The best UK music festivals in 2024 (that aren’t sold out)
As summer fast approaches, the buzz of festival season is upon us. It's never too early to plan ahead and snag those sought-after tickets before they're gone. From intimate indie gatherings to all-night dance parties, the UK festival scene offers something for everyone. To help you choose, we’ve created a list of some of the best that still have tickets.
The Great Escape
Location: Various venues, Brighton
Dates: May 15-18
Join music lovers from far and wide at The Great Escape, where you can discover the next big thing in music while soaking up the seaside vibes. With over 500 artists across various genres, you're guaranteed to find something you love.
Knockengorroch
Location: Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland
Dates: May 23-26
Celebrate music from the Celtic diaspora and beyond at Knockengorroch. With a diverse lineup spanning various genres, as well as cabaret, spoken word, and dance performances, boredom is simply not an option.
GALA
Location: Peckham Rye, London
Dates: May 24-26
Join London’s clubbing elite at this three-day independent festival in Peckham Rye Park. Showcasing the finest in electronic music with a sprinkle of soul, jazz, and afrobeat, the festival is also heavily invested in making a positive impact within its community, fundraising for environmental sustainability, among other causes.
Wide Awake
Location: Brockwell Park, London
Date: May 25
Dive into a musical melting pot at Wide Awake, where you'll experience left-field indie, post-punk, electronica, and more. This year’s headliners, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are the festival’s most requested headliner ever and will be joined by Mercury Prize winners Young Fathers, UK post-punk favourites Squid, and plenty of other top acts.
City Splash
Location: Brockwell Park, London
Date: May 27
Immerse yourself in the sounds of reggae, dancehall, and Afrobeats at City Splash. Celebrate Caribbean and African culture while dancing the day away in the heart of London. City Splash also partners with Black Eats LDN, the UK’s first and only Black-owned restaurant directory, to showcase a vibrant street food and market.
Cross The Tracks
Location: Brockwell Park, London
Date: May 26
Get into the rhythm of soul, funk, and jazz at Cross The Tracks. This carefully curated one-day festival blends legendary icons with rising stars across six dynamic stages. Plus, indulge in London's top street food and craft beer. This year, catch Erykah Badu and En Vogue, among others, for a weekend filled with great music and vibes.
Mighty Hoopla
Location: Brockwell Park, London
Dates: June 1-2
Join the celebration of pop culture at Mighty Hoopla, where established and emerging performers take the stage. With a lineup packed with pop classics, it's a festival that's bound to be raucous. Saturday’s tickets are sold out, but there are still some left for Sunday. You’ll need to act fast if you want to see the likes of Jessie Ware and Rita Ora take to the stage!
Gottwood
Location: Carreglwyd Estate, Anglesey, Wales
Dates: June 13-16
Nestled in scenic Anglesey, Wales, Gottwood offers a unique dance music experience. With surprise stages in lush woodland, featuring big names like Willow and Enzo Siragusa, it's a must for music lovers seeking natural beauty and fun vibes.
ALSO Festival
Location: Park Farm, Compton Verney Warwickshire
Dates: July 12-14
Experience a festival like no other at ALSO, where music, ideas, and delicious food collide. With inspiring events, talks, and immersive experiences, this festival nourishes both your mind and your soul. This year’s comedy line up looks particularly great, featuring Adam Kay, Sara Pascoe, Robin Ince, and more.
Wireless
Location: Finsbury Park, London
Dates: Jul 12-14
Get ready for epic performances at Wireless, where hip-hop, grime, and R&B take centre stage. With a lineup boasting A-list talent, including Nicki Minaj, Future, Sean Paul, and Ice Spice, it's the ultimate summer party. A heads up that this is a non-camping festival where you are required to leave and re-enter the site each day
Boardmasters
Location: Newquay, Cornwall
Dates: Aug 7-11
Head to the beautiful coastline of Cornwall for Boardmasters, where surfing and music come together in perfect harmony. With a focus on sustainability and wellbeing, get ready for five epic days of music featuring Chase & Status, Sam Fender, Stormzy, and more. Camping tickets are almost sold out and final Friday and Sunday tickets are selling fast, so move quickly!
Wilderness
Location: Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire
Dates: Aug 1-4
Set amid the picturesque lakes and lush forests of Oxfordshire's Cornbury Estate, Wilderness is an award-winning festival that blends music, food, learning, literature, and rejuvenation into an unforgettable experience. Dance to the beats of top artists like Michael Kiwanuka, Faithless, and BICEP, feast on delicious food, and take a dip in the famous lake.
Blog posts
The best UK music festivals in 2024 (that aren’t sold out)
Scott McGimpsey takes on mammoth challenge to raise awareness for care-experienced youth
