London’s music festivals range in theme from electronica to rock to classical, but they all share one thing: the desire to deliver beautiful tunes and a good time.
In between sets, why not complete your stay with more activities in the city? Check out our guide on things to do in London to make the most of your stay!
Pop/Rock/Alternative
These pop, rock, and alternative-focused festivals bring radio hits and chart-topping wonders from the biggest names in music into the heart of London.
British Summer Time/BST Hyde Park — From June 28th to July 14th
British Summer Time is a multi-weekend festival, widely known by attendees and industry insiders as BST Hyde Park.
The festival welcomes thousands upon thousands of fans, thanks to a roster of artists that has previously included Billy Joel, Guns N' Roses, Lana Del Rey, Pink, and BLACKPINK. It’s a diverse line-up that speaks to the festival’s game plan. 2024’s list of performers is no exception, with a mix of legendary headliners and supporting, rising stars that turned one of the biggest parks in London into a music lover’s paradise.
Price: General admission starting from £110.
There’s plenty happening mid-week, too. The festival’s Open House program offers a thrilling slate of activities and entertainment, all totally free. Bring the kids for a cinema presentation sponsored by British Airways, eat at The House of Peroni, or take them to workshops teaching arts, crafts, and theater techniques.
Camden Rocks Festival — To be announced
The Camden Rocks Festival is a celebration of music that extends across over 20 sites in and around central London in early June. The accessible location makes it a cinch for people to drop in for a show or two and duck out via the Tube. With major London airports only a hop, skip, and a jump away, plenty of international visitors are also coming to Camden Rocks.
As for the lineup, you’re not going to find Billboard toppers and pop stars here. Camden Rocks is more about giving diverse rock and alternative acts a platform. Some have cross-Atlantic name recognition, while others are still establishing a following.
Playmaker, Frank Turner, Wheatus, Ash, Escape the Fate, Bill Bragg, Young Guns, Norma Jean, Eliza & the Bear, Deaf Havana, SikTh, The Cribs, Bullet for My Valentine — they’ve all been to Camden and left their mark.
Hip-Hop/Urban
The history of hip-hop and urban music in the United Kingdom is richer than many realize. Jamaican immigrants brought more than one type of spice to London in the '50s, '60s, and '70s. Now, rap, soul, and all kinds of rhythmic explorations have a solid home here, especially at these hip-hop and urban-themed festivals.
Wireless Festival — From July 12th to July 14th
The Wireless Festival was originally sponsored by O2, a telecommunications company. Live Nation runs the current iteration of the hip hop festival, which typically takes place in early to mid-July.
The 2024 edition features Nicki Minaj, Sean Paul, Ice Spice 21 Savage, Doja Cat, J Hus, Don Toliver and other special guests. If you’re a fan of live music in London, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
Date: July 12th to 14th 2024.
Price: Starting from £94.60.
Location: Finsbury Park, Endymion Rd, Finsbury Park, London N4 1EE, UK.
Heavy corporate backing makes this festival a huge draw for big-name headliners. Vibe along to Playboi Carti, Lil Yachty, Travis Scott, Ice Spice, 50 Cent, Lil Durk, Cardi B, J. Cole, Lil Baby, Mahalia, Summer Walker, Gunna, SZA, Nicki Minaj, and Megan Thee Stallion.
Electronic/Dance
Not all music festivals in London feature a lead singer and backup band. Electronic music and dance festivals embrace the futuristic side of making music, and computers and control boards are very much involved.
Field Day — August 24th
Field Day is an electronica-focused outdoor festival in London that happens every August. Initially, it was held at Victoria Park from 2007 to 2017. After a few stints in other locations, it made its triumphant return to Victoria Park in 2023.
Artists come equipped with synthesizers, processors, and other computer-based devices that help them stretch the boundaries of melody, harmony, and what it means to keep the beat.
In 2024, some big names are expected to perform: Justice, Charlotte de Witte, PinkPantheress, 2manydjs, George Riley, Romy, Bambii.
Price: starting from £70.00.
Location: Victoria Park, 580 Clarence St, London, ON N6A 3N1.
