The best UK festivals in July

Summer really hits its stride with a scorching month of great music festivals all around the country

There’s no more summery part of summer than July. That’s when summer is really summering it up all over the place, doing all those summery things like sunshine, warmth, dryness. Oh, and festivals. Lots and lots of festivals. Here are some of the summeriest summer festivals to do all those summer things at in July.

Brighton Comedy Garden

A comedy festival? Not a music one? Well, it’s got David O’Doherty and his little Casio keyboard, which definitely counts, but this is first and foremost all about the funny stuff. Highlights include Jack Dee, Sara Pascoe, Dylan Moran, Ed Gamble, Rose Matafeo and Lolly Adefope (who it turns out, is not actually a ghost).
Preston Park, Brighton | 5 – 9 July | Get tickets

TRNSMT

Scotland’s biggest festival has attracted a 2023 line-up to match. The 1975, Sam Fender and Pulp headline. Niall Horan brings his excellent new album. Mimi Webb and Becky Hill bring the sunshine. Highlights also include Inhaler, Pale Waves, The Big Moon, Hamish Hawk, Bob Vylan, Afflecks Palace and FLO.
Glasgow Green | 7 – 9 July | Get tickets

Wireless

Last time we went to Wireless, there were loads of wires but let’s not get pedantic. Not when you’ve got Playboi Carti, Travis Scott and D Block Europe headlining. Look further down the bill for some exciting rising stars. People like Ice Spice and FLO will be even bigger deals next time they return to Finsbury Park.
Finsbury Park | 7 – 9 July | Get tickets

Kaleidoscope

The annual one-dayer in the grounds of Ally Pally returns with Hot Chip, George Fitzgerald, Gaz Coombes and more to accentuate the sunshiny views over London. Non-musical treats include Nina Conti and national treasure Joe Lycett in conversation with Shaun Keaveny.
Alexandra Palace | 15 July | Get tickets

Latitude

Latitude is like when all your tapas arrive at the same time. Where do you start? Your patatas bravas are the massive headliners: Pulp, Paolo Nutini and George Ezra, but you’ve got to get some croquetas, right? That would maybe be all those other great names littered throughout the bill, from Young Fathers to Yard Act, The Beths to Black Midi. And then there’s actual food, with the world-famous Street Feast. Tim’s Listening Party with Tim Burgess and James Acaster, that’s your Pan Com Tomate. And all those comedy superstars? Well, they’re the dusting on your churros.
Henham Park, Suffolk | 20 – 23 July | Get tickets

Standon Calling

The Hertfordshire boutique festival has struck a brilliant balance between sunny contemporary pop, crowd-pleasing legacy acts and some of the best rising indie bands out there. Self Esteem is never less than a great time, KT Tunstall and Melanie C are guaranteed singalongs, while Etta Marcus, Sprints and The Murder Capital are 100% unmissable.
Standon, Hertfordshire | 20 – 23 July | Get tickets

Rewind

Thatcherism, brick phones, prawn cocktail, four channels on TV… there were lots of awful things about the 80s but Rewind focuses on the best bits, namely the music. Squeeze (if you don’t like Squeeze then we’re not friends anymore), Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet fame, Andy Bell of Erasure fame, ABC, Go West, Hothouse Flowers and more kick off the festival’s Scottish weekend. It comes to Cheshire and Henley in August.
Scone Palace, Perth | 21 – 23 July | Get tickets

Splendour

Two days of great pop and indie in the grounds of Wollaton Park, just outside the city, are a tonic for any soul. Madness top the bill on day one. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds headline day two, flying… ummm… high from their acclaimed new record. The Coral and The Vaccines bring more 00s indie joy from atop the second stage bill on the Saturday, danceability comes courtesy of Rudimental, Sugababes, Jakes Shears and Confidence Man.
Nottingham | 22 – 23 July | Get tickets

Camp Bestival Dorset

The ultimate family festival decamps to the Jurassic coast for a bright, bubbly weekend of non-stop good times. Grace Jones, The Kooks and Craig David headline but there’s loads beyond the music, with appearances from Mr Tumble, Dick & Dom, Mr Motivator, Chris Packham and more.
Lulworth Castle | 27 – 30 July | Get tickets

Find all these July festivals and more 2023 and 2024 UK festivals in our exclusive Festival Guide