The best UK music festivals to book for 2025

Talk tents are pretty much a given at every festival, but ALSO is all about giving equal footing to both ideas and music. There will be around 300 inspiring events across 14 stages, ranging from comedy to immersive experiences and talks from respected speakers. Oh, and there will be a whole load of delicious food traders to choose from, too, so you can nourish your belly as well as your mind. 

Big names: REGALJASON, Madrake Handshake.

Required apparel: Reading glasses and Docs.

Don’t say: ‘I’m not in the mood.’ 

Park Farm, Compton Verney Warwickshire. July 11-13. 

From its beginnings in 2006, Kendal Calling has been steadily growing and has brought many big alternative and rock names to the Cumbria stage. While a famously muddy festival, the Lake District setting is a pretty spectacular one, with the festival again returning to Lowther Deer Park next summer offering various entertainment for the whole family. 

Big names: The Courteeners, The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, The Wombats, The Last Dinner Party, Travis, Kaiser Chiefs.

Required apparel: Colourful wellies to make the inevitable mud more exciting. 

Don’t say: ‘Have you come with your family?’

Lowther Deer Park, Lake District. July 31-August 3.

When it comes to boutique festivals, Wilderness sets the bar high. Last year’s line-up was a paradise for the discerning dance fan, but as ever, Wilderness isn’t just about great beats. You’ll also feast on delicious food, attend talks and debates, and take a dip in the famous lake. It’s a fest to nourish the soul.

Big names: Basement Jaxx, Supergrass, Wet Leg, Aurora, Orbital, Air.

Required apparel: Your chicest swimsuit.

Don’t say: ‘I could murder a Big Mac.’

Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire. July 31-August 3.

Ah, Boomtown. It’s colourful, it’s loud and it’s often very, very wild. The multi-genre dance and roots festival is home to arty  stages that will make you literally gawp and hundreds of surprise actors roaming around, hoping to ‘guide the citizens through the labyrinth of adventures waiting to be discovered’. Most of the line-up is kept a secret until just before the festival, but expect everything from techno and disco to jungle, gabber and dancehall. 

Big names: Maribou State, Sex Pistols, Sean Paul, Overmono, Hybrid Minds, Nia Archives, Azealia Banks.

Required apparel: Dr. Martens and statement pieces. 

Don’t say: ‘CBA to get any festival ’fits this year.’

Matterley Basin, South Downs National Park. August 6-10.

Cornwall’s most suntanned denizens flock to Boardmasters every year: it’s a festival of surfing and music set against Newquay’s gorgeous coastline. Alongside a laid-back line-up of indie you can catch surfing stars competing for titles down on Fistral Beach, while a beach bar hosts DJ sets and parties each day. Plus, there’s a strong focus on sustainability and wellbeing, with yoga classes, reiki and a pop-up ‘eco spa’ where you can chill out with sea views.

Big names: RAYE, Central Cee, The Prodigy, Nelly Furtado, London Grammar, Maribou State, Wet Leg.

Required apparel: Hawaiian shirt and salt-tousled locks.

Don’t say: ‘“Gnarly” is a stupid word.’

Newquay, Cornwall. Aug 6-10. 

After launching in 2001 as a one-day indoor event, this metal fest has grown into a mighty outdoor weekender. It retains the intimacy and character of an independent festival, though, and books bands from all metal sub-genres: death to drone, sludge to stoner. Basically, if you have a penchant for anything heavy, you’ll find plenty to rock out to at Bloodstock.

Big names: Trivium, Creeper, Lacuna Coil, Machine Head, Neon Fly, Wall. 

Required apparel: Hopefully it will be too hot for a leather jacket, so dig out your best studded belt instead.

Don’t say: ‘Michael Bublé rocks.’

Catton Park, Derbyshire. Aug 7-10.

You can properly dance round the clock at this Norfolk weekender, which is unique among homegrown festivals for its 24-hour licence. It’s curated by Fabric leading light Craig Richards, who’s called on his enviable dance music connections to muster a top line-up of DJs from big names to more esoteric and emerging choices, who’ll play across a series of atmospheric stages set amongst ancient woodland or in a cavernous disused quarry. In some ways, Houghton harks back to an older era of festivals, with its lack of mobile phone signal, light-touch security and absence of big-name corporate sponsorship. Turn up and get properly lost in music.