Eastern Electrics Festival — August 24th
Eastern Electrics Festival opted to make use of disused buildings and sparsely decorated art venues around London, instead of alfresco venues such as parks and open fields.
In many ways, it’s less like a super-organized festival and more like a strategically run system of underground warehouse raves. The festival has moved to Lee Valley Showground, where organizers have more control over the settings and the sound setup.
The result is a more official-feeling festival, but there’s also more space to host techno, disco, and house acts, like Jamie Jones, Skreams, Joseph Capriati, Groove Armada, Ruby Savage, Kink, Argy and Kasia, Lindsey Matthews, Eli Brown, Nightmares on Wax, Sven Väth and Soonja Moonear.
Price: Starting from £49.45.
Locations: Lee Valley Showground EN9 1AB, UK.
All Genres
Some London music festivals refuse to be put in a box, much like the wacky and free-spirited characters of Cirque du Soleil. These celebrations embrace variety, so participants can find all the acts they love, regardless of genre, in one very festive place.
Kew The Music — From July 8th to July 14th
The yearly Kew The Music festival is one you won’t want to miss. To bring this venue to life, they turned a UNESCO World Heritage Site into a concert venue.
If you’re planning on attending, you’re in for a treat. It features sounds from Mika, Ronan Keating, Passenger, JLS, Beverley Knight, Jamie Webster, Calum Beattie, and Richard Ashcroft, to name a few.
If you’re feeling fancy, check out the festival’s VIP section. Hampers By Panzer’s offers fans a chance to upgrade their experience with picnic baskets packed with charcuterie, vegan bits, bread, chips, and fruit salad. There’s everything you need for a proper British summer spread.
Price: Starting from £64.25 (including fees).
Location: Kew Gardens, London.
And if you want to continue your evening in style, why not check out some of the best rooftop bars in London?
Meltdown Festival
Meltdown Festival puts organizational power in the hands of one chosen talent every year. That reigning king, queen, or royal group can pick whoever they want to grace the stages at the sprawling Southbank Centre complex.
In 2024, the iconic singer and musician Chaka Khan will curate the 29th edition of Meltdown.
There’s about 21 acres of space available for Meltdown directors such as Les Amazones d’Afrique, Norman Jay, Master Peace, Emeli Sandé, Todrick Hall, Rahsaan Patterson, Big Joanie, or Morcheeba. The result is a mix of musical styles that isn’t always what you’d expect but works anyway every single time.
Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
All Points East — From August 16th to August 25th
The All Points East festival happens at London’s Victoria Park. Sponsor AEG Presents has taken over the lush venue for a 10-day event that includes two weekend concert series.
A four-day stretch in between that offers free entry for locals and out-of-town fans who want to take advantage of community activities such as theater performances, workshops, and sporty events.
Each day of the festival has a headliner. In 2024, big names will appear including Kaytranada, Loyle Carner, or Mitski. Then, names such as Jai Paul, Pixies, Justice, Charlotte de Witte, Phoenix, Nas, Thundercat or Beabadoobee are expected to make this iteration a banner year.
Some of those acts are UK exclusives, meaning festival goers had the only chance to hoot and holler at bands that wouldn’t otherwise be appearing anytime soon.
Price: Starting from £79.75.
Location: Grove Rd., London E3 5TB, UK.
Mighty Hoopla — June 1st and June 2nd
Mighty Hoopla is one of the most open and diverse festivals on this already varied list. It’s like flicking through radio stations and getting the best from each broadcast. A lineup of 200 acts across 10 stages represents everything from top pop to queer culture to unusual yet satisfying alternative bops.
Over the years, Mighty Hoopla has welcomed Sugababes, Chaka Khan, Jessie Ware, Steps, Cheryl, Kelly Rowland, Flo, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, B*Witched, Nadine Coyle, and Mumba. In 2024, whether for Nelly Furtado, Alison Goldfrapp, Cat Burns, Georgia, Six the Musical, or Toby Corton, get a weekend pass to join 30,000 or so other like-minded people.
Price: starting from £74.50.
