A festival is as key to a UK summer as sunshine and cider but there are so many to choose from.
And whether you want to mosh to hardcore rock, get down to grime or even try your hand at some arts and crafts – there's something to cater to every need. Here’s our pick of the best festivals this year and a little teaser of what they have in store…
Isle of Wight
When: 13-16 June
Where: Seaclose Park, Newport
What to expect: Music is the firm focus from Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds to George Ezra and Biffy Clyro pulling in the punters. While Lily Allen and Fatboy Slim will keep the atmosphere ticking over. Isle of Wight also hosts smaller stages are the perfect opportunity to discover hot new acts and relax in the sunshine. Buy tickets here
Tickets: Adult weekend tickets are £175. Buy tickets here
Glastonbury
When: 26-30 June
Where: Worthy Farm
What to expect: Arguably the daddy of all festivals, Glasto is famous for its main stage, The Stone Circle and the infamous Shangri-La – a hotspot to be enjoyed after dark. Pray it doesn’t rain as this festival has been known to get MUDDY.
Tickets: Full weekend tickets are £248. Buy tickets here
CHECK OUT what to pack when going to a festival with kids
CLOSER what to pack family festival - slider
1 of 12Festival taxi - yes really
Again, not one to pack but one to think about. Incredibly, Boomtown festival offers free buggy taxis for families from the family camping area to entertainment zones.
2 of 12Battery operated fairy lights
Loop these up inside your tent for a decent light when little ones need a nappy change / potty trip in the night.
3 of 12Camera
Take a photo of your child so you can show it to the nearest steward if they go wondering. And to capture all the precious moments, of course.
4 of 12Bucket
For late night toilet emergencies.
5 of 12Calpol
Just in case.
6 of 12Snacks
So many snacks. How many snacks do you think you need? Yeah, double that. At least.
7 of 12Pre-erected tent
OK, so this is one NOT to pack, but how about treating yourself to a pre-erected tent? Camplight, who are doing the heavy work at Standon Calling this year, have a very reasonably priced selection of tents that have been abandoned at previous festivals - so it ticks a big green box too.
8 of 12Wellington boots and waterproofs
It's the UK though so best be prepared for any extreme of weather.
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9 of 12Buggy / Pushchair
These are generally welcome, but do you really want to be the poor soul dragging a buggy across a muddy field? Some family friendly festivals offer trailers for hire which are a bit more all-terrain friendly. You could also consider a carrier.
10 of 12Toys and books
For back-at-the-tent downtime, or if your little one likes to spring out of bed at 5am before anything is open (just us?).
11 of 12Sun cream and hats
12 of 12Ear defenders
No excuses on this one. Little eardrums are especially precious.
Wireless
When 5-7 July
Where: Finsbury Park, London
What to expect: Recent Grammy winner Cardi B is headlining on the Friday and is joined by her husband Offset’s group Migos. Travis Scott and A$AP Rocky will also take to the main stage as the London based festival opens its doors to tens of thousands of revelers. But it’s not a camping festival – so keep that in mind if you are coming from further afield and need accommodation.
Tickets: Friday and Sunday day tickets are priced at £65 and Saturday is £67. A three-day weekend pass will cost £175 and a two day pass is £127.50. Buy tickets here.
British Summertime
When: 5-14 July
Where: Hyde Park, London
What to expect: The festival usually brings A list entertainment and this year is no different -with Celine Dion, Florence and the Machine and Robbie Williams announced as the three headliners. Not quite as rowdy as some of the other music festivals, British Summertime is less warm can of cider and more sparkling glass of Pimms. Again, this is not a camping festival so you’ll need to consider alternative accommodation if you’re not able to travel home.
Tickets: General admission is around £89.75 and a child (aged 2-9 years) accompanied with a guardian is £73.60. Buy tickets here.
Lovebox
When: 12 -13 July
Where: Gunnersbury Park, London
What to expect: The London based festival is returning to its new home of Gunnersbury Park for a second year - with headline music from Beyonce’s incredible sister Solange and Chance the Rapper. Usually welcoming in warm sunshine and a great atmosphere so get the beers in and bring your sunnies.
Tickets: Friday tickets are £58 and Saturday tickets are £68- or you can get a full weekend for £120. Buy ticketshere.
