There’s nothing quite like a great British music festival. Whether you opt for the sophisticated stylings of Glyndebourne or the muddy fields of Glastonbury, there’s a real camaraderie in music lovers coming together to take a chance on the dicey British weather in order to see all their favourite performers in one place. Glad rags at the ready then, 2025’s lineup of festivals isn’t going to disappoint. Read on for Luxury London’s definitive guide to the best festivals in the UK this year. Just don’t forget your wellies…

May 2025

Glyndebourne Festival, East Sussex

Grade II-listed Sussex opera house Glyndebourne returns with another summer of world-class performances. In its most ambitious year yet, the festival’s highlights include live performances of award-winning Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia and Mozart’s classic Le Nozze di Figaro. Mid-show refreshments can be found at one of Glyndebourne’s three on-site restaurants, or pack your picnic hamper to the brim with treats to be enjoyed on the house’s manicured lawns – as long as you don’t mind the risk of a seasonal shower. FYI: Glyndebourne maintains a formal dress code so dig out your tuxedos and floor-length gowns, there’s no room for wellies and cut-off Levis here.

16 May-24 August 2025, Glyndebourne, East Sussex, visit glyndebourne.com

Urban Village Fete, Greenwich

Now in its 10th year, Greenwich Peninsula’s seminal festival, Urban Village Fete, has a jam-packed schedule to entice Londoners and out-of-towners this year. With themes and performers covering everything from art and culture to diversity and climate change, the festival has been designed to take advantage of Greenwich Peninsula’s unique location and mix of architectural design, as well as its 48 acres of public green space. The programme ranges from award-winning DJs spinning the decks to topical conversation panels, alongside pop-up immersive entertainment, artisan food stalls, interactive workshops and family-focused arts and crafts. There’s a reason this is one of London’s largest and most-loved free festivals…

18 May 2025, Greenwich Peninsula, London, visit greenwichpeninsula.co.uk

The Big Retreat, Wales

Set in the picturesque countryside village of Lawrenny in Pembrokeshire, The Big Retreat returns in 2025 for its seventh year with four days of feel-good fun. Long established as one of the leading UK wellness festivals, The Big Retreat is a beacon of holistic wellbeing – think less Glasto, and something far more restorative and relaxing. The line-up blends speakers, activities and workshops aiming to inspire, so expect a roster of yoga and meditation sessions, nutrition workshops and outdoor activities, alongside musical headliners including Newton Faulkner and Gok Wan.

23-26 May 2025, Newton Farm, Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire, Wales, SA68 0PL, visit thebigretreatfestival.com

Gala, Peckham

Gala Festival, one of London’s foremost electronic music festivals, is set to return to Peckham Rye Park across the late May bank holiday weekend. Also in its tenth year and further cementing its reputation for curating stellar line-ups, the 2025 event marks a new era for the festival as it unveils collaborations with numerous new stage hosts from the realms of music, fashion and culture. Expect performances from the likes of Caribou, Floating Points, Theo Parrish and Avalon Emerson.

23-25 May 2025, Peckham Rye Park, SE15 3UA, visit thisisgala.co.uk

June 2025

Meltdown, Southbank Centre

Meltdown, the longest artist-curated festival in the world, is held at the Southbank Centre every June and, for 2025, Little Simz has been named as the singer at the helm of the 30th edition. Following in the footsteps of Chaka Khan last year and joining an unparalleled list of previous curators – think David Bowie, Yoko Ono and Patti Smith – London-born Little Simz is expected to curate a boundary-breaking line-up for the 11-day festival, as well as performing herself. While the majority of the line-up is set to be announced later in the spring, what attendees can expect is two weekends of free activities, featuring grassroots collectives and local organisations, and the one-of-a-kind performances that have come to characterise Meltdown, with the Southbank Centre being transformed into a festival open for all.

12-22 June 2025, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX, visit southbankcentre.co.uk

Parklife, Manchester

Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2025, Manchester’s premier genre-spanning music festival attracts some of the world’s biggest musical acts to the – usually peaceful – grounds of Heaton Park each June. This year is no different with its six stages playing host to massive names including Jorja Smith, Peggy Gou, Charli XCX, Lola Young and Rudimental – to name a few. For those seeking some comfort, book Parklife's comprehensive VIP package to enjoy private parties, refuelling and recharging stations, and international gourmet cuisine. New for this year and perfect for music junkies, Parklife has launched Backstage VIP tickets, which grant access to the new Valley and Hangar stages, as well as dedicated fast track entry to the festival and access to the Backstage Bar.

