We bring you the most comprehensive guide to attending the best Festivals in 2025. Whether it be hip-hop, dance, RnB, jazz, rock, pop, old skool, indie, tribute or headlining superstar act – you can plan your Spring/Summer accordingly.
SHYNEFEST
WHERE: Merrist Wood College, Guildford
WHEN: 30th – 31st MAY 2025
TICKETS: WWW.SHYNEFEST.UK
Now celebrating their 10th Anniversary, ShyneFest has established itself as an integral part of the Surrey music scene and is nominated in the ‘Best Family Fun’ category at this year’s Surrey Awards. There’s plenty on site to keep the family occupied this Summer; whether it be camping, glamping, silent disco or face-painting, taking a poke around the art and craft stalls, or just having a good old kickabout, there’s something for everyone. At the heart of it all, of course, is the music. This year’s line-up includes indie legends Reef, Vince Freeman, True Deceivers, The Replicants, The Fanzines, Charlotte Franklin, Bandit Sound, The Mustard, The Pre-Nups, Nirvanher, Red Hot Tribute Peppers and Bon Giovi.This year, ShyneFest is donating money to Treloar’s – enabling education – so it’s all for a good cause.
WYCHWOOD
WHERE: CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE, GLOUCESTER
WHEN: 30th MAY – 1st JUNE 2025
TICKETS: WWW.WYCHWOODFESTIVAL.COM
Returning for their 19th year of unforgettable memories for all the family, with a glorious line-up of music, comedy, literature and workshops. Wychwood is the festival the Daily Mirror are calling “the perfect family festival” and the Metro added “Wychwood has something for everyone” in their coverage this year. The line-up for 2025 includes The Zutons, Doves, James, Shed Seven, Skinny Lister, Scouting For Girls, Daniel Bedingfield, The Magic Numbers, Goldie Lookin’ Chain, Lucy Spraggan and fitness guru, Joe Wicks among others. There’s also a wide-range of over 100 workshops and extra events. Plus, a huge Funfair and a Silent Disco that goes on till late. Time Out called it “a hybrid of the Big Chill, Womad and The Cambridge Folk Festival.”
HAMPTON COURT PALACE
WHERE: HAMPTON COURT PALACE, HAMPTON COURT
WHEN: 11th – 21st JUNE 2025
TICKETS: WWW.HAMPTONCOURTPALACEFESTIVAL.COM
Now in its 28th year, Hampton Court Palace Festival has revealed its impressive line-up of 2025 acts so far kicking off with James of ‘Sit Down’ fame on Wednesday June 11th, Rag ‘N’ Bone Man is on Thursday June 12th and 80’s girl band Bananarama is on Saturday June 14th. Elsewhere you have ‘The Good, The Bad & The Rugby’ the chart-topping podcast that sees England legends James Haskell, Mike Tindall and TV presenter Alex Payne in conversation with some of the biggest names across rugby, as well as the wider sporting and cultural realms. And on Wednesday June 18th the legendary Chaka Khan is wowing the crowds alongside UK indie favourites Elbow on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st June. HCP festival is set in the stunning and majestic grounds of the Hampton Court Palace Base Court. There is only a 3000 capacity for this festival so be sure to get those tickets in early for the one-off headliners on those days.
ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL
WHERE: ISLE OF WIGHT
WHEN: 19th– 22nd JUNE 2025
TICKETS: WWW.ISLEOFWIGHTFESTIVAL.COM
This one’s a belter. If you like the party vibe then everyone makes an effort here – think lots of fancy dress get up and outrageous costumes. This year the headliners are Sting, Faithless and The Corrs on the Friday; Stereophonics, The Script, Paul Heaton and Busted on the Saturday and Justin Timberlake, Jess Glynne, Texas, Olly Murs and Alison Moyet on the Sunday. Also, in the Big Top dance act Clean Bandit, indie rockers Supergrass, James and Lightning Seeds will be making appearances! Be sure to pace yourself as this is a long, drinking one. There is normal camping or boutique glamping available ranging from 2 to 8 person bell tents that come with facilities including Olive Garden areas, food units and a healthy oasis with yoga, live music, artisan coffee and more.
