Whatever your age, taste or background there are a whole
host of festivals to get your musical juices flowing, writes Liz Nicholls

Festival season is upon us – which is great news for us here at Round & About (we’re big fans of a bash). Perhaps you are one of the supremely dedicated / lucky few to have bagged yourself a Glastonbury ticket..? Yes the Mother Of All Festivals is back at the end of June but if, like me, you’ll be enjoying it from the comfort of your sofa there are loads more to get fully immersed in…

“I’ve been going to festivals with my wife and festival buddy Josie since the early ’90s and made some halcyon trips to Glastonbury and Reading,” Rob de Bank, Bestival curator tells me. “I’ve slept in a collapsed tent partially underwater, canoed down a Glastonbury thoroughfare, got emotional watching Stevie Wonder and Elton John at Bestival and tried Fuji Rocks in Japan and Coachella in the American desert for a change… but the festival I’ll always come back to is our very own Camp Bestival. We created the show for our kids and their kids and future generations so it’s very close to our heart but it’s also so much fun. And the ultimate way to have some fantastic family time away from screens and technology. I can’t wait to see Chic, Annie Mac and The Human League here this year.” This summer’s dance-deluxe Camp Bestival at Dorset’s Lulworth Castle, 25th to 28th July, has a heroes and superheroes theme and also offers bangers in the form of Jess Glynne, Sister Sledge, Goldie and others including Omid Djalili and Mr Motivator. Visit www.campbestival.net

Quirky beauty Boomtown returns to Matterley Estate in the South Downs from Wednesday 7th to Monday, 12th August, featuring a stonking line-up including Lauryn Hill, Prophets of Rage, The Streets, Chronixx, Chase & Status, Groove Armada, Slaves and Salt-N-Pepa to name just a few. District AREA 404 is the new home for techno, headlined by Carl Cox, Amelie Lens, Fourtet and more, www.boomtownfair.co.uk

Don’t go thinking it’s all about raving, though…. Guildford International Music Festival, 10th to 25th May, showcases impressive classical recitals, specialist guitar and cello days, experimental electronica and more; www.surrey.ac.uk/arts

Down in Brighton, The Great Escape, 9th to 11th May, is the place to go for fresh new music; www.greatescapefestival.com. Foodies will love family-friendly Althorp Food & Drink Festival on 11th & 12th May in Norfolk, with demos from Jean-Christophe Novelli and Ken Hom OBE. www.spencerofalthorp.com. And raise a glass to the family-friendly Elstead Royal British Legion Beer Festival, 24th to 26th May, with a Surrey Blues Society Summer Bash on the Sunday from 2pm in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell.

Dogstival, hosted by Chris Packham in the New Forest on 18th and 19th May, has fields, woodlands and its own beach for you and your canine pals to enjoy; www.dogstival.co.uk. This is not to be confused, pet-lovers, with local Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick’s DogFest at Knebworth House this month; www.dog-fest.co.uk. Foodies will flock to Alresford Watercress Festival on Sunday, 19th May, and Alresford Music Festival is on Saturday, 8th June. Visit www.alresfordmusicfestival.com while the Southampton Mela Festival returns to Hoglands Park on Saturday, 13th July; visit www.southamptonmela.com

Family-friendly Winchestival returns on 15th June with The Magic Numbers, Cassia and Lauran Hibberd, comedy from Milton Jones, Zoe Lyons, Jonny Auwsum, street food and more; www.winchestival.co.uk. Half a century on from the Summer Of Love, the Isle Of Wight Festival is still pulsing, 13th to 16th June, with Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, George Ezra, Fatboy Slim and more; www.isleofwightfestival.com. Once again, Hampton Court Palace is the stunning backdrop for Jools Holland, The Jacksons, Nile Rogers & Chic, Kylie and Michael Bublé during June; www.hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com.

