By Alex Edwards
Rain or shine, UK summers are defined by outdoor music festivals. No matter what you’re into, we rounded up the best weekends depending on what you’re looking for. So gather some tips from our Music Festival Essentials Survival Kit, pack your bags and take your pick from what’s to come this season from those that aren’t sold out yet.
If you only want one day
Citadel Festival (16 July): On the most unexpected day of the weekend, Citadel Festival manages to pull off a day of music, food and entertainment inside one Sunday in Victoria Park. Buy tickets here.
51st State Festival (5 August): A dancefest this year, the Trent Park festival organized by Found crew is full of a completely original lineup in the exploration of house music. Buy tickets here.
Eastern Electrics (5 August): In Morden Park, with ten stages filled by major headliners in dance music, Eastern Electrics is an all-day party with an area for rest if it gets to be too much. Buy tickets here.
If all you want to do is dance
Parklife Weekender (10-11 June): Known as Manchester’s dance hub, Parklife has a diverse lineup with everything from indie rock to hip hop. Frank Ocean and the 1975 are among those performing at the fest presented by dance-music experts. Buy tickets here.
Creamfields (24-27 August): If you’re a fan of dance music, attend this camping festival in Daresbury featuring some of the biggest DJs around. Buy tickets here.
South West Four (26-27 August): With major club bangers and DJ beats, SW4 is bank holiday’s major musical event. With all the best names in electronic and EDM music, the festival in Clapham is huge. Buy tickets here.
If you’re looking for the A-listers
Isle of Wight (8-11 June): A favorite on the UK music calendar, IOW is a four-day festival that brings more people than the island’s entire population. The lineup includes big names like George Ezra and Arcade Fire. Buy tickets here.
Wireless (7-9 July): If you’re into all things rap and hip-hop, Wireless is the weekend in Finsbury Park you need. The lineup this year includes Skepta, The Weeknd, Chance the Rapper, Wiley and more. Tickets are sold out except for Friday, and can be bought here.
Boardmasters (9-13 August): On the Cornish beachfront, this festival embraces the seaside life. Some of the most famous surfers in the world can be found performing next to the artists. Buy tickets here.
Virgin V Festival (18-19 August): With 22 years under their belt, V Festival always lands the biggest musical names in the game. This year, headliners include P!nk and Jay-Z, and the killer lineup is sure to rock Hylands and Weston Parks. Buy tickets here.
If you want more than music
Beat-Herder Festival (14-16 July): Operating for 12 years now, Beat-Herder continues to keep the good times rolling. With everything from electronic to hip hop to reggae tunes, the four day event in Ribble Valley features performances in comedy and art in addition to music. Buy tickets here.
Secret Garden Party (20-23 July): With a theme that encourages costumes, SGP is considered to be the go-to place for “hippy hedonism.” In between treehouses and yurts, artists are playing all around the Cambridgeshire countryside. Buy tickets here.
Latitude (13-16 July): The Latitude lineup is so much more than just musicians. Comedians and poets are apart of the performances in this music and arts festival with colorful sheep roaming around Henham Park. Buy tickets here.
Lovebox (14-15 July): With Frank Ocean and Chase & Status as headliners, Victoria Park is a two-day event that beats any longer festivals around. In addition to a killer lineup, the parties are incredible after-hours and there’s tons of art performances on the side. Buy tickets here.