Music Festivals

Music Festivals in the UK have become more and more of a tradition for growing numbers of festival goers where you can experience your favourite bands and artists all at one venue. 

There is nothing like the unique atmosphere that you intake whether you are camping for the weekend or just going for the day. And this year you will be spoilt for choice with a huge range of rock, dance and pop music on offer throughout the year in the South East.

If sleeping conditions are not for you then don’t worry as there are several festivals offering ‘Glamping’ which is a more comfortable way of experiencing a festival or if you're looking to stay nearby, check out our accommodation listings.

Take a look at 2023 event highlights below as we will guide you through the best Music Festivals in South East England.

Top 5 Music Festivals in the South East

• June 15 - 18 2023, Isle of Wight Festival, Seaclose, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 2EA
• August 9 - 13 2022, Boomtown Fair, The Matterley Estate, Ovington, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 0HY
• August 18 - 20 2023, Weyfest, Tilford, Surrey, GU10 2DL
• August 25 - 27 2023, Reading Festival, Richfield Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 8EQ (sold out)
• August 25 - 27 2023, Victorious Festival, Southsea Common, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 3AE

Guide to Music Festivals across the South East

Isle of Wight Festival, (15 - 18 June 2023) returns in June in 2023.  The event offers boutique camping, refreshing retreats with luxury toliets and loos, for those looking for a more upmarket festival experience. Headliners this year include Lewis Capaldi, Kasabian and Muse.  On a smaller scale Rhythmtree Festival returns to Cowes for its 11th year.

Arguably one of the most popular music festivals in the South East is Berkshire's Reading Festival (25 - 27 August 2023). Taking place on August Bank holiday weekend, the three day music event traditionally attracts some of the best rock bands in the world despite having more dance acts in recent years. Headliners for this year include Dave, Arctic Monkeys and Rage Against The Machine.  

If you're looking for something spritual then Oxfordshire's Wilderness Festival is taking place at the start of August  (3rd - 6th August 2023) at Cornbury Park . Spread across four days the festival is ideal for nature lovers and not only does it have fantastic live music but offers contemporary arts, an array of theatre and craftsmanship. Five nights of music return again in Blenheim Palace at Nocturne Live (15th - 18th June 23)

Guildford's Weyfest (18 - 20th August 2023) is a premium boutique-style festival which has been held in the Surrey grounds at the Rural Life Centre since 2017. At the you will experience fine foods, wines, ales, ciders and lagers, cocktails and champagne bars - all at reasonable prices. There are plenty of frequently cleaned toilets that are topped up with supplies all weekend, a beautiful campsite with wonderful hot showers and great sound quality from four stages.  Headliners to be confirmed.

Hampshire & the Isle of Wight

If you’re looking for something a bit more quirky then look no further than Boomtown Fair (9 - 13  August 2022), located near Winchester. This is the festival with a difference, mixing music with actors and characters that flood the streets, huge parades and pop up sound systems on every street corner.

Portsmouth’s Victorious Festival  (25 - 27 August 2023) certainly wins the prize for best value for money with tickets from just £55 and for 2023 payment plan options are available making it easier to budget to attend. Off site camping is available with a free shuttle bus to and from the site.  The Farlington campsite has different zooms including a family friendly area, with ties it the festivals large Kids arena - shortlist  in the UK Festival Awards for Best Family Festival in 2015, 2016 & 2018.

Sussex

The Boundary Festival is a one day electronic music festival inside Brighton's Stanmer Park (24th September 22), curating a diverse lineup of house and bass music's finest names. 

South East England is home to numerous other events throughout the year from fringe festivals to food and drinks events and pilot festivals as we move out of Government restrictions.  Take a look and search by the dates you require to find out whats going on in the area.