Enjoy the Windsormania Family Music Festival on Sunday, 30th June and Rita Ora will play at Royal Windsor racecourse on Saturday, 24th August; www.windsor-racecourse.co.uk

Latitude at gorgeous Henham Park near Southwold, 18th to 21st July, offers Primal Scream, EverythingEverything, Underworld, George Ezra, Slaves, Lana Del Rey and more; www.latitudefestival.com. Giddy up for some Jockey Club Live musical highlights at UK racecourses, including Madness (24th July), Pete Tong & The Heritage Orchestra (31st July) and Jess Glynne (8th August); www.thejockeyclublive.co.uk

Staycation Live returns to Godalming’s Phillips Memorial Park on August 2nd, 3rd & 4th offering a broad range of music, local food and entertainment. www.staycationlivefestival.co.uk. The same weekend, Frimley Lodge Live will dazzle you with some superb cover bands and more; call 01276 707600 for details.

Wild wonderland Wilderness Festival returns to dazzle high society festivalgoers in Oxfordshire’s Cornbury Park, 1st-4th August. You’ll find banquets and feasting, plenty of celeb-spotting opportunities, lakeside hot tubs, yoga and intellectual and cultural brain food and lectures as well as Robyn, Groove Armada and Freya Ridings. Visit www.wildernessfestival.com

Held in Tilford every August since 2007, Weyfest has built a great festival reputation (think a polite party with posh loos). This year’s shindig at the Rural Life Centre, 16th-18th August, features our cover star Gabrielle, The Lightning Seeds, Reef & The Brand New Heavies. www.weyfest.co.uk

Reading Festival rocks the August bank holiday weekend (23rd to 25th August). This year’s stars are The 1975, Foo Fighters, Blossoms, plus Fredo, Billie Eilish, Stefflon Don and Camelphat; visit www.readingfestival.com. Over the same weekend Victorious returns to Southsea Common starring Rudimental, Plan B, All Saints and more; www.victoriousfestival.co.uk

Love kitesurfing, watersports and live music? Kitesurfing Armada, 21st to 23rd June on Hayling Island is the biggest event of its kind in Europe  and is free to attend; www.armadaevents.co.uk/kitesurfing-armada. Supporting children’s charities, Chris Evans’ Car-Fest heads to Hampshire’s Laverstoke Park, RG25 3DR, from 23rd to 25th August; www.carfest.org

The UK’s longest running outdoor arts festival, Winchester Hat Fair, 5th to 7th July has free fun for all ages; www.hatfair.co.uk. And Hampshire Food Festival takes place 1st to 30th July with fun for all tastes; www.hampshirefare.co.uk

A dazzling black-tie party in a stunning riverside location, Henley Festival, 10th to 14th July, has another great line-up this year including Boy George, Jessie J, Bjorn Again and Jo Wiley with her ’90s anthems as well as comedy from Ed Byrne, Andy Hamilton, Julian Clary and more; 
www.henley-festival.co.uk

Curated by the mighty Nile Rogers, Meltdown Festival is a series of gigs at the Southbank Centre, 1st to 13th August; visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk

British Summertime brings global superstars to Hyde Park for your aural pleasure. On Friday, 5th July it’s Celine Dion, Saturday is a celebration of Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand is Sunday 7th, Florence + The Machine and The National on Saturday 13th, and Robbie Williams, Texas, Feeder and Black Eyed Peas are on Sunday 14th. There’s also the BST open house with free fun, 8th to 11th July; www.bst-hydepark.com

Groove Armada will headline Greenwich Music Time on Friday, 5th July, against the backdrop of the city at the Old Royal Naval College. This is one of a series of concerts, 1st to 7th July, also including Paul Weller and Cliff Richard. www.greenwichmusictime.co.uk

Further afield, Y Not? festival in Derbyshire will star Elbow, Wolf Alice, Reverend and the Makers and more, 25th to 28th July; visit www.ynotfestival.com

