Already dreaming of summer? Here’s a list of the UK’s best music festivals to look forward to in 2022.
The sun is making its return to UK skies and that can only mean one thing: the festival season. Now that the COVID is waning, after two years of “will they, won’t they”, bands are making a full return. Here is DDW’s round-up to the very best and biggest Music festivals happening throughout the summer in the UK.
From the big hitters of Glastonbury and Isle of Wight Festivals to smaller ones, the UK has its fair share of summer shindigs to choose from. Whether you’re looking for Drum and Bass to Funk and Soul, to camp, or just to attend one day of music-filled shenanigans, the UK has everything to offer.
Best UK music festivals for Summer 2022.
Bearded Theory
Set in the beautiful grounds of Lichfield at Catton Hall, Derbyshire, Bearded Theory’s ‘Spring Gathering’ will offer the perfect start to festival season with sets from some of the world’s most beloved indie musicians, from Placebo and Patti Smith to Frank Turner and The Flaming Lips.
The festival will take place from June 26-29 – tickets from £144. To check the full lineup and book the tickets visit beardedtheory.co.uk.
Wide Awake
South London’s new festival that made its debut on the London Festival scene last year is once again ready to give you a great time.
This year, Wide Awake, an independent music festival, which takes place at a Rockwell Park is returning with an expanded two-day lineup with Bicep, Primal Scream, and Working Men’s Club – promises to be heaven for those who are looking for electronics and alternative indie.
The festival will take place from May 27-28 – tickets from £37. To check the full lineup and book your spot visit wideawakelondon.co.uk.
Creamfields
If you’re looking for EDM and techno then Creamfields is the top music festival for you. The Cheshire-based festival that takes place annually on the August bank holiday weekend, is the UK’s best and oldest EDM festival.
Creamfields is now in two parts: the traditional ‘Creamfields North’ will be held at Daresbury in Cheshire for its 25th anniversary on August Bank Holiday, while its sister-event ‘Creamfields South’ (Chelmsford, Essex) will be held over the Jubilee weekend in early June. This event brings together over 70,000 dance fans from around the world to break out their best moves to the world’s best DJs.
Creamfields Festival will feature some of world’s best DJs, including David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, Dimitri Vegas Like Mike , Clavin Harris and many more. It really is like a dose of Ibiza in the countryside of Cheshire. You can get tickets for each event at creamfields.com and creamfieldschelmsford.com.
Mighty Hoopla
With freedom and expressionism at our heart, Mighty Hoopla is the UK’s most-fabulous extravaganza. Whether you want to relax in the sun with a prosecco, or dance all day with the Hoopla community, Mighty Hoopla has the perfect event lined up for you and your BFFs this year.
With over 200 artists and performers embracing the best of pop, alternative, and queer culture across 7 stages, this will be an event for everyone. So dust off your wellies and best karaoke voice ready for sets from the Sugababes, Steps, Cascada, and Anastasia.
The event will take place on June 3-4 – tickets from £59.50. Check mightyhoopla.com for the full lineup and book the tickets.
Isle of Wight Festival
Now in its 54th year, Isle of Wight Festival remains Britain’s most beloved festival. Set on a glorious island on the south coast of the U.K., this festival has hosted several legendary acts, such as Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, David Bowie, and The Rolling Stones.
When you’re there, it’s not just famous faces on the stage you should look out for, as the Isle of Wight Festival attracts many A-list celebs, so you never know who you might bump into.
Having returned in 2021 with a temporary September date, the festival will return to its usual June weekend (June 16-19) in Seaclose Park, with sets from Lewis Capaldi, Kasabian, -Muse, Lionel Richie, and many more.
Being one of the earliest on the UK festival calendar, this multi-award-winning festival has music and much, much more. To see the full lineup and grab your spot, visit isleofwightfestival.com.
Wireless Festival
If you are looking for hip hop and urban beats, Wireless Festival has you covered. Expanding in 2022 to be spread across three events in two weekends, with two in London (Crystal Palace Park and Finsbury Park) and one in Birmingham, Wireless is back with a bang.
This festival will feature some of the biggest names in the music industry, including A$ap Rocky, J. Cole, Tyler the Creator, Cardi B, SZA, Nicki Minaj, Dave, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Ms Banks, Bia, Rico Nasty, Ari Lennox, Kali Uchis, Little Simz, Snoh Aalegra, Mahalia, Enny, B Young, Jack Harlow, Jhene Aiko, City Girls, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Shensee and many more.
The festival will begin from July 1 to July 10 – tickets from £95. To check the full lineup and grab your spot, visit wirelessfestival.co.uk.
Parklife Festival
Taking place on the expansive grounds of Heaton Park, Manchester, Parklife is one of the best festivals for the ravers, the R&B nuts, and the techno heads. It is relatively new to the festival scene, as its first event took place in the summer of 2010.
This magical festival is back with the world’s biggest dance, hip hop, and grime artists spread over the weekend. The lineup features 50 Cent, Megan Thee Stallion, Jamie XX, Loyle Carner, Arlo Parks, and Nina Kraviz. Weekend and Saturday tickets are sold out, but you can grab a ticket for Sunday here.
We Are FSTVL
Having won over five awards in its nine-year history, We Are FSTVL has firmly established itself as one of the leading electronic and urban music festivals in Europe with a groundbreaking stage and visual production.
This year, London’s biggest dance music festival returns to its spiritual home at Damyns Hall Aerodrome, Upminster affectionately known as The Airfield of Dreams. The lineup includes Camelphat, Craig David Presents TS5, Andy C, Patrick Topping, Carl Cox, Sonny Fodera, and more. The event will take place on August 6 & 7 and tickets are starting from £52.50. Grab your spot here.