We need the unbridled freedom of a music festival more than ever after the last few years we've had. Even if it's just a few days, there's something euphoric about dancing it out with your friends in a field, clad in your craziest wardrobe pieces, as strobe lights and music blare out across the crowds. And, as it turns out, festivals need us just as much - after taking a battering thanks to the pandemic, the hiatus is finally over, and the UK festival scene is bad with vengeance.
Of course, there are the big hitters when it comes to 2023 UK festivals led by the likes of Glastonbury (with Elton John having been announced as the 2023 Pyramid Stage headliner) and Creamfields, as well as the return of favourites (Secret Garden Party returned for the first time in 2022 after a break), then there are those for wellness wanderers (hello, Wilderness), for spiritual seekers (Shambala in Northamptonshire is an eco-friendly, ethereal playground) and city day festivals for the time poor, or for those just dipping their toe in (like London's All Points East) as well as a whole clutch of others.
“The fact of where I've been to make it, that to me is the victory."
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So, flex your vocal cords, warm up your dance moves and dig out that tent because here are the best 2023 UK festivals to buy a ticket for. Your future self will thank you!
Best for: The ultimate festive vibes! If you haven't done Glastonbury yet, then what are you waiting for? It's a right of passage for all music lovers with its A-list performances, all-night parties and delicious pop-up food stalls. 2023 tickets have sold out, but keep an eye out for the resale in April.
2023 line-up: Yet to be confirmed.
Date and location: Wednesday 21 June – Sunday 25 June 2023. Glastonbury, Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset
Best for: All electronic-music lovers, Creamfields is the one for you! Full to the brim with the best DJs playing epic tunes, this festival is dubbed the "biggest dance festival in the UK", so don't miss out!
2023 line-up: Swedish House Mafia, Calvin Harris, Tiesto
Date and location: Thursday 24 – Sunday 27 August 2023. Creamfields, Daresbury Estate, Cheshire
Best for: If you're a music lover but also a sustainability warrior, then Shambala is the place for you as it embraces the spiritual side of festival-going. The festival has been meat, fish and dairy-milk free since 2016 and focuses on 100 per cent renewable power. There are also opportunities to get involved in poetry, cabaret, debates etc. You're spoilt for choice!
2023 line-up: Yet to be confirmed.
Date and location: Thursday 24 – Sunday 27 August 2023. Shambala Festival, Secret Country Estate, Northamptonshire
Best for: No need to dig out your tents for this one-day uber-cool London festival, which is set to be headlined by Stormzy for its 2023 date. The rapper will also be curating the rest of the festival! Can't wait!
2023 line-up: Stormzy
Date and location: Friday 18 August 2023. All Points East, Victoria Park, London
Best for: Given Latitude's relaxed feel, it's great to attend with the family. As well as huge performances, there is a slew of other activities to do, including walking within the nearby woodland area and trying all the international dishes on offer.
2023 line-up: Pulp, Paolo Nutini, George Ezra, The Kooks
Date and location: Thursday 20 July – Sunday 23 July 2023. Latitude, Henham Park, Suffolk
Best for: A fan of everything sci-fi related? The Secret Garden Party has you covered with a super cool intergalactic theme that will catapult you to the stars and beyond on board the Starship SGP.
2023 line-up: Underworld, The Libertines, Fat Freddy's Drop
Date and location: Thursday 20 – Sunday 23 July 2023. Secret Garden Party, Mill Hill Field, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire
Best for: Wilderness truly does feel like the wilderness when you're tented up in stunning woodland within the Cornbury Park estate. This festival also boasts several alternative acts, such as comedians and authors. Oh yes, and there's plenty of good food!
2023 line-up: The Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, Christine and the Queens, Sugababes
Date and location: Thursday 3 – Sunday 6 August 2023. Wilderness Festival, Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire
Best for: Camo Bestival's theme for 2023 is Animal Snap! so you can imagine the backdrop for the event will be absolutely magical! Come prepared with a wild fancy dress outfit!
2023 line-up: Craig David, The Kooks, Ella Henderson, Grace Jones
Date and location: Thursday 27 July – Sunday 30 July 2023. Camp Bestival, Lulworth Castle, Dorset
Best for: Isle of Wight is an iconic festival with some of the most iconic names in history having played there in the past (Think Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Lionel Richie). Music aside, you'll also find opportunities to get involved in comedy shows, theatre performances, film screenings and more.
2023 line-up: Robbie Williams, N-Dubz, Blondie, Pulp
Date and location: Thursday 15 June – Sunday 18 June 2023. Isle of Wight Festival, Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight
Best for: All you outdoorsy people, why not head down to the beachy coast of Cornwall to enjoy some sun, sea and surfing, as well as epic music performances?
