Best UK festivals for 2021 that will be taking place this summer

As many of us are counting down the days until the 21st June and the UK will hopefully return to normal, with it comes festivals.

The UK is home to some of the best festivals - both big and small. The hardest part is usually picking which one to go with… and who you’re taking in your squad.

With some, there’s the option of camping, ‘glamping’ or picking a hotel nearby. Others are just for the day - which mean you can forget about lugging a rucksack full of cider across a muddy field. We personally never leave the house without our wellies.

This year, there’s a plethora of choice - and some musical legends playing at every one. Fingers crossed you manage to see your favourite act at one of the UK’s hottest festivals this summer.

© PR IMPRESSIVE: Wireless is one of the UK fests attracting worldwide stars

From festivals in the Cotswolds, to parties in major cities across the country and even those by the sea.

So if you’re stuck picking between them all, we’ve listed some of our top picks that are happening this summer below.

Tickets are selling fast so if you want you want to see your favourite act somewhere this summer, you’ll have to get in there fast…. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

All Points East

All Points East is back. The return of the essential music festival comes with its first headliners of the year, Jamie xx and Kano, joined by an immense line up of special guests.

Moving three months later into the year to the August Bank Holiday, All Points East will take place in Victoria Park on 27th - 30th August 2021. More shows are going to be announced for the weekend too - so keep your ears to the ground.

Tickets are on sale from Wednesday 10 March at 10am GMT, and previous All Points East customers can buy from today in the pre-sale.

Who's playing? Jamie XX, Kano, Tom Misch, Slowthai, Arlo Parks plus many more

When is it? 27th - 30th August 2021

Where is it? Victoria Park, London

Tickets: Get tickets here

The Big Feastival

Celebrating its 10th year, The Big Feastival will return to Alex James’ Farm. If you like good food and great music, then this is the perfect event because it brings the two together.

DJ Sigala, disco royalty Nile Rodgers & CHIC, and triple BRIT Award winner Rag'n'Bone Man have already been announced along with many more.

Who’s playing? DJ Sigala, Nile Rodgers & CHIC and Rag'n'Bone Man, Zara Larsson and Tom Walker plus others

When is it? 27th - 29th August 2021

Where is it? Kingham, Cotswolds

Tickets: Get tickets here

BST Hyde Park

© Getty The crowd watching on at British Summer Time Festival at Hyde Park

BST (or British Summer Time) made its debut appearance on the London festival scene in 2013 with two weekends of live music in Hyde Park. Every summer since, the festival has attracted huge international names to its Great Oak stage, with a wide array of acts scattered across smaller stages

Pearl Jam, Pixies, IDLES, Duran Duran plus a few others have already been announced.

Who’s playing? Pearl Jam, Pixies, IDLES, Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers & Chic plus Grace Jones

When is it? 9th - 11th July 2021

Where is it? Hyde Park, London

Tickets: Get tickets here

Camp Bestival

Camp Bestival is a a multi-award winning festival that combines an all-encompassing family festival experience with an action-packed camping holiday, something that they like to call a Festi-Holiday. Curated by Rob da Bank, Camp Bestival is still the most family excitement you can have in one weekend since its formation in 2008.

Fatboy Slim, Groove Armada and Liam Payne are headlining Camp Bestival this summer - plus so many more.

Who’s playing? Fatboy Slim, Groove Armada, Becky Hill, Kelis, Friendly Fires, Sophie Ellis Bextor plus many more.

When is it? 29th July - 1st August

Where is it? Lulworth Castle, Dorset

Tickets: Get tickets here

Edinburgh Summer Sessions

Edinburgh Summer Sessions sprang into being in 2018. Based in Princes Street Gardens in the heart of the Scottish capital, the festival endeavoured to bring big name acts from Scotland and further afield to Edinburgh for a series of concerts running alongside the Edinburgh International Festival.

DMA’s, Tom Jones, Michael Kiwanuka and Lionel Richie have already been announced along with others.

Who’s playing? DMA’s, Tom Jones, Michael Kiwanuka, Lionel Richie, Travis and Simple Minds

When is it? 6th - 15th August

Where is it? Prices Street Gardens, Edinburgh

Tickets: Get tickets here

Isle of Wight Festival

© SUNDAY MIRROR Festival

The Isle Of Wight Festival is the UK's oldest music festival and takes place in Seaclose Park, Newport on the Isle of Wight. Since first forming in 1968, the Isle Of Wight Festival has secured its place in pop culture history thanks to past performances from Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Doors, Joni Mitchell and many more music legends.

