London boasts one of the best festival scenes in the UK, with no shortage of day festivals across the summer for revellers to enjoy.
Whether you’re looking for celebration of all things indie in Finsbury Park, get down to disco in Peckham, or pull shapes on Clapham Common, there’s something for everyone.
There’s a number of new festivals for 2019, with the impressive All Points East only in it’s second year, but already amassing a huge following – and after a huge inaugural year featuring LCD Soundsystem, Nick Cave and Bjork, who can blame them?
Forget dragging wellies across fields, or having to camp for a weekend until your sodden – these day festivals will give you the same musical experience, but the only orienteering you need to do is navigating Bank station on the Central line. With the vast majority of London’s festivals coming in around the £60 mark, it won’t cost you an arm and leg either.
We’d recommend booking these in early, but as line up’s are still being announced there’s still plenty to look forward to. Here’s our top picks of the best festivals in the big smoke, and what we know so far.
Arcadia London
The legendary Glastonbury spider will be going on the road again this year, but for one stop only. The huge event will take place on at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for their only UK performance of the evolving Metamorphosis show.
Who’s playing? There’s two arenas for music, Helix, Arcadia’s house and techno heartbeat, and Radium, Arcadia’s spectrum bass ignition.
When is it? It’ll take place on 4 – 5 May
Where is it? Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, East London
Tickets: Get tickets here
All Points East
It’s only in it’s second year and already boasts a huge following. Taking place in Victoria Park, the festival is spread over a number of weekends and has attracted a number of huge acts. I mean, bagging Nick Cave for year one is pretty good.
Who’s playing? The Chemical Brothers, Christine and the Queens, Bring Me The Horizon, Bon Iver
When is it? 24 May – 3 June
Where is it? Victoria Park, East London?
Tickets: Get tickets here
Field Day
Field Day has had a bit of an overhaul for 2019. The new look festival will now be featured around four distinctive warehouse spaces in North London, alongside ten acres of outside space. There’ll be state of the art production and sound quality that will carry party goers on into the night.
For the last 12 years it’ hosted huge names such as Aphex Twin, Erykah Badu, Skepta, and we can’t wait to see what this new chapter will bring.
Who’s playing? TBC
When is it? 7- 8 June
Where is it? Meridian Water, Enfield, North London
Tickets: Get tickets here
Lovebox
With a consistently strong line up, many are excited to see what Lovebox will announce this year. The festival recently moved to Gunnersbury Park in 2018 and featured huge bookings in the form of Skepta, Childish Gambino, N.E.R.D, Wu Tang Clan and more.
Who’s playing? TBC
When is it? 12 -13 June
Where is it? Gunnersbury Park, West London
Tickets: Get tickets here
We Are FSTVL
Following a record breaking sell out success in 2018, We Are FSTVL has returned for 2019. The festival takes part in their affectionately named ‘Airfield of Dreams’, and combines some of the world’s biggest names in electronic dance music with some of the world’s leading club brands.
Who’s playing? Chase and Status, Mike Skinner, Danny Howard and more
When is it? 24 – 26 May
Where is it? Upminster, East London
Tickets: Get tickets here
Community
Noughties indie kids will love this one. Packed full with more denim and guitars than you’d ever expect, this festival is packed full of big bands such as the Kooks and Blossoms, and up and coming favourites such as The Amazons and Gerry Cinnamon. Get your tickets quick, because at the moment they’re only a tiny £40.
Who’s playing? The Kooks, Blossoms, The Amazons, Kate Nash
When is it? 30 June
Where is it? Finsbury Park, East London
Tickets: Get tickets here
Gala
Expect lashings of disco and good vibes and from this one. The Peckham Rye festival offers the best the capital has to offer, including indeopendent music, big DJs, and good eats from a number of local food and drink offerings.
There’ll be a weighty line up with plenty of ‘good time party music’
Who’s playing? TBC
When is it? 26 May
Where is it? Peckham Rye Park, South London
Tickets: Get tickets here
Mighty Hoopla
If there was an award for the most fun, or the most sequins then Hoopla would definitely win it. The perfectly pop filled festival always pulls out the big guns, with big names Lily Allen, B*Witched, Louisa Johnson, and even Spice Girl Melanie C.
