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The UK’s Best Music Festivals To Book Now
The C&TH pick of the festivals to book this summer
By | 7 months ago
The UK’s music festival scene is unmatched, with an eclectic mix of events meaning there’s something for everyone. We have big names and boutiques, party-focused and family-friendly, town and countryside, long-standing and new. Whether you’re into pop, jazz, house or a bit of everything, our music line-ups span all genres – with a whole host of other activities on offer too, from food to comedy and wellness. Struggling to find your perfect match? Read on for the C&TH pick of the top UK music festivals to visit in 2023.
Your 2023 Music Festival Calendar
- June: Glastonbury, Love Supreme Jazz Festival
- July: Henley Festival, Latitude
- August: Wilderness, Boomtown, Boardmasters, Houghton, We Out Here, All Points East
Best Music Festivals in the UK 2023
Glastonbury
Where? Worthy Farm, Somerset
When? 21–25 June 2023
One of the world’s most famous festivals, Glastonbury is notoriously hard to secure tickets to. It’s returning to Somerset’s Worthy Farm this June. The line-up is still TBC (other than Elton John headlining on Sunday), but last year’s was certainly worth waiting for, with Billie Eilish, Paul McCartney, Kendrick Lamar and Diana Ross all performing. But it’s not only about the music: Glastonbury is often described as lots of festivals rolled into one, with countless stages and venues offering everything from art to comedy. We couldn’t begin to reel off everything that’s on offer, but here’s a snapshot: a mini-film festival, a healing field hosting yoga classes, a theatre, a Latin American dance tent and endless food and drink spots.
BOOK IT: glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
Love Supreme Jazz Festival
Where? Glynde Place, East Sussex
When? 30 June–2 July 2023
The UK’s only major music festival for 2023 with an all-women headliner bill, venture to East Sussex’s beautiful Glynde Place this summer for the 10th anniversary Love Supreme Music Festival and its biggest line up to date. Grace Jones, Little Simz, Candi Staton, Emeli Sande, Shalamar, Courtney Pine and many more are confirmed to perform, alongside a wellness and yoga area, organised hill walks across the South Downs, talks and panels, film screenings, and DJs late into the night.
BOOK IT: Tickets from £63. lovesupremefestival.com
Henley Festival
Where? Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
When? 5–9 July 2023
We’re always first in line for tickets to the country’s only black-tie music festival. The music line-up is always stellar, but if it’s festival food that gets you excited, you won’t find a better culinary line-up than this one on the banks of the river Thames. Rag’n’Bone Man, Westlife and Nile Rogers & CHIC are all confirmed headliners.
BOOK IT: henley-festival.co.uk
Photo: Sarah Koury
Latitude Festival
Where? Henham Park, Suffolk
When? 20–23 July 2023
The award-winning family-friendly Latitude festival has activities for kids, teens and families spread across three areas. Think pond dipping, star gazing, pizza making, a dedicated In Betweeners area for teens and a magical Enchanted Garden with a family-friendly programme for under-13s. The line-up is looking stellar, too, with Pulp headlining alongside Paolo Nutini, George Ezra, The Kooks and Metronomy.
BOOK IT: Tickets from £90.75 for a day ticket. latitudefestival.com
Wilderness
Where? Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire
When? 3–6 August 2023
Expect big names in music and culture plus great food served banquet-style to accommodate chats with like-minded festival-goers; this Oxfordshire (relative) stalwart is always a favourite. With wellbeing workshops and boutique camping, there’s no need to feel wild as you reacquaint yourself with nature at Wilderness. This year’s line-up includes The Chemical Brothers, Christine And The Queens, Fatboy Slim and Sugarbabes on the music side, plus chefs including Adam Handling and Anthony Demetre. Elsewhere, you’ll find a lake for wild swimming, supper clubs, live theatre shows, foraging works and much more.
BOOK IT: wildernessfestival.com
Boomtown Fair 2018, photo by Lucas Sinclair
Boomtown
Where? Matterley Estate, Hampshire
When? 9–13 August 2023
As boutique festivals go, Boomtown is certainly one most highly anticipated. This multifaceted music and theatrical event is hosted at the Matterley Estate, Winchester, and previous years have featured the likes of Lauryn Hill, Prophets of Rage and The Streets. Boomtown puts equal importance on stage design and theatrical storylines, with the ‘city’ split into nine unique districts.
BOOK IT: boomtownfair.co.uk
Boardmasters Festival 2016
Boardmasters
Where? Newquay, Cornwall
When? 9–13 August 2023
The UK can do beach festivals too, as proven by Boardmasters: a five-day surfing and music extravaganza held on the west coast of Cornwall. Live music takes place on both Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay, alongside a range of outdoor activities – from surfing lessons to kayaking. There are ten music stages, with headliners for 2023 including Lorde, Liam Gallagher, Florence + The Machine, Little Sims and Example, alongside local acoustic artists and visual performers. It’s a family-friendly option too, with plenty of creative activities on offer for little ones such as acrobatics and craft workshops.
BOOK IT: boardmasters.com
Houghton
Where? Norfolk
When? 10–13 August 2023
This Norfolk fest has a licence that permits music from dusk to dawn, with ‘spontaneous’ back-to-back sets, award-winning DJs and a stellar music line-up. Set amongst dense woodland with a picturesque lake, and curated by DJ Craig Richards, it’s becoming one of the most exciting prospects on the festival calendar. Check out the full line-up here.
BOOK IT: houghtonfestival.co.uk
We Out Here
Where? Wimborne St Giles, Dorset
When? 10–14 August 2023
Moving to a new home for 2023, from Abbots Ripton, Cambridge to Dorset, We Out Here is billed as a jazz festival ‘for everyone’, the brainchild of British DJ Giles Peterson. The inaugural 2019 festival was an instant success, with a stellar line-up spanning not just jazz but house, disco, soul, drum ‘n’ bass and more. In 2023, expect to see Ezra Collective, Knucks, Nia Archives and Róisín Murphy leading the stellar line-up. Elsewhere you’ll find ‘The Escape’, which hosts mindfulness workshops, yoga and art therapy, a wild swimming lake, plenty of cultural offerings and excellent food.
BOOK: weoutherefestival.com
Tom Hancock
All Points East
Where? Victoria Park, London
When? 18–20 & 25–27 August 2023
If you’re after the festival experience but don’t fancy the tent life, London hosts a number of non-camping day options. One of the best is All Points East, which takes place in Victoria Park across two weekends in August. Music traditionally leans towards the alternative genre, though there’s a bit of everything: the 2022 line-up included Gorillaz, The Chemical Brothers, Disclosure and Tame Impala. 2023’s first announced headliner is none other than Stormzy, performing on 18 August. A week later on 25 August, The Strokes lead the day, accompanied by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Girl in Red and more.
BOOK: allpointseastfestival.com
Main image: Henley Festival