Big names: Ben UFO, Sherelle, Helena Hauff, Reggie Watts, Shackleton, Ricardo Villalobos, Richie Hawtin. 

Required apparel: Craig Richards-style leaf-patterned shirt. Large bottle of water.

Don’t say: ‘Where can I get a signal? I need to update my Insta Stories.’

Houghton Hall, Norfolk. Aug 7-10.

Curated by Gilles Peterson in collaboration with Brownswood Recordings, We Out Here aims to showcase ‘some of the world’s best record collections and celebrate club culture’s far-reaching influences’, which, as we’re sure you’ll agree, is very laudable indeed. The line-up is traditionally a mouthwatering blend of artists and selectors specialising in soul, hip hop, house, afrobeats, electronica, jazz and more – and there’s even an independent record fair on site. Plus, its August dates mean that the British weather stands a reasonable chance of being okay for once.

Big names: Michael Kiwanuka, Pa Salieu, Kokoroko, Joe Bataan, Nala Sinephro, Everything is Recorded.

Required apparel: Anything that has good sweat-wicking characteristics.

Don’t say: ‘I’ve got Spotify Premium. I consider it an investment.’

Wimborne St Giles, Dorset. Aug 14-17.

Green Man has earned itself reputation for being the UK’s ‘mini Glastonbury’. The tickets for 2023 sold out in just four hours, without any of the line-up announced. As its name suggests, the festival has outstanding green credentials: compost loos, no single-use plastic and all power coming from hydrogen, solar or hydrotreated vegetable oil (!).

Big names: Kneecap, Wet Leg, Wunderhorse, Greentea Peng, Underworld, CMAT, Perfume Genius, English Teacher, TV on the Radio, Beth Gibbons.

Required apparel: Anything thrifted.

Don’t say: ‘I miss plastic straws.’

Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales. August 14-17.

With a capacity of only 1,000 people, Field Maneuvers feels more like an illegal rave or a private party than a festival. But that’s what this so-called ‘micro-festival’ is all about: a good crowd, good sound systems and really good DJs. It’s got a proper community feel, so you can expect to come away with new friends as well as sore feet from all that dancing. 

Big names: Midland, Ahadadream, Eclair Fifi, Ikonika, Parris, plus takeovers from Dalston Superstore, Cosmic Slop, Dialled In and more. 

Required apparel: ‘Worst. Rave. Ever.’ T-shirt.

Don’t say: ‘I’ve lost my friends.’

Secret location in Norfolk TBC. Aug 15-17.

Since its inception in 2018, All Points East has earned a reputation for a varied blend of musical styles and genres. Back in Vicky Park for another instalment, it’s already confirmed big-hitting headliners for 2025. Previous years have included Björk, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Foals and The Chemical Brothers. Something for all tastes, really. 

Big names: The Maccabees, Bombay Bicycle Club, Barry Can’t Swim, RAYE, Chase And Status. 

Required apparel: Real Housewives of Clapton T-shirt. 

Don’t say: ‘I can see your house from here.’

Victoria Park, E3 5TB. August 22, 23, 24.

With its rainbow-lit woodlands, junkyard cars and glittering performers, Lost Village is truly like stepping into a fairy tale – one where four-to-the-floor techno plays for hours on end and you’re allowed to be as naughty as you like. The electronic-oriented music festival in Lincolnshire also hosts panel talks and workshops, as well as live music and a whole host of wellness experiences, allowing you to sweat out all of last night’s sins at open-air yoga or in the wood-fired hot tub. Lush.

Big names: Barry Can’t Swim, Caribou, Chaos in the CBD, Honey Dijon, Joy Orbison.

Required apparel: Bikini top and floaty skirts. 

Don’t say: ‘Two Shell are just Bicep for the heads.’

Norton Disney, Lincolnshire. Aug 21-24. 

