UK Festivals 2023: A look at the summer's music events

With the arrival of spring, anticipation for a summer filled with music is growing. As the nights get lighter and the clocks move forward, the best music festivals in the UK have already announced their dates and line-ups. While some artists are yet to be revealed, many festivals have already put their tickets on sale, with early bird offers available for those who act quickly. In this guide, we’ll explore the festivals confirmed for 2023, keeping you updated as more announcements roll in.

Mighty Hoopla Big Weekender:
For those who can’t wait until June, Mighty Hoopla is hosting a big weekender in January, and tickets are selling fast. The event will take place at Butlin’s Bognor Regis from January 27 to 30. The line-up includes artists such as Melanie C, Belinda Carlisle, House Gospel Choir, Horse Meat Disco, and many more. Weekend tickets are available from £179, including accommodation.

Country to Country:
Europe’s largest country music celebration, Country to Country, is set to return from March 10 to 12. The festival will take place across three venues in the UK and Ireland: The O2 in London, 3Arena in Dublin, and The OVO Hydro in Glasgow. Artists like Thomas Rhett, Jordan Davis, Lady A, Midland, and Zac Brown Band are among those confirmed. Ticket prices are yet to be announced.

Terminal V:
Edinburgh will host Terminal V, one of the country’s most popular techno festivals, on April 8 and 9. The Royal Highland Centre + Showground will be transformed into a paradise for dance music lovers. Artists such as Alan Fitzpatrick, Amelie Lens, Boys Noize, and Charlotte De Witte are just a few of the names on the bill. Day tickets start at £78, while weekend tickets are priced from £146.19.

The Great Escape:
From May 10 to 13, The Great Escape will showcase the most exciting up-and-coming artists across various venues in Brighton. Spotlight Show, a part of the festival, will take place at Brighton Dome Concert Hall and feature acts like Arlo Parks and Maisie Peters. The line-up also includes Girls Of The Internet, Venbee, Mae Stephens, Witch Fever, and many more. Tickets start at £85.

Bearded Theory:
Running from May 25 to 28, Bearded Theory is a family-oriented festival with a diverse multi-genre line-up. Interpol, Primal Scream, Gogol Bordello, and Flogging Molly are some of the confirmed acts, with more to be announced. The festival will be held at Catton Hall in Derbyshire, and tickets are available from £187.25.

Project 6:
On May 26, London’s Brockwell Park will be home to Project 6, a new festival catering to drum & bass enthusiasts. Headed by Outlook Festival and Undivided, the event will showcase top talent from the genre, including Ama, Calibre, DJ Hype, Goldie, P Money, SHY FX, and many others. Tickets start at £40.

BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend:
BBC’s flagship festival, BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, will take place from May 26 to 28 in Camperdown Park, Dundee. The star-studded line-up includes The 1975, Jonas Brothers, Rudimental, Lewis Capaldi, Niall Horan, Arlo Parks, and more. Ticket prices range from £18 to £29, with a maximum of two tickets per person.

BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Dundee:

BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, the flagship festival that changes location annually, is set to dazzle attendees in Dundee this year. Known for showcasing some of the biggest names in music, this event promises an impressive line-up featuring artists like The 1975, Jonas Brothers, Rudimental, Lewis Capaldi, Niall Horan, and more. Tickets are available for purchase, with Friday tickets costing £18.00 and Saturday/Sunday tickets priced at £29.00.

Creamfields South in Chelmsford:

Creamfields South, the sister event to the renowned dance music festival up north, returns for its second edition with a capacity of 50,000 attendees. Set in Hylands Park, Chelmsford, this festival will feature an electrifying line-up including Andy C, Annie Mac, Calvin Harris, Chase and Status, Eric Prydz, Fatboy Slim, and many others. Tickets for Creamfields South start at £220.

Wide Awake Festival in London:

Making its mark on the London festival scene in 2021, Wide Awake Festival returns with a unique blend of cutting-edge sounds, ranging from psych-rock to classical minimalism. Taking place in Brockwell Park, London, this relatively new festival offers an exciting line-up featuring artists like Arooj Aftab, Osees, Gilla Band, Sunset Rollercoasters, Ty Segall, and more. Tickets for Wide Awake Festival start at £39.50.

Love Saves The Day in Bristol:

Bristol’s beloved two-day festival, Love Saves The Day, offers the perfect way to kick off the May bank holiday weekend. With a history of hosting world-famous acts, this festival promises an outstanding line-up including headliners Fatboy Slim, Years and Years, and Andy C. Additional notable artists such as Kelis, Four Tet, Sub Focus b2b Dimension, and Shy Fx w/ Dynamite will grace the stage. Day tickets for Love Saves The Day start from £54.94, while weekend tickets are available from £88.24.

Cross The Tracks in London:

Cross The Tracks festival takes music enthusiasts on a soulful journey through jazz, soul, funk, and more. Held in Brockwell Park, London, this festival brings together legacy favorites and emerging acts. The line-up includes performances by NX Worries (Anderson.Paak & Knxwledge), Masego, Kelis, Alfa Mist, Giles Peterson, Roy Ayers on his farewell tour, Ravyn Lenae, and many other talented artists. Tickets for Cross The Tracks start at £34.50.

City Splash in London:

Dedicated to reggae, afrobeats, and dancehall, City Splash returns for its third edition in Brixton. Headliners Chronixx, Koffee, Shenseea, and Skillibeng are set to deliver captivating performances. The festival will also feature acts like Ayra Starr, Big Zeeks, Channel One Max Romeo, Donae’o, Lutan Fyah, Jah Youth,

As the nights grow lighter and spring finally arrives, music enthusiasts can look forward to a summer filled with thrilling festivals. While not all the artists have been announced yet, there are already plenty of exciting line-ups confirmed for the upcoming year. From iconic events like Glastonbury to the energetic Parklife, this guide provides an overview of the festivals you won’t want to miss in 2023. Many of these festivals have already begun selling tickets, so take advantage of early bird discounts and secure your spot for an unforgettable summer of music.