The best music festivals in London 2024

Taking place across a whopping 20 venues in and around Queen’s Yard in Hackney Wick, this always-popular day-to-night celebration is hosting over 100 DJs and collectives. Acts range from beloved selectors to established international names, including Alec Tempo, DJ Caspa, Madam X, and SKETCH, who'll be spinning everything from house and techno to garage and disco.

Line-up includes: Alec Tempo, DJ Caspa, DUO, Georgia, Julio Bashmore, Madam X, OM Unit, Oneman, SKETCH, yourboykieran.

Colour Factory and nearby venues, E9. Sat May 4.

Camden is often an appropriate place to put your horns up and rock out, but that will be especially true at Desertfest, the capital’s premier festival celebrating stoner rock and doom metal. This year, the line-up brings together some of the genres’ best act, and will take over various rock venues in the area. 

Line-up includes: Suicidal Tendencies, Cancer Bats, Godflesh, Speedhorn, Masters Of Reality, Manitar.

Various venues. May 17-19.

A mecca for bass-heavy partying, Project 6 is a festival for those craving seriously loud sounds. This year is tying into the 30th anniversary of Rinse FM, meaning there's even more reason for a party, and the line-up is leaning into the kinds of artists you'd expect to hear on the cutting-edge station. Catch the elusive MC Casisdead, legendary rapper Pusha T, DnB and jungle pioneer Shy FX, and 'Katy on a Mission' hitmaker Katy B, alongside Freddie Gibbs and Madlib performing Piñata, Mala, Benga and plenty more. 

Line-up includes: Casisdead, Pusha T, Lady Dynamite, AJ Tracey, Nines, Shy FX, Katy B, Freddie Gibbs and Madlib, Mala, Benga. 

Brockwell Park, SE24 9BJ. May 24.

Join London’s clubbing elite at this Peckham Rye three-dayer, which showcases the finest in electronic music. This year's iteration drifts from a bass-heavy Friday night courtesy of the legendary DJ EZ, into an energetic Saturday with headliner Job Jobse before wrapping up with Folamour and soulful Sunday celebrations. Don’t miss the likes of Girls Don't Sync, Interplanetary Criminal, John Talabot, Loraine James and Sherelle while you’re there.

Line-up includes: DJ EZ, Folamour, Job Jobse, Girls Don't Sync, Novelist, Sherelle, Loraine James. 

Peckham Rye Park, SE15 4HA. May 24-26.

PLEASE NOTE: We Are FSTVL has been cancelled

We Are FSTVL is a firm favourite with club-loving Londoners. Now commemorating its tenth year, there's no better way to spend a bank holiday weekend than part of this festival's massive dance celebration. Expect attention-grabbing sets from a broad range of dance music DJs, including big names like Eric Prydz, Chase and Status, Patrick Topping and more. 

Line-up includes: Eric Prydz, The Martinez Brothers, Gorgon City, Chase and Status, Jamie Jones and Hannah Wants. 

Central Park (Dagenham), RM10 7EU. May 25-26.

Wide Awake bills itself as a ‘musical melting pot’, offering up leftfield indie, post-punk, electronica, techno and more. This year, you've got psychedelic Aussie rockers King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard headlining, alongside Young Fathers, Slowdive, The Dare, Ben UFO and Alice Glass among other indie stalwarts. There is no doubt it'll leave crowds surprised as it celebrates artists that defy traditional genre boundaries.

Line-up includes: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Slowdive, Young Fathers, Squid, Hannah Diamond, Dry Cleaning, Ben UFO, Eartheater, OK Williams.

Brockwell Park, SE24 9BJ. May 25.

Now in its fifth edition, Cross the Tracks is still a bit of a newcomer to the London festival scene. But with tasteful, groove-heavy curation across soul, funk and jazz, as well as loads of decent street food and craft beer, it’s already cemented itself as an anticipated name. The festival has a laid-back, open-arms appeal, meaning you’ll find people of all sorts of ages having a boogie. Do not miss headliner Erykah Badu, who is sure to blow audiences away with a decades-spanning set. Other amazing acts include Eve, BADBADNOTGOOD, En Vogue and Madlib.