LOVE SUPREME JAZZ FESTIVAL
WHEN: 4th – 6th JULY 2025
WHERE: GLYNDE PLACE, EAST SUSSEX
TICKETS: WWW.LOVESUPREMEFESTIVAL.COM
Love Supreme includes a spectrum of musical styles including jazz, funk, soul, blues and hip-hop and comprises five stages: The Main Stage, which focuses on broader styles of R&B, Funk, Soul and Blues; The Big Top, which plays host to the biggest names in Jazz; The Arena, which hosts contemporary and progressive acts in the jazz sphere and The Bandstand, which hosts up and coming acts. Headlining this year’s festival is Maxwell, Smokey Robinson, Jacob Collier, The Roots, En Vogue, The Sacred Souls, Branford Marsalis Quartet, Stanley Clarke and Durand Jones & The Indications. Just outside of Brighton this a fun and hip festival full of feel-good vibes.
GUILFEST
WHEN: 5th – 6th JULY 2025
WHERE: STOKE PARK, GUILDFORD
TICKETS: WWW.GUILFEST.CO.UK
Surrey’s most famous festival, Guilfest, is back again after its phenomenal first year back in 2024, after a 10-Year hiatus. You can catch top bill artists including The Jacksons, Soul II Soul, Leo Sayer, Stereo MC’s, N-Trance of ‘Set You Free’ fame and Baby D who got to number one with ‘Let Me Be Your Fantasy’ are livening up the crowds at Stoke Park in Guildford on Saturday 5th July. And on Sunday 6th July UK indie band, Razorlight, KT Tunstall, Dub Pistols and Elvana will be firing up Stoke Park alongside many others. In total, there will 5 stages of musical mayhem with over 30 acts as well as a Comedy Tent, Arts & Crafts Village, Street Theatre, Singing, Dancing and Drumming Workshops, Bushcrafts, a Literary Tent, Games Tent, Kids Area and the best international food and drink stalls. In its heyday, Guilfest was awarded the Best Family Festival in the UK.
PUB IN THE PARK
WHERE: PRIORY PARK, REIGATE
WHEN: 11th-13th JULY 2025
TICKETS: WWW.PUBINTHEPARK.CO.UK
Pub in the Park with Chef Tom Kerridge & Friends is a laid-back celebration of the best food, drink, and music the country has to offer. Picture this: sun shining, your favourite tunes playing live, surrounded by food legends. Four epic foodie festivals, each with its own unique vibe from mouth-watering dishes by top pubs and restaurants, to incredible independent producers, drinks, and an unbeatable musical line-up including Dizzee Rascal, Gok Wan and Heart Radio Club Classics with Pandora on the Friday; Daniel Bedingfield, Furnace And The Fundamentals and Kay Iris are entertaining guests on Saturday Afternoon. While, Alice Pisano, Judge Jules and Ministry of Sound Classical are scheduled to get the party started on the Saturday Evening. Newcomer Bryony Dunn & The Forest, Babybird, Will Young and Newton Faulkner are headlining the Lazy Sunday Session.
BOOGIETOWN
WHEN: SATURDAY 12th JULY 2025
WHERE: APPS COURT, WALTON, SURREY
TICKETS: WWW.BOOGIETOWN.CO.UK
Surrey-based festival Boogietown has grown year-on-year and has even more impressive artists on their roster in 2025, including UB40, Kool & The Gang, Billy Ocean, Sister Sledge Featuring Kathy Sledge, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Jocelyn Brown, Robin S, Shapeshifters, Norman Jay MBE, Trevor Nelson, Shola Ama, Disco Express, Jon Besant and Guyza on the Main Stage and in their famous Big Top. Billed as “1 Day, 4 Stages and 1 Huge Boogie” this is one for a fun, young crowd where dressing up and glitz and glamour are de riguer at this disco inspired day out complete with food stalls and fun fair. Make sure you plan your journey to and from Walton-on-Thames as Apps Court is not near any train stations and the area can get quite packed.
