57 Music Festivals To Tempt You This Summer

The countdown to the summer festival season has already begun with headline acts announced and tickets starting to go on sale.

To help you plan we’ve put together a quick guide to the biggest and best music festivals taking place across the UK and Europe in the coming months.

So in date order, here’s your live music festival line-up for 2016.

March festivals

Lost & Found, Malta

1. Annie Mac’s Lost & Found Festival

When: Thursday, March 31 to Sunday, April 3
Where: Malta
Type of music: Clubbing, Dance
Camping?: No – find hotels in Malta
Essential information

While it’s technically not the summer here in March, the temperatures in Malta are definitely warm enough to hit the beach.

Rave the weekend away in front of an ancient Maltese Castle as Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac returns to party on the island.

Headliners: Annie Mac’s All Stars, Disclosure, The Martinez Brothers & B. Traits

More info: Website and Twitter

Annie Mac’s Lost & Found Festival

May festivals

2. The Great Escape

When: Thursday, May 19 to Saturday, May 21
Where: Brighton
Type of music: New music
Camping?: No – find Brighton hotels
Essential information:

See more than 450 new an up-and-coming bands at different venues across the city over a long-weekend.

More info: Website and Twitter

3. The Masked Ball

When: Friday, May 20 to Saturday, May 22
Where: Porthleven, Cornwall

The Masked Ball

Type of music: Dance
Camping?: Yes
Essential information:

This themed British festival, with a sea view from the cliff-side location, is now in its tenth year.

Headliners: Basement Jaxx, Groove Armada

More info: Website and Twitter

4. We are FESTVL

When: Saturday, May 28 to Sunday, May 29
Where: Damyn’s Hall, Upminster, London
Type of music: Dance
Camping?: No – browse Upminster hotels
Essential information:

Dance to more than 200 acts across multiple stages at this new-ish festival held at a working aerodrome.

They’re flying high after a sellout 2015.

Headliners: Fatboy Slim

More info: Website and Twitter

5. Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2016

When: Saturday, May 28 to Sunday, May 29
Where:  Powderham Castle near Exeter
Type of music: Various
Camping?: TBC
Essential information:

The venue might change every year, but they always have a big name headlining the event.

Ticket information will be announced on Monday, March 21.

Headliners: Coldplay, Ellie Goulding

More info: Website and Twitter

June festivals

Distortion (c) Martin Dan Olsen – 2013

6. Distortion

When: Wednesday, June 1 to Sunday, June 5 
Where: Copenhagen, Denmark
Type of music: Dance, Rave, hip hop
Camping?: No – find hotels in Copenhagen
Essential information:

This firmly established two-day rave up in Copenhagen Harbour has plenty of fun going on throughout the day (“organised chaos”), before the party really ramps up at nightfall.

More info: Website and Twitter

Distortion Festival (c) Thorbjrn Fessel – 2013

7. Primavera Sound 2016

When: Wednesday, June 1 to Sunday, June 5
Where: Barcelona, Spain
Type of music: Various – mainly indie
Camping?: No – the latest Barcelona hotel deals
Essential information:

The Catalan capital is a stunning backdrop to this major international festival that always delivers a stellar line-up.

Headliners: Radiohead, Brian Wilson, LCD Soundsystem

More info: Website and Twitter

Rock Um Ring

8. Rock am Ring

When: Friday, June 3 to Sunday, June 5
Where: Mendig, Germany
Type of music: Rock
Camping?: Yes
Essential information:

Held simultaneously with Rock am Park (Nuremberg), like V festival and Reading & Leeds in the UK, the line-ups interchange over the weekend.

This is the biggest music festival in Germany.

Headliners: Black Sabbath

More info: Website and Twitter

9. Junction 2

When: Saturday, June 4
Where: Boston Manor Park, London
Type of music: Techno
Camping?: No 
Essential information:

This is LWE’s debut festival, with stages hosted by Drumcode and The Hydra, and they’ve found an unusual outdoor industrial space to host it.

