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 2025 in South East England.
Isle of Wight Festival, (19 - 22 June 2025) returns in June 2025. 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 - this year welcoming Sting, Stereophonics and Justin Timberlake.
If you're looking for something spiritual then Oxfordshire's Wilderness Festival is taking place at the end of July (31 July - 3 August 2025) 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 (22 - 24 August 2025) 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. Head along this year to see artists such as Queens of the Stone Age and Kings of Leon.
Arguably one of the most popular festivals in the UK is Berkshire's Reading Festival (21 - 24 August 2025). 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. This year artists include Limp Bizkit, Hozier, Bring Me The Horizon, Travis Scott and many more!
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: 47
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Festival
Smugglers Festival is a gathering on the last weekend of summer each year, on a beautiful woodland in East-Kent. It’s a small, intimate festival, rooted in community from the outset.
Music
Gosport
3 stages of music and cabaret, with well over 60 top acts.. Award winning world street food, Wellbeing and healing area, burlesque, Rock School and kids activities and entertainment, and more…
Festivals
Sandwhich
Established in 2010, Sandwich Folk and Ale Festival is a multi-arts festival that highlights traditional and contemporary folk-life and folk arts, in a beautiful medieval town of Sandwich in Kent.
Music
Christchurch
The ultimate summer party comes to Christchurch, Dorset, this July 18th-20th. The X Church Music Festival will be welcoming a host of local talent from across Dorset and beyond, with 50+ acts over the weekend! With 3 stages on 3 days at Christchurch…
Festival
Ovington, Alresford
A world of unity, creativity & freedom, Boomtown Fair is a four day festival set in the Matterley bowl in Hampshire, UK on the second weekend of August. Boomtown fuses a diverse line-up of underground and global music with boundary pushing immersive…
Festival
Winchester
It's going to be a wild weekend this September as Dub Pistols bring their diverse mix of iconic acts to the festival at Vicarage Farm in Winchester. The 2025 line-up features Groove Armada, Fabio & Grooverider, David Rodigan, Alison Limerick, Don…
Music
Cobham
Painshill Live Music Lates return for Summer 2025
Listen to a live band in the beautiful surroundings of The Great Lawn at the top of the historical vineyard.
On these summer evenings Painshill will be open 5.30pm until 9pm (last entry 8pm) so you…
Music
Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St. Giles
6 July – 12:30pm until 6:30pm
Chiltern Open Air Museum are pleased to be hosting Bucks Music Trust's Summer Festival this summer. Around 600 amateur musicians, ranging from beginners to advanced, will be performing on two stages in the open air,…
Festivals
Basingstoke
The fantastically successful award-winning Basingstoke Festival returns this summer. This event is a must for your calendar and is a fantastic opportunity for those living or visiting Hampshire over the summer.
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
Petersfield
The second Petersfield Jazz & Blues festival will be held in the grounds of Churcher's College and feature 12 bands and many internationally renowned musicians. With over 10 hours of live music, food and drink vendors, set under two large marquees…
Music
Winchester,
Part of Winchester Jazz Festival
Direct from London's world-famous jazz club and combining world class live jazz, narration and rare archive photos and video footage, The Ronnie Scott's All Stars return to Winchester with a brand-new programme of…
Festival
Maidenhead
This August, Maidenhead Festival brings you Live and Local: Summer Sounds — a celebration of music, sunshine, and community spirit right in the heart of town.
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.
Festival
Lewes
The Love Supreme Jazz Festival is a three-day greenfield music festival held annually on the first weekend of July in Glynde Place in the South Downs of East Sussex. It includes a spectrum of musical styles adjacent to jazz, such as funk, soul,…
Festival
Maidstone
Maid of Stone festival is a 3-day rock music event held in Maidstone, Kent
Based in the beautiful Mote Park, we are a small rock festival with a 5000 capacity that has outstanding facilities, all situated close together and is described by many…
Music
Maidenhead
A new regular spot for lovers of live music who prefer their concerts in the daytime, alongside a little lunch, in a relaxed environment.
Performances take place in the Studio in a cabaret set up so you can come and go during the music if you want…
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.
Free Event
Southampton
TAPESTRY Music Festival, comes to Southampton this summer.
A brand-new free festival celebrating world-class music and culture takes inspiration from the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen, TAPESTRY reimagines her love of folk music with a modern,…
Festival
NEWPORT
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.
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