After a couple of fallow years due to COVID, UK festival season finally got back into full swing in 2022, giving all of us music-starved punters something to celebrate. Judging by the line-ups already announced, this summer is set to be even better, with all the biggest and best UK festivals pulling out the big guns for 2023.
From heritage acts to exciting up-and-comers, summer festivals this year are making up for lost time, meaning tickets are selling out fast. So whether you’re working out which electronic festival to attend, or wondering, just where is Glastonbury 2023, you’ll find all the info you need in this guide to UK festivals coming up in 2023.
June
Glastonbury
When: 21-25th June
Where: Pilton, Somerset
Headliners: Arctic Monkeys, Guns N’ Roses, Elton John
Our tips: Lil Nas X, Lana Del Rey, Weyes Blood
Unquestionably the hottest ticket of the summer, this year’s Glastonbury Festival sold out in just 61 minutes. If you’re lucky enough to have bagged a pass, you can expect to enjoy Elton John’s farewell tour, a show from heavy metal legends Guns N’ Roses and the UK’s uppermost indie outfit Arctic Monkeys. And if you narrowly missed out on tickets? Well, you can just enjoy the BBC’s exhaustive TV coverage instead.
July
Wireless Festival
When: 7-9th July
Where: Finsbury Park, London
Headliners: Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, D-Block Europe
Our tips: Ice Spice, GloRilla, Lil Yachty
More info
After 2022’s multi-site triple-header, you’re well within your rights to wonder ‘just where is Wireless Festival 2023?’ The answer, of course, is Finsbury Park. Playing host to Travis Scott, Playboi Carti and viral rapper du jour Ice Spice, Wireless is arguably one of the UK’s biggest hip hop festivals. A hot ticket for anyone into rap, R&B and Afrobeats.
TRNSMT
When: 7-9th July
Where: Glasgow Green
Headliners: Pulp, Sam Fender, The 1975
Our tips: Cat Burns, Cloth, Aitch
Usurping the dearly missed T in the Park as Scotland’s foremost music festival, TRSNMT has been running since 2017 on Glasgow Green. Indie-rock fans can get their fix via headliners Pulp, Sam Fender and The 1975, but there’s plenty more to discover further down the bill, including hip hop from Aitch, alt-pop from Ashnikko and house hits from double BRIT-winner Becky Hill.
Askern Music Festival
When: 8th July
Where: Thornhurst Manor, Doncaster
Headliners: Razorlight, John Power
Askern are holding back the years with their 2023 line-up, which features former Inspiral Carpets-man Tom Hingley, Razorlight and Britpop survivors Space.
Parklife Festival
When: 10-11th July
Where: Heaton Park, Manchester
Headliners: The 1975, Aitch, Fred Again..
Our tips: Overmono, Little Simz, Nia Archives
When it comes to line-ups, the people behind Parklife Festival never miss. Once more, there are plenty of thrills to be had at Heaton Park, with everyone’s fave producer/aristocrat Fred Again.. sharing top billing with local heroes The 1975 and Aitch. There’s an embarrassment of riches lower down the bill too, including Mercury Prize-winner Little Simz, recent BRIT-nominee Nia Archives and techno duo Overmono.
Kew The Music 2023
When: 11-16th July
Where: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Headliners: Bastille, Jack Savoretti, The Human League, Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Forget water-logged stages, soggy noodles and dodgy portaloos – Kew The Music are doing their bit to elevate the British festival experience for less intrepid festival goers. Staged in the bucolic surrounds of Kew’s Royal Botanic Gardens, this year’s concert series features Bastille, Jack Savoretti and Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. Ideal for taking the in-laws to.
Kaleidoscope Festival
When: 15th July
Where: Alexandra Palace, London
Headliners: Hot Chip, George FitzGerald, Gaz Coombes
Our tips: Erol Alkan, Girls of the Internet
There are few lovelier spots in London than Ally Pally, but it’s not just the views that make Kaleidoscope Festival worth attending. Alongside music from Hot Chip, George Fitzgerald and Gaz Coombes, you can look forward to live comedy from Joe Lycett, Maisie Adam and Nina Conti, plus lots of family-friendly activities.
