Maidstone
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.
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.
Take a look at the event highlights below as we will guide you through the best music festivals 2023 in South East England.
Isle of Wight Festival, (20 - 23 June 2024) returns in June in 2024. The award winning Isle of Wight Festival is steeped in history and famed for mixing iconic legendary artists with the hottest up and coming acts
If you're looking for something spiritual then Oxfordshire's Wilderness Festival is taking place at the start of August (1 - 4 August 2024) 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.
Portsmouth’s Victorious Festival (23 - 25 August 2024) certainly wins the prize for best value for money with tickets from just £55 and for 2024 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.
Arguably one of the most popular festivals in the UK is Berkshire's Reading Festival (21 - 25 August 2024). 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.
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.
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.
Number of results: 13
Festival
Rye
Exceptional artists hit the heart of Rye for the International Jazz and Blues Festival.
Festivals
Woodstock
Nocturne Live turns The Great Court at Blenheim Palace into a grand arena, as befits the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. We invite world-class acts, building a stage and putting out 7,000 seats to bring live music back to the palace after a…
Festival
Portsmouth
Victorious Festival returns for 2024 - bringing some of the biggest bands and artists to Southsea Common.
Music
Brighton
A brand new festival for Brighton, escape to a land unexplored as a brand new festival lands on the South Coast. Let the adventure begin.
2022 festival update
We have combined both days into one huge day and added an extra 4th arena which has…
Festival
Reading
One of the biggest musical festivals in the world, every year over 90,000 people flock to the Richfield Avenue site to experience the iconic event.
Festival
Cornbury Park, Charlbury
Wilderness is the multi-award winning 4-day festival combining live music, contemporary arts and an array of theatre, craftsmanship and dining experiences. It's a rich tapestry of musicians, chefs, thinkers, actors, outdoor experts and teachers.
Dance / Dancing
Brighton
After the best edition of Boundary ever, we are returing once again this year.
Join us at Brighton’s biggest dance music festival to once again close summer and festival season in spectacular style.
Taking the best of Brighton’s creative energy,…
Music
Lewes
The Love Supreme Jazz Festival is a 3 day greenfield jazz festival held in the first weekend of July in the stunning surroundings of Glynde Place in the beautiful South Downs in East Sussex.
It is the first full weekend camping jazz festival in the…
Festivals
Basingstoke
Carfest South will be returning to Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire in August as One Big Carfest. The 2,500 acres farm, near Overton, is owned by ex-racing driver and 1979 Formula 1 World Champion Jody Scheckter.
Festival
Portsmouth
The South’s favourite independent alternative-rock and metal festival - TAKEDOWN - will return in 2024, landing at Portsmouth Guildhall.
Festival
Brighton
The Great Escape is the festival for new music, showcasing 500 emerging artists from all over the world in 30+ walkable venues across the city and a pop-up festival site on Brighton Beach. It’s the first place to discover your new favourite artist…
Festival
Fareham
Wickham Festival is a 4-day music & arts festival held every August in a stunningly beautiful rural location near the historic village of Wickham in Hampshire.
Festivals
Winchester
The small but mighty Mucky Weekender music & arts Festival returns on 8-9 September 2023 and will once again proudly be supporting the local charity “Tonic Music For Mental Health” for whom organiser Barry Ashworth is patron along with Terry Hall…