Whatever your age, taste or background there are a whole
host of festivals to get your musical juices flowing, writes Liz Nicholls

Festival season is upon us – which is great news for us here at Round & About Towers (we’re fans of a bash). Perhaps you are one of the supremely dedicated / lucky few to have bagged yourself a Glastonbury ticket..? Yes the Mother Of All Festivals is back at the end of June but if, like me, you’ll be enjoying it from the comfort of your sofa there are loads more to get fully immersed in…

“I’ve been going to festivals with my wife and festival buddy Josie since the early ’90s and made some halcyon trips to Glastonbury and Reading,” Rob de Bank, Bestival curator tells me. “I’ve slept in a collapsed tent partially underwater, canoed down a Glastonbury thoroughfare, got emotional watching Stevie Wonder and Elton John at Bestival and tried Fuji Rocks in Japan and Coachella in the American desert for a change… but the festival I’ll always come back to is our very own Camp Bestival. We created the show for our kids and their kids and future generations so it’s very close to our heart but it’s also so much fun. And the ultimate way to have some fantastic family time away from screens and technology. I can’t wait to see Chic, Annie Mac and The Human League here this year.” This summer’s dance-deluxe Camp Bestival at Dorset’s Lulworth Castle, 25th to 28th July, has a heroes and superheroes theme and also offers bangers in the form of Jess Glynne, Sister Sledge, Goldie and others including Omid Djalili and Mr Motivator. Visit www.campbestival.net

Small is beautiful with some local gems this year. Cookham Festival, 4th-19th May, stars Apollo Big Band and Will Greenwood with art and photo exhibitions and a community feel; www.cookhamfestival.org.uk. DJ Yoda, The Echo, Flashheart, Ryan Harman, Nearly Unsociable, The Small Strings, The Mysteries, Beatroots and more will star, for a great cause, at Around The Boundary in Gallowstree Common on Sunday, 5th May; www.aroundtheboundary.com

Let’s Rock The Moor stars all your ’80s favourites including Marc Almond, Go West, Jason Donovan, Erasure’s Andy Bell and many more on Saturday, 18th May; www.letsrockthemoor.com

Community fun aplenty will be on offer between 1st & 16th June thanks to Love Marlow Festival. Enjoy music, sport and family fun at this celebration of local kindness; www.lovemarlow.co.uk

Love your swing music? Thames Valley Balboa Festival, 31st May-2nd June, in Henley is for you!. Watlington’s Beacon Festival, 21st & 22nd is a highlight raising spirits and funds for great causes. Four stages will offer musical magic and there’s a great feelgood area and kids’ zone, all powered by volunteers; www.beaconfestival.net 

Enjoy the Windsormania Family Music Festival on Sunday, 30th June at Royal Windsor racecourse with Rita Ora playing there on Saturday, 24th August; www.windsor-racecourse.co.uk

Readipop will rock Caversham’s Christchurch Meadows, 12th-14th July, with a fantastic line-up including Sleeper, The Brand New Heavies, a greatest hits set from The Orb, Cassetteboy vs DJ Rubbish, Musical Youth, Audio Bullys and local bands for local causes; www.readipop.co.uk

A dazzling black-tie party in a stunning riverside location, Henley Festival, 10th to 14th July, has another great line-up including Boy George, Jessie J, Bjorn Again and Jo Wiley with her ’90s anthems as well as comedy from Ed Byrne, Andy Hamilton, Julian Clary and more;  www.henley-festival.co.uk

My pals and I have already booked babysitters so we can fully enjoy Pennfest in our native Bucks on 19th & 20th July (woop!) Goldie, Suede, Peter Doherty, Fabio, Craig David and more make this a bobby-dazzler! www.pennfest.net

Indie royalty will reign at the biggest Truck Festival yet in Steventon, 25th-28th July, with Wolf Alice, Foals, Two Door Cinema Club, Slaves, Nothing But Thieves, You Me At Six, Don Broco, Johnny Marr, Public Service Broadcasting and more; www.truckfestival.com