14-15 June 2025, Heaton Park, Manchester, visit parklife.uk.com

Isle of Wight Festival, Newport

Having begun as Europe's answer to Woodstock in 1970, the Isle of Wight Festival is one of Britain’s longest-running festivals, attracting 60,000 revellers to the island every summer for a weekend of live music courtesy of some of the world’s biggest acts. The 2025 programme boasts an eclectic lineup of headliners, including Sting, Stereophonics, and Justin Timberlake, alongside an impressive bill of support acts featuring The Script, Jess Glynne and Olly Murs. Needless to say, whatever your musical tastes, you’re sure to find something to inspire a singalong.

19-22 June 2025, Seaclose Park, Isle of Wight, visit isleofwightfestival.com

First Light Festival, Suffolk

After yet another triumphant weekend in 2024, with over 35,000 attendees, Lowestoft’s free summer solstice celebration is gearing up for another fun weekend in 2025. Inspired by Lowestoft’s location as the most easterly point in the UK, and therefore the first to receive sunlight, the festival programme has been curated to celebrate the cycles of the sun, with events taking place from sunrise to sundown.

As First Light Festival is the UK’s only free beach festival, you can expect a weekend of yoga, fresh food, spoken word performances and, of course, music. Showcasing local and emerging talent, and a diverse lineup of East Anglia’s foremost DJs, expect performances from electronic music artist Girls Of The Internet, while over at the comedy and spoken word stages, tune in to poet Brian Bilston and spoken word artist Jackie Kay.

21-22 June 2025, South Beach Lowestoft, Suffolk, visit firstlightlowestoft.com

Glastonbury, Somerset

The biggest name on the British festival circuit, Glastonbury headliners for 2025 include The 1975, Raye, Olivia Rodrigo and Rod Stewart. Transforming Worthy Farm into a music fan’s Mecca, Glasto will also see the likes of Wet Leg, Noah Kahan, The Libertines and Gracie Abrams perform across its 100-plus stages. Though you’ll be hard-pressed to find tickets for this year’s event – as always, they sold out within mere minutes but there's always a slim chance in the April resale – most of the festival will be broadcast on the BBC, and it’s never too early to register for next year’s lottery.

25-29 June 2025, Worthy Farm, Somerset, visit glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

BST Hyde Park, London

BST Hyde Park returns this summer with a line-up featuring some of the world’s biggest musical acts including Sabrina Carpenter, Stevie Wonder, and Zach Bryan. Taking place over three weekends – the festival’s longest stint yet – with a midweek Open House programme, BST is the perfect opportunity to get your live music fix without having to leave London.

27 June-13 July 2025, Hyde Park, London, visit bst-hydepark.com

July 2025

Henley Festival, Henley-on-Thames

One of UK’s only black-tie music and arts festivals, Henley Festival invites culture vultures to enjoy a weekend of world-class music ranging from pop to classical and folk to jazz, alongside comedy shows, art galleries and sculpture installations. Headliners include Diana Ross, McFly, and Rick Astley. The festival is family-friendly too, so if you have little ones in tow, look no further than the packed Family PlayDate Sunday that promises to entertain little ones of every age and stage.

9-13 July 2025, Henley Bridge, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2LY, visit henley-festival.co.uk

TRNSMT, Glasgow

Now in its sixth year, TRNSMT is Scotland’s preeminent rock and pop festival. Held on Glasgow Green, its city setting means there’s no camping, but the three-day event holds up as a classic music festival in every other way. Dedicated entirely to music, there are no comedy, theatre or wellness tents here, and under-12s are strictly prohibited. 2025 will see headliners such as Fontaines DC, 50 Cent, and Biffy Clyro take to TRNSMT’s three stages.

