Popular, alternative and dance music
It's that time of year again. If you're a regular you'll know what to expect - music and mayhem. If you're new to this, what have you been waiting for?
Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury, Somerset, 24-28 June
Glastonbury is the largest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world. Set in 900 acres of the Vale of Avalon in Somerset, an area steeped in symbolism, mythology and religious traditions the festival is held annually on the last weekend in June. The event attracts over 100,000 people and some of the world’s top bands.
More about Glastonbury
Carling Weekend Festival
Reading/Leeds 28-30 August
The Carling Weekend festival is the official name of the Reading and Leeds festivals. Both occur on August Bank holiday weekend and share the same bill (with one or two exceptions). This is a very popular music festival with tickets usually selling out within hours of going on sale. www.leedsfestival.com, www.readingfestival.co.uk
The Secret Garden
Abbots Ripton, Huntington, Cambridgeshire, 23-26 July
This festival is expressive and inclusive. It invites you into the world of Eden and Babylon, two hedonistic areas created either side of a picaresque lake. The typically eclectic bill is topped by Jarvis Cocker.
More about The Secret Garden
Field Day Festival
Victoria Park, Hackney, London, 1 August
Field Day brings together the cream of the alternative music scene to the East End’s greenest of gardens, Victoria Park. As well as amazing music there's a kaleidoscope of eccentric village games from Welly Wangling (Boot throwing), Morris Dancing, Coconut Shy and the Battle of the Bands tug of war! There'll also be locally sourced organic food and drink, tea and cake stalls, a jumble sale and a brass band stand!
More about Field Day Festival
Wychwood
Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire, 29-31 May
Wychwood has been described as a small-scale Glastonbury and has won the best family festival award three years since its inception in 2005. In addition to the four music stages there is a children's literature festival, comedy and hundreds of workshops. Acts include Supergrass and Super Furry Animals.
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Bestival
Robin Hill Countryside Adventure Park, Newport, Isle of Wight, 11-13 September
This Isle of Wight festival has grown so much in esteem there are now two more events– Camp Bestival and Bandstand. As well as acts including Elbow, Polly Scattergood, The Horrors and The Big Pink you’ll find designated areas such as Heavenly Healing (the new name for The Retreat healing area), the Kid's Area and Breastival (a haven for Mum's and their little-uns).
More about Bestival
The Big Chill
Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Eastnor, Ledbury, Herefordshire, 6-9 August
Located in the grounds of Eastnor Castle, which boasts a wood, an arboretum and four lakes you’ll see a diverse line-up here including former Talking Head David Byrne, Basement Jaxx, Orbital, Gong, Mr Scruff, Lamb and lots more!
More about The Big Chill
Other festivals in England