Have a great time for great causes at this year’s BrightFest in Brightwell, OX10 0SQ, on Saturday, 8th June. The family-friendly gem will feature lots of live bands, a football competition and bar (well stocked by The Red Lion team) and food; www.brightfest.org.uk. Towersey near Thame will honour the late folk singer and activist Roy Bailey with the help of Tom Robinson, 23rd-26th August. Newton Faulkner, Bruce Foxton’s From The Jam, The Selecter, Hothouse Flowers, Seth Lakeman, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, Fisherman’s Friends and the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain are also on the bill, along with many more highlights;
www.towerseyfestival.com

Busted, The Feeling, Dodgy, Toploader and Judge Jules will bring the 90s vibe to Chilterns Live near Tring, HP23 5QY; www.chilterns-live.co.uk

Half a century on from the Summer Of Love, the Isle Of Wight Festival is still pulsing, 13th to 16th June, with Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, George Ezra, Fatboy Slim and more; www.isleofwightfestival.com. Once again, Hampton Court Palace is the stunning backdrop for Jools Holland, The Jacksons, Nile Rogers & Chic, Kylie and Michael Bublé during June; www.hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com.

Latitude at gorgeous Henham Park near Southwold, 18th to 21st July, offers Primal Scream, EverythingEverything, Underworld, George Ezra, Slaves, Lana Del Rey and lots of theatre, comedy and family fun; www.latitudefestival.com. Giddy up for Jockey Club Live musical highlights at UK racecourses, including Madness (24th July), Pete Tong & The Heritage Orchestra (31st July) and Jess Glynne (8th August); www.thejockeyclublive.co.uk

Musicians, family fun and more will entertain you on 8th & 9th June at South Hill Park’s Festival of Food and Music and entry is free; www.southhillpark.org.uk/foodmusicfestival

Wild wonderland Wilderness Festival returns to dazzle high society festivalgoers in Oxfordshire’s Cornbury Park, 1st-4th August. You’ll find banquets and feasting, plenty of celeb-spotting opportunities, lakeside hot tubs, yoga and intellectual and cultural brain food as well as Robyn, Groove Armada and Freya Ridings;
www.wildernessfestival.com

Quirky beauty Boomtown returns to Matterley Estate in the South Downs from Wednesday 7th to Monday, 12th August, featuring a stonking line-up including Lauryn Hill, Prophets of Rage, The Streets, Chronixx, Chase & Status, Groove Armada, Slaves and Salt-N-Pepa to name just a few. District AREA 404 is the new home for techno, headlined by Carl Cox, Amelie Lens, Four Tet and more, www.boomtownfair.co.uk

Reading Festival rocks the August bank holiday weekend (23rd to 25th). This year’s stars are The 1975, Foo Fighters, Blossoms, plus Fredo, Billie Eilish, Stefflon Don and Camelphat; visit www.readingfestival.com. The same weekend, The Big Feastival returns to rock Alex James’ Cotswolds farm, 23rd-25th August. This year’s foodie/fun line-up includes Jess Glynne, Rudimental, Elbow, Jo Wiley, Prue Leith, Raymond Blanc and perennial star Justin Fletcher (AKA Mr Tumble); www.thebigfeastival.com

Curated by the mighty Nile Rogers, Meltdown Festival is a series of gigs at the Southbank Centre, 1st to 13th August; visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk

British Summertime brings global superstars to Hyde Park for your aural pleasure. On Friday, 5th July it’s Celine Dion, Saturday is a celebration of Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand is Sunday 7th, Florence + The Machine and The National on Saturday 13th, and Robbie Williams, Texas, Feeder and Black Eyed Peas are on Sunday 14th. There’s also the BST open house with free fun, 8th to 11th July; www.bst-hydepark.com

