10 UK festivals 2023, feat. 5 you’ve (probably) never heard of!

The Great British Summer is upon us, and that can only mean one thing… it’s UK festival season! Check out our list below of previews for 5 of the biggest festivals coming up this year, and 5 smaller, family-friendly ones for those looking for something a little bit different.

Download

When? 8th – 11th June
Who’s Playing? Metallica, Bring Me the Horizon and Slipknot
Where? Donington Park, Leicestershire

If you’re ready to rock and throw horns, get yourself to Download, where the gods of hard rock and heavy metal gather every year for a weekend of headbanging. If you’re up for some mosh pits, head to the Mecca of Metal this year!

110 Above

When is it? 10th – 13th June
Who’s playing? Circa Waves, Twin Atlantic, Jack Garratt
Where? Gospel Hall Farm, Leicestershire

Previously Lainfest, this intimate UK festival is set in the picturesque Leicestershire countryside with hidden outdoor spaces, an eclectic mix of genres and a wide range of local businesses supporting it. 110 Above is putting the Midlands festival scene on the map. <Copy>

Isle of Wight Festival

When is it? 15th – 18th June
Who’s playing? Pulp, George Ezra, The Chemical Brothers, Robbie Williams
Where is it? Seaclose Park, Isle of Wight

Pack your suncream and grab the ferry to the Isle of Wight for one of the oldest music festivals in the world! Going back all the way to 1968, Isle of Wight has been a hub of noise and counterculture. With an unbeatable atmosphere and family areas, the Isle of Wight Festival is the place to be.

Glastonbury

When? 21st – 25th June
Who’s Playing? Arctic Monkeys, Elton John, Guns ‘n’ Roses
Where? Glastonbury, Somerset

The iconic, world-famous festival is back for another year of sun, fun and mud. With tickets as valuable as gold dust, you’re not getting anywhere near this one if you didn’t buy back in 2022. But don’t worry! All the best bits are shown on telly, anyway, so you can always put a tent up in your living room for the full experience. Check out our Glastonbury blog to see the top headliners for this year.

On the Mount

When is it? 22nd June – 2nd July
Who’s playing? Primal Scream, Ben Howard, Jack Johnson, Sigur Ros
Where? Wasing Mount, Berkshire

Fuelled by a philosophy of interconnectedness and being in harmony with nature, On the Mount at Wasing is a series of concerts running from late June to early July, featuring artists such as Primal Scream and Ben Howard.

Cambridge Folk Festival

When is it? 27th – 30th July
Who’s playing? Flyte, Gnoss, Ibibo Sound Machine, The Proclaimers
Where? Cherry Hinton Hall, Cambridge

One of the longest-running festivals in the world dating back to 1953, Cambridge Folk Festival is a live mix of American country blues and British folk rock.

Wilderness Festival
When is it? 3rd – 6th August
Who’s playing? The Chemical Brothers, Christine and the Queens, Fatboy Slim

The name says it all. Wilderness Festival can be found amongst the beautiful woodland areas surrounding Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire. It offers glamping and non-musical acts such as talks and debates. Go wild at Wilderness!

Boomtown

When? 9th – 13th August
Who’s Playing? To be announced
Where? Winchester

One of the coolest festivals around, Boomtown comes into its fifteenth year. Each part of Boomtown tells a story, from enchanted forests and hideouts to cyberpunk towns on the brink of rebellion

there’s a whole story to Boomtown that begs you to become immersed in its crazy world.

Green Man Festival

When is it? 17th – 20th August
Who’s playing? Slowdive, Amyl and the Sniffers, clipping.
Where? Brecon Beacons, Wales

This Welsh independent music festival has been running since 2003 and has been growing year on year. It supports hundreds of charities, refuses to use single-use plastic and only uses local Welsh produce for the event. With a variety of bigger and underground acts, this ethically sourced music festival is good for the soul.

Reading & Leeds

When? 25th – 27th August
Who’s Playing? Sam Fender, Foals, The Killers, Billie Eilish
Where? Richfield Avenue, Reading, Berkshire & Brahmam Park, Leeds, Yorkshire

The legendary Reading & Leeds fest features everything from iconic rock and indie bands to DJs, rappers and everything in between, so get your bucket hats ready for a weekend full of bangers

Did we forget your favourite UK festival? Let us know which ones you’re pitching a tent for this summer and be sure to check back at MeccaBingo.com as we’re heating things up with exclusive offers and more!

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