KISSTORY
WHEN: SATURDAY 26th JULY 2025
WHERE: BLACKHEATH, LONDON
TICKETS: WWW.SKIDDLE.COM/FESTIVALS/KISSTORYFESTIVAL/
This one is for the die-hard, old skool music fans out there, Kisstory Festival on South London’s Blackheath Common, is featuring the “Biggest Old Skool & Anthems Live” returning stronger than ever on Saturday 26th July, following the sell-out festival in 2024 featuring Lisa Mafia, Romeo, Kele Le Roc, DJ Luck and MC Neat, Wayne Wonder, Fuse ODG, Kyla, Matt Jam Lamont, Artful Dodger, General Levy, Phats & Small and Oxide & Neutrino, with new additions and plenty of great artists to be announced throughout the year. Make sure you follow Kisstory on social media to stay updated on all the great musical acts set to be announced this year.
UPTOWN FESTIVAL
WHEN: SUNDAY 27th JULY 2025
WHERE: BLACKHEATH, LONDON
TICKETS: WWW.UPTOWNFESTIVAL.CO.UK
Join legendary acts for a day of musical carousing on London’s Blackheath. On the 27th July, the capital’s picturesque heathland will host an array of familiar faces from international chart toppers Boy George & The Culture Club to Sister Sledge in Cardiff and UB40 at Rochester Castle in Kent. It will be a day of family-filled mayhem. Uptown Festival boasts three fun-filled stages, a dedicated family area, the ‘funniest’ funfair in town and a delectable range of street food. Catering to all family members (and mouths), Uptown 2025 has introduced larger stage screens and an even bigger selection of hot and cold food and beverage options. This is getting bigger and better year by year.
51st STATE FESTIVAL
WHEN: SATURDAY 2nd AUGUST 2025
WHERE: COPTHALL PLAYING FIELDS, LONDON
TICKETS: WWW.51STFESTIVAL.COM
51st State Festival is a one-day London house music festival held in the capital’s Copthall Playing Fields in Barnet, North London. Celebrating the roots of house music, 51st State pulls together the various threads of this influential genre, taking festival-goers on a journey through classic house, tech house, afro house, garage, disco, soul, dance and more, curating a line-up that comes from Chicago, New York, Detroit, London and across 7 stages and dance tents. 51st State Festival showcases the technicoloured heritage of dance and is amongst the most diverse and inclusive festivals in the UK, run by music fanatics for serious house, garage, RnB, reggae and trance music fans.Big name DJ’s to be announced soon.
ALL POINTS EAST
WHEN: 16th – 24th AUGUST 2025
WHERE: VICTORIA PARK, LONDON
TICKETS: WWW.ALLPOINTSEASTFESTIVAL.COM
All Points East is a series of day festivals in Victoria Park from 16th August to 24th August with major headline artists including Chase & Status, Overmono, Sammy Virji, Nia Archives, Dimension and Jyoty Ahadadream on Friday 16th August – the opening day. One week later the APE line-up includes Barry Can’t Swim, Confidence Man, Shygirl, Marlon Hoffstadt, DJ Heartstring, Interplanetary Criminal and Salute on Friday 22nd August. And then on Saturday 23rd August the Brit award-winning Raye is performing alongside Tyla Doechi Jade and more acts to be announced soon. Sunday 24th August sees The Maccabees, Bombay Bicycle Club, Dry Cleaning, The Cribs, The Murder Capital, Divorce and Prima Queen take to the stage. Stay tuned for more dates to be added – last year there were
READING FESTIVAL
WHEN: 21st – 24th AUGUST 2025
WHERE: RICHFIELD AVENUE, READING
TICKETS: WWW.READINGFESTIVAL.COM
A festival celebrating the world’s greatest pop and rock acts is steaming into Reading, Berkshire this August bank holiday weekend. With an incredible line-up of acts including Travis Scott, The Kooks, Chappelll Roan, Bloc Party, Rudimental, AJ Tracy, Bring Me The Horizon, Suki Waterhouse, Hozier, Conan Grey, Sammy Virji, Trippie Redd, DJ EZ and Becky Hill among significant others. Again…only the greatest acts are selected to make the cut. Mirrored acts appear on alternate nights in Leeds if you can’t get any tickets for Reading this year. Book early to avoid disappointment. It’s a firm favourite with the younger crowds so best stay away if you prefer a more relaxing festival!