Line-up includes: Erykah Badu, BADBADNOTGOOD, Eve, Madlib (DJ set).

Brockwell Park, SE24 9BJ. May 26.

If you love nothing better than the idea of grooving to reggae, Afrobeats and dancehall in the sun, this is the festival for you. City Splash is once again taking over Brockwell Park to celebrate the impact of Caribbean and African culture in the UK and beyond – giving you a chance to dance, connect over music and have a bloody good time.

Line-up includes: Capleton, Beenie Man, Shenseea, Busy Signal, Queen Omega.

Brockwell Park, SE24 9BJ. May 27.

Sometimes you need to embrace the cheesiness, you know? Mighty Hoopla has firmly established itself as a festival promoting the very finest of pop, as well as platforming established and emerging LGBTQ+ performers. The result of this is a weekend of feel-good fun where the crowd are just as dazzling at the entertainment.

Line-up includes: Nelly Furtado, Jessie Ware, Eve, Cher Lloyd. 

Brockwell Park, SE24 9BJ. Jun 1-2.

When brand new festival The Recipe launches in July, it will take two things off attendees’ minds – keeping an eye on their spending and keeping their purse or wallet safe. The one-day event is all-inclusive, meaning the ticket price includes unlimited food and drinks, amusement rides, and more. It also boasts a line-up that should get any tastemaker’s approval, with R&B star Jazmine Sullivan giving her first UK performance in 10 years, plus SiR, Alex Isley, Destin Conrad and more.

Line-up includes: Jazmine Sullivan, SiR, Alex Isley, Destin Conrad, Tone Stith.

Gunnersbury Park, W3 8LQ. Sat Jul 6.

It’s not every day you get to attend a music festival in a historic old palace, but this open-air concert series in Hampton Court Palace's lovely Tudor Courtyard offers a genteel take on the summer festival between June 11-21 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: Nile Rodgers & Chic, Tom Jones, Jack Savoretti, Sam Ryder, Björn Again, Sheryl Crow.

Hampton Court Palace, KT8 9AU. Tue Jun 11-Wed Jun 22.

Joining a long list of legends like David Bowie, Yoko Ono, Patti Smith, Grace Jones and David Byrne, Chaka Khan is taking on Southbank Centre’s Meltdown Festival. About her curatorship, she said: ‘Get ready to experience the heart and soul of Meltdown 2024, where the magic of music meets the warmth of community.’ While the line-up is yet to be announced, we can expect a celebration of all things Chaka, as the event lines-up with her 50th anniversary of being in the biz.

Line-up includes: Todrick Hall, Lady Blackbird, Incognito, Emeli Sandé, Big Joanie, War, and more. 

Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX. Jun 12-23.

Presented by Tom Kerridge, Pub in the Park is a touring food and music festival that aims to bring the atmosphere of great British boozers to the great outdoors. Explore delicious pub grub and equally enticing live performances across four weekends in and around London throughout the summer: Marlow (May 16-19), Chiswick (June 28-30), Reigate (July 12-14), St Albans (September 6-8). 

Line-up includes: Scouting for Girls, Paloma Faith, Jools Holland, McFly, Olly Murs, Van Morrison. 

Chiswick House and Gardens, W4 2RP. Jun 28-30.

Skepta has turned to festival curation, setting up his own all-dayer at Crystal Palace Park aptly named Big Smoke. Driven by his personal taste, he's assembled a star-studded, multi-genre line-up of artists that showcase his wide range of influences. The festival is bringing you the rapper's only UK performance of 2024, alongside sets from The Streets, Mahalia, JME, Más Tiempo, Loco Dice and more. 

Line-up includes: The Streets, Mahalia, JME, Lancey, K-Trap, Odumodublvck, Sir Spyro, Loco Dice, Uncle Waffles.

Crystal Palace Park, SE19 2GA. Jul 6.

