London is the Mecca of UK music festivals. You’ll automatically agree with this statement once you consider the massive line-up of vibrant festivals slated for 2025 in the city. These include fabulous music concerts with stunning lineups to make your days and weekends in London more memorable. This guide talks about some of these must-visit summer gigs in 2025 that you should NOT miss if you’re a music lover. Read on and get those tickets ready for a memorable experience!
London - The Capital of Music Festivals
So, before we dive into the list of top music festivals worth attending in London this year, let’s briefly touch upon what makes the city the undisputed music festival capital. For starters, it has much to do with the sheer variety of British music festivals in 2025 and even earlier years.
Diversity and multiculturalism are the beating hearts of the London music scene, which makes it globally acclaimed and also the focal point for the European music industry. There’s always something new being released and a mint-fresh trend that’s coming out of London and wowing the world!
So, from British Summer Time festival Hyde Park to Field Day and more, there’s a lot that you can catch in 2025, with a lineup of artists that spans both leading global legends and emerging domestic talent. London’s also got the world’s best music venues, particularly for these summer carnivals and a packed yearly calendar with several performances and outdoor extravaganzas to look forward to!
So, come summer 2025, London’s going to be buzzing with the sound of music and across innumerable genres at that!
1. British Summer Time (BST) Hyde Park
BST is a huge deal and makes it to the top of the UK festivals 2025 list if you’re a music lover. Here are some key details worth noting on your end:
- Dates: 27th June to 13th July, 2025
- Location: Hyde Park
- Lineup: Noah Kahan, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Neil Young, Jeff Lynne’s ELO, and Stevie Wonder
- What to Know: Arrive early (gates open at 14:00) with VIP and Primary Entry ticket holders getting access 60 minutes earlier than the others. Use the BST app for updates and ticket access while avoiding carrying bags bigger than A4 size (not allowed).
- Accommodation & Transportation: You can consider several accommodation options in Hyde Park, Paddington, Kensington, and Mayfair. Also, use the Hyde Park Corner tube station to reach the venue.
2. All Points East Music Festival
It’s one of the most popular music festivals in the city, with a fabulous line-up for you to savor. Here’s what you should know:
- Dates: August 15-17 and 22-24
- Location: Victoria Park
- Lineup: RAYE, Barry Can’t Swim, The Maccabees, Chase & Status, Overmono, Bambii, shy FX, Confidence Man, DJ Heartstring, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Cribs and more
- What to Know: There are refillable water stations nearby, so carry a reusable bottle to stay hydrated. Also, avoid driving due to limited parking options on the site. You can also use public transportation to get to the venue.
- Accommodation & Transportation: Some nearby areas for accommodation include Hackney and Shoreditch. The nearest transportation point is either Bethnal Green or Mile End (10-15 minutes away on foot)
3. Field Day Music Festival
Field Day offers one of the most eclectic festival lineups that you’ll see in London this summer and has plenty of fun in store for music lovers. Here’s what to note about the event:
- Dates: 24th May, 2025
- Location: Brockwell Park
- Lineup: Peggy Gou, Girls Don’t Sync, James Blake B2B Mala, 4 am Kru, Skream & Benga
- What to Know: Download the official Field Day app for timings, maps, and other details. It’s an outdoor event, so be prepared for all types of weather, and no re-entry is allowed once you have officially entered. You can’t bring your own food and beverages to the event as well. You have to be 18 or older to visit, and a valid ID will be required upon entering.
- Accommodation & Transportation: You can access the venue through the Herne Hill overground station and Brixton underground station, along with the Brixton rail station. Nearby accommodation zones include Brixton, Camberwell, Dulwich, Herne Hill, and Tulse Hill.
4. Lovebox Music Festival
The Lovebox Festival is one of the biggest musical highlights on the London calendar, and it will return in a bigger and better avatar for 2025. Here’s a guide for your perusal.
- Dates: 25th to 27th July, 2025
- Location: Gunnersbury Park
- Lineup: FKA Twigs, The Creator, Tyler, Khalid, Disclosure, Charli XCX
- What to Know: Book your accommodation and tickets in advance. Avoid rental cars or taxis and take public transportation instead.
- Accommodation & Transportation: You can access the venue through the Victoria Park station on the London Overground. Nearby areas include Brentford, Acton, Chiswick, and Ealing.