CARFEST
WHEN: 22nd – 24th AUGUST 2025
WHERE: LAVERSTOKE PARK FARM, HAMPSHIRE
TICKETS: WWW.CARFEST.ORG
Carfest is a family festival in Hampshire which was started by Chris Evans. They have great activities including car racing, showcasing older racing models and newer concept electric cars. Plus, family fun including games, stalls, activities, food, comedy and more. There is an impressive musical line-up this year including Rita Ora, Madness, Lightning Seeds, Travis, Tom Walker, Mista Jam, Ellie Sax and Dakota. The festival supports a wide range of children’s charities including BBC Children in Need, the Rainbow Trust and Teenage Cancer Trust so you’re giving to a good cause whilst enjoying a fun filled day or weekend out. Great for families too as loads of shows and exhibitions to take in.
BOOKHAM FOOD FESTIVAL
WHEN: 6TH SEPTEMBER 2025
WHERE: BOOKHAM
TICKETS: WWW.BOOKHAMFOODFESTIVAL.CO.UK
Bookham Food Festival is back for its fourth year. Alongside amazing street food, there are live cooking demonstrations and engaging discussions on nutrition, health, and wellbeing in the Festival Kitchen. The 2025 chef line-up includes Joe Hurd (BBC Saturday Kitchen), Silvana Franco (Daily Telegraph), Adam Sharpe (The Garden Room at Beaverbrook), and Tom Whitaker (Masterchef, Tempus Foods). Additionally, a new sit-down dining experience and talks from local producers will be introduced. Visitors can also browse local artisan products at the Festival Market and enjoy a range of drinks from the fully stocked bars, including a range of drinks including Pimms, cocktails, wines, and various beers.The BFF DJs will keep the atmosphere lively with a mix of funk, soul and reggae throughout the day and into the evening. The organisers of the event, who are all volunteers from the community, said “Bookham Food Festival has really cemented its place in the annual local events calendar.”
MUCKY WEEKENDER
WHEN: 11th – 13th SEPTEMBER 2025
WHERE: VICARAGE FARM, WINCHESTER
TICKETS: WWW.MUCKY-WEEKENDER.CO.UK
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, Alison Limerick, David Rodigan, Dub Pistols & Friends, The Orb, Phil Hartnoll from Orbital, Utah Saints, K-Klass, Freestylers, Graeme Park, Lisa Loud and Stanton Warriors among many others. The theme is “Dead Famous” – it’s a full-on sensory explosion and a celebration of dance culture with the incredible Mucky Community. This really is a magical one, if you are looking for an adventure with like-minded people.
FEASTY FEST
WHEN: 13th – 14th SEPTEMBER 2025
WHERE: CHEAM PARK, SUTTON
TICKETS: WWW.FEASTYFEST.CO.UK
Food is more than nourishment, it’s about family and friends. And when we share and celebrate food it’s about community. FeastyFest has grown to be the largest food festival in Surrey, this year over 2 days, for the first time. What started out as a way to entice families to enjoy food and learn and understand where it comes from, while inspiring children to try new things. It’s now a full-day festival experience with music from leading bands like Scouting For Girls, Symphonic Ibiza and tribute acts including Oasiz,24K Bruno Mars, Hells Bells AC/DC and Bob Marley – The Legend. You can also check out the Farmer’s Market, craft and wellbeing stalls, Kidzone and FeastyFest’s specialist talks and tastings with the likes of ‘Dragon’s Den’ winner Levi Roots and Surrey chef Renu B.