Latitude
When: 20th-23rd July
Where: Henham Park, Suffolk
Headliners: Pulp, Paolo Nutini, George Ezra, The Kooks
Our tips: Siouxsie, Caity Baser, Young Fathers
A lakeside setting! Pink sheep! Siouxsie Sioux’s first live show in a decade! Yes, Latitude has it all, plus added Pulp, Paolo Nutini and George Ezra. And with Romesh Ranganathan, Fern Brady and Sara Pascoe all booked, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better comedy bill this summer too.
Standon Calling
When: 20th-23rd July
Where: Standon, Hertfordshire
Headliners: Years & Years, Self Esteem, Bloc Party, The Human League
Our tips: Squid, Shygirl, Katy B
What began as a birthday barbecue for founder Alex Trenchard back in 2001 is now one of the highlights of UK festival season. Set in the surrounds of rural Hertfordshire, this year’s line-up features Years & Years and the all-conquering Self Esteem.
Camp Bestival
When: 27-30th July
Where: Lulworth Castle, Dorset
Headliners: Grace Jones, Craig David, The Kooks
Our tips: Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Roni Size, Sam Ryder
Your go-to festival for school holiday fun, Camp Bestival combines huge pop acts with big name entertainment for kids. So while mum and dad enjoy getting down to ‘Pull Up To The Bumper’, the little ones can take part in cosmic yoga, drag king story time or watch a set from CBeebies megastar Mr Tumble.
August
Green Man Festival
When: 17-20th August
Where: Brecon Beacons, Wales
Headliners: First Aid Kit, Devo, Spiritualized
Our tips: Lankum, Jockstrap, Special Interest
No list of the top festivals in the UK would be complete without Green Man. Arguably one of the summer’s annual highlights, this three-day celebration takes place in the picturesque surrounds of the Brecon Beacons and always features an incredible musical offering. 2023 is no exception, featuring a UK festival exclusive from new wave pioneers Devo, as part of their farewell tour.
All Points East
When: 18-25th August
Where: Victoria Park, London
Headliners: Stormzy, The Strokes, Jungle, Haim, Dermot Kennedy
Our tips: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Tove Lo, Erykah Badu
There’s something for everyone in this year’s All Points East line-up. Love hip hop? You’ll want to attend the Stormzy-curated This Is What We Mean Day. Pop music more your thing? Head to the Haim and Dermot Kennedy days. Or if the recent release of Meet Me In The Bathroom had you reaching for your Converse and skinny jeans, get yourself down to see The Strokes supported by Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Field Day
When: 19th August
Where: Victoria Park, London
Headliners: Aphex Twin, Bonobo
Our tips: Arca, Fever Ray, Kelela
Now part of All Points East, Field Day is one of London’s finest electronic festivals. Aphex Twin and Bonobo are leading the charge for this year’s event, with an embarrassment of brilliant DJs, producers and artists to be found further down the bill. See you down the front.
Reading and Leeds
When: 25-27th August
Where: Richfield Avenue, Reading / Bramham Park, Leeds
Headliners: Billie Eilish, Sam Fender, The Killers
Our tips: Wet Leg, Ethel Cain, Scowl
Bringing together thousands of 18-25-year-olds together on the August Bank Holiday weekend, this split-site festival has earned a reputation as the unofficial AS-Level results party. With that in mind, the bookers have hit the brief perfectly, bringing Billie Eilish, Sam Fender and Lewis Capaldi to entertain punters at Richfield Avenue and Bramham Park.
Victorious Festival
When: 25-27th August
Where: Portsmouth
Headliners: Jamiroquai, Kasabian, Mumford & Sons
Our tips: Billy Nomates, Mae Muller, Amyl & The Sniffers
Set on the stunning Southsea seafront in Portsmouth, Victorious makes for a great last hurrah of the six-week summer holidays. And offering everything from Pete Tong Ibiza Classics accompanied by The Essential Orchestra to Aussie punks Amyl & The Sniffers, musically there’s something for everyone.
End of the Road
When: 31st August-3rd September
Where: Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset
Headliners: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Future Islands, Wilco, Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Our tips: Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul, They Hate Change, Bar Italia
Indie festivals don’t get much sweeter than End of the Road. Drawing summer to a close with a mix of psych folk-rock and punk, this family-friendly, boutique event is the perfect way to see out festival season. Come for King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, stay for the after-hours silent disco.
Recommended Reading
Want more musical expertise? Read our guide to electronic music genres, find out just what is indie music and discover the best-selling hip hop albums of all-time. Or have some fun finding out about surprising stage names.
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