5. Glastonbury Music Festival (Close to London)
It’s one of the most iconic UK music festivals and is attended by thousands of people from across the globe. Here’s what you should know about it:
- Dates: 25th to 29th June, 2025
- Location: Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset
- Lineup: Olivia Rodrigo, The 1975, Neil Young, Rod Stewart
- What to Know: Book your tickets fast, keeping an eye out for resale tickets if they are available and keep an eye on the weather conditions.
- Accommodation & Transportation: National Express has several coach services that will help you access the festival site. You will find accommodation in Glastonbury town, and you can take a train from London to Castle Cary and then a free shuttle bus to the festival venue. You can explore accommodation in Bath to enjoy the festival and London as well.
6. Notting Hill Carnival
The Notting Hill Carnival is billed to be one of the year’s biggest celebrations with a fabulous lineup of events and performances. Here are the key details worth knowing about the same:
- Dates: 23rd to 25th August, 2025
- Location: Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove, and other surrounding areas
- Lineup: Adults Parade, Panorama Steel Band Competition, Families and Children’s Day with live stages and sound systems, and Caribbean cuisine. Music genres include reggae, calypso, and Soca.
- What to Know: The event is mostly free to attend, with only the Panorama Steel Band competition requiring tickets. Wear comfortable shoes, since you’ll be walking a lot while carrying a water bottle and sunscreen.
- Transportation & Accommodation: You can stay in Notting Hill, Paddington or even Bayswater. The transport options include the Circle and District lines from Kensington and the Elizabeth, Heathrow Express and Bakerloo from Paddington. The Central Line from Bayswater and the Overground from Queen’s Park are other options.
7. LIDO Music Festival
The LIDO Festival is a must-attend if you’re looking to enjoy some unique musical genres during your trip. Some of the key aspects include:
- Dates: June 6-7 and 13-15, 2025
- Location: Victoria Park
- Lineup: Charli XCX, Turnstile, Massive Attack, DJ Harvey, Panda Bear, Arca
- What to Know: Use public transportation and bring your reusable water bottle
- Transportation & Accommodation: Dalston, Greenwich, and Shoreditch are good options for nearby accommodation. To reach the festival site, you can access the Mile End or Bethnal Green stations.
8. Kaleidoscope Music Festival
The Kaleidoscope Festival is set to be a mega affair in 2025, and here is what you need to know about it.
- Dates: 12th July, 2025
- Location: Alexandra Palace
- Lineup: Goldie Eats Everything, Faithless, Sara Cox, Faithless, Dub Club
- What to Know: Alexandra Palace has child-friendly activities and changing tables, while it is also accessible for those with disabilities. There is an on-site BBQ zone and parking too.
- Transportation & Accommodation: The London Overground offers easy access to Alexandra Palace. You can stay in nearby localities like Wood Green or King’s Cross.
9. South Facing Music Festival
One of the most eagerly awaited British music festivals in 2025, it promises to be a huge treat for music lovers this time.
- Dates: 8th to 23rd August, 2025
- Location: Crystal Palace Bowl
- Lineup: Mogwai with Lankum, Big Smoke/Skepta, Flackstock, Morcheeba, Busta Rhymes, Basement Jaxx
- What to Know: Opening times vary across events, so keep checking your ticket details. The festival has toilets, viewing platforms, and parking, while you can reach it via the South East and London Overground and National Rail networks.
- Accommodation & Transportation: Take the National Rail and TfL Overground lines to the Crystal Palace station, while there are several bus routes as well. Some nearby areas include Norwood, Lambeth, and Sydenham. You can also stay in Crystal Palace itself.
10. Body Movements Festival
Looking for something unique? Enjoy pulsating electronic music at the Body Movements Festival this summer.
- Dates: 24th August, 2025
- Location: Southwark Park
- Lineup: Mura Masa (DJ A/V set), Peach, HAAi, FAFF, I. JORDAN
- What to Know: Dress boldly and express your individuality since it’s a free and innovative festival.
- Transportation & Accommodation: You can access the Southwark and Borough train stations, which are a short walk away from the festival venue. You can stay in Southwark, Dulwich, Peckham, and Camberwell, among other nearby areas.
11. Labyrinth on the Thames Music festival
Listen to an eclectic range of music and dance your heart away at this unique festival. It will give you a fabulous experience as you witness performances against the backdrop of the lovely River Thames and the historic festival site itself.
- Dates: 31st July to 10th August, 2025
- Location: Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich
- Lineup: Black Coffee and others
- What to Know: Tickets are sold out, so look for resale options. Also, consider taking public transportation like buses or trains.
