While last year saw the comeback of live bands, loud dance tents and lukewarm pints, this summer is still making up for lost time. With festival season gaining on us yet again, we're rounding up some of the city's finest; from funk and soul day parties and sprawling cocktail pop-ups, to weekend-long carnivals fronting A-list lineups. Get ready to don your glitter and dance in a field because here are the top 10 London music festivals in 2022.
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All Points East
19th - 20th & 25th - 28th August 2022, Victoria Park
East London's favourite is returning to Victoria Park this summer, turning what was a three-day music event into an even longer bash thanks to Field Day. The 2022 lineup of All Points East offers a stellar selection of chart-topping artists and electronic music moguls, from Gorillaz and Tame Impala to Kraftwerk and Disclosure, making it one of the best festivals in London this August.
All Points East is bigger than ever.
South Facing Festival
29th July - 21st August 2022, Crystal Palace Park
The new kid on the block last year, South Facing has once again programmed a whole month of open-air concerts at the Crystal Palace Bowl. The series of gigs saw the likes of The Streets and Dizzee Rascal heading to SE19 to take their spot on the floating stage. The only confirmed artist in the 2022 lineup right now are electronic music moguls Jungle; so it's off to a pretty good start.
South Facing Festival is bringing an eclectic concert series to Crystal Palace Park.
Cocktails in the City
7th - 9th July 2022, Bedford Square Gardens
One of the best food and drinks festivals in London this year, Cocktails in the City is combining booze, tunes and interactive activities in one swish package. The pop-up event will be showcasing some of the finest mixology in the country, inviting 50 renowned cocktail bars to keep you in quality sips across the day. On top of the impressive drink selection, ticketholders can enjoy non-stop live music.
Quirky sips in a pretty setting? Cocktails in the City is just the place.
Mighty Hoopla
3rd - 4th June 2022, Brockwell Park
Mighty Hoopla is returning with a star-studded lineup that includes Jessie Ware, Basement Jaxx, Sugababes and actual Steps. If you're looking for pop stars, drag acts and outrageous outfits, this is the best of summer festivals in London 2022. But the weekend is about so much more than just the main stage, so get exploring those tents if you want to find comedy, cabaret and quirky bingo events.
This queer-friendly carnival injecting a little colour into the London festival scene.
Waterworks Festival
17th September 2022, Gunnersbury Park
Celebrating electronic music culture and independent artists, Waterworks was new on the scene last year - and, boy, did it get off to a flying start. This one-day London music festival is small but mighty, seeing out summer's balmy days with one helluva shindig. As for the artists? Expect Ben UFO, Moxie and more to be taking to the decks on stages throughout the day and 'til the early hours.
EDM is central to Waterworks Festival in West London.
GALA
2nd - 4th June 2022, Peckham Rye Park
A weekend dedicated to food, booze and tunes? Three-day festival GALA is bringing some much needed hedonism to The Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend, meaning it's one of London's best musical festivals in 2022. Mosey over to Peckham Rye Park and you'll find it transformed into a kaleidoscope of dance tents with Horse Meat Disco and more, street food vans, and pop-up bars.
GALA is celebrating the holy trinity of music, food and drink this summer.
Wireless Festival
1st - 3rd July, Crystal Palace Park and 8th - 10th July, Finsbury Park
One of London's biggest summer music festivals now has two huge weekends planned, one at Crystal Palace Park and the other in Finsbury Park. Headliners for the former are A$AP Rocky, J. Cole and Tyler The Creator, while the latter sees Cardi B, SZA and Nicki Minaj top the lineup. With names like these on their roster, it's no wonder that this event is so popular with Londoners and visitors alike.
Wireless rarely disappoints - and it just got even better.
Visions
6th August 2022, Various Venues near London Fields
Visions returns to the streets of Hackney this August for a party you won't want to miss. Taking over numerous venues in the area, the one-day extravaganza brings together an eclectic mix of established acts and the most exciting new talents on the scene. 2022 will front a packed programme of gigs and secret sets, as well as everyone's favourite happening - the annual Visions Dog Show.
A festival dedicated in its entirety to Belgian beer; need we say more?
Cross The Tracks
5th June 2022, Brockwell Park
After a phenomenal first year in 2019, London music festival Cross The Tracks got back to business last summer. A celebration of jazz, funk and soul, this year's lineup is already making a splash with headline slots from Joy Crookes and Khurangbin. And you won't be at a loss for activities between sets either, as this Brockwell Park party fronts a craft beer fair, a creatives market and 40 street food traders.
Another of London's best festivals, Cross The Tracks is celebrating jazz, funk and soul in style.
Kaleidoscope Festival
23rd July 2022, Alexandra Palace & Park
Set against the backdrop of the iconic Alexandra Palace, this arty offering is one for those who like their festivals chilled, interesting and family-friendly. Whether you're getting down to Orbital on the main stage and Craig Charles on the DJ decks, giggling in the comedy tent or making a fool of yourself at Hip Hop Karaoke, this quirky carnival is offering something for every kind of reveller.
Kaleidoscope is bringing a celebration of music and arts to Alexandra Palace.
Want more inspo? Check out further guides to the best UK festivals.
