The Best UK Festivals

There's no denying that UK festivals are some of the best in the world; from Glastonbury to Oktoberfest, our country has nailed the art of music celebrations, food pop-ups and beer bashes. We've rounded up the creme de la creme, so when you're not dancing in your wellies, try everything from dedicated chicken wing bonanzas to booze-testing all-dayers.

Last edited by Kiera Chapman

Last updated on 9th April 2024




London: Brixton Disco Festival 2024

@ Various Venues Brixton on Sat, 4th May 2024 @ 15:00 - 3:00

Returning for the sixth time, the annual multi-venue Brixton Disco Festival 2024 is back and better than ever. Tickets start from £27.50 each and include access to all of the locations, which span iconic South London party destinations like Electric Brixton, Ritzy Picturehouse and Brixton Village. Secure yours now for the chance to catch the likes of Norman Jay MBE, Artwork, Ella Knight and Don't F**k With Disco with residents Toby Elliot and Ronnie C. There'll even be a screening of Talking Heads' 'Stop Making Sense' at the Ritzy Daydream Disco Stage, plus so much more. 

UK-Wide: Wing Fest 2024

Discover some of the most delicious chicken the UK has to offer at Wing Fest across London, Bristol, Sheffield and more. Alongside your beer, bourbon and bites, you can enjoy live music and cracking entertainment such as eating competitions (the Clifton Chilli Club Lava Wing Challenge AKA the hottest in the world will be taking place across all three days), axe throwing and much more as the almighty event celebrates 10 years of being saucy, promising to be bigger and better than ever. Secure tickets starting from £25 each and bag a free trucker hat thrown in for you to sport while you chow down on tender Buffalo wings. 

Leeds: Stationfest 2024

@ Station on Sat, 25th May 2024 @ multiple start times (see ticket info)

Sink your teeth into juicy eats from food trucks and devour crispy fries with tickets to Sationfest 2024 at the buzzing boozer in Leeds. You'll find Station on Otley Road hosting live music and serving drinks to raise money for Andy's Man Club on Saturday the 25th of May throughout the day. Tickets are free until 5pm, after which they're only £2, which is still an incredible bargain for such a fun event. It's ideal for the whole family so secure your spot now and head down in support of a wonderful cause. 

London: Springfest 2024

@ The Bermondsey Bierkeller on Saturday 20th April 2024 and 4 other dates

Travel to Munich without having to leave UK soil with tickets starting from £15 to Springfest 2024 at The Bermondsey Bierkeller. This April, there'll be live Oompah bands having you on the dancefloor in no time, along with Paulaner beer by the stein and a delicious spread of German street food, frankfurters and all. The fun doesn't stop there though as this high-energy bash is going all out with live DJs, wild entertainers, and a mix of fun-filled games including shuffleboard, interactive darts, pool, foosball, ping pong, and more.

Manchester: Freight Island Summer Festival Series

Freight Island in Manchester is pulling out the stops with its Spring Summer Festival Series, featuring some incredible headliners like Norman Jay, Sophie Lloyd and Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip) across the next few of months. The buzzing bar will be welcoming local collectives from across the city as well as hosting DJ sets, and what's more, admission is free. Not only is the haunt a great place for a bit of alfresco sipping (think experimental, nitro-infused cocktails like the Mola Twisted Melon and Lychee), but it's also home to some sensational grub with pizza from Voodoo Ray's and loaded patties thanks to Burgerism. 

Portsmouth: Chilli And Gin Festival 2024

Brave the heat with a spicy eating competition; one of the many activities going on at Portsmouth Chilli and Gin Festival 2024, taking place at Fort Purbrook on the 4th and 5th of May. Get down on Saturday to the throwback sounds of the 90s and 00s, then rock out to live indie music on Sunday. Plus, there'll be cocktail masterclasses to take part in as well as over 60 vendors showcasing artisanal produce and tipples. Snap up a ticket from £23 each and discover your new favourite flaming hot sips and eats. 

Birmingham: Luna Springs Discobomb Festival

@ Luna Springs on Saturday 20th July and Saturday 14th September 2024

This July and September, unleash your inner dancing diva at Luna Springs with tickets starting from only a tenner to its Discobomb Festival. The all-day extravaganza will be headlined by world-class DJs spinning the best house hits, as well as feature performances from Ibiza Gogo dancers and queens. Gather your friends and secure your place early to enjoy a welcome drink before you embark on a celebration of life, love and music under showers of confetti. And if you get peckish? There'll be an expansive selection of street food available, as well as delicious classic cocktails.

London: Spring Celebration Beer Festival At Gipsy Hill Brewery

@ Gipsy Hill Taproom on Sat, 4th May 2024 @ multiple start times (see ticket info)

South London taproom Gipsy Hill Brewery presents its Spring Celebration Beer Festival on Saturday the 4th of May this year, with tickets starting from a tenner for a tasting session packed with activities. It'll be celebrating its 10th birthday the only way it knows how: with a pint of the good stuff, as well as live music, DJs and delicious street food from KERB+. You'll be able to get your lips around the brewery's core range of drinks and special edition flavours that have been made just for the event. What's more, the venue is dog-friendly so don't be afraid to bring your pooch for an afternoon in the sun. 