11-13 July 2025, Glasgow Green, Scotland, visit trnsmtfest.com

The Good Life Society Summer Camp, Hawarden, Wales

Based on the fabled summer camps of American coming-of-age movies, The Good Life Society’s Summer Camp presents a series of micro-festivals across three long weekends in July. Rather than the typical bill of indie bands and rising pop stars, Summer Camp attendees can expect a fully packed programme of expeditions, workshops and talks from a line-up of creatives and nature experts. Set within the private Hawarden Estate in North Wales, Summer Camp offers a chance to escape and reconnect with the great outdoors. Expect paddleboarding, wild swimming, wellness and fine dining feasts from some of the UK’s best chefs.

18 July-4 August 2025, The Walled Garden of Hawarden Castle, Wales, visit goodlifesociety.co.uk

Latitude Festival, Suffolk

Set in the picturesque grounds of Henham Park in Suffolk, Latitude is one of Britain’s favourite festivals, boasting the very best in music, dance, comedy, poetry, theatre, literature, podcasts, family activities and wellness. The packed 2025 line-up features some of British music’s biggest names, including Kaiser Chiefs, Snow Patrol and Fatboy Slim, with more to be announced. And when you fancy a break from the dance floor, partake in a few laps of wild swimming or a paddle boarding session on the beautiful Latitude lake.

24-27 July 2025, Henham Park, Southwold, visit latitudefestival.com

Camp Bestival, Dorset

Set to descend upon Lulworth Castle in July – following news it won't be hosting its usual second festival at Shropshire's Weston Park this year – Camp Bestival is the ultimate family-friendly jamboree. The star-studded 2025 line-up features names such as Sugababes, Basement Jaxx and Tom Jones, with hundreds of events and activities for the whole family to enjoy together, including immersive theatre, family discos, African arts and crafts, and the annual Pimp My Trolley competition. Elsewhere, children can marvel at Mr Tumble and Dick and Dom at the family-friendly stages. Fancy dress Saturday is optional but enthusiastically encouraged.

31 July-3 August 2025, Lulworth Castle, Dorset, visit campbestival.net

August 2025

Kendal Calling, Lowther, Lake District

Each summer, the Lake District’s Lowther Deer Park plays host to some of the biggest names in British music as Kendal Calling descends on its idyllic grounds. While the full line-up for this year’s festival is yet to be announced, headliners will include Courteeners, The Prodigy, The Wombats and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Elsewhere on the programme you’ll find the best in indie, acoustic, drum and bass, folk, new music and much more on the festival’s many smaller stages. With immersive light installations, pop-up cinemas, performance art, wellness and a dedicated children’s zone – Kids Calling – on offer should you need a break from the music, there’s plenty to keep the whole family happy all weekend. Those looking for a little extra comfort can also check into the Deer Lodge, Kendal Calling’s boutique glamping village.

31 July-3 August 2025, Lowther Deer Park, Cumbria, visit kendalcalling.co.uk

Wilderness Festival, Oxfordshire

A four-day boutique festival in the grounds of Oxfordshire’s Cornbury Park, Wilderness is a family-friendly celebration of music, the arts, food, and wellbeing. Kids will be kept occupied with horse riding, cosmic crafting, archery, pottery masterclasses and much more, while chefs Anna Haugh, Andy Beynon and Joshua Overington are on hand to keep you well fed all weekend. With musical headliners including Basement Jaxx, Supergrass and Wet Leg, you’re sure to find something to satiate all cultural cravings.

31 July-3 August 2025, Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire, visit wildernessfestival.com

Big Feastival, Cotswolds

Foodie fest the Big Feastival returns to the Cotswolds farm of founder Alex James – Blur bassist and former Britpop bad boy – for a weekend of live music, fantastic food and entertainment for all the family. Musical headliners include Nelly Furtado, Travis, Mabel and Rizzle Kicks. Double decker disco dairy, the Alex James Cheese Hub, also returns for another year, while cooking demonstrations, tastings and Q&As abound, courtesy of the UK’s most innovative gastronomical minds including Raymond Blanc, Emily English and Thomas Straker. Little ones will be kept entertained by Countryfile star Adam Henson's Cotswolds Farm Park and Strictly's Oti Mabuse's family dance classes while street food stalls, supper clubs and farm-grown feasts will keep the clan well fed throughout.

22-24 August 2025, Alex James’ Farm, Oxfordshire, visit thebigfeastival.com

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