Tuesday, February 27, 2024 9:10am
From cutting-edge dance music to the palace of Monty Don, here are 17 of London’s greatest festivals. Whatever your musical taste, you also have the option of partying in a field somewhere in the capital this summer.
Tickets are available now for the following London festivals. Pray for some sunshine, wear something sparkly, and soak up the new music scene this weekend.
Mighty Hoopla
For the most colorful fancy dress costumes and the most energetic (read: drunk) crowd. Hoopla has a reputation as the best pop festival in the country, so much so that bands actually reunite to play sets here. It has many LGBTQ fans and has entertained legends such as TLC, Kelly Rowland and Gabrielle, as well as the likes of Gemma Collins in the past. June 2-3, Brockwell Park, mytyhoopla.com
All Points East
This 10-day festival in east London features talks and events involving the local community, most of which are free to attend, and culminates in three days of massive music booking. This year will feature LCD Soundsystem, Loyle Carner, The Gossip and Death Cab for Cutie. August 17, 23 and 24, Victoria Park, allpointseastfestival.com
gala
This independent electronic music festival features dance music in all eclectic styles. Expect a crowd of self-consciously cool Peckham hipsters. This year, DJ EZ, Joy Orbison and Nightmares on Wax will perform, and the festival, which has a reputation for sustainability, will celebrate his 9th birthday. 24-26 May, Peckham Rye Park, thisisgala.co.uk
brick lane jazz festival
British jazz has grown in popularity in recent years, with festivals like Jill Peterson’s We Out Here showcasing the exciting diversity of the homegrown music scene. His festival takes place closer to home, on Brick Lane, perhaps East London’s most famous street. Live performances will be held at 10 venues over 3 days. April 26-28, Brick Lane, bricklanejazzfestival.com
city splash
Celebrating Caribbean and African culture, City Splash showcases established and emerging artists from the worlds of dub, roots, dancehall, jungle and garage. There will be great food and drink, and this year’s artists include Beenie Man, Queen Omega, Shy Fx and more. May 27, Brockwell Park, city-splash.com
cross the tracks
This day’s festival brings together the worlds of jazz, funk, soul and hip-hop through the music of established legends and newcomers. This year’s lineup is as diverse as ever, including Erykah Badu, Jill Peterson, David Rodigan, and Bad Bad Not Good. May 26, Brockwell Park, xthetracks.com
BST Hyde Park
BST Hyde Park welcomes music’s biggest names to Hyde Park for big-time performances. Kyrie, Kings of Leon and Andrea Bocelli will play in his 2024 edition, and a series of free-to-attend events including film screenings will be held midweek. June 30th – July 14th, Hyde Park, bst-hydepark.com
wireless
On Wireless, 50,000 people will flock to Finsbury Park to see Nicki Minaj, Sean Paul, 21 Savage and Doja Cat. It’s part of an authentic festival experience condensed into three days, and you can expect people to get down and dirty in north London. July 12-14, Finsbury Park, wirelessfestival.co.uk
Junction 2
Head west to Brentford’s Boston Manor Park for three days of truly intense electronic music from Honey Dijon, The Blessed Madonna, Jeff Mills, John Hopkins and more. This song will definitely be memorable. This is a cool kid’s piece. Expect lots of dancing. 26-28 July, Boston Manor Park, Junction 2.London
Queen’s Yard Summer Party
One of the first festivals of the summer, the Queen’s Yard Summer Party was held across 20 different venues across Hackney Wick over the May bank holiday weekend, making it the largest ever, up from 16 venues last year. It’s a celebration of London’s dance music scene, with dozens of DJs taking over venues such as his Crate and The Yard. 4th May, Queens Yard, Hackney, queensyardSummer.party
hampton court palace
If many of the festivals on this list promote musicians with names as if they were randomly generated, please allow them to be a little more polite. The festival will feature performances by Tom Jones, Nile Rodgers, Sheryl Crow, Deacon Blue and more. This is a VIP experience for the discerning festival goer. June 11-22, Hampton Court Palace, hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com
cue the music
Now, a real change of pace. Cuza Music is his week-long festival of picnic concerts set in UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There will be performances from a diverse line-up including Ronan Keating, Richard Ashcroft, JLS and Mika, as well as an evening with Monty Don. July 8th-14th, Kew Gardens, kewthemusic.org
kaleidoscope
Ally Pally isn’t all about darts. There’s a one-day festival of his wickedness featuring The Go. A comedy with the team, Mr. Scruff, Erol Alkan, and Simon Amstell. Kaleidoscope has a chiller vibe, befitting its location in one of north London’s leafiest enclaves. However, you can dance to Ministry of Sound on the Hilltop Stage. July 13th, Alexandra Park, kaleidscope-festival.com
sports day
Hearing the lineup here will definitely cheer you up! His one-day festival in East London’s Victoria Park channels an old-school vibe with sets from 2manydjs and Justice. This is an electronic music festival for people who want to dance the night away. August 24, Victoria Park, fielddayfestivals.com
body movements
This quirky electronic music festival is a celebration of music, dance, hedonism, and inclusivity. Held at venues across Hackney Wick, you can expect lots of sequins, leather and latex, and music from a variety of DJs playing to an enthusiastic crowd. 25th August, Hackney Wick, bodymovements.co.uk
chaka khan meltdown
Grace Jones has curated the festival at the Southbank Center in the past, and this time the iconic Chaka Khan will appear and help put together a “fun and diverse” program of artists. 14-23 June, Southbank Centre, southbankcentre.co.uk
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