London: The Hopped Lamb Micro Festival

@ Hackney Church Brew Co on Sun, 5th May 2024 @ 12:00 - 2:00

Hackney Church Brew Co is hosting The Hopped Lamb Micro Festival where it'll be slinging out craft beers and BBQ meats to revellers who swing by the Bohemia Place joint. To top it all off, tickets are free, so there's no excuse not to explore the 16 amazing breweries showcasing over 30 unique beers. Expect the likes of Pretty Decent, State of Kind and Neckstamper to be showing off their thirst-quenching tipples, alongside a selection of smoked meats, expertly grilled by Lagom and Friends. Devour the likes of roast lamb and cedar plank salmon while Jamie Roche and DJ Marcus Grant provide live music. 

Bedford: Brewpoint's Beer & Beyond Festival 2024

If you're on the hunt for some cracking food and drinks this spring, look no further than Brewpoint's Beer & Beyond 2024. Tickets start from only a tenner to a day brew won't want to miss. Explore a range of homemade beers as well as guest kegs, before tucking into some delicious eats courtesy of gourmet food trucks whipping up burgers, pizzas from a brick oven and more. Plus, there's live entertainment thanks to performances from talented artists across a variety of genres. 

Newcastle: Fedfest 2024

@ The Fed on Sun, 25th Aug 2024 @ multiple start times (see ticket info)

Experience some of the world's finest tribute acts as they all come together for Fedfest 2024 in Newcastle. The Fed, Gateshead's epic entertainment venue, will host the likes of Royal Rhapsody, Typically Tina and Hello Dolly across indoor and outdoor stages. Tickets start from £17.50 if you're an early bird, then from £20.50 for the second release. There'll also be a bucking bronco to hop on, cocktail bars to quench your first with and crowdy-okie. So, shimmy on down on Sunday the 25th of August to singalong to We Will Rock You and more.

Birmingham: Seasonal Markets

Searching for the best UK festivals in 2024? Then head to Birmingham's seasonal markets taking place at The Bond. Tickets start from £7.50 for an array of themed events across summer, autumn and winter. Enter a BBQ paradise on the 3rd of August and devour smoky bites, get down to live DJ sets and try some tasty tipples. July brings a burger-fuelled affair packed with music and there's even an Oktoberfest-style event offering street food and dancing to get you in the Bavarian spirit.

Birmingham: Birmingham Cocktail Weekend

Drink £5 cocktails for four days straight – only at Birmingham Cocktail Weekend. Taking place across July and October at The Hendrick's Gin Hub at Hotel du Vin, these boozy festivals will see over 40 of the city's best bars serving discount sips and exclusive food offerings, as well as hosting tasting sessions and one-off events. You could have access to all of this, plus a fantastic hotel discount and £4 mocktails, just by purchasing a £12 ticket; as far as small UK festivals in 2024 go, this one is thirst-quenching and fabulous.

Weymouth: Quayside Fest 2024 At Rendezvous

@ The Rendezvous, Weymouth on Various dates from Saturday 4th May 2024

Perched beside the picturesque harbour, The Rendezvous is a three-floor pub that hosts the unmissable Quayside Festival 2024, taking place on the 4th of May. Entry is free (but you still need to book tickets) meaning that this buzzing spot fills up quickly as revellers are keen to catch a fantastic lineup of live music, as well as delight in food stalls and plenty of beer. 

Liverpool: Baltic Beer Fest Presents Pizza Palooza

@ Black lodge Brewery on Fri, 19th Apr 2024 @ multiple start times (see ticket info)

If you're addicted to slices of cheesy goodness, then you're going to love what Baltic Beer Fest has in store at Black Lodge Brewery in Liverpool. They're throwing Pizza Palooza this April, an entire event dedicated to beer and pizza, with tickets start from only £11 each. Witness some of the best dough masters battle it out to be crowned the winners, with giants like Hot Mess Pizza, Scottabocca Pizza and Dough Bros in the running. Wash down your slice with a pint from a selection of 30 cask ales, or better yet, have dessert and a drink all in one with a scooped ice cream cocktail. 

Edinburgh: The Biscuit Factory Beverage Festival

@ The Biscuit Factory on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th April 2024

Join The Biscuit Factory in Edinburgh for a weekend showcasing top-notch vendors, tastings and games. Across two floors, the loft-style venue will welcome up to 350 people to explore exhibitors such as Fyne Ales, Lindores Abbey, Tempest Brewing Co. and more with tickets starting from £16 each. Round your friends up and head to Anderson Place on the 19th or 20th of April to experience some of the best grub and tipples around. 

Sheffield: Best Festivals

Sheffield is jam-packed with fun festivals to attend this year. From the iconic Tramlines which see popular artists like Snow Patrol, Paolo Nutini and Bombay Bicycle Club take to the stage in Hillsborough Park to independent film festivals showcasing the best and the brightest from across the globe. There's even the opportunity to combine your love of movies with synth thanks to Sensoria this year. And if you're feeling thirsty? The Steel City Beer & Cider Festival is taking place this October.

London: Best Music Festivals

When it comes to UK music festivals in 2024, London isn't one to shy away from hosting hedonistic weekends packed with multi-coloured face paint, glitter and scrumptious street food. It offers an event for everyone, from the celeb-frequented All Points East at Victoria Park to the drum and bass-dedicated Waterworks in Gunnersbury Park. If you're keen for a weekend merging the hottest pop acts and drag stars together, then the Mighty Hoopla is for you. This year, thanks to BST Hyde Park's incredible lineup, you'll even have the chance to witness the one and only Stevie Nicks perform to thousands.