Forget the castles, the history, and the tea.
This summer, your only reason to visit the UK is to rock.
Ok, maybe slide in a museum or two, but you wouldn’t be the only international visitor spending the weekend singing and dancing during Great Britain’s summer concert season.
Warm weather brings crowds and the hottest bands to the United Kingdom for dozens of festivals and performances, including the famous Glastonbury Festival.
Glasto is amazing, iconic, and…sold out.
But Glastonbury Festival is far from the only gig in town. Check out these other huge music festivals coming to the UK in 2024.
Biggest Music Festivals in the UK 2024
Download Festival, June 14-16
London to Derby by train: 90 mins
The ultimate UK rock festival, Queens of the Stone Age, Fall Out Boy, and Avenged Sevenfold are on headlining duties as heavy metal icons such as Pantera and Machine Head take to the Opus stage. Check out Limp Bizkit, Wheatus, Hoobastank, and Sum 41 for teenage nostalgia. Royal Blood's Download Festival debut and an appearance by Japan's BABYMETAL show that rockers of all genres will unite in the UK at Donington Park.
Latitude Festival, July 25-28
London to Halesworth by train: 2 hours
Bring the whole clan to Henham Park this July. Latitude Festival is one of the best family-friendly concerts in the UK. Days of lake swimming, paddle board yoga, cooking sessions, and theater fill this weekend, headlined by musical acts including Kasabian, London Grammar, Duran Duran, Khruangbin, Keane, and Nile Rogers & Chic.
Secret Garden Party: Roots, July 25-28
London to Huntingdon by train: 1 hour
In 2024, the Secret Garden Party is going back to its roots. A 'serious party' for 'professional party people,' the re-branded SGP will be an interactive playground built by artists and collectives, and they say anything could happen. Overnight tents range from the bare-bones pre-pitched variety to luxurious digs with access to stylish amenities. The lineup includes Unkle, Crystal Fighters, Beans on Toast, and more TBA acts soon. Tickets are on sale now, but if you miss out, don't worry. The organisers are putting on The Wild Meadows (Aug 5-12), a new gathering for 2024, and an invite-only party sometime in September called Mistress Mary.
Wilderness Festival, August 1-4
London to Charlbury by train: 2 hours
Wholesome hedonism in the Oxfordshire countryside. Need any more reason to attend the Wilderness Festival? This year's headliners are Michael Kiwanuka, Faithless, Bicep, and Jessie Ware, with class acts like Alison Goldfrapp and De La Soul to escape with this summer. It is also packed with wellness activities, from blinking mental health therapies to forest baths, that fill this weekend with art, feasting, and outdoor fun.
Reading Festival & Leeds Festival, August 21 - 25
Spend England’s bank holiday partying with the bomb lineups at the Reading Festival and Leeds Festival. Though each is a separate affair, both share nearly identical lineups, this year featuring Blink-182, Fred again.., Lana Del Rey, The Prodigy, Skrillex, Pendulum, Beabadoobee, and The Japanese House.
London to Reading by train: 30 mins
London to Leeds by train: 2 hours 30 mins
Music Festivals in London 2024
No need to leave London to catch an unforgettable show. Check out these summer music events in London:
BST Hyde Park, June 29-July 14
Nearest stations to Hyde Park: Lancaster Gate | Marble Arch | Hyde Park Corner
British Summer Time Hyde Park is ideal for all visitors to London, especially since the mid-week music, arts, cinema, and workshop events are free to enjoy. On the weekends, legendary acts include Stevie Nicks, SZA, Kings of Leon, Morgan Wallen, Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, Shania Twain, Kylie Minogue, and K-pop megastars Stray Kids.
BBC Proms 2023, July 19-September 14
Nearest stations to Royal Albert Hall: Knightsbridge | South Kensington | Gloucester Rd.
Classical music fans won’t need much convincing to visit Royal Albert Hall this summer. BBC Proms returns with this 8-week, 71-show concert series. From Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ and Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony to the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra and The Boston Symphony Orchestra, you’ll want to get snug in your seat at RAH for the long haul.
All Points East, August 16-25
Nearest station to Victoria Park: Hackney Wick | Cambridge Health
All Points East is a fitting festival to attend since you’ve already traversed an ocean in the same direction. Kaytranada, Loyle Carner, Mitski, LCD Soundsystem, Pixies, Justice, Charlotte De Witte, The Postal Service, and Death Cab for a Cutie are all the more reason to buy a ticket. Free activities, including music, workshops, and theatrical performances, will also pop up in Victoria Park during All Points East.