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Diana Ross at Henley, DJ Charlie Hedges near Chinnor, Fabio + Grooverider at Stowaway & Mucky Weekender (see our Q&As with both!), & more… this summer is set to be a sizzler for festival fans, says Liz Nicholls
Summer Festival Season Is Here!
Drumroll, please! Festival season is officially underway—starting with a touch of class.
Surrey Hills International Music Festival (6–17 May)
Begin with something refined. The Surrey Hills International Music Festival features Grammy-nominated VOCES8 at Guildford’s Holy Trinity Church, and pianist Alim Beisembayev at the Menuhin Hall. Don’t miss the return of Lunchtime Young Artist Concerts at West Horsley Place. Find talks, guided walks, and more at shimf.co.uk.
May Highlights
- Are You Listening? (9–10 May, Reading)
Expect incredible performances across venues in Reading. Full details at areyoulistening.org.uk. - Pub In the Park, Marlow (15–18 May)
Star chefs like Tom Kerridge, Yotam Ottolenghi, and Raymond Blanc will join forces with music icons like Dizzee Rascal, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Craig Charles. Full line-up at pubintheparkuk.com. - Shindig Festival, Wiltshire (22–25 May)
A Glasto-style family-friendly rave! Featuring Gilles Peterson, Mr Scruff, art installations, wellness zones, crafts, and a kids’ area. shindigfestival.co.uk - Rokefest, Wallingford (23–25 May)
Held at Home Sweet Home, this grassroots fest supports local charity Style Acre. Find updates on Facebook. - Chesham Fringe Festival (23–25 May)
A joyful mix of comedy, cabaret, music, theatre, and kids’ entertainment. More at cheshamfringe.com. - Wasing Words & Wellness (25–26 May)
A brand-new wellness and literary festival at Wasing Estate. Also check out their Solstice celebration on 20–22 June featuring James Blake. wasing.co.uk - Chippenham Folk Festival (24–27 May)
Celebrating its 52nd year with music, dance, and colourful street fun. chippfolk.co.uk
Racing & Rock at Silverstone
Motorsport meets music! On 25 May, Silverstone hosts the thrilling MotoGP. Later, enjoy Sam Fender, Raye, and Fatboy Slim (3–6 July), then Craig David and Ministry of Sound Classical during Silverstone Festival (23–25 August). silverstone.co.uk
Shynefest & Local Gems
- Shynefest, Merrist Wood (30–31 May)
Celebrating 10 years with Reef and Nirvanher. Supports Treloar’s charity. shynefest.uk - Alton Beer Festival (30–31 May)
Raise funds for local charities. altonbeerfestival.org.uk
June Kicks Off with Big Sounds
- Witney Music Festival (6–7 June)
Headlined by Goldie Lookin Chain and Spice Forever. witneymusicfestival.com - Tilford Bach Festival (6–8 June)
Marking its 73rd year and 25th anniversary of the London Handel Players. tilfordbachfestival.com - Wycombe Jazz Festival (7 June)
Includes dance, workshops, and DJ Mr Jazzy Vibe. wycombejazzfestival.com
June Highlights
- Olly Murs in Reading (13 June) – legacylive.co
- Southampton Summer Sessions: Rag’n’Bone Man (13 June), Craig David (21 June), and Ocean Colour Scene (27 June) – smmrsessions.com
- Rowachella (14 June): Radio 1’s Charlie Hedges headlines this dance-meets-beer fest – rowachella.co.uk
- Good Festival (15 June): Family fun supporting Hampshire Medical Fund – goodfestival.co.uk
Isle of Wight & More Big Names (19–22 June)
This legendary fest features Justin Timberlake, Sting, Faithless, and James. isleofwightfestival.com
At Blenheim Palace, Nocturne Live (19–22 June) hosts Richard Ashcroft, The Corrs, Nile Rodgers & CHIC. nocturnelive.com
Jazz fans should head to Iford Manor’s Jazz Festival starring Shakatak and Jacqui Dankworth. ifordmanor.co.uk
Wellness & Words (21–22 June)
