Best London music festivals

Held over two weekends in summer, American Express presents British Summer Time brings a stellar lineup of international artists to Hyde Park. Past headliners have included the Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath and Blur. In the week between performances, come and enjoy open-air film screenings, street food, daytime DJs, pop-up bars and entertainment.

Head to Southbank Centre and enjoy a celebration of art and music overlooking the Thames. Meltdown is curated every year by top music artists. Past festival curators have included M.I.A, Patti Smith, Yoko Ono, David Bowie and David Byrne. Getting up out of your seat for a boogie is definitely encouraged.

The splendid Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court at Somerset House plays host every year to an exciting lineup of emerging and established musical artists, right in the centre of the city during its Summer Series. Past years have seen Amy Winehouse, Adele, Sam Smith and Everything Everything step on the iconic festival's stage.

Join revellers at Wireless in north London's Finsbury Park for three days of big music hits from a unique mix of hot newcomers and music legends. Past editions have seen celebrity headliners such as Depeche Mode, Jay Z, The Black Eyed Peas, Justin Timberlake and Rihanna.

Dance to the pioneers of house music and breakthrough acts of today at 51st State Festival, with performers hailing from the US, UK, Caribbean and Europe. Explore all things house with classic, afro and disco sounds filling the dance floor. 

Join the cool kids in north London for Field Day festival at The Drumsheds, a former gasworks site next to Tottenham Marshes. Soak up the sun in the huge outdoor space, before moving into four interconnected warehouses for music from a mix of independent and mainstream artists. Be ready to dance until the early hours.

Get ready for two days of the best rock and indie acts as they play across dozens of new and legendary venues with Camden Rocks Festival. Catch your breath between gigs and check out the area’s famous market, filled with stalls selling band tees and tasty food.

Grab tickets for one of the biggest newcomers to London's music festival calendar: All Points East. Held in Victoria Park, this 10-day event begins with a three-day music festival featuring megastars and emerging artists. Then, enjoy a midweek programme of comedy, food and outdoor cinema showings, before the next wave of headliners perform on the final three nights.

Be the first to discover breaking acts, alongside checking out more established bands at Visions Festival. The expertly curated lineup of events includes gigs at venues throughout Hackney, karaoke sessions and a friendly competition between east London’s cutest pets at the annual dog show. 

Head to Upminster for We Are FSTVL and move to beats from the biggest names in electronic dance music. Past acts have included the likes of Basement Jaxx, Armand Van Helden and Shy FX. Treat yourself to a VIP ticket to enjoy the pamper parlour, where you can get glitter makeup and hair done.

Located in Morden in south London, the two-day Eastern Electrics Festival brings good vibes to all dance lovers with a techno and bass lineup. In previous years, this  popular clubbing event has taken summer fun to the next level with a pool stage for festival-goers to paddle in. 

Catch the best of the world's electronic music scene at South West Four on Clapham Common. For one summer weekend, some of the world's top DJs perform across 10 stages. Past festivals have boasted big names such as Alesso, Deadmau5 and Fatboy Slim.

ONBlackheath brings an impressive lineup to south London for a two-day fun-packed family festival. Recent artists include no less than Jamiroquai, UB40 and Rag'n'Bone Man. Michelin-starred chefs, workshops and kids' entertainers help create a warm and relaxed atmosphere for the whole family in one of the capital's greenest spots.

See rising stars and headliners at The Ends, a three-day music extravaganza in Croydon’s Lloyd Park. Get your reggae, grime, hip-hop and soul fix while soaking up the sun and sipping on cocktails at this outdoor festival. 

Sing your heart out at Mighty Hoopla, an unashamedly pop-loving festival situated in Brockwell Park. Popular with London’s LGBTQ+ community, this festival encourages all to have fun without judgement. Enjoy glitter makeovers, lip-sync battles and drag performances.

Enjoy international musical legends playing against the backdrop of the magnificent Old Royal Naval College, overlooking the river Thames, at the Greenwich Music Time festival. Past performers at this family-friendly event have included Seal, David Gray and Little Mix. 

Head to Croydon’s Lloyd Park for a day of garage and house music at The Butterfly Effect Festival. Previous artists include Cooly G, DJ Luck, Shola Ama and Kele Le Roc. You can easily get to Croydon in south London by tram, train or bus.

Head to west London's leafy Gunnersbury Park for a two-day celebration of dance, hip-hop and pop music. Lovebox festival was founded by British electronic music duo Groove Armada in 2002, and has since seen music stars such as Duran Duran, Goldfrapp, Ed Sheeran and Snoop Dogg walking its many open-air and tented stages. 

Find stages championing the best of techno music under canopies of leaves at Junction 2 in Boston Manor Park. This two-day festival combines striking industrial features and electronic dance music with a beautiful natural setting, filled with woodland paths and winding rivers. 

See indie stars following in the footsteps of Bombay Bicycle Club, Ben Howard and Sigur Rós at Citadel in west London's Gunnersbury Park. This unique one-day festival also hosts talks by an eclectic array of speakers during the day, as well as soothing yoga sessions.

Enter the haven of Kew Gardens as Kew the Music festival brings international indie, pop and even flamenco music artists to the open-air stage over five summer evenings. Bring your own picnic and blanket and soak up the atmosphere.

Soak up the historic atmosphere during a summer night of music at Hampton Court Palace Festival. Music stars such as Elton John, Andrea Bocelli and Van Morrison have all performed in the royal palace's stunning courtyards. Enjoy a picnic in The Palace Gardens and grab a glass of champagne before the show.

Discover emerging artists at Bushstock festival during a day of live music across various venues in Shepherd's Bush, including unusual spots such as intimate wine bars and a church. Catch the best up-and-coming talent on the international music scene, which have previously included big names such as Bastille, Hozier and George Ezra.

Catching great music in London doesn't have to cost a thing. Take a look at some of the free music festivals happening around the city.

Celebrate Waltham Forest's creative community with Walthamstow Garden Party, a free festival of music, theatre, crafts and family activities run by the Barbican and Create London. Gigs, film screenings and performances showcase the area's local talent over two fun-filled days. 

Enjoy great food, music and arts as the Crystal Palace Festival returns to Crystal Palace Park with an array of exciting free entertainment. This family-friendly feast showcases south London's local artists and musicians, as well as arts and crafts from all over the world.

Get a taste of rural fun as the Lambeth Country Show returns to Brockwell Park. Catch sheepdog and owl displays, homegrown flower and vegetable competitions, and cool craft stalls, before tucking into some delicious organic food while the best live afrobeat, ska, reggae and folk music performers keep you entertained.

Love blues, jazz, classical or SKA music? There's a festival for nearly every style of music – take a look at some of London's best specialist music festivals.

Enjoy up-and-coming artists and world-class musicians as the EFG London Jazz Festival takes over London, with a host of concerts scattered around the city. International jazz stars such as Paolo Conte, Abdullah Ibrahim and Hugh Masekela have featured in the past, alongside Harlem Gospel Choir.

Discover the best of the capital's ska music scene with the London International SKA Festival. The festival boasts big names in the industry, plus fringe events including tributes to the soul of Jamaica, special guest appearances and DJ sets until sunrise.

Head to the leafy suburb for the annual Ealing Blues Festival. This community-run event attracts international stars on the blues circuit, alongside the best local talent. In between sets, browse stalls selling crafts and incredible food. 

Be dazzled by the greatest classical music festival in the world as the BBC Proms bring amazing concerts to the Royal Albert Hall and other venues in the capital. Enjoy two months of brilliant performances at affordable prices with this British institution, and don't miss the BBC Proms in the Park's grand finale in Hyde Park.