BEST FOR PROPERLY SWITCHING OFF… Wildfire Adventure Camp
Calling itself a "Questival," this three-day event takes place at a secret woodland location, an hour from London. As well as music (the line-up isn't revealed until you arrive on site), the event has a variety of activities, including trekking and adventure sports, basing itself on a ’50s adventure camp – and no electronic devices are allowed!
19-21 June, £130 adult weekend tickets (no day tickets, 18+ only) Campwildfire.co.uk
**BEST FOR CHILLING OUT… **Wilderness
Now in its 5th year, this picturesque festival has headline acts including Bjork and Ben Howard, as well as yummy food, theatre, talks, plus a huge yoga and wellbeing area. If you're after a sophisticated festival, this is it.
6-9 August, £176 adult weekend tickets Wildernessfestival.com
BEST FOR CELEB SPOTTING… V Festival
Calvin Harris, Sam Smith, Kasabian, Hoizer and The Script are just some of the big acts playing this festival that is held simultaneously over two parks in Essex and Staffordshire (acts swap on the Saturday and Sunday), popular with the TOWIE stars. Get your hands on a VIP ticket and feel like a real celeb.
23-23 August, £199.95 weekend ticket (VIP tickets cost more) Vfestival.com
BEST FOR SPOTTING NEW TRENDS… Lovebox
If fashion is your thing, you'll be drooling over the outfits at this uber-trendy two-day festival held in East London's Victoria Park. Snoop Dogg, Rudimental, Hot Chip, Cypress Hill and Jessie Ware play. The Glastonbury-esque set up will have festival-goers forgetting they're in the middle of the capital city…
17-18 July, Approx £100 weekend ticket Loveboxfestival.com
BEST FREE FESTIVAL… Innocent Unplugged
This two-day festival has no wi-fi, no 3G and no-traditional electricity. As you properly unplug, you can listen to an eclectic mix of acts, including everyone from Norman Jay to Mr Motivator (!), take part in yoga sessions or relax in the spa are. Apply for tickets at the website below.
23-24 May, FREE Innocentunplugged.com
BEST FOR FOODIES… The Big Feastival
Jamie Oliver and Alex James bring us this unique celebration of food, music and family fun, all set on Alex's idyllic Cotswolds Farm. Browse local producer stands, join cookery classes or join chefs for intimate Q&A sessions. Alternatively, you can just enjoy music from acts including Paloma Faith, Groove Armada or Dizzee Rascal.
28-30 August, £154.50 adult weekend Jamieoliver.com/thebigfeastival
BEST FOR FANCY DRESS… Bestival
The Chemical Brothers, Rudimental, Duran Duran and Annie Mac are some of the top names headlining this fancy-dress-focused festival that unofficially closes the festival season. Quirky and picturesque, this one is definitely not just about the music…
10-13 September, £205, Bestival.net
WE'RE GIVING AWAY A PAIR OF TICKETS, WORTH £410, here
**BEST FOR FAMILIES… **Camp Bestival
It's like Bestival's little sister – and there's something for the whole family at this family-friendly event, set on the grounds of 17th Century Lulworth Castle. Clean Bandit, Kaiser Chiefs and Ella Eyre play live, but expect carnival parades, foraging walks, climbing walls and storytelling.
30 July – 2 Aug, Adult weekend £195 (reduced tickets for under 18s, under 4s go free), www.campbestival.net*
WIN A FAMILY TICKET, WORTH UP TO £842 here
BEST CITY FESTIVAL… Parklife Festival
Easily the best value festival if you're after big acts, this annual event is set in Manchester's Heaton Park and attracts a younger crowd. Ben Howard, Disclosure, Rudimental, Annie Mac, Fatboy Slim and Jamie XX are just a few of the big names at the festival, while eye-catching installations and an ever-increasing amount of food stalls mean it stands out from your regular city gathering.
6-7 June, Adult weekend £89.50, www.parklife.uk.com
WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS, WORTH AROUND £200 here
BEST If YOU'RE TAKING TEENAGERS WITH YOU… Latitude
A laid-back and relatively safe-feeling festival site, Latitude is very arts focused and has big acts to keep music-loving teens smiling, while being chilled out enough for the older festival goer too. Spoken word and comedy play a big part, while the family camping areas are quiet if you have small kids in tow. Alt J, Portishead and Noel Gallagher's Flying Birds headline.
16-19 July, Adult weekend, £200.50, www.latitudefestival.com
**WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS, WORTH AROUND £400 here
**
BEST FOR SPOTTING NEW ACTS… The Great Escape
This Brighton festie bills itself as 'Europe's leading festival for new music' and takes place in 35 venues in the centre of the city. 400+ artists are announced to play this year with acts including Alabama Shakes and Django Django headlining the bill.
14-16 May, adult three-day pass £59.50, Greatescapefestival.com
BEST BUDGET… Blissfields
This is the relatively small festival with the not so small acts. Set on a farm in Hampshire, you can expect the exactly opposite to the big commercial festivals with local beer and food to boot. The Horrors, John Grant and Simian Mobile Disco headline.
3-4 July, Adult weekend £105.45, www.blissfields.co.uk
WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS, WORTH £300 here
**BEST FOR THOSE WHO LOVE AN INTIMATE GIG… **Barn On The Farm
Great for spotting new acts, this festival is held across several barns on a farm in Gloucestershire only has a capacity of 1,500 – with a special headliner on friday for just 200 ticketholders. James Bay headlines.
3-5 July, Adult weekend (saturday and sunday) £100, Barnonthefarm.co.uk
**BEST FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SMALL CHILDREN… **Geronimo
The North West's biggest children's festival in Cheshire includes everything from high ropes to storytelling and has a host of children's characters, including CBeebies' Mr Bloom. This is the ideal summer event for children under 12.*
23-25 May, tickets from £16 a person, www.geronimofest.com*
BEST BOUTIQUE FESTIVAL… Forgotten Fields*
The folks at Kendal Calling bring us this new 4,000 capacity Sussex-based festival where great food, drink and real ales are as much a part of the festival as the music. Super Furry Animals, De La Soul and Basement Jaxx headline, while there are lots of boutique camping options available as well as cool site art and a late-night cinema. Get a ticket for this one while you can!
7-9 August, from £95 adult weekend with camping, Forgottenfields.co.uk
WE'RE GIVING AWAY A PAIR OF TICKETS HERE
BEST FOR DANCING IN THE WOODS… Farr Festival*
**If dance music is your thing, this boutique festival held in deserted woodland in Hertfordshire will help you get your groove on. Now in its sixth year, Erol Alkan, DJ Koze and Waze.Odyssey headline. ****
***16-18 July, £99 adult weekend with camping, Farrfestival.co.uk
**
**BEST ABROAD… Primavera Sound
Leave your wellies at home and head to Barcelona for this Indie-focused Spanish festival, set in an industrial park on the coast. The Black Keys, Alt J and The Strokes headline. Sunshine pretty much guaranteed.
27-30 May, Adult weekend, £140, www.primaverasound.com