More info: Website and Twitter

10. Camden Rocks

When: Saturday, June 4
Where: Camden, London
Type of music: Rock
Camping?:  No – latest Camden hotel deals
Essential information:

See more than 200 established acts and raw newcomers across 20 different venues in Camden.

More info: Website and Twitter

11. Hampton Court Palace Festival

When: Wednesday, June 8 to Saturday, June 18
Where:  Hampton Court Palace
Type of music: Various
Camping?: No – find hotels nearby
Essential information:

This festival has probably the most historically important backdrop of all, the Tudor Courtyard at Hampton Court Palace.

Rather than spending time in muddy fields you can have a pre-concert picnic in the East Front Gardens.

Headliners: Tom Jones, Paloma Faith, Van Morrison

More info: Website and Twitter

12. Isle of Wight Festival

When: Thursday, June 9 to Sunday, June 12
Where: Isle of Wight
Type of music: Various
Camping?:  Yes
Essential information:

One of the most famous festivals in the world, thanks to the 1970 “Woodstock-level” line-up (Jimi Hendrix, The Doors etc), the event took a 32-year-break before returning in 2002.

Now it’s part family-friendly music festival, part funfair.

Headliners: Queen, Stereophonics

More info: Website and Twitter

13. Primavera Sound 2016

When: Thursday, June 9 to Saturday, June 11
Where: Porto, Portugal
Type of music: Various
Camping?: Yes
Essential information:

This spin-off from its sister festival in Barcelona (see no.7) is now in its fifth year.

You can party in the largest park in Portugal.

More info: Website and Twitter

14. Download

When: Friday, June 10 to Sunday, June 12
Where: Donington Park, Derby
Type of music: Rock, Metal
Camping?: Yes
Essential information:

Held in the centre of England (where the ley-lines of rock meet – according to organisers), this is the biggest rock festival in Britain, having started as a two-day event back in 2003.

Headliners: Rammstein, Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden

More info: Website and Twitter

15.  Wildlife

When: Saturday, June 11 to Sunday, June 12 
Where: Brighton City Airport, Brighton
Type of music: Dance, Urban, Indie
Camping?:  No – browse Brighton hotels
Essential information:

After making an award-winning debut in 2015, this festival on the south coast returns for a second weekend with a more varied line-up.

Headliners: Disclosure, Rudimental, Ice Cube

More info: Website and Twitter

16. Parklife

When: Saturday, June 11 to Sunday, June 12
Where: Heaton Park, Manchester

Parklife 2014 (c) Shane Webber & Maya Jane Coles

Type of music: Various
Camping?: No – Find hotels near Parklife
Essential information:

This is one of Manchester’s biggest festivals, and it’s curated by some of the city’s major music promoters – expect a varied and diverse line-up for the weekender.

Headliners: The Chemical Brothers, Major Lazer, Jess Glynne

More info: Website and Twitter

17. Field Day

When: Saturday, June 11 to Sunday, June 12
Where: Victoria Park, London
Type of music: Indie
Camping?: No – hotels near Victoria Park
Essential information:

While you can’t camp here, this event has a festival feel, with plenty of stages, tents and entertainment to keep you busy over the weekend.

Headliners: James Blake, PJ Harvey

More info: Website and Twitter

18. Sónar

When:  Thursday, June 16 to Saturday, June 18
Where: Barcelona
Type of music: Electronic
Camping?: No – find hotels in Barcelona 
Essential information:

They’ve been producing festivals, with a strong focus on balancing established electronic acts with newcomers, for more than two decades.

By day you’re at Fira Monjuic before heading to Fira Gran Via L’Hospitalet for the evening shows.

Headliners: New Order

More info: Website and Twitter

19. Africa Oyé

When: Saturday, June 18 to Sunday, June 19
Where: Sefton Park, Liverpool
Type of music: African music
Camping?: No – hotels near Sefton Park
Essential information:

This is the UK’s largest free celebration of African music and culture.

