11 Popular Festivals In The United Kingdom - Updated 2024

1. Boardmasters

If music and surfing are what you love doing, meet like-minded people in this five-day festival, attracting more than 50,000 individuals annually. It takes place on the stunning Cornish coast and highlights activities that revolve around music and surfing. Enjoy listening to different genres of songs – including rock, RnB, grime, pop, indie, and other genres from more than 200 performers. That’s not all; this fest keeps you enthralled throughout with an eco-spa to soak in, reiki, workshops, yoga classes, and even comedy at Zennor Haven. Also, see fantastic surfing competitions at Fistral Beach, or party hard at the beach bar. The excitement never ends at Boardmasters.

Boardmasters

Address: Watergate Bay Newquay, Cornwall TR8 4

Website: Boardmasters

Takes place: August

2. Glastonbury Festival

If you are a fan of music, then you may have attended some music and performing art festivals over the years, but the Glastonbury Festival is like nothing you have seen before. This fest is believed to be the biggest of its kind in the world, highlighting drum ‘n’ bass, techno, minimal house, pop, rock, blues, and much more. It is characterized by its massive Pyramid stage, which has featured big names in the industry – including George Ezra, The Killers, Miley Cyrus, Kanye West, and much more. The experience becomes electrifying when you walk down the event’s nighttime district, Shangri-la, filled with its impressive shenanigans, theater, and more.

Glastonbury Festival

Address: Worthy Farm, Pilton, Glastonbury BA 16 0SZ, England

Website: Glastonbury Festival

Takes place: June

3. Glasgow International Jazz Festival

Also for music enthusiasts, enjoy a fulfilling time in this outstanding festival, highlighting concerts from famous R&B, funk, soul, blues, and jazz artists. Over the years, this grand event has welcomed big names in the music sphere from around the world – including Charlie Hunter, Sarah-Jane Morris, Buddy Guy, Tony Bennett, Pat Metheny, and much more. The Glasgow International Jazz Festival’s other highlights to enjoy include film screenings, late-night jazz clubbing, and interactive stage chats. It is one of the most significant music events in the British and Scottish jazz calendar, and is a must-experience.

Glasgow International Jazz Festival

Address: 81, High Street G78 3HJ Glasgow United Kingdom

Website: Glasgow International Jazz Festival

Takes place: June

4. Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the most-massive art festivals on the planet, and one of the most significant in the United Kingdom. It is a grand celebration, taking place in over 300 venues, highlighting over 3,000 events, and welcoming more than 50,000 participants. These performers flood many broad and narrow passages in Edinburgh to display their creative arts of every style and taste. If you are an art enthusiast or you want to feed your eyes with extreme creativity, then don’t miss this fest, which occupies the last three weeks of August annually. It’s also an opportunity to take home amazing artworks and even meet the country’s famous artists.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Address: 180 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1QS, United Kingdom

Website: Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Takes place: August

Price: 5 USD

5. Jorvik Viking Festival

Listen to extraordinary sagas of the past in this exciting fest, the grandest of its kind in all of Europe. The Jorvik Viking Festival features exceptional performances – including engaging combat shows, history encampments, tours, talks, workshops, and markets. It takes place in the beautiful city of York, and each year has a different theme. For 2020, the theme is the Voyages of the Vikings, which is bound to leave you nostalgic. If you are a history buff, then you shouldn’t miss this event and take your friends or family along.

Jorvik Viking Festival

Address: Parliament St, York YO1 8RL, United Kingdom

Website: Jorvik Viking Festival

Takes place: February

6. Southwark's Fireworks Night in Southwark Park [Last event in 2019]

Fireworks are a famous act of celebration in many parts of the world, as well as the United Kingdom. If you think you have seen it all, then you haven’t experienced the one at Southwark. This festival, which attracts over 30,000 visitors from within and around the globe, features lots of family-oriented entertainment and excitements. Apart from the bright displays, which dazzles above central London’s sky, the fest also highlights a kids’ funfair, drinks, and foods.

