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27 best London music festivals in 2023

See big names and up-and-coming talent at London's best music festivals.
Woman wearing sunglasses and glitter at the South West Four music festival in London.
Rock out to live shows at London's brilliant range of music festivals. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

Music lovers are spoilt for choice in London, as the capital hosts exciting and eclectic music festivals all year. Take your pick of London's wide-ranging festivals, featuring everything from electronic to jazz music.

1. Live at the Palace

Absorb the good vibes and iconic sounds at Live at the Palace, with headline acts including UB40, Emeli Sande and Groove Armada paired with historic surroundings that make it one that can't be missed. 27-28 May and 28-30 Jul

2. Cross The Tracks Festival

Festival-goers dancing at Cross The Tracks music festival in Brockwell Park, London
Get into the groove at the Cross the Tracks music festival. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.
Celebrate an early summer start with music from NxWorries, Masego and more, plus craft beer and street food, at Cross The Tracks Festival. This one-day event brings the sounds of soul, funk and jazz to south London's Brockwell Park. 28 May

3. Mighty Hoopla

People in front of a colourful sign that says "Mighty Hoopla" at the Mighty Hoopla Music Festival in Brockwell Park, London
Bop along to the tunes at London's Mighty Hoopla music festival. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.
Sing your heart out at Mighty Hoopla, an unashamedly pop-loving festival 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 performances by Kelly Rowland, Kelis and the Vengaboys in 2023. 3-4 Jun

4. Hampton Court Palace Festival

Savour the historic atmosphere during a summer night of music at Hampton Court Palace Festival. Enjoy a picnic in the palace gardens and grab a glass of champagne, before seeing the Kaiser Chiefs, Rick Astley and other performers in 2023. 6-17 Jun

5. Camden Rocks Festival

Get ready for two days of new and legendary rock and indie acts as they play across dozens of venues for Camden Rocks Festival. Catch your breath between gigs and check out famous Camden Market, filled with stalls selling band tees and tasty food. 16 Jun-30 Sep

6. Meltdown

Billboard showing MIA's Meltdown festival programme at the Southbank Centre in London.
A different artist curates the lineup for Meltdown at Southbank Centre. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

Head to Southbank Centre to enjoy a celebration of art and music alongside the river Thames. Every year, a different top artist curates the lineup for Meltdown, and Christine and the Queens is on duty for 2023. 9-18 Jun

7. Lambeth Country Show

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. You can also tuck into delicious organic food while the best live afrobeat, ska, reggae and folk music performers keep you entertained. 10-11 Jun

8. British Summer Time Hyde Park

Fans wait for the music to start at the British Summer Time music festival in Hyde Park, London
Upgrade your summer weekends at the British Summer Time music festival. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

Check out the stellar international artists on stage during British Summer Time, taking place in Hyde Park over three summer weekends. The lineup for 2023 includes Guns N' Roses, Pink, Lana Del Ray, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel.

During the weekdays between performances, visit Hyde Park for Open House, a programme of street food, pop-up bars, free open-air film screenings, daytime DJs and entertainment. 24 Jun-8 Jul

9. Greenwich Summer Sounds

Enjoy massive headline acts including Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Tom Jones, Black Eyed Peas and Kaiser Chefs in the historical surroundings of Greenwich's Old Royal Naval College during Greenwich Summer Sounds. 4-8 Jul

10. Summer Series Somerset House

Jam to live tunes in the centre of the city during the Summer Series Somerset House in the building's elegant courtyard. See an exciting lineup of emerging and established musical artists which has previously included Amy Winehouse, Adele, Sam Smith and Everything Everything. 6-16 Jul

11. Wireless

Join partiers at Wireless in Finsbury Park for a weekend of big music hits from a unique mix of hot newcomers and music legends in rap and hip-hop music. The top-notch lineup for 2023 brings out 50 Cent, Travis Scott and Yeat. 7-9 Jul

12. Kew the Music

Enter the haven of Kew Gardens as Kew the Music brings international indie, pop and even flamenco music artists to the open-air stage over several summer evenings. Enjoy the music of Jack Savoretti, Jools Holland and more from your own picnic blanket in 2023. 11-16 Jul

13. Ealing Blues Festival

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. 22-23 Jul

14. BBC Proms

Night view of Royal Albert Hall during the BBC Proms in London.
Enjoy classical music at BBC Proms. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

Be dazzled by the greatest classical music festival in the world as the BBC Proms bring amazing concerts to Royal Albert Hall and other venues in the capital. Enjoy two months of brilliant performances at affordable prices with this British institution. 14 Jul-9 Sep

15. Junction 2

Find stages championing the best of techno music under canopies of leaves at Junction 2. This two-day festival combines electronic dance music with a beautiful outdoor setting in Boston Manor Park. 21-22 Jul

16. Visions Festival

Discover breaking acts and check out more established bands at Visions Festival. The expertly curated lineup of events usually includes gigs at venues throughout Hackney, karaoke sessions and a friendly competition between east London’s cutest pets at the annual dog show. 22 Jul

17. South Facing Festival

South Facing Festival ensures the party never ends, with two weeks of outdoor concerts at the iconic Bowl amphitheatre in Crystal Palace Park. The gigs on offer span the musical spectrum, and 2023's performers include Rudimental and Craig David. 28 Jul-13 Aug

18. Croydon Carnival

Head to south London for Croydon Carnival this summer, where you'll find an exciting lineup of perfomances including dance groups, musical acts and a headline set from Artful Dodger. Make sure not to miss the colourful parade dancing through the streets of The Mayor's London Borough of Culture 2023. 30 Jul

19. Uptown Festival

Bring the family and friends for a boogie at Uptown Festival in Blackheath, where musical acts span all the genres and the atmosphere brings people together. Plus, all activities including rides and meet and greets are included in the ticket price. 30 Jul

20. 51st Festival

Dance to the pioneers of house music and breakthrough acts of today at 51st Festival, with performers hailing from the UK, Europe and the Americas. Explore all things house with classic, afro and disco sounds filling the air. 5 Aug

21. All Points East

Matt Kean from Bring Me The Horizon performing live during the All Points East Festival at Victoria Park in London
Listen to headliners and up-and-comers at All Points East. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

Grab tickets to All Points East in Victoria Park. The 2023 headliners at this blockbuster festival include Stormzy, Aphex Twin, Bonobo and The Strokes. You can also enjoy a midweek programme of comedy, food and outdoor film screenings. 18-25 Aug

22. We Are FSTVL

Head to Upminster for We Are FSTVL and move to beats from the biggest names in electronic dance music. Past acts have included Basement Jaxx, Armand Van Helden and Shy FX. Treat yourself to a VIP ticket to enjoy the pamper parlour, where you can get your hair done and get glammed up in glitter makeup. 25-27 Aug

23. Eastern Electrics

Join the good vibes at the one-day Eastern Electrics festival, a delight for lovers of dance, techno and bass. 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. 26 Aug

24. Waterworks

Feel the beat at Waterworks, an electronic music festival in Gunnersbury Park. It takes place in mid-September to see off the summer season, and the lineup is usually an extensive list of local and international DJs. 16 Sep

25. Crystal Palace Festival

Enjoy great food, music and arts as the Crystal Palace Festival comes 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. Sep TBC

26. Pitchfork Music Festival

Lose yourself in the wide selection of genres and artists on the bill at multi-venue Pitchfork Festival London, the younger sibling of the original festival based in Chicago. Expect alternative, indie, electronic, dance and beyond at some of London's coolest spots. 7-13 Nov

27. EFG London Jazz Festival

Discover 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 the Harlem Gospel Choir. 10-19 Nov