More info: Website and Twitter

20. Glastonbury Festival 2016

When: Wednesday, June 22 to Sunday, June 26
Where: Glastonbury, Somerset
Type of music: Various
Camping?: Yes
Essential information:

If you haven’t got a ticket to the UK’s biggest festival, you’ll have to console yourself by watching the BBC’s live coverage. While tickets for 2016 have sold out, but a reminder in your diary for October when 2017 go on sale.

Headliners: Coldplay

More info: Website and Twitter

21. Awakenings Festival 2016

When: Saturday, June 25 to Sunday, June 26
Where: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Type of music: Techno, Electronic, Dance
Camping? No – here are some hotels in nearby Amsterdam
Essential information:

One of the biggest electronic music festivals in Europe is held in the pretty Spaarnwoude park.

More info: Website and Twitter

22. Roskilde Festival

Concert at Orange Stage at Roskilde Festival 2015 – SH Luftfoto & Stiig Hougesen

When: Saturday, June 25 to Saturday, July 2
Where: Near Copenhagen, Denmark
Type of music: Various
Camping? Yes
Essential information: 

A fixture on the European scene since 1971, this is one of the biggest festivals going and its profits go to humanitarian initiatives.

Headliners: Red Hot Chili Peppers, New Order and Foals

More info: Website

23. Hideout 2016

When: Sunday, June 26 to Thursday, June 30
Where: Island of Pag, Croatia
Type of music: Electronic, Dance, House, Techno
Camping? Yes
Essential information:

This beautiful island location is the perfect place to spend a whole week dancing to some of the best electronic artists in the world.

Headliners: Jamie XX

More info: Website and Twitter

Festivals in July

24. British Summer Time

When: July
Where: Hyde Park, London
Type of music:  Various
Camping?: No – hotels near Hyde Park
Essential information:

These open-air mega gigs take over Hyde Park every July.

Headliners: Florence + The Machine, Mumford & Sons, Take That

More info: Website and Twitter

Balatan Festival. Image by Furesz Zsolt

25. Balaton Sound

When: Wednesday, July 6 to Sunday, July 10
Where: Zamárdi, Hungary
Type of music: Dance
Camping?: Yes
Essential information:

Balaton Lake is the biggest in central Europe, and each year the small town of Zamárdi to its south is transformed into a five-day dance party hub.

Headliners: Armin Van Buuren

More info: Website and Twitter

26. EXIT Festival

When: Thursday, July 7 to Sunday, July 10
Where: Novi Sad, Serbia
Type of music: Various
Camping?: Yes
Essential information:

The Petrovaradin Fortress presents an impressive backdrop to this popular European music festival, which is run by a not-for-profit organisation.

See also its sister Sea Dance Festival (no. 33).

Headliners: Ellie Goulding / Bastille

More info: Website and Twitter

27. Summer Series at Somerset House with American Express®

When: Thursday, July 7 to Sunday, July 17
Where:  Somerset House, London

Summer Series at Somerset House

Camping?: No – hotels nearby
Type of music: Various
Essential information:

These atmospheric nights in London are a popular part of summer in the city. The line-up in 2015 included George Ezra and Jessie J.

Headliners: TBA

More info: Website and Twitter

28. T in the Park

When: Friday, July 8 to Sunday, July 10
Where: Strathallan Castle, Scotland
Type of music: Various
Camping?: Yes
Essential information:

Scotland’s biggest music weekend moved to Strathallan Castle in 2015 after 21 years in Strathclyde Park and this year promises to be even bigger.

Headliners: The Stone Roses, Calvin Harris and Red Hot Chili Peppers

More info: Website and Twitter

29. Wireless

When: Friday, July 8 to Sunday, July 10
Where: Finsbury Park, London
Type of music: Various, Dance, Hip hop
Camping?: No – find hotels near Wireless festival
Essential information:

They sometimes like to spring a surprise headliner at this paean to urban music in London, which has firmly established itself on the busy capital summer scene.

Headliners: TBA

More info: Website and Twitter

30. Cruïlla Barcelona 2016

When: Friday, July 8 to Sunday, July 10
Where:  Barcelona
Type of music: Various
Camping?: No – Barcelona hotels
Essential information:

One of the biggest music festivals in Barcelona, you’ll be able to see a diverse range of musicians, along with some interesting collaborations.