Nineties kids will be in their element thanks to all the nostalgia.
Who’s playing? TBA
When is it? 8 June
Where is it? TBA
Tickets: Get tickets here
Somerset House Summer Series
Can you imagine a prettier location? No us neither, the Somerset House gigs are a big part of the former palace’s event calendar, and we can’t wait to see who’s annoucned. Last year saw appearances from The Roots and Metronomy amongst many more.
Who’s playing? TBC
When is it? July TBC
Where is it? Somerset House, Central London
Tickets: Get tickets here
Citadel
Last year altenative festival Citdael attracted the likes of Tame Impala, Chvrches, Leon Bridges, The Horrors and many more. There’s no word yet who’ve they’ve bagged for 2019 but we’re expecting big things.
Watch this space!
Who’s playing? TBC
When is it? TBC
Where is it? Gunnersbury Park
Tickets: Get tickets here
British Summertime Hyde Park
The Hyde Park gigs have become legendary and this year is no exception. The standout gig being Neil Young and Bob Dylan sharing the stage – a true one off event.
Music fans can also catch the incomparable Florence and the Machine, and the iconic Robbie William – get your tickets before they go.
Who’s playing? Florence and the Machine, Robbie Williams, Neil Young and Bob Dylan
When is it? 12 – 14 July
Where is it? Hyde Park, Central London
Tickets: Get tickets here
51st State
51st State celebrates the roots of house music, exploring classic house, tech house, afro house, garage, disco, soul, dub, dancehall and more. It’s a must attend event for house music fans, so expect to find top DJ’s from the States and closer to home.
We can’t wait to see who’s going to annoucned.
Who’s playing? TBC
When is it? 3 August
Where is it? Trent Park, North London
Tickets: Get tickets here
Hampton Court Palace
There’s some big names playing Hampton Court Palace this year, with none other than Kylie booked to perform.
The festival takes part in the grounds of the historic royal grounds, and with some shows already sold out you’ll need to book yours fast if you want to be there.
Who’s playing? The Jacksons, Tears for Fears, Kylie
When is it? 7 – 19 June
Where is it? Hampton Court Palace, West London
Tickets: Get tickets here
Junction 2
This is a unique festival for dance music fans mixing great sounds, high end production, natural beauty and industrial features to make for one iconic festival. I mean, it’s underneath an M40 motorway bridge.
Who’s playing? Bicep, Daniel Avery, Adam Beyer
When is it? 7 – 8 June
Where is it? Boston Manor Park, Greater London
Tickets: Get tickets here
Wireless
The London festival for hip hop, garage, and R’n’B fans, Wireless has secured a number of huge names in the past – anyone heard of Drake?
There’s no word on who’s performing just yet, but we’re expecting news soon.
Who’s playing? TBC
When is it? 5 – 7 July
Where is it? Finsbury Park, North London
Tickets: Get tickets here
Eastern Electrics
‘Clued up dancers’ will know of Eastern Electrics, starting life in South East London warehouses, the raves have grown into a full bodied festival.
For 2019, they’re bringing you the best and biggest names in dance music and a host of new stages, activities, and surprises.
Who’s playing?
When is it? 3 – 4 August
Where is it? Morden Park, South London
Tickets: Get tickets here
South West Four
South Wet Four, or SW4 as it’s affectionately known has become a key date in the dance music calendar, and a huge bank holiday event for those not feeling Reading and Leeds.
Last year they booked Marshmello, Chase and Status, and Dizee Rascal so we’re excited to see who’s playing this year.
Who’s playing? TBC
When is it? 25- 26 August
Where is it? Clapham Common, South London
Tickets: Sign up for here for presale
Meltdown
Meltdown is the UK’s longest running artist curated music festival, Robert Smith of the Cure curated the Southbank festival in 2018. They’ve announced they’ll be back with a new curator for 2019, so watch this space.
Who’s playing? TBC
When is it? June 2019
Where is it? Southbank Centre, Central London
Tickets: TBC
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