Whatever your age, taste or background there are a whole
host of festivals to get your musical juices flowing, writes Liz Nicholls

estival season is upon us – which is great news for us here at Round & About (we’re big fans of a bash). Perhaps you are one of the supremely dedicated / lucky few to have bagged yourself a Glastonbury ticket..? Yes the Mother Of All Festivals is back at the end of June but if, like me, you’ll be enjoying it from the comfort of your sofa there are loads more to get fully immersed in…

“I’ve been going to festivals with my wife and festival buddy Josie since the early ’90s and made some halcyon trips to Glastonbury and Reading,” Rob de Bank, Bestival curator tells me. “I’ve slept in a collapsed tent partially underwater, canoed down a Glastonbury thoroughfare, got emotional watching Stevie Wonder and Elton John at Bestival and tried Fuji Rocks in Japan and Coachella in the American desert for a change… but the festival I’ll always come back to is our very own Camp Bestival. We created the show for our kids and their kids and future generations so it’s very close to our heart but it’s also so much fun and the ultimate way to have some fantastic family time away from screens and technology. I can’t wait to see Chic, Annie Mac and The Human League here this year.” This summer’s dance-deluxe Camp Bestival at Dorset’s Lulworth Castle, 25th to 28th July, has a heroes and superheroes theme and also offers bangers in the form of Jess Glynne, Sister Sledge, Goldie and others including Omid Djalili and Mr Motivator. Visit www.campbestival.net

Pyrotechnic wonderland Arcadia will sadly not be dropping beats under the giant spider in London this spring, but the team will be at Glasto and there are more events in the pipeline – keep an eye on www.arcadiaspectacular.com

Looking for fun? Look no further than We Are FSTVL in Upminster, 24th to 26th May, featuring a great dance line-up including Andy C, Adana Twins, Purple Disco Machine and Armand Van Helden as well as DJ sets from Basement Jaxx, Mike Skinner, Groove Armada and Chase & Status plus tons & tons more; www.wearefstvl.com

Independent music, food and drink festival This Is Gala returns to Peckham Rye on Sunday, 26th May. www.thisisgala.co.uk. And Victoria Park in E3 will host The Chemical Brothers, Hot Chip, Christine and the Queens, Bring Me The Horizon, Run The Jewels, Idles, Bon Hiver, First Aid Kit and many more for All Points Point East, 24th to 26th May, with In The NBHD weekday funfest 27th to 30th May; www.www.allpointseastfestival.com

Jorja Smith, Skepta, Diplo, Jungle and Tiga are among the stars at Field Day in Meridian Water, Enfield, on 7th & 8th June; www.fielddayfestivals.com

The Kooks, Don Bronco, The Hunna, Kate Nash, Apre and The Amazons are on the bill for Community Festival in Finsbury Park on 30th June; visit www.communityfestival.london

Curated by the mighty Nile Rogers, Meltdown Festival is a series of gigs at the Southbank Centre 1st to 13th August. For this and more cultural highlights visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk

British Summertime brings global superstars to Hyde Park for your aural pleasure. On Friday, 5th July it’s Celine Dion, Saturday is a celebration of Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand is Sunday 7th, Florence + The Machine and The National play Saturday 13th, and Robbie Williams, Texas, Feeder and Black Eyed Peas are on Sunday 14th. There’s also the BST open house with free fun, 8th to 11th July; www.bst-hydepark.com

Moreish, messy marvel Eastern Electrics lands in Morden Park on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August. Eight stages are ready for your raving –  full line-up TBC at the time of going to press but keep an eye on www.easternelectrics.com 

Quirky beauty Boomtown returns to Matterley Estate in the South Downs from Wednesday 7th to Monday, 12th August, featuring a stonking line-up including Lauryn Hill, Prophets of Rage, The Streets, Chronixx, Chase & Status, Groove Armada, Slaves and Salt-N-Pepa to name just a few. AREA 404 is the new home for techno and is headlined by Carl Cox, Amelie Lens and Four Tet, among others; www.boomtownfair.co.uk