You can even head there without money, you can get a smart wristband and pay for food and drinks by Pay Pal.

Headliners: Alabama Shakes, Damien Rice

More info: Website and Twitter

31. Festival Internacional de Benicàssim (FIB)

When: Thursday, July 14 to Sunday, July 17
Where:  Benicàssim, Spain
Type of music: Various
Camping?: Yes
Essential information:

Spain’s biggest festival is a big hit among the Brits, thanks to its lovely coastal location, hot weather and headline acts.

Headliners: Muse, The Chemical Brothers, Kendrick Lamar

More info: Website and Twitter

32. Super Bock Super Rock

When: Thursday, July 14 to Saturday July 16
Where: Lisbon, Portugal 
Type of music: Rock, Pop, Indie
Camping?: No – find hotels in Lisbon
Essential information:

Firmly established as one of the biggest rock and pop festivals in Europe over the last 20 years, the warm Lisbon nights make it a popular place to see some big names play.

Headliners: Disclosure, Bloc Party Kendrick Lamar

More info: Website and Twitter

33. Sea Dance Festival

When: Thursday, July 14 to Saturday, July 16
Where: Budva, Montenegro
Type of music: Dance
Camping: Yes
Essential information:

The acclaimed Jaz Beach, is the dandy home to one of the newest international music festivals – and the sister of EXIT Festival in neighbouring Serbia (see  No. 26)

More info: Website and Twitter

34. Latitude

When: Thursday, July 14 to Sunday, July 17
Where: Henham Park, Suffolk
Type of music:  Various
Camping?: Yes
Essential information:

This family-friendly festival has a laidback country vibe and expect a decent headliner, with the likes of Damon Albarn and Noel Gallagher leading the line ups in recent years.

Headliners: TBA

More info: Website and Twitter

35. Lovebox

When: Friday, July 15 to Saturday, July 16
Where: Victoria Park, London

Fair at Lovebox. Image by Annie Mole via Flicker Creative Commons

Type of music: Urban
Camping? No – hotels near Victoria Park
Essential information:

It’s come a long way since its humble beginnings in an old strip joint in Soho in 2002

Now it’s a two-day East London summer festival in the heart of Hackney.

Headliners: Major Lazer, LCD Soundsystem

More info: Website and Twitter

36. Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival

When: Friday, July 15 to Sunday, July 24
Where: Edinburgh

Bandakadabra via The Edinburgh Jazz Festival

Type of music: Jazz & Blues
Camping?: No – Edinburgh hotel deals
Essential information:

Their free Mardi Gras party in Grassmarket is one of the most popular events in the Edinburgh events calendar.

Headliners: Jools Holland, The Average White Band

More info: Website and Twitter

37. Ultra Europe

When: Friday, July 15 to Sunday, July 17 
Where: Split, Brac & Hvar in Croatia
Type of music: Electronic Dance, House
Camping?: Yes – find out more about Split and Brac
Essential information:

Last year The Chemical Brothers headlined the festival, and while they haven’t announced their line-up yet, it should contain some major names.

This Adriatic party has multiple venues, including the unique Zlatni Rat Beach, and you can also leave the shore and take a trip on one of their boat parties.

More info: Website and Twitter

38. BBC Proms

When: Friday, July 15 to Saturday, September 10
Where: London – Various locations including The Royal Albert Hall

Electric Proms (c) RounElectric-Proms-(c)-Roundhousedhouse

Type of music: Classical
Camping?: No – hotels near the Royal Albert Hall
Essential information:

Rightly able to claim the title of world’s greatest classical music festival, this is a month of performances from global names.

Proms in the Park is the popular outdoor party to compliment the renowned Last Night.

More info: Website and Twitter

39. Citadel

When: Sunday, July 17
Where:  Victoria Park, London
Type of music: Various
Camping?: No
Essential information:

This new-ish one day festival takes over from Lovebox in Hackney and offers a chilled-out musical vibe to finish the weekend.

