz sounds, plus ace street food and craft breweries. Tickets from £29.50.

Line-up includes Khruangbin, Joy Crookes, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Roy Ayers, Romare Live, Etta Bond, Norman Jay MBE

June 10-19

June 8-25

This open-air concert series in the lovely Tudor Courtyard of Hampton Court Palace offers a genteel take on the summer festival over three weeks in June. Pop down for a picnic by the water and then make your way to your (seated) concert in front of Henry VIII's iconic palace. If you're feeling fancy you can even hire a Waterside Gazebo with ten of your mates, or purchase a VIP Concert & Dining package. 

Line-up includes Lionel Richie, Elbow, George Benson, Jack Savoretti, Crowded House

June 24-July 10

It's been an exciting fixture in London's musical calendar since 2013, and it's back next year 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. The 2022 headliners are shaping up nicely already, with Elton John, Eagles, Pearl Jam and Duran Duran. However, perhaps the most anticipated act announced is Adele, who'll be belting out ballads to her home town on two dates. 

Line-up includes Adele, Elton John, Pearl Jam, Duran Duran, Rolling Stones

July 1-3 and July 8-10

In 2022, this destination fest is more epic than ever with seven huge headliners over three locations: two in London, one in Birmingham. As ever, the line-up leans heavily into hip hop, grime and R&B, and boasts more A-list talent than the Met Gala. Each act is programmed to only perform at one site, so make sure you take a close look at the breakdown before making that oh-so-important ticket purchase. 

Line-up includes A$AP Rocky, The Kid Laroi, Rico Nasty, Doja Cat, Playboi Carti, Tyler, The Creator, Little Simz, Ghetts, Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, Lil Baby, Unknown T and more 

July 7-17

The Strand institution is bringing back its outdoor gig series after two years. The line-up for the 11-day 2022 edition looks absolutely mega. Brit Award Best Newcomer winner  Londoner Arlo Parks is performing hits from her poetic, soulful and frankly excellent debut album ‘Collapsed in Sunbeams’. Catchy Canadian songstress Carly Rae Jepsen will be bringing her effervescent pop to London for the occasion. Angular Bristolians Squid will be twitching their thing. And on a (hopefully sunny) Saturday evening to remember, multi-platinum US singer-songwriter John Legend will be taking to the scenic stage.

Also, local talent: Newham grime MC Ghetts, hyped Croydon rockers Black Midi and south-east London jazz artist Yussef Dayes.

Line-up: Tems, Squid, Yussuf Dayes, Bomba Estéreo, Carly Rae Jepsen, Arlo Parks, Black Midi, Ghetts, SG Lewis, John Legend, Places+Faces

July 23 

Ally Pally’s Kaleidoscope Festival offers a chilled line-up of music, comedy and kids events with incredible views over the city.

Line-up includes Happy Mondays, Orbital, The Magic Numbers, The Cuban Brothers, and more

July 24

Did someone say Patti Smith? Higher Ground is a brand new boutique music festival coming to the grounds of Alexandra Palace this summer, and yes, Smith is headlining. Hosted by live music producers Serious on Sunday July 24, the one-day event is promising all sorts of stuff – but the female-heavy indie rock line-up is probably what’s most exciting. 

Line-up includes Patti Smith, Spelling, Nabihah Iqbal, Joviale, Connie Constance and Nadine Shah

July 30 

Body Movements celebrates LGBTQ+ people in dance music, taking place across 16 east London venues, including Colour Factory, Crate, Number 90 and The Yard. The festival won Time Out London’s ’Best New Event’ in our 2021 ’Best of the City’ awards – make sure it's on your bucket list for 2022. 

Line-up includes Adonis, Daytimers, Big Dyke Energy, Pxssy Palace, TechnoMate

August 6-7

Okay, it’s technically in Essex, not London, but We Are FSTVL is still a firm favourite with Londoners, seeing as you can get there on the tube. Big-name dance behemoths and equally big production values are key to the WAF experience. House and techno of all shapes and sizes are the main ingredients here, but you’ll also find, grime, garage and bassier flavours too – as well as a brand new live stage with Craig David presents TS5, Chip, and Younger. 

