Line-ups are announced and summer planning is well underway. There is plenty of choice if you want to stay local – from food to opera and everything in between – plus some great ones a little further afield. Calendars at the ready: from May to September here's our selection.
Pub in the Park: 15-18 May, Marlow
A tribute to the Great British Pub, bringing together iconic chefs and cookery writers with bone fide musical legends. Marlow (aka Britain’s foodiest town) plays host once again to Pub in the Park, founded by Tom Kerridge. He will be joined by cookery royalty, including Raymond Blanc, Yotam Ottolenghi and Simon Rimmer, as well as outstanding foodie hotspots like The Grazing Goat, Ginger Wings and Candice Brown’s The Green Man pub. There will be live demo’s, cooking masterclasses and Q&As running throughout the weekend, as well as sets from Jess Glynne, Billy Ocean, Soul II Soul Soundsystem, Squeeze, Dizzee Rascal and Sophie Ellis Bextor. Pub in the Park also takes place in London (30 May – 1 June), Reigate (July) and St Albans (September). pubintheparkuk.com
Wood: 16-18 May, Braziers Park, Ipsden, Oxfordshire
A festival of music and nature, with talks, interviews and workshops running across two days. Ecologist and author, Hugh Warwick, hosts Kindling (to spark ideas) with special guests. There are workshops to appeal across the age spectrum plus bat walks, yoga, fashion upcycling, crafting, hooping, poetry, chanting…the list goes on. woodhq.org
Sidmouth Jazz Festival: 23-26 May, Devon
American Jazz singer and saxophonist Curtis Stigers is one of the headliners of Sidmouth Jazz Festival with Gabrielle, James Taylor Quartet and Soul II Soul. Expect world class international jazz, blues, swing, roots, gospel, funk, Latin and Cuban beats over the course of a packed weekend by the coast in Devon where local talent plays alongside globally famous names. sidmouthjazz.com
Garsington Opera: 28 May-22 July, Wormsley Estate, Buckinghamshire
Each summer, Garsington Opera gives performances of great artistic quality in its spectacular Opera Pavilion, set within the extraordinary natural beauty of the Chiltern Hills. The festival presents a programme of four operas each year including world-class performers and orchestras during a seven-week summer period. garsingtonopera.org/festival/
Trentham Celebrating Stoke 100: 29-31 May, Trentham Gardens, Staffordshire
This year Stoke-on-Trent are celebrating 100 years of city status with a summer of unmissable concerts at Trentham Gardens. Kicking off proceedings over the Bank Holiday Weekend are The Wombats on 29 May, followed by Ocean Colour Scene on 30 May and on the Saturday night, Jax Jones and the House and Garage Orchestra promise to get the whole field on their feet. trentham.co.uk
Wychwood Festival: 30 May-1 June, Cheltenham Racecourse
Set in the stunning Cheltenham Racecourse, the Wychwood Festival offers up a mix of live performances, vibrant arts, and over 100 workshops and activities for all ages. This year’s line-up features Shed Seven, James, Doves, the Zutons and a live PE session with the one and only Joe Wicks plus Barrioke, silent discos and beer. wychwoodfestival.com
Download Festival: 13-15 June, Donington Park, Leicestershire
This year’s colossal line is headlined by Green Day, Sleep Token and Korn, and also features Weezer, Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, Eagles Of Death Metal, The Darkness, Rise Against, Myles Kennedy, Hatebreed, Palaye Royale, Municipal Waste and more. All playing over one memorable weekend at the spiritual home of rock. downloadfestival.co.uk.
Nocturne Live: 18-22 June, Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
We can’t think of a better way to spend a summer evening than at a UNESCO world heritage site enjoying music from the likes of national treasure, Gary Barlow, 90s icon Richard Ashcroft, Grammy Lifetime Achievement award-winner, Nile Rodgers & CHIC and more, including En Vogue, Lightning Seeds, and Shalamar. Tickets and VIP packages with dining options in the Palace’s State Rooms. nocturnelive.com
Elementary Festival: 3-7July, Braziers Park, Ipsden, Oxfordshire
Fondly referred to as ‘the UK’s friendliest little festival’, this year’s World of Sound includes world music, sound journeys, cacao ceremonies, yoga, jamming, dance, poetry and meditation – plus lots of didgeridoo. Mobius Loop, Otto and the Mutapa Calling, Forest of Fools, The Urban Druids, Ben Jansz, Arachai Haraang, Ajay Srivastav, Jali Fily Cissokhu, Pulse and Touch the Earth are all confirmed with more to come. elementaryfestival.co.uk
Henley Festival: 9-13 July, Henley-on-Thames
Dig out your posh frocks and black ties for Henley Festival presented by Westcoast is thrilled to reveal a glittering line-up of artists for 2025, appearing across five magical summer nights. Henley Festival will once again deliver a programme full of world-class talent across music, comedy and more, with headliners including Diana Ross, McFly, Rick Astley, Matteo Bocelli, Jamie Cullum and Haçienda Classical. Alongside the big names, Henley showcases emerging talent and new artists through the RISE by Henley Festival programme. henley-festival.co.uk
ALSO Festival: 11-13 July, Park Farm, Compton Verney, Warwickshire
