Music Festivals

There is nothing like the unique atmosphere of a music festival, and a growing number of festival goers are heading to the South East to experience their favourite bands and artists at some of the top music festivals in the UK.  From the international-renowned Reading Festival with top artist including Billie Eilish and Sam Fender, to the Isle of Wight Festival featuring George Ezra and the Chemical Brothers.  Whether you're camping for the weekend or just going for the day, you will be spoilt for choice with a huge range of rock, dance and pop music on offer throughout the year.

Top Music Festivals in the South East

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

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

All Music Festivals Guide across the South East

Arguably one of the most popular festivals in the UK 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 The Killers and Billie Eilish. 

Isle of Wight Festival, (15 - 18 June 2023) returns in June in 2023.  The event offers boutique camping, refreshing retreats with luxury toilets and loos, for those looking for a more upmarket festival experience. Headliners this year include Robbie Williams and George Ezra.  

If you're looking for something spiritual then Oxfordshire's Wilderness Festival is taking place at the start of August  (3 - 6 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.

Guildford's Weyfest (18 - 20 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.

If you’re looking for something a bit more quirky then look no further than Boomtown Fair (9 - 13  August 2023), 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. The summer festival offers off site camping 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.

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.

Music Festivals near me

Many of the mainstream festivals are well known and a must do, for any regular festival goer.  However, there are a whole host of other smaller UK music festivals, concerts and events celebrating different styles and genre that are ideal for the general music lovers.  Here are some of our top pics from across the destination showcasing a mix of UK music including alternative rock, jazz, folk and classical.  You can find others on the events pages which you can explore by county.

• 8th April 2023, Takedown Festival, Portsmouth Guildhall, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2AB
  One of the South’s favourite independent alternative-rock and metal festival in a new venue
• 10th - 13th May 2023, The Great Escape Festival, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 2GS
  Showcasing 500 emerging artists from all over the world in 30+ venues across the city and a pop-up festival site on Brighton Beach
• 2nd June - 9th July, The Bexhill Festival of Music, venues around Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex
  A programme full of events celebrating internationally renowned performers, live music and local talent. Country & Western, Jazz, Choral, Folk, Rock & Roll, Classical.
• 14th - 17th June 23, Nocturne Live, Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, OX20 1PP
  Nocturne Live turns The Great Court at Blenheim Palace into a grand arena with artists including Lionel Richie, Pete Tong and Gregory Porter.
• 8th July 23, Leeds Castle Concert, Leeds Castle, Leeds Village, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 1PL
  Spectacular open-air classical concert with famous performers, before a spectacular Spitfire fly-over from the Aero Legends Stable and fireworks finale!
• 29th July 2023, Summer Concert at Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Havenstreet, Isle Of Wight, PO33 4DS
  The Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra returns for their third outdoor concert at Havenstreet station. Enjoy fabulous music with steam trains as a backdrop. 
• 3rd - 6th August 2023, Wickham Festival, Wickham, Fareham, Hants, PO17 5HD
  Set on outskirts of historic Wickham village provide a picturesque setting for one of the safest and most relaxed festivals of the summer
• 11th - 18th August 23, Broadstairs Folk Week, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 1QL
  A huge event on the Isle's calendar, Broadstairs Folk Week welcomes hundreds of musicians playing in beer gardens, church halls or on stage.
• 15th - 20th August 23, The Wight Proms, Northwood House, West Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8AZ
  Comedy, Musicals, Drag, Dance, Opera and Classic proms come to the Isle of Wight
• 23rd - 28th August 2023, Rye Jazz & Blues Festival, St Mary's Church, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7HF
  A mix of ticketed and free music events taking place at local venues in Rye
• 30th September 23, Boundary Festival, Brighton Stanmer Park, East Sussex, BN1 6JG
  One day electronic music festival in East Sussex offering a diverse line up of house and bass music's finest names.