These Are The Best UK Festivals For 2023

Hurry, because it’s this weekend, but you’re in luck because there are a few tickets left to the most magical, euphoria-inducing, hedonistic festival in the country, that caters for pretty much everyone with its incredible breadth of experiences – that’s right, we’re talking about Wilderness. Want to party the night away? Head to Chemical Brothers on Friday night, followed by Honey Dijon, Christine and the Queens on Saturday night and Fat Boy Slim on Sunday – fit them in around the hundreds of other artists scheduled to play. Sugababes and Kerri Chandler anyone? Or if you want some chill time, head over to the bill of experts, writers and thinkers, including Munroe Bergdorf and Elizabeth Day.

Are you a foodie whose idea of festival fun is being cooked for by top chefs at a seated banquet? There’s everyone from Ukrainian chef Olia Hercules to Jeremy Lee’s four-course long table banquet to choose from, or Adam Handling, chef owner of Michelin-StarredFrog**,** toname just a few of the cooks offering up incredible fare this year. Wilderness prides itself on its outstanding feasting and dining experiences. Many of these need booking in advance, and they’re worth every penny if you want to experience some of the best food you’ll ever try.

Outgrown the hassle that comes with camping? Treat yourself to the outstandingly special IHG Hotel’s accommodation – the festival’s official Boutique Camping partner this year, where they have created their own ‘outdoor/festival hotel’ – The IHGhotel in the Wild. Think a whimsical and inviting space with unexpected moments, like a hotel bed amongst the trees, a bathtub basking in florals, a piano lounge bar and sun loungers. Choose from a range of beautiful accommodation and enjoy exclusive perks including luxury showers and loos, pamper parlour, restaurant and bar, free parking, trolley service, and a 24-hour reception. There’s hot tubs, yoga and massages available, because we all need a pamper to reinvigorate the soul when we’re on day three.  It has all the things you love about a hotel, plus photo opportunities galore. This is a space you won’t want to miss and will take it from festival to luxury holiday. Visit wildernessfestival.com/our-partners/ihg-hotels-resorts/ to book.

And remember, if you have young kids but you’re sick of weekends at soft play, this is also the festival for you. There’s a creche, countless activities for little ones and dedicated camping for families, so you don’t need to worry about drunken mayhem at 4am. 

Dress up in keeping with the set theme (only if you want to, but boy will you want to when you see everyone else’s attire). This year the themes are: Like Rabbits on the Friday, Grandma’s wallpaper on Saturday and OUT outrageous on Sunday. See you there!
Get tickets here wildernessfestival.com

A fan-favourite year after year, Parklife returns to its usual weekend slot (10th-11th June) with a bigger line up than ever. With 10 unmissable stages, Parklife combines the biggest names across genres for the perfect group experience. Where else will you find The 1975, Aitch and Fred Again at one big party? Parklife is a must-visit, with tickets starting at £129.50!

Since opening its doors in 2017, Printworks London has grown to become an iconic space for culture in London, welcoming over a million guests across six years. Their closing weekend marks the end of an incredible set of years since Broadwick Live first opened Printworks London in February 2017. Once home to the largest printing factory in Western Europe, the original aesthetics, giant machines and printing presses were preserved to create a stunning, industrial environment in which to present its award-winning music programme and set piece events.

At the end of this month, with sold-out shows across the weekend (you can still try and nab a ticket on Kaboodle's resale) they've secured a world-class line up including Black Coffee, Camelphat, Sub Focus and Peggy Gou. It will be a history-making weekend, unforgettable for music lovers who've partied at the institution for years. Tickets start at £49.50.

Following a sold-out 15th anniversary in 2022 that brought together 50,000 electronic music aficionados together for a mammoth, day-long session at Victoria Park, Field Day returns with its largest, most eclectic line-up to date. Now in its 16th year, Field Day has lived at the heart of the London festival calendar with its end of summer soiree, featuring revered acts from all corners of the electronic underground. Tickets start at £45.

Taking place as part of newly launched Dockyards: SUMMER SERIES, house and techno institution SOLID GROOVES will take over the waterside spot for a day-long session on the 1st July 2023. Packed with three-stages of the finest house grooves and techno beats, the renowned gang bring a team of their finest selectors to London for this special event. Brought to you by Broadwick Live (Printworks, Beams) this new series promises to be a highlight in the capital’s festival calendar. Tickets start from £39.50.

Set in the stunning surrounds of Herefordshires Eastnor Castle Deer Park, El Dorado Festival returns for 2023. A staple in the festival calendar that provides a boutique, mystical festival experience for its guests - the ultimate mix of magic and mayhem. Tickets start at £260.

Over 70,000 fans from around the world make the annual pilgrimage to Creamfields for what has become a rite of passage for dance music lovers, featuring over 300 acts performing across 30 stages over the 4 day weekend, and this year Cream HQ have delivered another jaw dropping line up. Taking over your August bank holiday weekend from the 24th to 27th, tickets start at £70 for one day or £250 for a three day extravaganza.

