From pop pioneers to the diverse sounds of today, Britain has a long and dynamic musical legacy waiting to be discovered. Our taste in music is just as eclectic and vibrant as our venues, with star-studded festivals, mighty classical concerts, hopping dance halls and the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on our shores in 2023. Read on for the ultimate British playlist…
A music and festivals showcase
Glastonbury
25 – 29 June 2025, Somerset
The UK’s biggest festival is Glastonbury Festival. With huge headliners and an enormous site – an 8.5-mile (14km) perimeter and a capacity of around 200,000 – you’ll never forget it.
Isle of Wight
19 – 22 June 2025, Isle of Wight
Another mega-festival is the historic Isle of Wight Festival, which was Britain’s answer to Woodstock. Revived in 2002, this island event is enormous fun.
Reading and Leeds
21 – 24 August 2025, Berkshire and West Yorkshire
These two music festivals take place over the same weekend, in two cities, with major rock bands and indie artists usually playing both venues on different days.
Parklife
14 – 15 June 2025, Manchester
Parklife is the UK’s biggest metropolitan festival and the line-up features everything from rock to hip-hop, indie to grime.
Boardmasters
6 – 10 August 2025, Cornwall
The laid-back Boardmasters at Newquay’s famous Fistral Beach and nearby Watergate Bay is part-surf competition, part-music festival.
Creamfields
21 – 24 August 2025, Cheshire
It’s one of the biggest dance festivals in the world: Creamfields, near Liverpool, includes talent from the worlds of house, techno, drum and bass, trance and more.
TRNSMT
11 – 13 July 2025, Glasgow
TRNSMT showcases the latest in British indie and rock and has rapidly grown into Glasgow’s biggest event of the summer.
BST
June – July 2025, London
British Summer Time in London’s Hyde Park is a series of mega-concerts through the summer, which guarantees huge headliners like Sabrina Carpenter and Stevie Wonder, as well as rising stars.
Camp Bestival
31 July – 3 August 2025, Dorset
Camp Bestival is a family-friendly event which takes place in Dorset.
Latitude
24 – 27 July 2025, Suffolk
Latitude Festival at Henham Park in Suffolk features music, dance, comedy, literature and family activities.
Why Britain's best for music and festivals
Love music? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you catch a gig in the Liverpool bar where The Beatles were discovered, tour Oasis and Joy Division’s Manchester hang-outs, or enjoy a soul-stirring Proms concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall, you’ll find that Britain’s streets are paved with songs.
You can hear the best bands in the world at our famous music festivals, such as Glastonbury and Creamfields – or discover the next big thing on small, intimate stages, such as London’s Moth Club and Bush Hall. Often, music will take you to Britain’s most glorious locations too, such as Green Man Festival in the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog), or Scotland’s Hebridean Celtic Festival – set on the beautiful Isle of Lewis.
Sometimes, a great gig will catch you completely by surprise: a soulful saxophone played on a street corner perhaps, or a toe-tapping Celtic band in a Northern Irish pub. From centuries-old folk music played on traditional instruments, to cutting-edge dance music, A-list stars and emerging talents – here’s where to get into the groove.
Where to find the best music and festival experiences
Top music and festivals experiences
Featured things to do
A Beatles adventure
Beatles fans rejoice – hop aboard a colourful bus for a city tour that explores the band that took the world by storm. Set off from Albert Dock and venture to the Beatles' childhood homes, Penny Lane and the iconic Strawberry Fields.
More than music
From one of Britain's most iconic summertime festivals with music, dance, art and theatre, to coastal vibes at Cornwall's Boardmasters, the festival scene across the nations is booming.
Get into the groove at Britain's festivals
Throwing shapes
Dance the night away at Glasgow's hot venue for up-and-coming artists. From intimate gigs to dance floor tunes, there's something for everyone.
Feel the beat of King Tut's Wah Wah Hut
Festive favourites
It wouldn’t be Christmas without Britain’s traditional carol concerts, held everywhere from outdoor markets to magnificent cathedrals all over the country. Simply magical.
Explore London’s Christmas carol concerts
