These are the best UK music festivals of 2021 (and which ones you can still attend)
It was touch-and-go as to whether many festivals would actually happen this year. However – since most lockdown restrictions lifted on 19 July 2021 – the British festival industry is optimistic that many of our favourite festivals in the UK are still going ahead.
We are not trying to get your hopes up, all we’re saying is that if you snooze, you lose. So here's to hoping everyone is ready to pack their overnight bags, the glitter and the outfits you have been holding on to for the past year… What better way to wack out the the neon eyeliners and your pleather bum bags than during festival season?
If Covid-19 has you a little worried about travelling abroad, never fear – there's a wide selection of heavenly tunes on British soil. You don’t have to be catching flights to catch a wine… or to simply get outside and celebrate life. We’ve had plenty of time to don the ultimate festival makeup looks, as we set off on a tour around the best music festivals in the UK this summer.
From the free-loving, arty and airy-light to the earthy, bitter and sarcastic, there’s something for everyone stuck on this island. Love a bit of Techno and know the names of all the latest DJs? Or is singing/rapping along to the latest chart-topping, pop-locking and TikTok dance-loving bangers more your vibe? Are you looking to rock a flower crown and tiptoe through a forest? Maybe you're just keen to get a group of mates together on a (potentially) sunny afternoon and dance the day away? Whatever your heart calls for, whether you live in the city or the rural countryside, there’s an event in the UK for you.
If, like us, your still mourning Glastonbury's cancellation for a second year running, or you’re too concerned about travel to hit up Tomorrowland in Belgium or Afronation in Algarve, Portugal, you can rest assured there's a whole host of UK festivals boasting some of the best in universal talent. Hot Girl Summer activated!
Here’s our full roundup of the best UK music festivals in 2021 that aren't to be missed. I know we say this every summer, but this time it's different... Buckle up, because something tells us this summer has all the potential to be absolutely epic.
For more from Glamour UK Beauty & Features Assistant Shei Mamona, follow her on Instagram @sheimamona
When: Saturday 18th September
What to expect: Labyrinth Open Air invites you to the stunning grounds of Tofte Manor, where you'll be treated to a unique rave meets festival experience. Headline acts include Dixon & Âme who will be performing together for the first time since 2019 among a host of other amazing emerging talents! This is one not to be missed.
Can't Miss: Roam around the fairytale like grounds before enjoying headline acts Dixon & Âme joint performance.
Ticket Cost: 1st release will cost you £40, final release costs £65 or treat yourself to the VIP/Labyrinth Experience Pass costing £150.
When: 10-13 September
What to expect: A luxury camping weekend bringing the spirit of Ibiza to Somerset, the world-famous rock ’n’ roll hotel Pikes Ibiza is bringing delicious food, gorgeous music and luxury glamping the great English countryside. There will be delicious al fresco banquets, artisan picnics, food trucks, a lakeside bar, luxury bell tents, and a line-up including Sally Rodgers, Faithless DJ Set, Bushwacka!, Demi Ríquisimo, Jamie Low and Groove Armada DJ set (Andy Cato & Tom Findley).
Can't Miss: Did we mention the lakeside bar?
Ticket Cost: Day and weekend tickets from £25. Weekend camping from £1140 per Bell Tent (based on two adults for three days inclusive of accommodation and all weekend entertainment).
YAM Carnival, Clapham Common London
The Festival: YAM Carnival
When: Saturday 28 August 2021
What to expect: A weekend celebration of the African diaspora, including Caribbean and Latin American culture, with music and food from across the world.
Can't Miss: EVERYONE: From Kehlani, NSG, Koffee, Ari Lennox, Pa Salieu, Darkoo, Nao, Princess Nokia, Ms Banks, Midas The Jagaban.. List goes on!
Ticket Cost: From £66.95.
Metrofest, Trent Park London
The Festival: Metrofest
When: Sunday 8 August 2021
What to expect: Hosted by Capital Xtra Reloaded, Metrofest’s Main Stage lineup reads like an R&B hall of fame, but expect smooth and soulful grooves to the programme and a hefty portion of nostalgia and plenty of good-time vibes.
Can't Miss: Singing live to What’s Luv along with Fat Joe.
Ticket Cost: Early Bird Ticket from £38.81 but they’re selling out quick quick!
All Points East, Victoria Park London
The festival: All Points East
When: Friday 27-Monday 30 August, 2021
What To Expect: East London's most glorious public park transformed into a whirlwind of musical delights, street food and activities, this is one day festival not to be missed.
Can’t Miss: Jorja Smith, Kano, Mahalia, Tom Misch and many more...
Ticket Cost: From £61.60 for a general admission day ticket, with multi-day savings available.
Strawberries & Creem, Cambridge
The festival: Strawberries & Creem
When: Saturday 18-Sunday 19 September, 2021
What To Expect: A mix of hot new talent and some throwback acts, if Grime, RnB, unforgettable noughties throwbacks and hip hop are your thing, this sixth installation of the Cambridge day festival is the perfect non-muddy open-air experience.
Can’t Miss: Hollering at Burna Boy from the top of your lungs...
Ticket Cost: £65.95 for day ticket and £131.50 for weekend.
