The best festivals to take your tent to this year

Top music festivals in the UK this summer

Music festivals and camping go together like strawberries and cream – and they are just as much a part of the great British summer.

Festivals have changed a lot over the years. While they used to be aimed at either noisy teenagers or people with ‘alternative lifestyles’, these days, music festivals are chilled-out weekends packed with all sorts of entertainment, including live music, comedy, talks and crafts, as well as great food and quirky shops.

You definitely don’t have to be young, free and single to enjoy the modern-day festival. In fact, many are aimed specifically at families and older music fans – with dramatically improved toilet and washing facilities to suit the audience!

There’s no better way to enjoy a festival than in your tent so here’s some of the best you can check out in 2025.

Iain Duff, Content Editor: Campervans/Camping

Iain Duff Content Editor: Campervan/Camping

Iain has been an avid camper since his very first night under canvas in his parents’ back garden, more years ago than he cares to remember. As a fully fledged gear geek he takes every opportunity to try out the latest camping gadgets when he’s out and about!

MORE ABOUT Iain

Can I go to a festival with my kids?

Yes you can! If you’ve never done it before, taking children to a music festival might seem like a scary thought but, as long as you’re well prepared, a festival can be a great weekend for the whole family. Here’s the ultimate guide to family festival camping.

Guide to family camping at festivals

Which festival should you camp at in 2025?

Camping editor, Iain Duff, has been going to festivals since the early 90s. He’s come up with a selection of great events to consider for your next festival experience in the UK.

Wychwood Festival

30 May – 2 June 2025

You will struggle to get tickets at this late stage, but put it in your diary now for 2026, as Wychwood is one of the best festivals on the circuit. Its timing at the end of May/start of June means Wychwood kicks off the UK’s music festival season each year. And its location at Cheltenham racecourse makes for a perfect setting. The 2025 headliners are James, Doves and Shed Seven but there’s an eclectic mix of musical acts and other activities for all ages and tastes. The circus workshops, in particular, help make it that bit more unique.

Wychwood Festival

Glastonbury Festival

25 – 29 June 2025

Glastonbury is the grandaddy of them all – the largest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world. Not bad for an event that started out with a £1 entry fee that included camping and a bottle of milk. Tickets always sell out fast, long before the line-up is announced but you know you’ll be absolutely spoilt for acts to see and things to do. If you manage to get a ticket, you’ll be sharing your weekend with over 200,000 other folk, but it’s an experience of a lifetime.

Glastonbury

Tartan Heart Festival

31 July – 2 August 2025

Belladrum Estate in the Scottish Highlands is the venue for a relatively intimate festival that always punches above its weight. Visitor numbers are kept down to the 20,000 level but it still manages to attract big names like Van Morrison, Nile Rodgers and Travis – as well as more local acts of all levels. The 2025 headliners are Paul Heaton, Texas and Supergrass. Every year there’s a different theme for dressing up and in 2025 it’s the silver screen.

Tartan Heart

Wickham Festival

31 July – 3 August, 2025

The Hampshire town of Wickham gives its name to this award-winning festival – and it’s close enough to walk into should you want a break from the usual mayhem. That said, there's more than enough to keep your attention on the site itself. The 2025 line-up is eclectic to say the least, featuring folk pioneer, Richard Thompson, Leo Sayer, Fisherman’s Friends and Alabama 3, among others

Wickham Festival

Beautiful Days

15 – 17 August, 2025

The Levellers were big in the 90s with their crusty anthems, even headlining Glastonbury at one point. The band has been holding its own event, Beautiful Days, in Devon since 2003, playing acoustic and full sets themselves, as well as hosting other acts. Frank Turner, the Sex Pistols, Shed Seven, Pete Doherty, John Grant, Therapy, Sleeper and more will be with them this year.

Beautiful Days

Boardmasters

8 – 10 August, 2025

Boardmaster festival will have you totally stoked, if you like to catch some waves. It takes place in the UK’s capital of surfing, Newquay in Cornwall. The music line-up is always good, with Raye, Central Cee and The Prodigy topping the bill in 2025, but it’s got much more to offer than that. The Boardmasters Open surfing competition takes place here while rookies can get surf lessons and take part in workshops.

Boardmaster

Green Man Festival

14 – 17 August, 2025

Thanks to its location in the shadow of the Brecon Beacons, Wales’ number one festival is a heady mix of music and scenery. There’s even the chance to arrive extra early with your tent, pre-festival, and use it as a base for exploring more of Wales. Headlining this year are Wet Leg, Underworld and Beth Gibbons.

Green Man

More UK festivals

Of course there are plenty more music festivals, of all sizes and shapes. The IAF (Association of Independent Festivals) not-for-profit trade body, for example, says it represents over 100 festivals with visitor capacities ranging from 500 to over 75,000.

You’ll also find a comprehensive listing of festivals – music and more – below!

More UK festivals

Looking for an outdoor show?

Our collection of outdoor leisure shows and festivals includes some of the biggest events in the UK calendar for tent campers, campervanners and motorhomers alike, with events throughout the year. Check out our collection of shows here!

Explore Warners Shows