Best upcoming UK music festivals for summer 2022: from Lost Village to End of the Road
After two years of “will they, won’t they” uncertainty plaguing music festivals, 2022 marks a full return to British fields. And what with April flying by, May is not far round the corner - meaning the first few festivals of the year are not long off.
Teen sensation Billie Eilish is set to make her Glastonbury headline slot debut, but if you weren’t lucky enough to get the golden tickets for Worthy Farm, don’t fear – from the Isle of Wight to Bluedot there’s plenty to choose from.
Whether you're looking to camp, glamp or just attend one day of music-filled fun, if there's one thing that the UK does fantastically - it's festivals.
Here is our guide to the very best taking place throughout the rest of the year in the UK (although events could still be subject to change).
Best UK music festivals for summer 2022
Wilderness, August 4-7
This Oxfordshire favourite, nestled in acres of luscious woodland and greenery, offers up yet another corker of a line-up for 2022: Underworld, Jungle, Years & Years, Peggy Gou and Sophie Ellis-Bextor will all get you grooving. The OG glamping festival, Wilderness promises to bring out your raucous side while always staying on the right side of classy. Tickets are available here.
Boardmasters, August 10-14
Newquay’s celebration of everything surfing and music will see sets from Kings of Leon, Bastille and George Ezra, among others, with its stages mere steps from Cornwall’s wonderful coast. Tickets are available here.
All Points East, August 19-28
East London’s annual extravaganza returns to Victoria Park over various weekends in August with another stellar line-up. Gorillaz and Idles will open the festival on Friday 19; electro-pioneers The Chemical Brothers and Kraftwerk will play on Saturday 20, then; Tame Impala (Thursday 25); The National (Friday 26); Disclosure and James Blake (Saturday 27); and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (Sunday 28). You can get tickets here.
Field Day, August 20
Field Day always comes through with a special line-up, and this year's is no different: head to Victoria Park to get your heady share of electronica, with sets from The Chemical Brothers, Kratfwerk and Peggy Gou that will get you dancing so hard your feet are sure to ache the day after. It'll be worth it. You can get tickets here.
Lost Village, August 25-28
What better way to spend a bank holiday than in a magical forest, dancing on the bonnet of a disused car or in a forgotten cabin. Lost Village, which has been described as a 'playground for adults', is a beautifully designed boutique festival with luxury accommodation and dining options and a brilliant electronic-heavy line-up this year featuring Bonobo, Jamie XX, and Tom Misch as headliners. It also features an eclectic array of debates, interviews and talks throughout the four days.
Creamfields, August 25-28
The UK's biggest celebration of club music and dance culture is now in two parts: the traditional 'Creamfields North' takes to Daresbury in Cheshire for its 25th anniversary on August Bank Holiday, while sister-event 'Creamfields South' (Chelmsford, Essex) will be held over the Jubilee weekend in early June. DJs include Calvin Harris, Eric Prydz, Jamie Jones and Nina Kraviz. You can get tickets for each event here and here.
Reading and Leeds, August 26-28
The (often boozy) rite of passage for thousands of British teenagers, Reading and Leeds stood out in 2021 as one of the biggest festivals to go-ahead amid the pandemic. Now, the twin events are back over the August late Bank Holiday weekend with headline slots from Arctic Monkeys, Dave and Rage Against the Machine. Tickets for both weekends are sold out, although some day passes are still available here.
Victorious, August 26-28
Head to Portsmouth this August Bank Holiday weekend if classic indie/lad rock is your bag: with sets from Stereophonics, Sam Fender, James, Paolo Nutini and The Wombats, you're in for a treat (and a roaring singalong). You can get tickets here.
Yam Carnival, August 27
Fresh from its first event in 2021, Yam Carnival returns to Clapham Common with Wizkid, Naira Marley and DJ Maphorisa in tow. Organised by the team behind Portugal's Afro Nation, prepare for a day filled with joyous dancing and tropical beats that will trick you into thinking you're no longer in South London (if the rain holds off, that is). Tickets are available here.
End of the Road, Sept 1-4
Always a bitter-sweet affair thanks to its position as the last big date in the summer festival calendar, End of the Road will take place in Blandford, Dorset, with sets from Pixies, Fleet Foxes, Bright Eyes and The Magnetic Fields sure to make you even more emotional. Final release tickets are available here, but be quick.
This article is kept updated with the latest information.