ONBlackheath
When: 13-14 July
Where: Blackheath Common, London
What to expect: this extremely family-friendly festival boasts a family playground and a live show from Andy & the Odd Socks (swoon). For the more grown up music fans there's absolute legend Grace Jones, plus a headline show from Jamiroquai #throwback. Odd hat optional, but be sure to pack a sun hat.
Tickets: Saturday tickets are £59.50 for adults, Sunday £39.50. Or go wild and buy a weekend one for £75. Buy tickets for ONBlackheath festival.
Latitude
When: 18-21 July
Where: Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk
What to expect: A creative explosion that goes way beyond the music. While Snow Patrol, George Era and Lana Del Ray are headlining, there’s strong competition in the comedy tent from Jason Manford and Russell Kane. With a key family focus, children (and adults) of all ages will be catered for.
This year, British photographer Rankin has announced a Latitude Festival collaboration and will give a talk in the Music and Film Arena discussing three decades behind the lens snapping everyone from David Bowie to the Queen. See you down the front.
Tickets: Day tickets start from £77.50, and adult weekend ticket with camping is, £202. Buy tickets here.
Tramlines Festival
When: 19-21 July
Where: Hillsborough Park, Sheffield
It's described as Sheffield's biggest party and it's not hard to see why. Set in Hillsborough Park, the festival brings together an eclectic mix of rock, indie and even some disco classics. Headliners this year include Two Door Cinema Club, Courteeners and Nile Rodgers with Chic. Aside from music, the festival also features Speaker's Corner - a brand new stage for poetry and spoken word performances. And if you're peckish, the festival have teamed up with Cutlery Works to provide a mouth-watering selection of street food options.
Tickets: The festival has mostly sold out of weekend slots but there are limited day tickets on sale now so hurry! Buy tickets here.
Truck Festival
When: 26-29 July
Where: Oxfordshire
What to expect: It’s been called the ‘godfather of small music festivals’ and this year will see cool indie acts such as Two Door Cinema Club and Wolf Alice light up the stage in Oxfordshire’s Hill Farm. Camping is available but there's also some lovely local hotels and B&Bs if you fancy it.
Tickets: £110 for a weekend. Buy tickets here.
Kendal Calling
When: 25-28 July
Where: Lowther Deer Park, The Lake District
What to expect: If you’re feeling less than inspired by the barrage of EDM and pop music on offer this festival season (and missed out on alt giants Download and Isle of Wight) then allow Kendal Calling to be your proverbial knight in technicolour armour.
Set against a truly magical backdrop of the Lake District, Kendal Calling is a medium sized festival that’s now in it’s 13th year with a line up boasting Manic Street Preachers, Mystery Jets and Tom Jones. Aside from the music there’s a tonne of eclectic entertainment and scenery to explore, including (but not limited to) immersive arts and culture, an outdoor cinema and a ROAR-some (geddit?) dinosaur-inspired Kendal Calling goes Jurassic theme, so crack out your best loincloth to join in the fun.
Tickets: Adult weekend camping tickets are £145, child weekend camping tickets are £20 and there’s also an 11-15 option available. Be quick – final release tickets are on sale NOW.
Wilderness
When: 1-4 August
Where: Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire
What to expect: A step into a world of tranquilly with outdoor lake swimming, woodland bike rides and yoga and mindfulness being just the beginning… Music takes a more soulful turn with Robyn, Tom Odell and Bombay Bicycle Club taking centre stage. There’s also a strong arts focus to tick every cultural box.
Tickets: Weekend adult camping tickets are £179.50. Buy tickets here.
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Visions
When: 3rd of August
Where: Various locations, London Fields
What to expect: The music festival takes over a series of locations across London Fields and brings guests the best in new music. You can also enjoy yoga in Space Gallery and there's even a dog show to enter your pooch in! Orville Peck, Otta and Maria Somerville are among the performers for this year.
Tickets: Nab a day ticket for just £33 here
Reading
When: 23-25 August
Where: Reading, England
What to expect: Taking place over the bank holiday weekend and usually experiencing some good sunshine, the festival will see cool indie pop from headliners 1975 and more rockier sounds from Foo Fighters. Reading also hosts comedy tents with stand-up from some of the best names on the circuit and is only a short walk to Reading’s town centre should you fancy a change of scenery or maybe somewhere to sit other than grass…
Tickets: A weekend ticket costs £205 and a day ticket is £69.50. Buy tickets here.