Location: Brockwell Park, Brockwell Park Gardens, London SE24 0NG, UK.
It’s a party that’s part music, part roaming comedy acts, part mass karaoke attacks, and an endless amount of fun.
Wilderness Festival — From August 1st to August 4th
The Wilderness Festival isn’t in London, but don’t hold that against us. This fest is about an hour and a half outside the city at Oxfordshire’s Cornbury Park. That distance from urban life allows the hosts to think outside the box and create a more immersive experience.
The Chemical Brothers, Christine and the Queens, Fatboy Slim, Sugababes, Björk, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Róisín Murphy, Burt Bacharach, Robyn, Bombay Bicycle Club, and Groove Armada have all graced the Wilderness stages, setting the scene for a weekend of “escapism, high jinks, and wholesome hedonism.”
Look into booking glamping tents that come with access to luxury toilets, a “pamper parlor”, a restaurant and bar, and 24-hour reception. You don’t even have to bring your tent if the idea of wrestling with canvas and stakes strikes fear into your music-loving heart.
Location: Cornbury Park, Charlbury, Chipping Norton OX7 3HL, United Kingdom.
Jazz & Blues
London doesn’t have the jazz and blues background of New Orleans or Paris. However, there are clubs aplenty and enough aficionados to make these festivals popular.
EFG London Jazz Festival — From November 15th to November 24th
In 2023, EFG London Jazz Festival celebrated the event’s 15th year in partnership with sponsors EFG. It’s proof positive that this enduring fête is beloved by audiences and artists alike.
Maybe it’s because the festival is in November instead of the hot summer months. It could be because it’s a full 10 days of music instead of a few zany, jam-packed days. We think it’s because the lineup includes existing acts, brand-new collaborations, and musical partnerships that only happen because of the festival’s support .
Whatever we can attribute its popularity to, you don’t want to miss acts like Tord Gustavsen and his trio, Marisa Monte, Dawn Richard & Spencer Zahn, Pat Metheny or Robert Glapser. The list is large and guaranteed to get your inner ear tingling.
Price: £15 - £70 + booking fee
Location: Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
Dare to Be Dazzled!
Adventure awaits in London with high-energy Cirque du Soleil shows. Dive into a world of acrobatics and wonder.
Classical
Rounding out our list of London music festivals are a couple of entries that focus on classical melodies. They help keep royal playlists alive centuries after the powdered wigs and petticoats have disappeared from the dance floors.
Opera Holland Park — Season from May 28th to August 10th.
Opera Holland Park festival is a year-round commitment to opera into a 3-month summer free-for-all at Holland Park.
The site has a plethora of formal gardens and woodland vistas that provide the perfect backdrop for a few dozen heartrending arias.
The open-air auditorium is robust, helping the music flood fans with energy and goosebump-inducing melodies as they take in classics like Tosca, The Barber of Seville, Edgar, Acis and Galatea or The Yeomen if the Guard.
Location: Opera Holland Park Theatre, Ilchester Pl, London W8 6LU, United Kingdom.
You can eat and drink before and after performances by snagging refreshments from the on-site Theatre Bar. You can also bring your own food and rent a picnic table in the Dutch Garden Lounge or the Terrace area.
London Festival of Baroque Music — May 14th to May 18th
The London Festival of Baroque Music is a tribute to a style of music so captivating that it was an essential part of balls thrown by Louis XIV.
The annual May festival brings in musicians from across the UK as well as places like Spain and France. There are solo performances, group events, and even masterclasses.
Price: Starting from £20.
Location: Smith Square, London SW1P 3HA, UK.
Dance Your Heart Out in London!
Musical festivals in London tend to be all-encompassing affairs, but there’s more than one to make the most of your time in the Big Smoke. When you’re not at Victoria Park or flashing your phone light on the stage at another iconic London venue, take a moment to amplify your excitement at shows in London.
Our London productions are designed to amaze, with edgy, awe-inspiring themes that transform the things you love about music into dreamy (and brilliantly weird) odes to optimism and creativity. Book tickets for a show in London and discover a new way to escape.