Lionel Richie, Lewis Capaldi, Jess Glynn, Becky Hill are just a few that have been announced along with others.

Who’s playing? Lionel Richie, Lewis Capaldi, Jess Glynn, Becky Hill, You Me At Six, Primal Scream, Snow Patrol, Pete Tong, Sam Fender plus so many more

When is it? 16th - 19th September 2021

Where is it? Seaclose Park in Newport, Isle of Wight

Tickets: Get tickets here

Kaleidoscope Festival 2021

A summer celebration like no other packed with creative delights and set high above the London skyline, Kaleidoscope is a one-day event that welcomes thrill seekers of all ages. As well as incredible live music, mesmerising DJ sets, comedy and immersive theatre, there’ll be family entertainment and delicious food and drinks offerings from local traders.

Groove Armada, The Coral, Norman Jay MBE and a few others have already been announced with more to come.

Who’s playing? Groove Armada, The Coral, Norman Jay MBE, House Gospel Choir, Greg Wilson plus so many more

When is it? 24th July 2021

Where is it? Alexandra Palace, London

Tickets: Get tickets here

Kew The Music

Kew The Music is a glorious week-long festival of outdoor summer picnic concerts set inside the stunning grounds of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

These festival-style concerts are renowned for their magical and relaxed atmosphere. You are welcome to bring your own food and drink, or enjoy the many artisan food stalls and bars on site. A sensational summer evening awaits.

James Blunt, DJ Spoony, Will Young and James Morrison have already been announced with a few others.

Who’s playing? James Blunt, DJ Spoony, Will Young and James Morrison, Bananarama supported by Gabrielle and Rebecca Ferguson plus others

When is it? 6th - 11th July

Where is it? Kew Gardens, London

Tickets: Get tickets here

Kisstory Festival

KISSTORY Festival is back, bigger and better for 2021 - and we know we all need a big rave up. Amen.

This Summer, the KISSTORY party is heading to Crystal Palace Park in London for two huge days of the very best Old Skool and Anthems.

We’re not sure of who’s playing yet but keep your eyes and ears open…

Who’s playing? TBA

When is it? 24th - 25th June 2021

Where is it? Crystal Palace Park, London

Tickets: Get tickets here

Latitude

© Photoshot. All rights reserved. Latitude Festival

Latitude Festival is a UK music festival based in Henham Park in Suffolk. Latitude has everything from top music acts across multiple stages to comedy, cabaret, theatre and arts areas. The biggest names headline the main Obelisk Arena stage while you can discover up and coming musicians on the various smaller stages, including the hidden Alcove stage.

Latitude is also an award-winning family-friendly festival, taking home the best family festival award in 2018.

Lewis Capaldi, Bastille and Snow Patrol have already been announced with more to come.

Who’s playing? Lewis Capaldi, Bastille, First Aid Kit and Snow Patrol

When is it? 22nd - 25th July

Where is it? Henham Park, Suffolk

Tickets: Get tickets here

LoveBox

© Redferns LoveBox is a fun day out with friends

Lovebox is a three-day UK music festival which takes place in London's Gunnersbury Park. The newly expanded festival features some of the top pop, hip-hop, RnB, grime and rap musicians along with incredible house and dance music acts and DJs across the weekend.

Now we have no idea who’s been confirmed but previous years have seen Chance the Rapper, Solange and Childish Gambino.

Who’s playing? TBC.

When is it? 11th - 13th June 2021

Where is it? Gunnersbury Park, London

Tickets: Pre-register here

Manchester Pride Festival

Manchester Pride is an annual pride festival, parade and event held in Manchester city centre. Featuring MCR Pride Live, the Superbia Weekend, the Gay Village Party, Manchester Pride Parade, Youth Pride MCR and the Candlelit Vigil, Family Pride MCR and Human Rights Forum, an unforgettable weekend awaits.

We’re still unsure of who’s playing this year but Ariana Grande headlined 2019's festival edition, along with the synth-pop band Years and Years, fronted by LGBT advocate Olly Alexander.

