Credit Visit Isle of Wight
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: 50
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Music
Reading
Down at the Abbey is an independent music festival in the Reading Abbey Ruins.
Music
Winchester
Immerse yourself in the original, psychedelic, full dome Planetarium visualisation of Pink Floyd's iconic album, The Dark Side of the Moon at Winchester Science Centre.
Music
Reading
Concerts on The Mount returns to Wasing Estate this summer, bringing artists and audiences together in such a breathtaking natural space always makes for powerful, lasting memories.
Welcoming a host of incredible shows at our one-of-a-kind woodland…
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…
Music
Margate
25th year of Margate Soul Weekender - A packed weekend of live music celebrating Margate's relationship with soul music plus funk, disco, reggae and house within venues, on streets and piazzas plus beachside stages.
General event
Southampton
Steam down Southampton Water to the Solent, passing cruise ships in berth, and on your return see the cruise ships Norwegian Sky and Seven Seas Grandeur depart – always the chance to sound our whistle and play the ‘Shieldhall Organ’! We welcome on…
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…
Music
Haywards Heath
Inspired by the world of Bridgerton and set in a wild botanical garden, this open-air concert at Kew Wakehurst, reimagines modern music through a classical lens with chart-topping hits transformed into a stunning string performance in the West…
General event
Southampton
Steam down Southampton Water to the Solent, complete with musical accompaniment, and seeing the departing cruise ships – always the chance to sound our whistle and play the ‘Shieldhall Organ’!
Enjoy an evening in the company of The Dinner Set, two…
Music
Haywards Heath
Experience Jane Austen as you've never seen her: her voice, her music, her world. Featuring actor Nina Wadia OBE, soprano Claire Booth and Andrew Matthews‑Owen on piano, this open‑air performance blends her letters with music by Handel, Mozart,…
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.
Festival
Henley On Thames
With its wonderful range of entertainment in a breathtaking setting on the banks of the River Thames and with some of the best wining and dining seen at any Festival, Henley Festival makes for a highly glamorous party not to be missed, with stars on
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.
Music
Margate
The Margate Country Music Festival returns to The Oval, a day filled with live music, dancing, competitions, games and DJ’s.
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
Portsmouth
Victorious Festival returns for 2026 - bringing some of the biggest bands and artists to Southsea Common.
Music
Waterperry
WATERPERRY GARDENS, Moonrakers annual concert in the fabulous open-air Amphitheatre (or a marquee if raining).
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.
Music
Deal
Enjoy this year's annual Deal Music and Arts Festival, which takes over the town of Deal in Kent for ten days this July.
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.
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