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, (18th - 21st June 26) returns in June 2026. 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 Lewis Capaldi, Calvin Harris and The Cure as headlomers,
If you're looking for something spiritual then Oxfordshire's Wilderness Festival is taking place at the end of July (30th July - 2nd August 2026) 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. Headlining in 2026 is Scissor Sisters, Carl Cox and more!
Portsmouth’s Victorious Festival (28th - 30th August 2026) 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 Richard Ashcroft and Kasabian.
Arguably one of the most popular festivals in the UK is Berkshire's Reading Festival (27th - 30th August 2026). 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 Chase & Status, Dave, Charli XCX 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 picks 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: 44
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Festival
Cornbury Park, Charlbury
Wilderness is the multi-award winning 4-day festival combining live music, contemporary arts, and an array of theatre, craftsmanship,p and dining experiences. It's a rich tapestry of musicians, chefs, thinkers, actors, outdoor experts, and teachers.
Festival
Portsmouth
Victorious Festival returns for 2026 - bringing some of the biggest bands and artists to Southsea Common.
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…
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
Margate
Margate Soul Weekender the ultimate celebration of world-class music, vibrant performances, and soulful connection.
Set against Margate's stunning seaside backdrop, this will include the biggest and best lineup yet!
Music
Broadstairs
For one glorious week in August, Broadstairs is filled with the sound of folk music. A huge event on the Isle's calendar, Broadstairs Folk Week welcomes hundreds of musicians playing in beer gardens, church halls or on stage. With over 400 events…
Festival
Ipsden
Wood is an award-winning, family-friendly festival of music and nature taking place in the beautiful surrounds of Braziers Park, Oxfordshire.
Wood includes a full programme of grassroots musical performances on two stages, two days of talks and…
Festival
Newbury
The Newbury Spring Festival is a long‑running annual arts festival in Newbury, England, known for bringing world‑class music, performance, and cultural events to the region each spring. We host up to 45 events at 18 different venues.
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…
Music
Banbury
Music at the Crossroads is an annual 3-day music festival which raises money for national and local charities, including Blood Cancer UK and the Firefighters Charity.
Music
Maidstone
Join us for the must-see summer event in Kent, the Leeds Castle Concert on Saturday 11th July 2026.
Music
Oxford
The Waterperry Opera Festival takes place over 10 days in the Oxfordshire countryside.
Music
Maidenhead
A tribute born of respect.
From the fire of Cream to the soul of the Dominos and the enduring hits of the solo years, Derick Clapton and the Dynamos are the definitive Eric Clapton tribute. A five-piece band delivering a live show steeped in blues,…
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.
Music
Hook Norton, Banbury
Music at the Crossroads is an annual 3 day music festival which raises money for national and local charities, including Blood cancer UK and the Firefighters Charity. 2026 is our 30th year and we're looking forwards to yet another fabulous weekend…
Music
The Old Court St Leonard's Road,, Windsor
Long Walk Live is a brand new, two-day music event that, with kind permission from His Majesty The King, will be held on The Long Walk, near Windsor Castle on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 June 2026.
We invite you to pack up your picnic basket, gather…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Horsham
1, 2 & 3 May and 22, 23 & 24 May 2026
May Bank Holidays | 18+ event | Starts 18:00 | From £6.65 per person | FREE parking for the event
Leonardslee Lates returns for six spring evenings of live music, street food and Sussex sparkling wine set…
Music
Brighton
Boasting four huge stages of music, the biggest '00s and '90s bands, artists and DJs from around the world, funfair rides, a '90s arcade, Retro Bars, an RnB Roller Disco, Gormet Street Food, Exclusive VIP area and so much more, this is the ultimate…
Festival
Maidstone
Maid of Stone festival is a 3-day rock music event held in Maidstone, Kent
Festival
Southampton
Southampton Summer Sessions 2026 returns to Guildhall Square in June 2026, transforming the city’s Cultural Quarter into a vibrant open-air concert venue. Across several nights from 12–27 June, the series brings together a diverse line-up of…