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The best day festivals to check out this summer
The top UK day festivals (and festivals with day tickets) to check out in summer 2025
While tents, cereal bars and loo rolls still spark joy for many making their the pilgrimage to Reading & Leeds, Download and Parklife, some of us would like their summer festival at the end of a tube ride home.
I promise you, this article isn’t throwing any shade at those massive five-day music bonanzas – this writer cut her teeth eating lukewarm noodles at 5am while watching drunk lads set fire to their trainers – but if the sound of a longdrop door slamming starts to sound like a death knell, you know you’ve entered the era of day festivals.
Yes, the glorious day festival. Shorter, sweeter, and guaranteed to (hopefully) have you sleeping in your own bed, day festivals have become one of the joys of the summer calendar. Shopping around for a day festival is rather like booking a nice hotel, especially when some boast everything from gourmet food trucks to comedy stages.
Plus, there’s always the option of purchasing a day ticket for one of the bigger festivals. That way you get the tasting menu without having to pack emergency wellies, or suffer the indignity of a morning wet wipe shower.
Sometimes, going home to your dog/cheese on toast/a bathroom with fancy hand soap is the perfect way to round off a musical experience. Sure, there’s none of that magical tomfoolery that comes with having an existential campsite discussion with a guy dressed as Winnie the Pooh, but, come on – sleeping in your own bed? That shit is transformative. Still not convinced? Here are some of the very best day festivals, and festival day tickets, to raise your summer 2025 game, without having to pack down a tent…
The best 2025 day festivals to book right now
Wide Awake | Brockwell Park
23 May
All eyes are on this London festival now that Kneecap have been confirmed to headline – their first live show since Coachella – as well as the other incredible artists on the bill which include CMAT, English Teacher, Fat Dog and the legendary Peaches. One of the first day festivals to kick off the summer season, this is sure to be one of the summer’s hottest tickets. Grab yours now.
Punk All Dayer | Glasgow Summer Sessions
21 June
Taking place in Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park on Saturday 21 June (ahead of a week of other headline shows from Sting, Simple Minds and Stereophonics), the Punk All-Dayer has an incredible line-up for those partial to a bit of rowdiness. Headlined by Sex Pistols (Steve Jones, Paul Cook, Glen Matlock) featuring Frank Carter, with support from The Stranglers, Buzzcocks, The Undertones, The Skids and The Rezillos, the day is bolstered with bars, street food and markets. Gourmet burgers, but make it punk.
American Express Presents BST Hyde Park
27 June – 13 July
Kicking off with Olivia Rodrigo on Friday 27 June, the BST Hyde Park line-up never fails to deliver. Its 2025 roll call of artists include Zach Bryan, Sabrina Carpenter, Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts, Stevie Wonder, and the final ever UK show from Jeff Lynne’s ELO. Plus, the handy Hyde Park location means you can get there and back using public transport. Happy days.
Slayer at Finsbury Park
6 July
A dream day festival line-up for any metal fan worth their salt, thrash legends Slayer come to London’s Finsbury Park on Sunday 6 July. With support from Amon Amarth, Anthrax, Mastodon, Hatebreed and NECKBREAKKER, this is one show that’s guaranteed to give the eardrums a good walloping. Let the mosh commence.
Rock n Roll Circus
14 – 31 August
Combining live music and incredible circus performance, this festival boasts multiple dates and locations – the red thread? Expect to have your mind blown by more than just your favourite band. With headline performances from acts including Queens of the Stone Age, McFly, James, The Wombats, Reverend & the Makers, Courteeners and Olly Murs, there really is something for everyone… including people who breathe fire.
Come Together Festival | Newcastle
20 and 22 August
Kicking things off with Robbie Williams, Come Together is the north east’s biggest festival. Taking place on Newcastle Town Moor, this festival is also hosting beloved American rockers Kings of Leon two days later, with support from Courteeners, The Reytons, The Snuts and The Cribs.
The best 2025 festivals with day tickets
Download
13 – 15 June
The jewel in the UK’s rock festival crown, Download XXII is set to be the biggest one yet, with a line-up that includes Green Day, Weezer, Sleep Token and (aree youuu ready?) the legendary Korn. Get a day ticket for that kickass intro alone.
Parklife
14 – 15 June
Celebrating its 15th year with a line-up including 50 Cent, charli XCX, Jorja Smith, Peggy Gou, PAWSA, Bicep, Overmono and the infectious Confidence Man, Parklife 2025 is one festival not to be missed. Brat summer: sorted.
TK Maxx presents Lytham Festival
2 – 6 July
Staged on the banks of the stunning Ribble Estuary, Lytham Festival has a kickass set of headliners for 2025, including Kings of Leon, Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake and Alanis Morissette. Kicking off on Wednesday 2 July, Lytham’s day ticket options will suit every type of music fan.
Rockstar Energy presents TRNSMT
11 – 13 July
Scotland’s Glasgow Green will host a set of impressive headliners this summer including 50 Cent, Snow Patrol and local legends Biffy Clyro – and the best news is, there’s still day tickets available. Go go go.
Rockstar Energy presents Reading & Leeds Festival
22 – 24 August
The rite of passage festival OG, Reading & Leeds offer day tickets for those that want to cherry pick the best one-off experience. Starting on Thursday 21 August, headline acts this year include Hozier, Chappell Roan, Bring Me The Horizon, Limp Bizkit and Travis Scott. Epic stuff.
Photo credit: Joseph Okpako / Getty
