The best festivals to attend this summer
If British culture gets one thing right it’s festivals. The summer months, particularly August, offer endless days out and long weekends across the UK, exploring the best music, food and drink the nation has to offer.
If your idea of a festival is entrenched in the muddy, teenage chaos of Reading and Leeds, you couldn’t be more wrong. Whether you’re a lover of books, craft beer, yoga or just looking for a more sophisticated live music experience, there are plenty of festivals for you to enjoy this summer. And after last year’s summer of Covid restrictions and lockdowns, there’s no better time to go.
Glyndebourne Opera Festival
When: 20 May – 29 August
Where: Lewes, East Sussex
Tickets: https://www.glyndebourne.com/festival/
The UK’s best celebration of opera is back this summer. The flagship programme offers a chance to get dressed up and enjoy world-class opera at the indoor auditorium, then picnic in the stunning grounds or dine at the on-site restaurant during the performances’ 90-minute intervals.
Paul Ainsworth’s Travelling Feast
When: 6 – 20 August
Where: Cornwall
Tickets: https://www.travellingfeast.co.uk/
Travelling Feast is the creation of Cornwall-based chef and restauranteur, Paul Ainsworth. Located at four different locations in Cornwall throughout the month, Ainsworth will be joined by a range of top chefs and their food trucks, including The Humble Pie by Tom Kerridge; Niall Keating’s Paradise Carriage, John Hooker’s Cornish Arms Airstream and James Martin’s Ice Cream Van. Each venue will also have live performances from huge artists such as the Kaiser Chiefs and Rudimental and festival attendees have the option to camp under the Cornish stars.
Edinburgh Fringe
When: 6 – 30 August
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
Tickets: https://www.edfringe.com/
The famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival kicked off on Friday for three weeks celebrating the best of arts and culture. Artists and performers will take to the stage all over the city for hundreds of shows from theatre to comedy, dance to circus, cabaret to musicals, opera and spoken word.
London Craft Beer Festival
When: 13 – 14 August
Where: Tobacco Docks, East London
Tickets: https://londoncraftbeerfestival.co.uk/
Head to London for a boozy celebration of craft beer in August. Over 100 breweries will be showcasing their beers and some of London’s top restaurants will be there to provide something to soak up all the alcohol. A selection of top DJs will be headlining the two-day event too.
Edinburgh International Book Festival
When: 14 – 30 August
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
Tickets: https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/
The Edinburgh Book Festival is back this month, showcasing the written word and bringing together author and writers from all over the world. This year the festival is embracing a hybrid model of virtual and in-person events so it is as accessible to everyone. Highlights include talks from Malorie Blackman, Michael Rosen and Maggie O’Farrell.
Just So Festival
When: 20 – 22 August
Where: Rode Hall, Cheshire
Tickets: https://justsofestival.org.uk/
Just So Festival is a weekend of fun designed specifically for families. Expect top-notch food and drinks, lots of dancing, live music, comedy shows and even a bake-off. If you’re looking for some summer holiday entertainment, you can be sure to keep the kids busy at Just So.
Green Man Festival
When: 19 – 22 August
Where: Brecon Beacons, Wales
Tickets: greenman.net
Green Man is the ultimate festival for natural lovers and health enthusiasts. Nestled in the Welsh countryside, the festival offers yoga, pilates, a nature-nurture garden, massages and restorative hot tubs. There’s also a huge lineup of live music, a children’s area and specified family camping, so there is something for everyone.
Blenheim Palace Food Festival
Where: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire
When: 20 – 22 August
Tickets: https://www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/food-festival/
One for the foodies; Blenheim Palace Food Festival is a gastronomic celebration with over 100 food stalls and appearances from Dame Mary Berry and Dean Edwards amongst others. For the first time, the festival will also have a selection of masterclasses including on how to make homemade pasta.
Field Day
When: 29 August
Where: Victoria Park, East London
Tickets: https://fielddayfestivals.com/
The electronic music festival, Field Day, returns to Victoria Park this Bank Holiday Sunday for its 14th anniversary. DJ Bicep headlines the main stage with a huge array of other electronic acts. The alfresco all-day party goes on till 3 am too, for those looking for a late night.