2023 line-up: Liam Gallagher, Florence + the Machine, Example
Date and location: Wednesday 9 – Sunday 13 August 2023. Boardmasters, Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay, Newquay, Cornwall
Best for: The Brecon Beacons in Wales aren't just for hiking but for kicking back and relaxing at one of the most scenic festivals in the UK. As well as its indie, folk and alternative rock music on blast, you can also get involved in activities such as sound therapy and science workshops.
2023 line-up: Yet to be confirmed.
Date and location: Thursday 17 – Sunday 20 August 2023. Green Man, Crickhowell, Brecon Beacons, Wales
Best for: An intimate four-day extravaganza, Lost Village is billed as a networking of winding paths, derelict houses and overgrown courtyards that leads to an incredible experience of music, fine dining and making friends for life.
2023 line-up: Yet to be confirmed.
Date and location: Friday 25 – Monday 28 August 2023. Lost Village Festival, Lincolnshire
Best for: Reading and Leeds Festival is one of the most popular festivals out there and brings back wild teenage memories of us jamming to incredible headline acts with our besties. Go on and make some memories too!
2023 line-up: Billie Eilish, Sam Fender, Foals, The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Lewis Capaldi
Date and location: Friday 25 – Sunday 27 August 2023. Reading Festival, Richfield Avenue, Reading
Best for: El Dorado is billed as the "ultimate expression of togetherness and beauty" with its eclectic inclusivity of music, positive attitude and nature. Definitely, a place to leave all your worries at the door!
2023 line-up: Yet to be confirmed.
Dare and Location: Thursday 6 July – Sunday 9 July 2023. El Dorado Festival, Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire
Best for: Bluedot is a stunningly unique weekend full of music, science, cosmic culture and family fun. What more could you want?
2023 line-up: Max Richter
Date and location: Thursday 20 – Sunday 23 July 2023. Bluedot Festival, Jodrell Bank Observatory, Cheshire
Best for: Get lost in genres such as reggae, soul, disco and punk at the festival's famous Forest Parties before enjoying a good night of sleep at the nearby Campsite Villages. Sounds like bliss!
2023 line-up: Yet to be confirmed.
Date and location: Wednesday 9 August – Sunday 13 August 2023. Bloomtown Festival, Temple Valley, Winchester
Best for: The best place you can be in 2023 to indulge in your love for jazz music. If that's not your thing, there's also plenty of reggae, R&B and soul music to keep you going, and wellbeing and yoga areas and film screenings.
2023 line-up: Thundercat, Marcus Miller, Gabriels, Candi Staton
Date and location: Friday 30 June – Sunday 2 July 2023. Love Supreme, Glynde Place, East Sussex
Best for: You have it all at Noisily, including techno, tribal house, dub and drum’n’bass, and a ten-metre-high pyramid that blasts all the sounds you could ever want!
2023 line-up: Yet to be confirmed.
Date and location: Date and location: Thursday 6 July – Sunday 9 July 2023. Noisily Festival, Barkestone Woods, just outside Grantham, Lincolnshire
Best for: Parklife has seen the likes of 50 Cent, Lewis Capaldi, and Megan Thee Stallion take to its stage in the past, making it one of the best-known and most loved UK festivals out there. So why not join in on the action?
2023 line-up: Yet to be confirmed.
Date and location: Saturday 10 June – Sunday 11 June 2023. Parklife, Heaton Park, Manchester
Best for: If you want to step back in time and listen to a few good throwback bangers, then The Mighty Hoopla is the one to attend. You'll also want to take advantage of the mass-singalong karaoke! Microphones at the ready!
2023 line-up: Kelly Rowland, Jamelia, Kelis, Years & Years
Date and location: Saturday 3 June – Sunday 4 June 2023. Mighty Hoopla, Brockwell Park, Norwood Road, London
Best for: Diversity within the dance music community, with a varied line-up spanning house, disco, jazz, techno, jungle and afrobeat.
2023 line-up: Jordan Rakei, Kerri Chandler, Overmono, Jamz Supernova & Horse Meat Disco.
Date and location: Friday May 26th – Sunday May 28th 2023. Peckham Rye Park, London.
Best for: Pleasing everybody. Whether you're a live music fan, want to rave with your favourite DJs, fancy belly laughing with comedians like Joe Lycett or watch a lovely family shows overlooking the stunning panoramic views across the whole city. Kaleidoscope has you covered.
2023 line-up: Hot Chip, George Fitzgerald, Gaz Coombes, Erol Alkan & Heidi.
Date and location: Saturday 15th July 2023. Alexandra Palace, London.
Best for: This is more for the schmoozers amongst you, as The Great Escape usually sees new artists showing off their talents as well as their unique new sounds.
2023 line-up: Bambie Thug, Deyaz, Jessica Winter, Artemas
Date and location: Wednesday 10 May – Saturday 13 May 2023. The Great Escape, Brighton, East Sussex