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. The 2024 headliners announced so far are the 'Rock DJ' hitmaker Robbie Williams and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, with more to be announced still.

Line-up includes: Robbie Williams, Andrea Bocelli, Kylie Minogue, Shania Twain, SZA, Stevie Nicks, plus more. 

Hyde Park, W2 2UH. Various, Jul.

Somerset House Summer Series is back for another year, offering Londoners the chance to catch a global array of talent in the charming Edmond J. Safra Fountain court of the iconic building. From homegrown R&B singer Pip Millett to punk musician and poet Patti Smith, 2024’s line-up caters to a wide range of tastes, highlighting a vibrant selection of some of today’s coolest, most original musical artists operating today.

Line-up includes: Pip Millett, Corinne Bailey Rae, Smino, The Big Moon, Hak Baker, The Patti Smith Quartet.

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 Erol Alkan and Mr. Scruff, R&B collective Soul II Soul and the familiar hits of Ministry Of Sound reimagined by an orchestra? There’s also comedy on the books from Simon Amstell, beatboxing, science workshops, acrobatics and much more. This is one festival that truly lives up to its name.

Line-up includes: Ministry Of Sound Classical, Soul II Soul, The Go! Team, Mr. Scruff, Erol Alkan.

Wireless returns to Finsbury Park for 2024 with a line-up that’s positively bulging with hip-hop, R&B and grime talent. Spanning trap, grime, pop and beyond, there's more A-list talent than the Met Gala (Nicki and Doja?!). Taking over the North London park with massive production and top-tier acts, Wireless is sure to have plenty of 'did you see that?' moments. 

Line-up includes: Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, 21 Savage, J Hus and Future, Ice Spice, Digga D.

Crystal Palace Bowl has hosted a whole lot of legends in its sweet history as a music venue: Bob Marley, The Who, Pink Floyd, The Cure. Carrying on its musical heritage is South Facing Festival, the open-air musical festival that takes place within its grounds across six nights. Offering an eclectic selectiond of dedicated day festivals, whether you fancy pop bangers from Jess Glynne or jazz grooves from the likes of Yussef Dayes, with a particular highlight being Love Motion with Grace Jones. 

Line-up includes: Yussef Dayes, Future Islands, Popcaan, Yussef Dayes, Jess Glynne, Damian Marley.

Crystal Palace Bowl, SE19 2BA. Jul 26-Aug 10.

One of London’s biggest dance music festivals is back to take over Boston Manor Park in 2024. 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. It's basically the holy grail of raves, so if you're a regular at Ministry of Sound you don't want to miss it.

Line-up includes: Richie Hawtin, LSDXOXO, Hot Since 82, Barry Can't Swim, The Blessed Madonna.

Boston Manor Park, TW8 9JX. Jul 26-28. 

What’s better than raving in the sticky, dark spaces of a club? Getting out into nature and dancing the day away, of course. For one day in August, drum’n’bass icons Hospitality will take over Beckenham Place Park and get the green space bumping with big beats. Head into the woods and celebrate both Mother Earth and d’n’b’s finest, from Pendulum to High Contrast.

Line-up includes: Pendulum, High Contrast, LTJ Bukem, Flava D b2b Lens + P. Money, Flux Pavilion.

Beckenham Place Park, BR3 5BS. Sat Aug 17.

LCD Soundsystem are once again taking over Vicky Park for All Points East (remember how epic 2018 was?), alongside Death Cab for Cutie and the Postal Service and Loyle Carner in a series of standalone days of bloody good live music. Support comes from Jai Paul, Nas and so many more famous faces, you'll be spoilt for choice.

Line-up includes: Mitski, Ezra Collective, LCD Soundsystem, Nas, Death Cab for Cutie, Ethel Cain, Loyle Carner.

Victoria Park, E3 5SN. Aug 17-25.

Music streaming platform Boiler Room are returning with their biggest party yet. The 2024 festival will feature full-stage takeovers from the likes of Club Heartbroken and Teletech, while the line-up is stacked with names that’ll make you go ooh. There’s still a secret stage announcement to come, too.