Southwark's Fireworks Night in Southwark Park

Address: Southwark Park 46 Gomm Rd London, SE16 2TX United Kingdom

Website: Southwark’s Fireworks Night in Southwark Park

Takes place: November

7. British Summer Time Hyde Park

The British Summer Time (BST) is a 10-day music event that started in 2013. The festival highlights six days of concerts featuring rising stars and legendary artists. However, this fest is not all about the music concerts; the two weekends in between these six days features other free activities and entertainments in what is called the Open House. There are lots of hospitality packages, drinks, and foods to keep the excitement afloat throughout the lovely shows. The American Express sponsors it.

British Summer Time Hyde Park

Address: London W2 2UH, England

Website: British Summer Time Hyde Park

Takes place: Usually held in July

8. All Points East

All Points East is a pretty new festival which made its debut in 2018, but it has quickly been recognized in London’s music calendar. It takes place amidst the beautiful vegetation of Victoria Park, and plays host to several famous artists in the hip-hop, indie, and rock genres. The festival features lots of live music performances, and in the 2020 event, it will welcome famous artists and bands – including the Australian psychedelic band, Tame Impala, Kraftwerk, and much more. Also, around the park, you will find cultural sites, pubs, and eateries.

All Points East

Address: Grove Rd, London E3 5TB, United Kingdom

Website: All Points East

Takes place: Usually held in May

9. International Beatle Week

The famous rock band, The Beatles, began in Liverpool, England, in 1960, and this festival aims at celebrating the music group. It welcomes individuals from 40 countries and features several music bands from more than 20 nations of the world. Regardless of whether you are a fan of The Beatles or not, music unifies and is what attracts everyone else to this exciting event. Aside from the live shows, the fest highlights other activities – including a convention, sightseeing tours, video shows, guest speakers, and even memorabilia for sale. Cavern City Tours organizes the festival.

International Beatle Week

Address: Century Buildings Second Floor, 31 N John St, Liverpool L2 6RG, United Kingdom

Website: International Beatle Week

Takes place: August

10. Aldeburgh Festival

For over 70 years, the Aldeburgh Festival has been delighting its visitors with its grand celebration of old and new music. It’s unlike any classical music event you have seen. It starts with the opening ceremony at St. Edmunds Abbey before the main event, which has seen performances from lots of artists around the country. It also highlights live chats and shows from international artists, films, exhibitions, walks, and other exciting events at The Beach Stage and The Pumphouse.

Aldeburgh Festival

Address: Snape Maltings Concert Hall Snape Bridge, Snape IP17 1SP, England

Website: Aldeburgh Festival

Takes place: June

11. The Bath Festival

The Bath Festival is held yearly across the city of Bath, the cultural hot pot known for its Roman-era bath houses, Gregorian architecture, and beloved British figures such as Jane Austen. With its strong focus on the literary arts, the over-week-long event offers a lineup of talks, workshops, and forums featuring today’s newest and top-ranking books.

Going beyond just books, The Bath Festival also delivers visitors with musical performances that encompass various genres, whether it be classical or pop rock. From bookworms to music lovers, there is something for everyone in Bath’s premier multi-arts festival. The Bath Festival makes a return this 2024 from 17th to 26th May, with new books and music in the spotlight.

The Bath Festival

Address: Multiple venues across Bath, Somerset

Website: The Bath Festival

Takes place: May

12. Bristol Harbour Festival

Among the most sought-after events in Bristol’s social calendar, the Bristol Harbour Festival welcomes guests from all walks of life to three days of nautical fun, lively music, and jaw-dropping circus performances. This free-of-charge event is held every July at the Bristol Harbour, undeniably one of the city’s most popular places.

Colorful sailboats docked on the harbourside make for the best views as you stroll through the festival’s livery. Be amazed by the thrilling gimmicks and over-the-top stunts performed by circus acts from across the city and beyond. If live music is what you seek, head to either Queen Square or Millennium Square. Both venues host performances from local and established musicians, as well as offer an irresistible lineup of food stalls and pop-up bars.

Bristol Harbour Festival

Address: Various locations across Bristol, BS1 5TX

Website: Bristol Harbour Festival

Takes place: July

Discover new ways to celebrate

Festivals are more than just celebrations of culture or heritage of a people; they enhance the oneness among people of different calibers. Make it a date to one of these popular festivals in the United Kingdom, to make merry, be entertained, and discover new ways to be happy.