Festivals
Preview
The best UK festivals in August 2024
From Wilderness to Reading & Leeds: our top picks as we reach peak summer festival season
Not to jinx it – we’re definitely jinxing it – but it looks like we might finally be experiencing summer, just as we hit the peak of the festival season. If you had festi-fomo missing out on Latitude or Wireless last month then now is your chance.
Luckily there’s still a great mix of music festivals to be discovered in August, from the glam of Wilderness to the muddy raves of Reading & Leeds. Find our top picks below.
Audi Presents Wilderness
Wilderness is often thought of as quite ‘boujie’ thanks to its huge array of gourmet dining, wellness and other artistic experiences, not to mention the glamping side of the Oxford festival. But if you look at its poster it’s clear that the music bill doesn’t play second fiddle; this year sees Michael Kiwanuka, Faithless, Jessie Ware and Bicep top a bill of vibrant electronic, disco and funk acts.
Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire, 1 – 4 August | Get tickets here
Boomtown
One of the headiest – and wackiest – festivals the UK has on offer, Boomtown joins the likes of Tomorrowland and Burning Man in its unending commitment to building a universe and narrative arc beyond the usual hedonism of a music festival. This year sees Chapter Three: Revolution Of Imagination; we have absolutely no idea what that entails, but get lost amongst this cosmic, utopian city and find out for yourselves.
Matterley Estate, Hampshire, 7 – 11 August | Get tickets here
BLUDFEST
Yung Blud is putting on his own festival for the first time, a welcome space for the freaks ‘n’ geeks to feel at home. Of course he’ll be playing, headlining in fact, joining Lil Yachty, Soft Play, NOAHFINNCE and more; but the festival aims to be more of an immersive experience into the young artist’s mind: “BLUDFEST will blur the lines of genre and destroy the limitation of imagination,” he says.
Milton Keynes Bowl, 11 August \ Get tickets here
Camp Bestival Shropshire
After another stunning edition in Dorset recently, the second wing of Rob Da Bank’s award-winning family festival returns in Shropshire. There aren’t many places where you can tire the little ones out with Dick and Dom or Horrible Histories, before the grown-ups can have a rave to Faithless.
Weston Park, Shropshire, 15 – 18 August 2024 | Get tickets here
Wild Fields
Wild Fields is a socially-conscious festival making its debut in 2024. Musically there’s clearly a jazz, neo-soul and R&B focus, with Ezra Collective, SBTRKT, Kae Tempest, Yazmin Lacey and more making an appearance. Partnering with Climate Live, the festival promises a “focus on sustainability will permeate through the heart of the festival and into the workshops, panels and experiences on offer.”
Earlham Park, Norwich, 16 – 18 August | Get tickets here
Uber One presents All Points East
East London’s premier annual festival needs no introduction at this point, as All Points East sets to make its return to Victoria Park with a series of shows attracting the biggest names in alternative music. You can catch a Death Cab For Cutie/The Postal Service double header, Loyle Carner, Kaytranada, Mitski and LCD Soundsystem headline their own days, but that barely scratches the surface of the line-up on offer.
Victoria Park, London, 17 – 25 August \ Get tickets here
Rockstar Energy presents Creamfields
One of the UK’s biggest and historic dance music festivals, Creamfields is an institution. This year sees Calvin Harris, Chase & Status, Tiesto and Peggy Gou join a head-spinning amount of DJs and electronic acts.
Daresbury Estate, Cheshire, 22 – 25 August | Get tickets here
Manchester Pride
Summer means Pride, and you’d be hard pressed to find a prouder party than in Manchester. As well as the Gay Village Party, the Parade and lots of other fun and vibrant celebrations, there’s a stellar line-up of acts including Eurovision queen Loreen, Jessie J, Rita Ora and Sugababes.
Various locations Manchester, 23 – 26 August \ Get tickets here
Rockstar Energy presents Reading & Leeds
A rite of passage for many and a big summer blow out for all, Reading & Leeds festivals continue to book the hottest musical acts of the times. Blink-182, Lana Del Rey, Liam Gallagher, Fred Again., Gerry Cinnamon and Catfish and the Bottlemen top this year’s iconic yellow poster.
Richfield Avenue, Reading and Bramham Park, Leeds, 23 – 25 August\ Get tickets here