ALT+LDN, Clapham Common, London
The Festival: ALT+LDN
When: Monday 30 August, 2021
What to expect: A Judgement Night soundtrack brought to life, ALT+LDN unites alternative rock and hip hop together, drawing both camps together for one huge blow out in Clapham at the end of August.
Can't Miss: Playboi Carti, Architects, Lil Yachty, Machine Gun Kelly
Ticket Cost: Tickets from £66.95.
TRNSMT Festival, Glasgow Green
The festival: TRNSMT
When: Friday 10-Sunday 12 September, 2021
What to expect: A wholesome weekend in the Scottish sunshine for this fantastic day festival extravaganza.
Can't miss: Snow Patrol undoubtedly bringing us all to tears as he closes the Sunday night.
Ticket Cost: Day tickets start from £62.50 with weekend tickets from £165.
Wireless Festival, Finsbury Park, London
The festival: Wireless Festival
When: Friday 10-Sunday 12 September, 2021
What to expect: Three days of urban, experimental sounds with the finest of London’s homegrown talent and the best in new DJs...
Can't miss: A UK festival exclusive with global sensation hip hop group Migos, CEO of Hot Girl Summer Megan Thee Stallion and the best of British grime scene courtesy of Skepta.
Ticket Cost: Day tickets start at £77.50., Saturday is already sold out. Weekend tickets are £145 for two days, £202.50 for all three days.
Cross The Tracks, Brockwell Park Brixton
The Festival: Cross The Tracks Festival
When: Friday 6 and Sunday 8 August, 2021
What to expect: A mixture of the very best in soul, funk and jazz, from living legends to rising stars.
Can't Miss: Jamming to charming Masego and screaming every line at Ella May’s Boo’ed up.
Ticket Cost: Second Release from £49.90 and 2-day early bird tickets from £66.45.
Kendal Calling, Lake District
The festival: Kendal Calling
When: Thursday 29 July-Sunday 1 August, 2021
What To Expect: Ascend to the Lake District's Lowther Deer Park for four days in the rolling fields at this family-friendly indie-dance festival, with DJs, throwbacks and classic festival favourites.
Can’t Miss: If headliners Stereophonics aren't enough of a pull, throwbacks like Dizzie Rascal and Craig Davids’s TS5 will surely have you getting down.
Ticket Cost: Kendal Calling 2021 is now officially SOLD OUT but a limited number of tickets may become available so you can join the waiting list.
Edinburgh Summer Sessions, Scotland
The Festival: Edinburgh Summer Sessions
When: Monday 9-Sunday 15 August, 2021
What to expect: Absolute legends in music; from Tom Jones to Anne Marie, all your headline heroes are taking to the stage with Edinburgh Castle as the backdrop of this musical accompaniment to the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival.
Can't Miss: Lionel Richie getting the crowd singing All Night Long...
Ticket Cost: Starting at £38,50 depending on the headliner on your day.
Isle of Wight Festival, Newport, Isle of Wight
The Festival: Isle of Wight Festival
When: Thursday 16-Sunday 19 September, 2021
What to expect: Hosted by Capital Xtra Reloaded, Metrofest’s Main Stage lineup reads like an R&B hall of fame, but expect smooth and soulful grooves to the programme and a hefty portion of nostalgia and plenty of good-time vibes.
Can't Miss: Liam Gallagher himself, and all those David Guetta and Snow Patrol throwbacks.
Ticket Cost: Day tickets from £60, Adult Weekend tickets from £185, but there are discounted prices for students (£170), teens (£165), children (£0-£5) and locals (£145).
Lost Village Festival, Lincolnshire
The festival: Lost Village Festival
When: Thursday 26-Sunday 29 August, 2021
What to expect: A surreal wilderness weekend in an earthly forest, featuring the best in food pop-ups, dance, yoga, fashion and let’s not forget, a stellar musical line-up.
Can't miss: All the up and coming talent that will be on everybody’s lips...
Ticket Cost: They’re sold out for now, but there is an option to join a waiting list for potential last release starting from £240 + booking fee. Hop to it!
Parklife Festival, Heaton Park, Manchester
The festival: Parklife
When: Saturday 11-Sunday 12 September, 2021
What To Expect: Epic stages of music to boogie the day and night away with Manchester's cutting-edge line-up including electronic icons with The Warehouse Project.
Can’t Miss: Brits Award-winning genius Dave.
Ticket Cost: Unfortunately they’re sold out, unless you ur still holding on to the tickets from 2020, if so contact the enquiries team.
Wilderness Festival, Abbots Rippon, Oxfordshire
The Festival: Wilderness
When: August 5th - August 8th
What To Expect: One of the most innovative festivals out there, Wilderness is notorious for its slick production, fantastical themes and elaborate fancy dress. One of the UKs finest for top notch food - St John’s banquet anyone? - and every wild new drinks brand you can think of. There’s even something for the (almost) non-drinkers; check out The High Water Beach Bar with their Cotswold water hard seltzer and all your favorite Made in Chelsea DJs. Expect a dip in the lake, musical bingo, talks from the likes of Alice Eady and Grace Campbell and immersive theatre, not to forget a massive nine music stages.
Can't Miss: The Valley stage for late night party goers, no kids allowed until 4am. Look out for music from The Blessed Madonna, Jayda G and Craig Charles.
Tickets Cost: Still available from £225 plus booking fees.
