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8 unmissable UK festivals in June 2022

With festival season well underway, here are eight to look out for this June


Ah, June. The month that we can finally stop checking the weather app every time we prepare to leave the house in fear that the sun has disappeared again. A tentative British late spring turns into a glorious British summer, and with that comes a booming festival scene. From massive family affairs for everyone to genre-specific celebrations for the most die-hard fans, we’ve got a springboard for everyone – it’s time to throw yourself into summer.

So, grab your bucket hat and flower crown, don your wellies, and patch up your trusty tent (or maybe book that hotel package…) and get ready for the 8 best fests of June.

Download

If you like rock and metal then chances are you’ve heard of this one. Back for 2022, Download will be taking over Derby’s Donington Park once again for three days of major players such as Kiss, Iron Maiden, Biffy Clyro, Deftones and more. Download is more than just heavy music though – you can also wind down with some comedy at the Side Splitters tent, or visit the cheerfully named Circus of Horrors. Derby, 10 – 12 June

Hampton Court Palace Festival

Set in the ground of Henry VIII’s Tudor palace, the indulgent experience that is Hampton Court Palace Festival is now in its 29th year. Get ready for three weeks of unforgettable concerts by artists such as Elbow, McFly, Jack Savoretti, Kacey Musgroves, Crowded House and more. If gourmet street food stalls, plenty of bars and the most idyllic of settings still aren’t enough to sell you, then why not add a waterside gazebo and a pre-stocked picnic basket to your evening. Surrey, 9 – 25 June

The Cambridge Club Festival

Another Cambridge festival by the organisers of Strawberries & Creem, The Cambridge Club Festival has now expanded to three days so that friends and families can enjoy the fun for longer. The event celebrates disco, R&B, and all the classics that made today’s music what it is. The line-up includes some big names such as TLC, Diana Ross, Nile Rogers & Chic and Corrine Bailey Raw. With great food and drink, children’s entertainment and boutique camping, there’s also plenty to enjoy beyond the music. Cambridge, 10 – 12 June

The Big Top

The pop-up music venue at Edinburgh’s Royal Highland Centre will host a string of amazing musicians in June, including James, Madness, Snow Patrol and Biffy Clyro. Attendees will even be able to sleep inside The Big Top itself to get that festival feeling. The Big Top, 12 – 25 June

cinch presents Isle of Wight Festival

The family-friendly festival has a new theme this year: ‘Sirens & Sailors – The Life Aquatic’. You can dress up in your best marine-inspired costume to take part, or simply turn up as yourself and catch some big performances. Lewis Capaldi, Madness, Sigrid and many more will be in attendance, and there’s lots get involved in for all age groups. And whether you camp in the grounds of the festival itself or opt to stay locally, it’s a great excuse to spend a weekend on the island. Newport, 16 – 19 June

Strawberries & Creem Festival

The tasty Cambridge festival is an annual celebration of youth culture, with a line-up full of huge headliners spanning hip-hop, drum ‘n’ bass, dance, R&B, Afrobeats and garage. Strawberries & Creem prides itself on its positive vibe and safe atmosphere, and commits every year to creating a diverse and inclusive experience. With both camping and glamping tickets available, you might as well make a weekend of it. Expect to see the likes of Ella Mai, Mable, Sub Focus, Wilkinson, and plenty of others, as well as headliner Lil Wayne, who plays his first UK show in fourteen years. Cambridge, 17 – 19 June

Lytham Festival

What began as a classical Proms-style night has grown into a five-day event headlined by some of the biggest names in music. Diana Ross, Lewis Capaldi, Snow Patrol and Duran Duran are all on the bill, along with plenty of other heavy hitters. With plenty of packages to choose from, there’s every opportunity to customise your perfect stay in leafy Lytham. Lytham. St Annes, 28 June – 10 July

cinch presents Creamfields South

The UK’s biggest dance festival comes to Chelmsford for the first time ever this June Bank Holiday weekend, two months before it heads north to Cheshire. This year marks twenty five years of Creamfields and the celebrations are set to be enormous, with a huge line-up that includes Fatboy Slim, David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Becky Hill, Camelphat, MK, and many, many, many more. Chelmsford, 2 – 4 June

To find your perfect festival for summer 2022, try the Ticketmaster Festival Finder