Summer Festivals In South East England To Put In Your Diary

We may be heading into the depths of the bleak midwinter with frosty winds and snow, but it’s also the exciting start to a brand new year, with a summer of music festivals stretching ahead. The most popular events sell out fast, so to avoid disappointment, get your tickets booked and organise the coach hire as early in the year as possible.

Here’s a look at some of the best festivals happening in south east England this year. 

The Great Escape Festival, Brighton, 15th to 18th May

Kicking off the festival season in style is the Great Escape, which takes place in over 30 locations around the city, plus a pop up beachfront stage. The emphasis is on showcasing emerging talent, and there will be plenty of new and upcoming acts hoping to capture the attention of record industry scouts in the audience.

Nocturne Live, Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, 18-22 June

The Great Court at Blenheim Palace, one of England’s grandest stately homes, is transformed into a stunning live music venue in the heart of an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tickets are on sale now to see popular acts such as Gary Barlow, Richard Ashcroft, The Lightning Seeds and The Zutons. 

As well as the musical entertainment, your ticket will allow you to arrive at any time during the day of the concert and explore the gardens and grounds of the Palace. If you’d also like to see the interior, there’s the opportunity to purchase a half price Palace, Parks, and Gardens ticket. 

The 2,100 acre park was designed by Capability Brown and is one of the finest examples of landscaped and formal gardens in the UK. The grounds are full of fascinating historical monuments such as the Temple of Diana and the Grand Bridge, and there’s also a lake, a giant hedge maze, and a butterfly house. 

Isle of Wight Festival, Seaclose Park, Newport, 19-22 June

The Isle of Wight Festival is one of the most popular summer events in the UK, so snap up your tickets fast! 

2025 sees a great line up, with Sting, Faithless, and The Corrs headlining on Friday; Stereophonics, The Script, Paul Heaton, and The Saw Doctors performing on Saturday; and Justin Timberlake, Jess Glynne, Texas and Supergrass rounding it off in style on Sunday.

There’s camping and glamping options available if you want to make a whole weekend of it, and with that line up, why wouldn’t you?

Reading Festival, Berkshire, 21-25 August

Reading Festival began in 1989 as an alternative rock event, and it’s now one of the biggest and most popular music festivals in the UK. Friday night headliners are Hozier and Chappell Roan, supported by The Kooks and Bloc Party. On Saturday, Bring Me The Horizon headline, while Travis Scott takes the top slot on Sunday. 

General tickets are on sale now, but they’ll be snapped up soon, so don’t miss the chance to see the global superstars on the main stage, who will be supported by over 40 other acts across a range of stages.

Victorious Festival, Southsea Common, Portsmouth, 23-25 August

Portsmouth’s Victorious Festival was crowned Major Festival of the Year at the Live! Awards 2024, and has been recognised for its scenic coastal location, and focus on bringing people together to see some of the best live music acts in the world, plus comedy and family entertainment. 

The headline acts for 2025 have already been revealed, and include Queens Of The Stone Age, Michael Kiwanuka, and Madness on Friday; Vampire Weekend, Nelly Furtado, and The Last Dinner Party on Saturday, and Kings Of Leon, Bloc Party, and Gabrielle on Sunday.