Line-up includes: Giggs, Skream & Benga, Mr Scruff, Optimo, Marlon Hoffstadt.

Location TBA, London. August 25.

Is it just us or does Field Day feel way younger than 17 years old? Time flies, eh? Drawing in over 50,000 ravers to its soirée in Viccy Park, the festival is back with an electronic-leaning line-up for 2024. The biggest draw: Justice, who’re back with a new album and a fresh set of house bangers. There are also achingly cool acts like Vegyn, Yaeji, Shygirl, Brutalismus 3000 and more. 

Line-up includes: Justice, PinkPantheress, Charlotte de Witte, Romy, Mura Masa. 

Victoria Park, E3 5SN. Aug 24.

This year, RALLY has taken a serious step-up in terms of its line-up. Headlined by UK electronic titans Mount Kimbie, in what’ll be the duo’s first British festival show in seven years, it's got an eclectic line-up of musical talent on offer, including interesting live acts and cutting-edge DJs. All this will take place during the Bank Holiday, on August 24, joining a bumper weekend of live music happenings in London that weekend.

Line-up includes: Mount Kimbie, Nilüfer Yanya, bar italia, Armand Hammer, DJ Marcelle, Call Super.

Southwark Park, SE16 2FD. Aug 24.

Having outgrown its first home in Hackney Wick, Body Movements is making the move to Southwark Park for its biggest and best edition. This massive day-to-night festival celebrates LGBTQ+ clubbing culture in London and beyond with Swedish rapper and singer COBRAH, who previously headlined the festival’s winter 2023 edition and Berlin-based DJ LSDXOXO and French singer and producer Coucou Chloe alongside party organisers Adonis, Big Dyke Energy, Little Gay Brother, Pxssy Palace and Queer House Party, to name a few.

Line-up includes: COBRAH, Confidence Man (DJ set), Coucou Chloe, LSDXOXO (Live), Manuka Honey, Nikki Nair, Saoirse, Shanti Celeste, TAAHLIAH.

Southwark Park, SE16 2KX. Aug 25.

Maiden Voyage has a brand new home in Burgess Park, oh and it's in September now. Catch the likes of Venezuelan multidisciplinary artist Arca, rising R&B talent Erika De Casier, and Australian producer in SE London, with new stage hosts including London Queer club Adonis and Berlin-based collective Live From Earth. Then year's main stage comes curated by PXSSY PALACE, and Sunday party UNFOLD will be back to showcase their epic sound and stage production. A dreamy day out for London clubbers. 

Line-up includes: Arca, Tai Lokun, Erika De Casier, Jayda G, Jeff Mills, Mall Grab, Young Marco.

Burgess Park, SE5 0AL. Sept 14. 

You’ll know London’s Jazz Cafe as the brick-and-mortar venue in Camden that’s been giving city-dwellers memorable nights out in Camden for 35 years. This summer, it’s branching out and heading to Burgess Park for its first-ever festival. The Jazz Cafe Festival will continue its M.O. with a line-up bursting with brilliance and artists that span genres. Nils Frahm will headline with support from EarlI Sweatshirt, Baby Rose, Gilles Peterson, Omar Souleyman and many more.

Line-up includes: Nils Frahm, Earl Sweatshirt, Eliza, Buena Vista All Stars, Baby Rose, Gilles Peterson, Omar Souleyman.

Burgess Park, SE5 0RJ. Sun Sept 15.

Pitchfork Music Festival is back in the UK for its fourth edition in November, 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, including Fabric, HERE at Outernet, The Village Underground, EartH and The Roundhouse, plus a bunch of atmospheric small venues like the Shacklewell Arms, Hackney Church, Union Chapel and St Mathias Church.

Line-up includes: Tierra Whack, Arooj Aftab, CASISDEAD, Sega Bodega, Kae Tempest, Empress Of, Snow Strippers, Shame, Marika Hackman.

Various venues. Tue Nov 5-Sun Nov 10.