Now recognised as a leading global music event, AVA (Audio Visual Arts) Festival will host its eighth Belfast edition this June, welcoming international artists plus Irish talent flying the flag for the local scene. For 2023, AVA will return to its iconic home in the industrial Titanic Slipways, and the programme varied from its electronic roots, but adding a wider array of sounds to reflect the diversity of its attendees. Tickets start at £105 plus booking fee for the weekend.

A huge competitor in the festival packed August bank holiday weekend, Eastern Electrics have outdone themselves this year with a line-up like no other. On the 26th August, The Martinez Brothers will headline this talent-packed deck of incredible artists, a must-visit for house and techno music fans in the UK. With tickets already 75% sold out, you'll have to move quickly to secure your place! Tickets start at £35 plus booking fee.

Mighty Hoopla returns with a bang this summer, in partnership with Klarna who are offering their ever-popular free glitter stations to festival goers in 'The Klarna Parlour' - as well as an imaginative 'teacup-ride' and VIP lounge for Klarna ticketholders. With live entertainment, giveaways, and some utterly instagrammable photo ops, the Klarna Parlour is not to be missed at Mighty Hoopla 2023. From 3rd-4th June, tickets start at £59.50.

Returning to the iconic Ashton Court Estate on the May Bank Holiday Weekend (27th/28th), Love Saves The Day has become a legendary staple in the South West event calendar, showcasing some of the music world’s biggest global talents, alongside promising newcomers and local legends to form a melting pot of thriving modern culture that celebrates its independent approach and commitment to sustainability. Tickets start at £89.50 plus booking fee.

Going into it's 17th year as one of the UK's most trusted and beloved festival weekends, Standon Calling is a permanent fixture in the calendar for thousands of festival-loving families across the UK. Found less than an hour away from London, it’s the closest camping festival from the capital and offers the ultimate exploration of music and arts for all ages, hidden in the heart of the English countryside. 

Standon Calling was the first major UK festival to meet the Keychange pledge for an equal male/female and non-binary split across all stages in 2022, and this year that that's carried through into the main stage headline slots as well. From 20th-23rd July, tickets start at £195 (plus booking fee).

If you're looking for something more unique, Maiden Voyage is the festival for you. From hip hop to techno, this festival draws incredible names across a huge variety of genres for a jam-packed day of dancing across five stages. Tickets start at £35.

With an addition of five new stages covering house, disco, UKG, hip hop, and more at Elrow Town this year, festival goers are in for a treat with world-class DJs such as Fisher, Patrick Topping and Gorgon City already signed up. Known for out of this world stage production, Elrow is an innovative experience you can't miss. Taking place on Saturday 22nd July at Parsloes Park, tickets start at £69.50.

Following a triumphant debut last year, the UK’s hottest dance festival has once again attracted some of the biggest names in electronic music from Calvin Harris and Patrick Topping to Jamie Jones and Annie Mac. Taking place over the late May bank holiday from the 26th to 28th May, tickets start at £65 per day or £235 for a three day experience.

An atmosphere like no other, Truck Festival combines incredible live music, laugh out loud fun and countless new memories served in its own distinct charm. An unmissable rite of passage for the best in new, vibrant alternative music and The Godfather Of The Small Festival World. Expect a fun-filled weekend from one of the most exciting festivals of the summer! From 21st-23rd July, tickets start at £140 plus booking fee.

Introducing One Day, a full day of music from NTS taking place on Saturday 27th May at Burgess Park, bringing together an eclectic line-up across two stages. From rap royalty JPEGMAFIA to jazz icon Nala Sinephro, this truly unique festival is perfect for any group. Tickets start at £45.

Building on its incredible reputation as the home of new music, Live At Leeds is set to return to Temple Newsam Park for its second outdoor show - Live At Leeds: In The Park, following a hugely successful debut in 2022. Bringing together the most exciting names in alternative indie and new music, it’s an unmissable festival experience spread across five stages - a must for modern music fans. On 27th May, tickets start at £60 plus booking fee.

Returning to their original home, the inimitable Boston Manor Park, this year’s Junction 2 is set to be the boldest edition yet. With new stage designs, familiar favourite DJs and a series of incredibly creative b2b performers, this is one music event DJ-lovers won't want to miss. From 21st-22nd July, tickets start at £65 per day (plus booking fee).

The Long Road is a three-day camping festival, celebrating the UK's growing appreciation for the music, lifestyle and influences of Country and Americana. Whether you like your Country from across the tracks or just around the bend, your Americana old time or modern, your Roots southern fried or rocky, The Long Road delivers it all. It’s an authentic, immersive and welcoming family friendly experience, nestled in the stunning grounds of Stanford Hall.
From 25th-27th August, tickets start at £190 plus booking fee.

If you’re looking for a last minute festival before summer ends, Corona Sunsets world tour is your answer. Casting a light on some of the best in British music, the festival brings together the likes of Harvey Gunn, Eliza and Mahalia for a day filled with Instagram-worthy art installations, breathtaking scenes and five star food. Only for one day on Saturday 2nd September, tickets are priced at £40.25 including booking fee.