The UK's best summer music festivals
2023 has begun. So let’s not mess about. Check out our list of the best summer festivals in the UK and let’s start planning a killer year of tunes, sun, and laughs.
Skiddle Staff
Last updated: 12th Jan 2023
Right, 2023 is well underway and festival season is just around the corner! So we've got no time to waste when planning what UK summer festivals we'll be singing and dancing in this year.
From the legendary Glastonbury Festival to the dance mecca of Creamfields, there are so many (almost too many) unreal festivals to choose from. And with many fests promising their strongest lineups and production setups to date, the task of deciding where to go can be overwhelming.
But don’t fret, we’re here to help you decide. We created this list of the best summer music festivals in the UK to help you figure out which one you’ll be partying at in 2023.
Photo: PARKLIFE FESTIVAL / Facebook.com
When: Saturday 10th - Sunday 11th June 2023
Where: Heaton Park in Manchester, England
2023 lineup: TBA
The party that attracts around 160,000 attendees each year will be back with an earth-shattering bang this June. The hottest, wildest party in the country, Parklife boasts the most sought-after acts in hip hop, pop, house, techno, indie, dance and beyond every year.
Last year's lineup included names such as Peggy Gou, Tyler, the Creator, Solardo, Bicep, Chaos in the CBD, Arlo Parks, and many more, so it’s no surprise Parklife is so immensely popular. In fact, last year it sold out in just a few hours… well, it always sells out rapidly, but you get what we’re saying.
We haven’t had any lineup announcements yet, but you can bet it’ll be huge. Watch this space for updates.
Tickets for Parklife
Photo: Glastonbury Festivals / Facebook.com
When: Wednesday 21st - Sunday 25th June 2023
Where: Worthy Farm in Somerset, England
2023 lineup: Elton John, more TBA
Is there anyone on the face of the earth who hasn’t heard of Glastonbury? The mammoth music fest has thousands and thousands scrambling for tickets each year, selling out in seconds. It goes without saying that Glasto is one of the best summer festivals.
Glastonbury has blossomed into a cultural phenomenon, not just a field full of music. Tunes from a huge variety of genres are showcased over the weekend, as is cinema, poetry, circus performances, theatre, art, and so much more. Glasto is a bucket list festival, for sure.
Photo: Highest Point / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 11th - Saturday 13th May 2023
Where: Williamson Park in Lancaster, England
2023 lineup: Hacienda Classical, Bastille, Anne-Marie
Lancaster's leading music festival, Highest Point, will return to the scenic Williamson Park for a perfect weekend of tunes, family-friendly fun and an electric atmosphere.
Boasting spectacular views across the North West coast of England, the festival provides more than just top tunes to its audience. There are plenty of local decadent food vendors to refuel you before you dive back into the action. And with workshops, activities, and theatrical performances, there’s lots for all ages to enjoy.
So far, the festival has announced Hacienda Classical, Bastille, and Anne-Marie. Already, there’s a great balance of genres, singalongs, and tunes to dance to.
Tickets for Highest Point
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
Photo: Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 27th - Saturday 29th July 2023
Where: Belladrum Estate in Inverness, Scotland
2023 lineup: Travis, Bastille, Sigrid, Sam Ryder, Peat & Diesel, KT Tunstall, The Zutons, and many more
Situated amidst the stunning highland backdrop is one of the most popular annual music gatherings in Scotland, the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival.
Belladrum is renowned amongst the Scots for its welcoming family atmosphere and regular stellar lineups. Frequently attracting some of the most respected musical names on the planet, having hosted Elbow, Paloma Faith and Lewis Capaldi, the event continues to sell out year after year.
Already with Travis, Bastille, Sigrid, Sam Ryder, Fatherson, Alabama 3, Elephant Sessions, Punk Rock Factory and many more, it’ll be a magical weekend of brilliant music spanning many genres.
Tickets for Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
Photo: Creamfields / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 24th - Sunday 27th August 2023
Where: Daresbury in Cheshire, England
2023 lineup: Swedish House Mafia, more TBA
The biggest date in any ravers calendar, monster electronic fest Creamfields is back again in 2023.
The multi-award-winning event, which attracts a whopping crowd of 70,000 electronic music-loving ravers, draws the biggest names in the game every single year. And this year will be no different.