Shambala is a michevious, magical-feeling festival that attracts a free-thinking crowd and an eclectic musical line-up. It’s less about the big names, more about the good vibes – there are plenty of interactive elements, too, including the traditional ‘Shambolympics’, a three-day challenge to scoop tickets for the following year.

Big names: Digable Planets, Asian Dub Foundation, Hak Baker, Thumpasaurus, Mungo’s Hi Fi ft. Eva Lazarus & Aziza Jaye, Moonchild Sanelly.

Required apparel: Themed apparel.

Don’t say: ‘I left my fancy dress at home.’

Secret Country Estate, Northamptonshire. Aug 21-25. 

Because they always take place on the long weekend after GCSE results day, these sister fests have become a rite of passage for British teenagers looking to finally let off steam. But even if your schooldays were quite literally in another century, there’s always lots to enjoy here, not least a varied line-up of proper big-hitters. Reading and Leeds may have been synonymous with rock and indie back in the day, but they’re now gloriously multi-genre affairs.

Big names: Hozier, Chappell Roan, Bring Me The Horizon, Travis Scott.

Required apparel: Oh, you know, whatever. Jeans, probably. Maybe a hoodie or something. It’s about the music, see?

Don’t say: ‘Yotam Ottolenghi is just a genius, isn’t he?’

Richfield Avenue, Reading and Bramham Park, Leeds. Aug 22-24. 

After bringing some seriously big names to Bristol Downs last September – including Loyle Carner, Four Tet, LCD Soundsystem and Jessie Ware – FORWARDS is back, and boy, are we excited. The idea is to showcase heritage acts alongside up-and-coming artists, with FORWARDS INFORMATION (a talk tent centred around social initiatives) underpinning all of the progressive-minded fun being had. 

Big names: Barry Can’t Swim, Ezra Collective, Doechii, Jorja Smith, The Last Dinner Party, Olivia Dean, Confidence Man, Orbital.

Required apparel: Some kind of headwear emblazoned with your political/social beliefs.

Don’t say: ‘Everything’s a debate these days.’

The Downs, Bristol. August 23-24. 

From post-punk to contemporary jazz and folk, Dorset’s End of the Road recieved glittering reviews all round for its 2024 edition. Spotlighting legendary acts as well as emerging leftfield talent, this year promises another musical feast for your auditory canals, topped off with a relaxed, family-like vibe and (hopefully!) decent weather.

Big names: Caribou, Father John Misty, Self Esteem, Sharon Van Etten. 

Required apparel: Wide-legged trousers and Shazam.

Don’t say: ‘I slept through the ticket sale.’

Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset. Aug 28-31. 

Vowed never to go to another camping festival again after witnessing the horrors of Woodstock ’99? This city festival up north could be for you. A load of great venues across Manchester will be playing host to the best psych rock and pop acts from around the world. Pick up your ticket early, bag some street food for lunch (a selection of vans will be parked up outside venues) then plan a full day of live music in a city that does it like no other.

Big names: GOAT, Deadletter, Crocodiles, Anna Erhard.

Required apparel: Your tote bag of choice.

Don’t say: ‘Why is this song so... long?’

Various venues, Manchester. August 30. 

Another micro-festival that has taken the UK scene by storm (with a capacity of around 750), Krankenhaus usually takes place amidst the dramatic landscapes of the West Lake District, with the performances themselves taking place in a ‘rustic barn’. Curated by Sea Power, the music focuses on alt-rock bands and the programme also offers film screenings, poetry recitals and book readings, with performances winding down relatively early to ensure a decent night’s sleep.

Big names: Sea Power, Arab Strap, The Lovely Eggs.

Required apparel: Linen trousers and a London Review of Books bag.

Don’t say: ‘Dance off?’

Muncaster Castle, Cumbria. August 23-25.  

There’s some great stuff coming out of Sheffield’s underground at the moment, and this is summed up by the annual boutique affair that is No Bounds. Fusing music with art, technology, audiovisual entertainment and dance, performances take place in a variety of interesting spaces, linking the city’s industrial past with its creative present.

Big names: TBC. 

Required apparel: All black everything. 

Don’t say: ‘Algorave is for nerds.’

Sheffield, various venues. October 10-12.