Also always makes the most of its idyllic setting with woodland stages, daytime dips in the magnificent lake and sprawling spaces in which to pitch your tent for a weekend of ideas, music, food, thought and comedy. Music acts include Molotov Jukebox, Mandrake Handshake, MINX and Regal Jackson. Also Festival creates a magical feeling of community for three full days with its immersive programme of talks, discussions, dance karaoke, classes and choirs. also-festival.com
Truck: 24-27 July, Hill Farm, Oxford
Billed as ‘the UK’s most warped village fete’, this much-loved Oxfordshire institution may well have become the new rite of passage for indie/alt music fans but there is always plenty here to appeal to music fans and festival goers of any age. With performances from Kasabian, The Last Dinner Party, Courteeners, Bloc Party, Blossoms and Natasha Bedingfield plus comedy, karaoke and the fabulous Oxford Symphony Orchestra. truckfestival.com
Oxford Piano Festival: 26 July-3 August, St Hilda’s College, Oxford
Founded in 1999, the Oxford Piano Festival takes place in the last week of July on the tranquil and scenic campus of St Hilda’s College, welcoming piano players and pedagogues, experts and enthusiasts to some of Oxford’s most historic venues. Taking place over nine days of masterclasses and eight evening performances by renowned pianists such as Víkingur Ólafsson and Sir Stephen Hough. oxfordpianofestival.com
Wilderness: 31 July-3 August, Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire
Feasting, family, wellbeing, arts, talks, and music. Wilderness are spoiling us in 2025 with sets from Supergrass, Basement Jaxx, Wet Leg, Annie Mac, Gok Wan and many more – as well as the Wilderness Choir and Orchestra. Long banquet tables, wild swimming, lakeside spa, and lots of opportunities for all ages to get stuck into the fun wildernessfestival.com
Boomtown: 6-10 August, Winchester, Hampshire
A diverse musical lineup including reggae, world music, folk, jazz, ska, hip hop, drum and bass, techno, house, disco, jungle and psytrance has made Boomtown into a festival institution. Returning for Chapter Four confirmed acts include Maribou State, Sean Paul, Azealia Banks, RUDIM3NTAL, Honey Dijon and Hybrid Minds. Twelve main stages, 50 hidden venues, fictional worlds and one unforgettable weekend experience. boomtownfair.co.uk
Waterperry Opera Festival: 8-17 August, Waterperry House & Gardens, Oxfordshire
Waterperry Opera Festival is a unique open-air opera festival hosted at the beautiful Waterperry House & Gardens in Oxfordshire. The festival offers high-quality, accessible, and innovative socially relevant work, created, and performed by a diverse company, which bridges the gap between artists and audiences. waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Rewind:15-17 August, Henley-on-Thames
The ultimate 80s weekender, Rewind is back. This year’s headliners are Soft Cell and Holly Johnson more than ably supported by the likes of Kid Creole, Cutting Crew and Wang Chung plus Midge Ure, Heaven 17, Roachford and Tenpole Tudor. south.rewindfestival.com
Reading Festival: 21-24 August, Richfield Avenue, Reading (plus also at Leeds in Bramham Park)
Presented by Rockstar Energy Drinks, the Reading Festival takes place in both cities over the same weekend. The Reading lineup this year has bagged Chappel Roan for the Friday night headliner, along with Hozier, Bloc Party and AJ Tracey. Bring Me the Horizon and Becky Hill are among Saturday’s acts and Sunday welcomes Travis Scott, Sammy Virji and Suki Waterhouse. readingfestival.com
Big Feastival: 22-24 August, Kingham, Oxfordshire
Good food, good music, good times. This year’s huge programme of music, food, family, comedy and podcasts on Alex James’ farm in Kingham includes headliners Nelly Furtado, Faithless, and Alex James himself taking to the stage for Britpop Classical with rumours of a very special guest. More music from the likes of Travis, The Wombats, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Rizzle Kicks, Tom Walker and Maxïmo Park and more. A list chefs include Raymond Blanc and Si King. And yes, Mr Tumble will be back. bigfeastival.com
Found: 22-24 August, Claydon Estate, Buckinghamshire
From the creators of Towersey Festival comes Found, a festival with ‘space to breath and relax’, participate and create. Soundscaped by live music from some of the best-loved names in folk, blues, roots and Americana including Elles Bailey, The Longest Johns, Talisk and The London Afrobeat Collective. foundfestival.uk
Foodies Festival: 23-25 August, South Parks, Oxford
A star-studded line up of chefs and chart-topping acts. This three-day event in the city welcomes chefs including Dhurv Baker, Mich Turner, and Chariya Khattiyot. Music comes courtesy of 90s boyband Blue, Example and Scouting for Girls. Masterclass, demos and plenty of shopping and tasting opportunities await. New for 2025, immersive action at the Fire Stage. foodiesfestival.com
Mucky Weekender: 11-13 September, Vicarage Farm, Winchester
Mucky Weekender Festival is a celebration of live music, DJs, immersive arts, and making new friendships across three glorious days. The perfect end to the festival season. This year’s headliners include Groove Armada, house pioneers The Orb, Godfathers of Drum’n’Bass Fabio & Grooverider and of course, founder Barry Ashworth and the Dub Pistols. mucky-weekender.co.uk