- Grace & Gravity Festival (21 June)
Free family fun in Howbery Park. graceandgravity.studio - Mindset Unlimited (21 June)
Seven stages of wellbeing at Dinton Pastures. mindsetunlimited.co.uk - Great British Food Festival (21–22 June)
Taste your way through Hurst. greatbritishfoodfestival.com
July Bursts Into Song
- Summer Sounds, Frensham Heights (29 June)
With tributes to Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. frenshamevents.uk - Love Supreme Jazz Festival (4–6 July)
Starring Nile Rodgers, Smokey Robinson & Jacob Collier. lovesupremefestival.com - Guilfest, Stoke Park (5–6 July)
Featuring The Jacksons, Razorlight & more. guilfest.co.uk - Joe Wicks Festival at Kew (6 July)
Holistic vibes with the Body Coach. thebodycoach.com - Parallel Windsor (6 July)
A fully accessible, inclusive festival for all. parallellifestyle.com - Kew the Music (8–13 July)
Acts include Craig David, Alison Moyet & The Human League. kewthemusic.org - Henley Festival (9–13 July)
Black-tie elegance with Diana Ross, Rick Astley & Jo Whiley. henley-festival.co.uk
DJ Takeovers & Family Faves
- Fi.Fest (11–12 July, Maidenhead)
With Feeder, Rick Parfitt Jnr & a silent disco. fifest.co.uk - Classic Ibiza, Bowood (18–19 July)
A stunning orchestral night with London Community Gospel Choir. classicibiza.co.uk - Newbury Racecourse (19 July, 15–16 August)
Featuring Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Clean Bandit & more. newburyracecourse.co.uk - Englefield Estate (19–20 July)
Enjoy The Jacksons, Sister Sledge & The Beach Boys. heritagelive.net - Raver Tots (20 July, Reading)
Dance fun for all ages. ravertots.co.uk - Marvellous Festival (19–20 July, Wokingham)
Packed with top tribute bands. marvellousfestivals.com
Late July into August: Pure Magic
- Truck Festival (24–27 July)
Starring Nothing But Thieves, Kasabian & more. truckfestival.com - Wilderness Festival (31 July–3 August)
Featuring Basement Jaxx, Wet Leg, Orbital, and Annie Mac. wildernessfestival.com - Fieldview (31 July–3 August)
Wiltshire’s beloved grassroots gem. fieldviewfestival.co.uk - Camp Bestival (31 July–3 August)
A family fave with Tom Jones, Mr Tumble & Dick & Dom. dorset.campbestival.net
August Keeps the Beat Going
- Boardmasters (6–10 August, Cornwall)
Surf, sun, and music with Central Cee, The Prodigy & Raye. boardmasters.com - Boomtown (6–10 August, Winchester)
A fully immersive world featuring 12 stages, 50 hidden venues & a secret lineup! David Rodigan, Phil Hartnoll of Orbital, Don Letts, DJ Yoda & more will star. boomtownfair.co.uk - Retro Festival (8–10 August, Newbury)
Dress up and party to the past. retrofestival.co.uk - Rewind South (15–17 August, Henley)
Classic acts like Soft Cell, Holly Johnson & Midge Ure. south.rewindfestival.com
Closing Summer with a Bang
- Creamfields (21–24 August)
Massive electronic party with David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia & Eric Prydz. creamfields.com - Big Feastival (22–24 August)
With Nelly Furtado, Faithless, Justin Fletcher, and Raymond Blanc. bigfeastival.com - Windsor Rock the Rec (24 August) – rocktherec.co.uk
- Wokingham Festival (23–25 August) – wokinghamfestival.co.uk
- Carfest (22–24 August, Laverstoke)
Madness, Squeeze, Rita Ora & Travis bring the energy. carfest.org - Found Festival (22–24 August)
A new adventure rising from the ashes of Towersey. foundfestival.uk - The Wake (23 August, Billingshurst)
Featuring King Creosote, family fun & talks. thewake.uk - End of the Road Festival (28–31 August)
Wrap up the season with Caribou, Self Esteem & Father John Misty. endoftheroadfestival.com
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