Line-up includes Andy C, The Blessed Madonna, Marco Carola, Michael Bibi, Craig David presents TS5, Adam Beyer, Carl Cox, Rudimental, Shy FX

August 13

Four Tet is one of the smartest folk on the UK electronic music scene right now. Actually, he’s been one of the smartest in the scene probably for the past decade, and he’s playing his only extended festival set this August at Finsbury Park. As well as two stages of music decked out with rumbling sound systems, including a stage by Dialled In showcasing South Asian talent, there will be plenty of refreshments to keep you dancing all day long. If history is anything to go by, this one is going to be a biggie. 

Line-up includes Four Tet, Josey Rebelle, Two Shell, DJ Priya, and more.

August 19-28

Held over two weekends (with a restful gap in the middle) in Victoria Park, All Points East lives up to its name with an always-eclectic line-up of cool alternative acts. No east Londoner could possibly take objection to this year’s stellar headliners – which include Gorillaz and Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds – but the 2022 bill is also filled with exciting rising stars: Remi Wolf, Greentea Peng and (Time Out cover star) Self Esteem are all playing on the first Friday. Essentially, if you like anything that has a bit of an edge to it, APE really delivers. Look out, too, for In the Neighbourhood, the festival’s programme of free community-focused events and activities also taking place in Vicky Park. It’s what the philanthropists who planned it would have wanted. 

Line-up includes IDLES, Gorillaz, King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard, Tame Impala, Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds, Michael Kiwanuka, James Blake, Greentea Peng, Remi Wolf, Caroline Polachek, Fred Again.. and Perfume Genius and more

August 27

The second edition of Yam Carnival is coming to Clapham Common this August, and the line-up is looking mighty tasty. Described as a celebration of Black culture, the festival was created by the team behind Afro Nation and promises three food areas for guests to fuel up during a day full of dancing. 

Line-up includes Wizkid, Black Sherif, DJ Maphorisa, Naira Marley, and more

August 27

Celebrating ten years of grooving and moving, Eastern Electrics is back in 2022 to provide London’s clubbers and ravers with a dance music blowout across four stages. 

Line-up includes Mall Grab, Horse Meat Disco, Derrick Carter, Debonair, Ewan McVicar, Green Velvet, Ellen Allien

August 28

Maiden Voyage Festival, run by the team behind Camden's Jazz Cafe, are once again returning to Lee Valley Showground with a super-sweet line-up to get your dancing feet going. The 2022 edition will see live performances from Underground Resistance and Ross From Friends, as well as DJ sets from the likes of Floorplan, Yung Singh, India Jordan, SHERELLE, Octo Octa and Hunee. And that's just the first line-up announcement – expect other fat, fun, and juicy things to come. 

Line-up includes Ross From Friends, Floorplan, Yung Singh, India Jordan, SHERELLE, Jayda G, VTSS, Shanti Celeste

September 2-4

The star-studded TV chef Tom Kerridge has followed in the footsteps of fellow foodie aficionados Jamie Oliver and Alex James in setting up his own festival. As well as scran from some of the best UK chefs in the game, the 2022 line-up at Chiswick Park's three-day edition features Craig David and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, with heaps of acts still to come. 

Line-up includes Craig David TS5, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, The Sugar Hill Gang, Beverley Knight, Faithless DJ

September 3-4 

This massive dance and disco party is returning to its hometown in 2022 for two days of feel good music. Highlights from last year included Honey Dijon, Louie Vega, Basement Jaxx and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

Line-up includes TBA

September 10

This one-day fest from the team behind the legendary Krankbrother parties is returning for another rager. Joy Orbison, LTJ Bukem, Moodymann, Steam Down and Ruby Savage lead a well curated ‘jazz, funk, soul, afro, dub and disco-fuelled’ line-up, with London-based artists dominating the programming. 

Line-up includes Kojey Radical, The Blessed Madonna, Chaos in the CBD, Moodymann, Mungo’s Hifi, Krankbrother

September 17-18

This massive two-day festival in Beckenham Place Park is one of the bassiest London has to offer. This year's edition promises never before seen B2B DJ sets, delicious street food, and the usual top-quality production. 

Line-up includes Fabio and Grooverider and the Outlook Orchestra, High Contrast, Kings of the Rollers & INJA, Calibre, DJ Storm, Flava D 

September 19

Coming to Gunnersbury Park for the second time, Waterworks actively has no headliners, it’s just a pick ’n’ mix of some of the best DJs and artists in the game right now – both locally and internationally. 

Line-up includes Batu, Ben UFO, Angel D’lite, Moxie, Club Fitness, Digital Mystikz, LCY, Or:la, Skee Mask, Saoirse, Toshiki Ohta, Yung Singh