Who’s playing? TBA

When is it? 27th - 30th August 2021

Where is it? Manchester

Tickets: Get tickets here

Parklife

© Richard Johnson / Fanatic 2019 Parklife Festival 2019 in Manchester

Parklife is the largest metropolitan music festival in the uk and takes place at heaton park in Manchester. The Manchester festival blends beats from multiple music genres, including hip hop, grime, pop, rock, club, house and dance DJs.

Headliners still haven’t been announced but Parklife has welcomed performances from music legends such as Mark Ronson, Wu Tang Clan, Disclosure, George Ezra, The Chemical Brothers, Snoop Dogg, The XX, Lliam Gallagher, N.E.R.D, The 1975, Foals and many more.

Who’s playing? TBA

When is it? 11th - 12th September 2021

Where is it? Heaton Park, Manchester

Tickets: Pre-register here

Reading and Leeds

© Getty Images

Reading and Leeds Festivals are twin music festivals taking place simultaneously over the same UK bank holiday weekend.

In their extensive history, Reading and Leeds have welcomed music legends such as Green Day, Metallica, Biffy Clyro, Eminem and Kendrick Lamar to the stage. Along with a huge selection of artists and live music spanning genres across rock, pop, hip hop, grime, dance and indie, fans can also look forward to comedy, theatre, arts, cinema, silent discos and funfairs for a fun-filled line-up of programming to enjoy.

Liam Gallagher, Queens of The Stone Age, Stormzy, Yungblud and more have been announced already.

Who’s playing? Stormzy, Lewis Capaldi, Catfish & The Bottlemen, AJ Tracey, Mabel, Post Malone and so many more

When is it? 27th - 29th August

Where is it? Richfield Avenue, Reading or Bramham Park, Leeds

Tickets: Get tickets here

Standon Calling

A boutique music and arts festival, Standon Calling is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2021. Starting life as a birthday garden party in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, the event has blossomed and evolved over the years. Now held across four jam-packed days in July, many festival goers return year after year.

We’re unsure of who’s set to play this year but you can expect it to be full of big names in music.

Rag'n'Bone Man, Lewis Capaldi, George Ezra and Grace Jones have played in years before alongside the hottest newcomers.

Who’s playing? TBA

When is it? 22nd - 25th July 2021

Where is it? Standon, Hertfordshire

Tickets: Get tickets here

South West Four

South West Four is a dance and electronic music festival based in Clapham Common, London.

South West Four mixes dance music, hip-hop, drum and bass and afrobeats and has quickly become one of London's top dance music festivals. Join the party in Clapham and enjoy multiple dance and electronic music acts across ten stages.

We don’t know who’ll be performing yet so watch this space…

Who’s playing? TBA

When is it? 29th - 30th August 2021

Where is it? Clapham Common, London

Tickets: Pre-register here

We Are FSTVL

Celebrating the very best in House, Bass, Techno and Drum & Bass, today the biggest dance festival in the capital announces its full lineup, proving that this year’s extravaganza is set to be its biggest yet.

Headliners for 2021 include, Andy C, Camelphat, Carl Cox, Charlotte De Witte, Gorgon City plus many more.

Who’s playing? Andy C, Camelphat, Carl Cox, Charlotte De Witte, Gorgon City, Jamie Jones, Joseph Capriati, Loco Dice, MK, Nina Kraviz, Pendulum Trinity, Marco Carola, Michael Bibi, The Blessed Madonna, The Martinez Brothers plus more.

When is it? 11th – 12th September 2021

Where is it? Central Park, Dagenham

Tickets: Buy tickets here

Wilderness

© Redferns

Wilderness is a four-day boutique festival spanning Music, The Arts, Food and Wellbeing, all set amidst the idyllic surroundings of Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire.

Line-up is still to be announced so we’re keeping our ears to the ground for this one.

Who’s playing? TBC

When is it? 5th - 8th August 2021

Where is it? Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire

Tickets: Get tickets here

Wireless

© PR IMPRESSIVE: Wireless is one of the UK fests attracting worldwide stars

Wireless is an urban music festival in the UK based in Finsbury Park in London. The festival showcases some of the best live music acts from grime, RnB, rap, hip-hop, pop, dance and much more across the weekend.

Details of who’s performing are still to be announced but you can pre-register now to get more information.

Who’s playing? TBA

When is it? 2nd - 4th July 2021

Where is it? Finsbury Park, London

Tickets: Pre-register here

Are you temped to head to a festival this year? Or have you missed out on getting tickets to your favourite? Let us know in the comments box.