Beat-lovers, head to Lovebox in Gunnersbury Park for another almighty party created by Groove Armada on 12th & 13th July. You’ll find a colourful mix of dance, rock, vintage markets, bespoke bars and more, this year’s line-up includes Cypress HIll, Chance the Rapper, Solange, Four Tet, Loyle Carner and many more. Visit www.loveboxfestival.com

Once again, Hampton Court Palace will be the stunning backdrop for musical stars including Jools Holland, The Jacksons, Nile Rogers & Chic, Kylie and Michael Bublé during June;  www.hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com

Bushstock is an all-dayer in Shepherds Bush on Saturday, 15th June. Apre, Novor Amor, Gang of Youths and more will perform; www.bushstock.co.uk. Half a century on from the Summer Of Love, the Isle Of Wight Festival is still pulsing, with this year’s funfest from 13th to 16th June. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, George Ezra, Fatboy Slim and more www.isleofwightfestival.com

Reading Festival rocks the August bank holiday weekend (23rd to 25th August) once again. This year’s stars The 1975, Foo Fighters, Blossoms, plus Fredo, Billie Eilish, Stefflon Don and Camelphat. www.readingfestival.com

Love your drum & bass? Get your dancing shoes on for another belting South West Four on Clapham Common, 24th & 25th August. Andy C, Wiley, Ms Banks, Mabel, Chase & Status and more will get you moving; www.southwestfour.com

Groove Armada will headline Greenwich Music Time on Friday 5th July, for a stunning live show set against the backdrop of the city at the Old Royal Naval College. This is one of a series of concerts, 1st to 7th July, also including Paul Weller and Cliff Richard. Visit www.greenwichmusictime.co.uk

Looking to head further out of the capital? Gorgeously stimulating Latitude will welcome you to Henham Park near Southwold 18th to 21st July. Music this year includes Primal Scream, EverythingEverything, Underworld, George Ezra, Slaves and Lana Del Rey and there’s more theatre, comedy and family fun than you can shake a stick at; www.latitudefestival.com

Celebrating 50 years since the moon landings, Bluedot in Cheshire is the UK’s most intergalactic festival that fuses music, science, arts and culture, 18th to 21st July. Music includes Kraftwerk, New Order, Hot Chip, Jon Hopkins, Kate Tempest and 808 State; visit www.discoverthebluedot.com

Giddy up for some Jockey Club Live musical highlights at UK racecourses this summer, including Madness (24th July), Pete Tong & The Heritage Orchestra (31st July) and Jess Glynne (8th August);  www.thejockeyclublive.co.uk

Down in Brighton, The Great Escape, 9th to 11th May, is the place to go for fresh new music; www.greatescapefestival.com. Wild wonderland Wilderness Festival returns to dazzle festival-going high society in Oxfordshire’s Cornbury Park, 1st to 4th August, with banquets, celeb-spotting, lakeside hot tubs, yoga and intellectual and cultural brain food. Music includes Robyn, Groove Armada and Freya Ridings;  www.wildernessfestival.com

Supporting children’s charities, Chris Evans’ Car-Fest heads to Hampshire’s Laverstoke Park, RG25 3DR, the same weekend; www.carfest.org. Dogstival in the New Forest on 18th and 19th May, has fields, woodlands and its own beach for you and your canine pals to enjoy; www.dogstival.co.uk, not to be confused, pet-lovers, with Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick’s DogFest; www.dog-fest.co.uk. Finally, Henley Festival, 10th-14th July, will dazzle with Boy George, Bjorn Again and Jo Wiley’s ’90s anthems as well as comedy from Ed Byrne, Andy Hamilton, Julian Clary and more;  www.henley-festival.co.uk