- Transportation & Accommodation: You can access the DLR stations of Greenwich or Cutty Sark to reach the venue. Nearby areas include Charlton and Woolwich, while you can choose to stay in Greenwich itself.
12. BBC Proms
This fabulous event is one of the most iconic British music festivals in 2025, and you shouldn’t miss it if you’re into operas, orchestras, and incredible performances by soloists.
- Dates: 18th July to 13th September
- Location: Royal Albert Hall
- Lineup: Arooj Aftab, Samara Joy, Yuncham Lim, The Great American Songbook and Beyond, First Night of the Proms, and Viennese Whirl
- What to Know: Book tickets in advance and consider the Open Ballot for the Last Night. Keep checking the Royal Albert Hall website for lineup updates and ticket availability-related details
- Transportation & Accommodation: You can consider accommodation in Kensington, Chelsea, or Knightsbridge. The nearest stations are High Street Kensington or South Kensington, and the Victoria and Paddington National Rail stations are also situated nearby.
13. Urban Village Fete
Urban Village Fete offers innovative and charming experiences for visitors with not just music, but workshops, delicious food, and a lot more frolic on offer.
- Dates: 18th May, 2025
- Location: Greenwich
- Lineup: DJ Gilles Peterson, Jamz Supernova, street food from London, interactive workshops and art workshops for children, canine circus
- What to Know: The event has attractions for visitors of all ages, and it is free to attend. The timings are from 11 AM till late.
- Transportation & Accommodation: You can stay in the Greenwich area itself while taking the tube to the North Greenwich station near the venue in case you’re putting up elsewhere.
14. Outbreak Music Festival
The Outbreak Festival has an interesting lineup of attractions for music fans this year. Here’s what to expect.
- Dates: 14th and 15th June, 2025
- Location: BEC Arena, Manchester, England
- Lineup: Knocked Loose, Danny Brown, Alex G, Denzel Curry, Slowdive
- What to Know: Keep following social media channels for updates, while booking your tickets quickly, since they usually sell out.
- Accommodation & Transportation: Book a hotel near the BEC Arena or the Manchester City Centre. The quickest way to reach London is by train from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly (2.12 hours). From here, you can take a Metrolink tram or taxi to the BEC Arena.
15. Afro Nation London
Love pulsating DJ music and dancing? Afro Nation x Lit Presents Out The Box- Shallipopi is definitely one event that you shouldn’t miss!
- Dates: 29th June, 2025
- Location: BOXPARK Wembley, Wembley Park
- Lineup: Shallipopi, DJ Lydel, Shijvanah, DeeJayov, Sarz
- What to Know: Timings are between 3 PM and 11 PM. Make sure you dress vibrantly, in keeping with the theme of the event.
- Transportation & Accommodation: You can stay in Wembley Park itself, along with Sudbury, Tokyngton, and Preston. You can access Wembley Park quickly through the Jubilee Line from the Bond Street Station. You can also take the Metropolitan Line (which has fewer stops) by swapping at Finchley Road or Baker Street. The journey time from here is only 12 minutes.
Tips for Enjoying London’s Music Festivals
London’s hosting some of the best UK music festivals in 2025, and you can make a fabulous summer holiday out of it! Here are some tips to make the most of your time at these festivals.
- Book your tickets early, along with accommodation, to avoid the last-minute rush
- Stay hydrated and carry water
- Pack smartly for your trip, including comfortable walking shoes, layers for unpredictable weather, umbrellas, etc.
- Plan your commutes and routes carefully to save time on the day of the event. Use the London Underground site and TfL for more assistance in this regard
- Download official event apps for updates and news
- Carry sunscreen for adequate protection, and take a small waterproof bag.
- List and abide by all event regulations
Conclusion: Feel the Beat of London in 2025
Feel the beat and take in the infectiously positive vibe as you experience the very best UK music festivals this summer in London! 2025 promises to be a fabulous treat for music fans with a diverse lineup of artists, venues, and other attractions.
Experience these music festivals for an once-in-a-lifetime experience! When it comes to comfortable stays during these events, choose strategically located serviced apartments for their blend of home-like space and privacy, along with hotel-like service and amenities. It could be a pocket-friendly option, particularly for extended stays in the city.
Here’s to a vibrant, fun-filled, and musically fabulous London trip ahead!