We’ve only had one announcement so far, confirming Swedish House Mafia, but, as every single year’s lineup is killer, we know 2023's will be too. In the past, they’ve welcomed Bicep, Fatboy Slim, Camelphat, Carl Cox, Armin Van Buuren, Tiesto, Chase & Status, Pete Tong, and many more, keeping lineups strong and diverse.
Combine the no-doubt hugely impressive lineup with ground-breaking production and a notoriously up-for-it crowd, and you've got one of the most impressive, important musical gatherings in the world. Are you down?
Tickets for Creamfields North
Photo: Creamfields / Facebook.com
When: Friday 26th - Sunday 28th May 2023
Where: Hylands Park in Chelmsford, England
2023 lineup: Carl Cox Hybrid Live, Andy C, Swedish House Mafia, Calvin Harris, Nina Kraviz, Chase & Status, Fatboy Slim, Patrick Topping, Tiesto, Sonny Fodera, Camelphat, Example, Gorgon City, Becky Hill, more TBA
Following the repeated success of the original iconic festival, the team behind Creamfields decided to expand by taking their event south for a massive rave in the lovely Hylands Park.
As the northern festivals southern's counterpart, the giant festival already has the biggest names on its 2023 lineup, including Fatboy Slim, Nina Kraviz, Calvin Harris, and Tiesto.
The 50,000-capacity two-day camping event has already proved itself as fantastic as its northern sister, and we can’t wait to see what 2023 brings. What do you reckon? Is Creamfields South your 2023 summer festival?
Tickets for Creamfields South
Photo: Wireless Festival / Facebook.com
When: Friday 7th - Sunday 9th July 2023
Where: Multiple locations in England
2023 lineup: TBA
From championing up-and-comers to introducing international superstars to new audiences, Wireless Festival and its team of dedicated organisers continues to uphold its reputation as the top dog among its rivals.
Having previously attracted names such as Jay-Z, Drake, Rihanna and Kanye West to London, the festival’s organisers have always had their finger on the pulse and know exactly how to make a crowd go wild.
Last year's lineup featured some of the hottest names, such as ASAP Rocky, Dave, SZA, Tyler, the Creator, Central Cee, Jhene Aiko, Little Simz, Burna Boy, and Kali Uchis. With such insane lineups, the team behind Wireless Festival will have a challenge topping previous editions, but we bet they’ll manage.
Photo: Leeds Festival / Facebook.com
When: Friday 25th - Sunday 27th August 2023
Where: Reading - Little John's Farm in Reading, England / Leeds - Bramham Park in Leeds, England
2023 lineup: Billie Eilish, The Killers, Lewis Capaldi, Foals, Imagine Dragons, Sam Fender, and many more
Two festivals happening simultaneously over the same bank holiday weekend in August, R&L hosts some of the biggest and most celebrated names in world music from a diverse spectrum of genres every year.
It’s not unusual to find rock, alternative, indie, pop, dance and electronic acts on the lineup, giving their eclectic following something to suit everyone. Attendees this year can expect to see world-class performances from Billie Eilish, The Killers, Sam Fender, Foals, Lewis Capaldi, and Imagine Dragons. And those are just the headliners!
With six huge headliners and no clashes, R&L, as always, is likely to be incredibly popular this year.
Photo: Boomtown Fair / Facebook.com
When: Wednesday 9th - Sunday 13th August 2023
Where: Matterley Estate near Winchester, Hampshire, England
2023 lineup: TBA
Another bucket list festival, Boomtown is easily one of the UK's biggest and best-loved. Like Glastonbury, thousands are desperate to attend, not only for the killer music lineup but for the production and other entertainment on site.
It’s common to wander the grounds, discovering crazy little tents, weird worlds, and all sorts of other madness that simply cannot be replicated at another festival. Truly unique and special, Boomtown has a home in the hearts of thousands.
We haven’t had any lineup announcements for 2023 yet. But last year they didn’t announce any names at all. So we’ll have to see if keeping the lineup under wraps is something they continue.
Summer and music festivals go together like salt and pepper. Or an ice-cold pint on a warm evening. Or like... well, we think you get it. It's a magical combination. What UK summer festivals will you be moshing, raving, skanking, or shuffling at in 2023?
If we've got you in the mood for a bit of festival planning, you might want to take a look at our guides to the best festivals in Croatia, Spain and all of Europe. You can also check out Skiddle's full festival guide here.
Header: Reading Festival / Facebook.com
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