Headliners: Sigur Rós

More info: Website and Twitter

SunceBeat 7

40. SuncéBeat 7: Chapter 1

When: Wednesday, July 20 to Wednesday, July 27
Where: The Garden Tisno, Croatia
Type of music: Dance, Urban
Camping: Yes
Essential information:

Dance til dawn under the stars at this week-long rave party which appeals to the older crowd.

Headliners: DJ Jazzy Jeff, Louie Vega

More info: Website and Twitter

41. Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF)

When: Thursday, July 21 to Sunday, July 24
Where: Liverpool
Type of music: Various (World)
Camping?: No – Find hotels in Liverpool
Essential information:

Don’t miss the free LIMF Summer Jam in historic Sefton Park, held across three days.

Headliners: Sigma

More info: Website and Twitter

42. Secret Garden Party

When:  Thursday, July 21 to Sunday, July 24
Where: Mill Hill Field, Cambridgshire
Type of music: Indie, Dance
Camping?: Yes
Essential information:

This year’s theme is “The Gardeners Guide to The Galaxy”, and you can expect a varied line-up at this alternative festival in landscaped grounds near Huntingdon.

Headliners: Caribou, Air, Primal Scream

More info: Website and Twitter

43. Tomorrowland

When: Friday, July 22 to Sunday, July 24
Where:  Boom, Belgium
Type of music: Electronic
Essential information:

This iconic European event has sold out, so its one for the diary – they have a similar pre-registration as Glastonbury. There are tickets available for their sister festival in Brasil in April however.

More info: Website

44.  Camp Bestival

When: Thursday, July 28 to Sunday, July 31
Where: Lulworth Castle, Dorset
Type of music: Various
Camping?: Yes
Essential information:

The theme for 2016 is outer space and organisers will be hoping you’re ready for blast off at this family-friendly even in July.

Headliners: Fatboy Slim, Tears for Fears and Jess Glynne

More info: Website and Twitter

Music festivals in August

45. BBC Radio 1 Weekend Ibiza 2016

When:  TBA
Where: Ibiza
Type of music: Various
Essential information:

Traditionally held on the first weekend in August, while details are still under wraps  it will be the events 21st birthday.

More info: Website

46. Wilderness

When: Thursday, August 4 to Sunday, August 7
Where: Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire
Type of music: Various
Camping: Yes
Essential information:

Organisers like you to strike a balance between relaxing and revelry at this perfect parkland in Oxfordshire (only an hour from London).

Headliners: Robert Plant, The Flaming Lips

More info: Website and Twitter

47. Boardmasters

When: Wednesday, August 10 to Sunday, August 14
Where: Newquay,  Cornwall
Type of music: Various
Camping: Yes
Essential information:

Music and surfing combine at this coastal festival, which takes place at the picturesque Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach.

Headliners: Kaiser Chiefs, Primal Scream

More info: Website and Twitter

Sziget Festival

48. Sziget Festival

When: Wednesday, August 10 to Wednesday, August 17
Where: Budapest, Hungary
Type of music: Various
Camping: Yes – or stay in a Budapest hotel
Essential information:

This festival has one of the prettiest spots, it’s on an island on the River Danube in the heart of Budapest.

Along with big-name acts, they also have some incredible art installations and projects running alongside the music.

Headliners: Muse, David Guetta

More info: Website and Twitter

Sziget Festival

49. Green Man Festival

When: Thursday, August 18 to Sunday, August 21
Where: Brecon Beacons, Wales
Type of music: Indie
Camping: Yes
Essential information:

The hills are alive with the sound of music from sun up to sun down.

Headliners: Belle & Sebastian & James Blake

More info: Website and Twitter

50. V Festival

When: Saturday, August 20 to Sunday, August 21
Where: Weston Park, Staffordshire and Hylands Park, Chelmsford
Type of music: Various
Camping: Yes
Essential information:

Come celebrate V Festival’s coming of age.

For its 21st birthday they’ve got a star-studded line-up across the dual locations.