Whatever your age, taste or background there are a whole
host of festivals to get your musical juices flowing, writes Liz Nicholls

Festival season is upon us – which is great news for us here at Round & About Towers (we’re fans of a bash). Perhaps you are one of the supremely dedicated / lucky few to have bagged yourself a Glastonbury ticket..? Yes the Mother Of All Festivals is back at the end of June but if, like me, you’ll be enjoying it from the comfort of your sofa there are loads more to get fully immersed in…

“I’ve been going to festivals with my wife and festival buddy Josie since the early ’90s and made some halcyon trips to Glastonbury and Reading,” Rob de Bank, Bestival curator tells me. “I’ve slept in a collapsed tent partially underwater, canoed down a Glastonbury thoroughfare, got emotional watching Stevie Wonder and Elton John at Bestival and tried Fuji Rocks in Japan and Coachella in the American desert for a change… but the festival I’ll always come back to is our very own Camp Bestival. We created the show for our kids and their kids and future generations so it’s very close to our heart but it’s also so much fun. And the ultimate way to have some fantastic family time away from screens and technology. I can’t wait to see Chic, Annie Mac and The Human League here this year.” This summer’s dance-deluxe Camp Bestival at Dorset’s Lulworth Castle, 25th to 28th July, has a heroes and superheroes theme and also offers bangers in the form of Jess Glynne, Sister Sledge, Goldie and others including Omid Djalili and Mr Motivator. Visit www.campbestival.net

Multi-award-winning Lechlade Music Festival will rock the second May bank holiday, 24th-26th, with The Feeling, Rob Heron and his Tea Pad Orchestra and loads of free family fun such as storytelling, yoga and circus skills; www.lechladefestival.co.uk

The Beach Boys will star at this year’s Cornbury Festival in Great Tew near Chipping Norton, 5th-7th July. Also performing are The Specials, Keane, Echo & The Bunnymen, KT Tunstall, Beverley Knight and an amazing comedy line-up as well as family-friendly fun; www.cornburyfestival.com

Quirky beauty Boomtown returns to Matterley Estate in the South Downs from Wednesday 7th to Monday, 12th August, featuring a stonking line-up including Lauryn Hill, Prophets of Rage, The Streets, Chronixx, Chase & Status, Groove Armada, Slaves and Salt-N-Pepa to name just a few. District AREA 404 is the new home for techno, headlined by Carl Cox, Amelie Lens, Four Tet and more; www.boomtownfair.co.uk

Small is beautiful with local festivals, as ever. Folksy, rootsy and green, Wood in Ipsden, 17th-19th May, will feature Belshazzar’s Feast and lots of ways to celebrate nature; www.woodfestival.com. Raise a glass to Bottle Kids, From The Echo and The Skandal while raising spirits and funds for charity at Rokefest near Benson, 24th-26th May; www.rokefest.com. Hosted by Oxford Psychedelic Society, Oddball Festival at Oxford’s Isis Farmhouse on Saturday, 8th June stars Sun Ra Arkestra. Free with entry or for season ticket holders, Cogges Family Festival brings you craft, puppets, animal handling and Morris dancing on bank holiday Monday, 27th May; www.cogges.org.uk

Have a great time for great causes at BrightFest in Brightwell, OX10 0SQ, on Saturday, 8th June, with bands, family fun, a football contest, bar (well stocked by The Red Lion team) and food; www.brightfest.org.uk. And Rugfest is back, bigger than ever at Wallingford Rugby Club, 21st-23rd June, having joined forces with Wallingford Beer & Blues, with The Feeling, Freak Power, Galaxy Thief and The Echo; www.rugfest.org

Basil Brush is the special guest at Wychwood Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse, 31st May to 2nd June; www.wychwoodfestival.com

Fantastic cover bands and tribute acts will entertain you at Witney Music Festival on 14th & 15th June with the annual two-week takeover in the town, 24th May to 9th June; www.witneymusicfestival.co.uk

