After two years of almost total silence in fields and cities around the UK and Europe, festivals are back, and organisers are clearly determined to remind us of what we were missing.
Some of the world’s biggest and best artists are lining up to headline events in Portugal, Spain, Finland, Sicily, and a muddy field in Reading. Each of these festivals offers something completely unique, whether due to its setting, lineup, or what else it’s offering outside of music.
Take a look at our pick of the best festivals to head to this year:
Where: Worthy Farm, Somerset
When: 22 – 26 June
The big kahuna – the one we’ve all been waiting for. Having been forced to cancel for two years running, Emily and Michael Eavis have put together one of the best Glastonbury lineups in a long while. In the headliners you have legends Paul McCartney and Diana Ross alongside the young innovators: Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish. And it only gets better as you cast a glance down the poster: Arlo Parks, Charli XCX, Fontaines DC, Phoebe Bridgers, Sam Fender, Megan The Stallion, Self Esteem… Prepare yourself for the greatest party on Earth. ROC
Where: Castelbuono, Sicily
When: 4 – 7 August
Set among the spectacular historical surroundings of Castelbuono, near Sicily’s capital city Palermo, Ypsigrock is a boutique gem of a festival that never hosts the same act twice. That means you can guarantee something different every time – at least when it comes to the music. What never changes is the jaw-dropping main stage in the courtyard of the town’s 14th-century castle, the incredible food, and always excellent weather. ROC
Where: Cornberry Park, Oxfordshire
When: 4 – 7 August
Wilderness is all about the new, whether that’s a new band, a new idea, or a new experience. The main stage alone is host to an eclectic range of artists, from Maccabees frontman turned solo artist Orlando Weeks to disco queen Róisín Murphy. There are late-night dance parties, a dedicated folk stage, performance arts and a number of workshops including fashion and crafts. Over at the House of Sublime you can celebrate with drag king and queens, burlesque artists, and cabaret and spoken-word performers. When you need to refuel, you can sample one of many dishes from the festival’s headline chefs, including Tom Barnes (L’Enclume), Jeremy Lee (Quo Vadis), and celebrated vegan chef Bettina Campolucci Bordi. Need to unwind? Try the Goddess Space for specially curated women’s events, or the cult London running group Midnight Runners. ROC
Where: Lisbon, Portugal
When: 6 – 9 July
With one of the best lineups of any festival in Europe, Nos Alive has something for even the most discerning music fan, along with plenty of crowd-pleasers. Set in a turf-covered portion of Lisbon’s docks, right next door to the 16th-century Belém Tower, this festival offers spectacular music along with all the bustling, brilliant culture of Portugal’s capital. This year you can catch live performances from Metallica, Stormzy, Florence + The Machine, The Strokes, Fontaines DC, The War on Drugs, Royal Blood, Haim, St Vincent and Phoebe Bridgers. ROC
Arctic Monkeys are headlining a number of festivals this year
Where: Henham Park, Suffolk
When: 21 – 24 July
A bona fide crowd pleaser, Latitude has something for everyone. The Suffolk-set, four-day event is beloved for its broad line-up – and this year is no different with acts including Lewis Capaldi, Foals, Phoebe Bridgers, Groove Armada, Kae Tempest, Little Simz, Manic Street Preachers, Rina Sawayama, Fontaines DC, and Self Esteem. Music isn’t all that’s on the cards. Russell Howard will be headlining on the comedy front, while families can enjoy kid-friendly activities including dance workshops, puppetry, and model making. If you manage to find time between all that, cool off in the lake with some wild swimming and paddle boarding. AN
Where: Domaine National de Saint-Cloud
Don’t miss Stormzy at Nos Alive
You can catch Tyler, the Creator at Primavera this year