Headliners: Justin Bieber & Rihanna

More info: Website and Twitter

Victorious 2015 (c) Matt Ankers

51. Victorious Festival

When: August Bank Holiday Weekend, Saturday, August 27 to Sunday, August 28
Where: Portsmouth
Type of music: Indie, Pop
Camping?: No – find Portsmouth hotels
Essential information: 

The pretty Southsea seafront is the location for this increasingly popular festival which promises its best line-up ever to help your bank holiday go with a bang.

Headliners: Manic Street Preachers, Noe Gallagher’s High Flying Birds

More info: Website and Twitter

52. South West Four

When: August Bank Holiday Weekend: Saturday, August 27 to Sunday, August 28
Where: Clapham Common, London

South West Four at Clapham

Type of music: Drum & Bass, House, Garage
Camping?: No – try these hotels near Clapham
Essential information:

This bank holiday dance music festival on Clapham Common just gets bigger and better and expect further line-up announcements throughout the spring.

Headliners: Rudimental, Dizzee Rascal

More info: Website and Twitter

53. Reading Festival

When: August Bank Holiday Weekend: Friday, August 26 to Sunday, August 28
Where: Reading

Royal Blood. Photographer Jen O’Neill

Type of music: Rock, Indie, Metal
Camping? Yes – or stay in a hotel in Reading 
Essential information:

The older sibling to Leeds Festival (No. 54) have been a staple of the festival circuit for decades.

The line-up alternates between the two venues over the weekend.

Headliners: Red Hot Chili Peppers and Foals

More info: Website and Twitter

54. Leeds Festival

When: August Bank Holiday Weekend: Friday, August 26 to Sunday, August 28
Where: Leeds

Leeds Festival. The Foals. Image by Marc Sethi

Type of music: Various
Camping? Yes – or stay in a Leeds hotel.
Essential information:

The first Leeds Festival took place in 1999 alongside its big brother, Reading (see no. 53), and they alternate the acts over the two days.

Headliners:  Red Hot Chili Peppers, Disclosure and Foals

More info: Website and Twitter

Night falls at Leeds Festival. Photographer Marc Sethi

55. Creamfields

When: August Bank Holiday Weekend: Thursday, August 25 to Sunday, August 28
Where: Daresbury near Warrington
Type of music: Dance, Electronic
Camping?:  Yes – here’s some more options: hotels near Creamfields
Essential information:

The UK’s most iconic dance festival is now bigger than before, with a 4th day added for 2016.

Headliners: Alesso, Knife Party,  Calvin Harris, Armin Van Buuren, Martin Garrix

More info: Website and Twitter

Music festivals in September

56. Festival No. 6

When: Thursday, September 1 to Sunday, September 4
Where: Portmeirion, Wales
Type of music: Various
Camping?: Yes
Essential information:

One of the smaller festivals, its unique coastal location at Portmeirion (famous as the location for cult-classic, The Prisoner) and ability to attract big names, has made it a big hit on the festival circuit.

Headliners: Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Hot Chip, Bastille

More info: Website and Twitter

57. Bestival

When: Thursday, September 8 to Sunday, September 11
Where: Robin Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight
Type of music: Various
Camping?:  Yes
Essential information:

This self-proclaimed boutique festival strives to bring progressive and new music to its audience in the leafy surroundings of Robin Hill on the Isle of Wight.

Festival co-Founder Rob Da Bank will be playing a special set.

Headliners: The Cure, Hot Chip, Major Lazer

More info: Website and Twitter

Find somewhere to stay

We’ve got plenty of London hotels to choose from if your’re heading to the capital for one of the scores of festivals this summer.

If you out in the countryside but don’t feel like camping – remember to check our latest hotel deals near the festival sites for a less muddy option.

Maybe one of the international festivals has caught your eye – if so our European flights could get you there.

Tell us where you’re heading this summer

We’d love to know what festivals are on your summer hit list – let us know by leaving a comment below.

The post 57 Music Festivals To Tempt You This Summer appeared first on lastminute.com Blog.

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