Free family-friendly Riverside Festival in Charlbury, 20th & 21st July, has a pixies theme in honour of the Pixies band and the headliners for Saturday are local stars Kanadia; www.riversidefestival.charlbury.com

Indie royalty will reign at the biggest Truck Festival yet in Steventon, 25th-28th July. Wolf Alice, Foals, Two Door Cinema Club, Slaves, Nothing But Thieves, You Me At Six, Don Broco, Johnny Marr, Public Service Broadcasting and more will star; www.truckfestival.com

The same weekend, glorious WOMAD will celebrate the world’s many forms of music in Malmesbury, starring Ziggy Marley, Orbital, Salif, Keita, Anna Calvi and more; www.womad.co.uk 

Wallingford’s free Bunkfest will bring you music, dance and beer from 30th August until 1st September; www.bunkfest.co.uk

Towersey near Thame will honour the late folk singer and activist Roy Bailey with the help of Tom Robinson, 23rd-26th August. Newton Faulkner, Bruce Foxton’s From The Jam, The Selecter, Hothouse Flowers, Seth Lakeman, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, Fisherman’s Friends and the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain will also star as well as many more; www.towerseyfestival.com

Busted, The Feeling, Dodgy, Toploader and Judge Jules will bring the ’90s vibe to Chilterns Live near Tring, HP23 5QY; www.chilterns-live.co.uk

The Big Feastival returns to rock Alex James’ Cotswolds farm, 23rd-25th August. This year’s foodie fun line-up includes Jess Glynne, Rudimental, Elbow, Jo Wiley, Prue Leith, Raymond Blanc and perennial star Justin Fletcher (AKA Mr Tumble) as well as munchies galore! www.thebigfeastival.com

Latitude at gorgeous Henham Park near Southwold, 18th to 21st July, offers Primal Scream, EverythingEverything, Underworld, George Ezra, Slaves, Lana Del Rey and more; www.latitudefestival.com. Giddy up for some Jockey Club Live musical highlights at UK racecourses, including Madness (24th July), Pete Tong & The Heritage Orchestra (31st July) and Jess Glynne (8th August); www.thejockeyclublive.co.uk

Wild wonderland Wilderness Festival returns to dazzle high society festivalgoers in Oxfordshire’s Cornbury Park, 1st-4th August. You’ll find banquets and feasting, plenty of celeb-spotting opportunities, lakeside hot tubs, yoga and intellectual and cultural brain food and lectures as well as Robyn, Groove Armada and Freya Ridings. Visit www.wildernessfestival.com

A new one-dayer, Over the Hill Festival will feature some of the best UK Americana and roots bands at Cogges Manor on 26th August; www.cogges.org.uk

Reading Festival rocks the August bank holiday weekend (23rd to 25th August). This year’s stars are The 1975, Foo Fighters, Blossoms, plus Fredo, Billie Eilish, Stefflon Don and Camelphat; visit www.readingfestival.com

Readipop will rock Caversham’s Christchurch Meadows, 12th-14th July, with Sleeper, The Brand New Heavies, The Orb, Cassetteboy vs DJ Rubbish, Musical Youth, Audio Bullys and local bands for great local causes; www.readipop.co.uk

A dazzling black-tie party in a stunning riverside location, Henley Festival, 10th to 14th July, has another great line-up this year including Boy George, Jessie J, Bjorn Again and Jo Wiley with her ’90s anthems as well as comedy from Ed Byrne, Andy Hamilton, Julian Clary and more;  www.henley-festival.co.uk

Pennfest in Bucks on 19th & 20th July will star Goldie, Suede, Peter Doherty, Fabio, Craig David and many more stars; www.pennfest.net

Supporting children’s charities, Chris Evans’ Car-Fest heads to Hampshire’s Laverstoke Park, RG25 3DR, from 23rd to 25th August; www.carfest.org