The Best Music Festivals in London For 2023

If last year illustrated anything about festivals, it’s that our British appetite for frolicking around in a muddy field remains strong. If you’re looking to sing and dance along to some incredible music on home turf this summer, these are the best music festivals in London to book now for 2023.

The Ultimate London Music Festival Calendar:

• May: Wide Awake Festival, Live At The Palace, Cross The Tracks, City Splash Festival
• June: Mighty Hoopla, Festival People, Hampton Court Palace Festival
• July: The 1975: At Their Very Best, Wireless Festival, Kew The Music 2023, Kaleidoscope, Live At The Palace
• August: All Points East, YAM Carnival

Best Music Festivals in London 2023

Wide Awake Festival

When? 27 May 2023

Where? Brockwell Park

What? With emerging talent front and centre, Wide Awake Festival debuted in 2021 ‘for music fans looking to discover something different’. This year’s line up is headed up by Caroline Polachek, alongside the likes of Ty Segall, Osees, Oneohtrix Point Never, Daniel Avery and Shygirl.

BOOK IT: Tickets from £10. wideawakelondon.co.uk

Live At The Palace

When? 27–28 May 2023

Where? Fulham Palace

What? A brand new concert series is coming to Fulham Palace this festival season, taking place across two weekends: one at the end of May, and the other at the end of July (see below). In May, expect a Ministry of Sound Classical takeover, bringing some of classical music’s most talented players to Fulham Palace, challenging what an orchestral performance really is – and by that we mean a 32-piece orchestra reimagining dance classics. Groove Armada will take to the stage on Sunday with a DJ set, inviting some very special, TBD guests.

BOOK IT: Day tickets are £55.70. robomagiclive.com

Cross The Tracks 2022 (c) Vision Seven

Cross The Tracks

When? 28 May 2023

Where? Brockwell Park

What? Brockwell Park will be playing host to another music festival this May bank holiday: Cross The Tracks, drawing together soul, funk and jazz, including the likes of Masego, Kelis and Alfa Mist. With a focus on art, you can also expect art installations, a creatives’ market, talks, panels and workshops by charity partners.

BOOK IT: Tickets from £10. xthetracks.com

City Splash 2022 (c) Luke Dyson

City Splash Festival

When? 29 May 2023

Where? Brockwell Park

What? The May Bank Holiday is a very busy time to be Brockwell Park… If Reggae, Dancehall and Afrobeats are more your thing, venture down on the Bank Holiday Monday. Expect seven stages of incredible music alongside a wealth of Black-owned food, drinks and creative markets in this unmissable celebration of Caribbean and African culture.

BOOK IT: Tickets from £29.50. city-splash.com

Mighty Hoopla

When? 3–4 June 2023

Where? Brockwell Park

What? Still in Brixton’s Brockwell Park, this LGBTQ+ friendly festival always promises a good time. And 2023’s line-up is a stonker: Kelly Rowland, Years & Years and Aqua are all confirmed, alongside deep-cut Vengaboys and many more.

BOOK IT: Tickets from £69.50. mightyhoopla.com

Festival People

When? 17 June 2023

Where? Barking Park

What? New for 2023 to London’s day festival scene, Festival People will land in East London’s Barking Park this summer, with a focus on youth culture and community. Expect a mixture of rising stars and big name headline artists, including Bugzy Malone and Jonas Blue.

BOOK IT: Ticket prices are TBD, but you can reserve your spot with a £5 deposit. festivalpeople.london

Hampton Court Palace Festival

Hampton Court Palace Festival

When? Throughout June

Where? Hampton Court Palace, Richmond-upon-Thames

What? More low-key than many entries on this list, at Hampton Court Palace Festival, artists perform to a beautiful backdrop in Henry VIII’s open-air Base Court for an intimate audience of 3,000. This year’s line-up includes race Jones, Kaiser Chiefs, Björn Again and Rick Astley, with more to still be announced. It’s also the perfect festival if a picnic on the lawn pre-show is on your check-list. We’re very much in.

BOOK IT: hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com

(Samuel Bradley)

Festival Republic Presents The 1975: At Their Very Best

When? 2 July

Where? Finsbury Park

What? Hot off their Brit Award win for Rock/Alternative Band, The 1975 have announced a massive show at London’s Finsbury Park to kick off a summer of music in the city. Accompanied by Texan dream-pop band Cigarettes After Sex, New Jersey rock outfit Bleachers, electronica-pop act The Japanese House and emo-rock band American Football – with more acts to be announced – it’ll be a full Sunday affair. With a 40,000 capacity, don’t miss out – it’s all your friends will be talking about all summer long.

BOOK IT: Pre-sale from 9am Wednesday 15th February, and on general sale from 9am Friday 17th February. ticketmaster.co.uk

Wireless Festival

When? 7–9 July 2023

Where? Finsbury Park

What? One of the most well-known festivals on the London calendar, Wireless is a celebration of the newest and best in hip hop, grime and R&B, welcoming the likes of Stormzy, Travis Scott, Sza, Nicki Minaj and Cardi B to the stage in recent years. This year’s line-up is yet to be announced, so watch this space.

BOOK IT: Early bird tickets are on sale now. wirelessfestival.co.uk

Kew The Music 2023

When? 13–16 July 2023

Where? Kew Gardens

What? This annual series of summer picnic concerts is always popular. Set in the stunning Kew Gardens, 2023 guests can enjoy music from Jack Savoretti, The Human League, Hacienda Classical and Jules Holland across the four-day concert series.

BOOK IT: kewthemusic.org

Lloyd Winters

Kaleidoscope

When? 15 July 2023

Where? Alexandra Palace

What? The iconic Ally Pally is back with its very own festival, Kaleidoscope, for summer 2023. As if the spectacular backdrop wasn’t enough, Hot Chip is headlining this summery music day festival, with more acts to be announced soon.

BOOK IT: Adult tickets are £59.15. kaleidoscope-festival.com

Live At The Palace

When? 28–30 July 2023

Where? Fulham Palace

What? On the last weekend of July, Live At The Palace will return to Fulham Palace, with a star-studded line-up of OMD, Emeli Sandé, UB40 feat. Ali Campbell, Sinéad Harnett, Lady Blackbird, Blancmange and many more. Dancing shoes are a must.

BOOK IT: Day tickets are £55.70. robomagiclive.com

Tom Hancock

All Points East

When? 18–20 & 25–27 August 2023

Where? Victoria Park, London

What? If you’re after the festival experience but don’t fancy the tent life, London hosts a number of non-camping day options. One of the best is All Points East, which takes place in Victoria Park across two weekends in August. Music traditionally leans towards the alternative genre, though there’s a bit of everything: the 2022 line-up included Gorillaz, The Chemical Brothers, Disclosure and Tame Impala. 2023’s first announced headliner is none other than Stormzy.

BOOK IT: Tickets on sale soon. allpointseastfestival.com

Yam Carnival

When? TBD August 2023

Where? Clapham Common

What? Clapham Common’s new(ish) music festival, YAM Carnival, was designed to celebrate Black culture from around the world, and 2022 was headlined by none other than Wizkid. What better way to spend an August weekend? 2023 details to be announced.

BOOK IT: yamcarnival.com

Main image: City Splash 2022 (c) Luke Dyson