Houghton Festival 2025 review

There are electronic music festivals, and then there’s Houghton. Tucked away in the forests of Houghton Hall in Norfolk, this artist-led weekender has built a cult reputation since its debut in 2017 thanks to its unique 24-hour music licence, carefully curated lineup, and the absence of phone signal. With just 10,000 people, no headliners and no curfews, the crowds, ranging from teens to veteran ravers, were refreshingly present, with no phones in sight and the kind of old-school rave etiquette you rarely see at UK festivals. There was as much to discover off the dancefloor as on it, including the chance to explore Houghton Hall’s world-class sculpture park. The festival’s diverse programming extended beyond music too, with a thoughtful mix of talks and wellness offerings ranging from yoga and sound baths to breathwork and cacao ceremonies.

Festival correspondents Imme & Sofia give us the FLO-down on the 2025 edition…

Houghton Festival 2025. Houghton Hall. Image credit Jake Davis, Khroma Collective.

Standout Sets

The Houghton lineup is a treasure trove for electronic music fans, with top selectors from around the world playing on intimate stages with flawless sound systems. On Friday, German DJ Helena Hauff tore through the Warehouse Stage, an old barn converted into Houghton’s only fully indoor club. Inside, a giant screen beamed hypnotic visuals behind the decks and red strobes flashed along the walls, transforming this agricultural space into a techno temple. Later that night, rising British DJ Sherelle delivered an intensely fun, genre-bending two-hour set, cutting between footwork, jungle and bass-heavy tracks with infectious precision.

The musical range at Houghton was just as striking as the quality. On Saturday afternoon, the laid-back Pinters stage hosted a live set by Minnesota-born trumpet player Greg Paulus, while over at the Warehouse, large crowds gathered for a set from comedian and musician Reggie Watts. Saturday night’s lineup meant some tough choices, with Berghain favourite Marcel Dettmann and Detroit techno legend Richie Hawtin taking over the Derren Smart stage, while Radioactive Man, John Talabot and Tim Reaper pulled loyal crowds elsewhere.

Houghton Festival 2025. Houghton Hall. Image credit Jake Davis, Khroma Collective.

On Sunday morning, we set an early alarm to head to the legendary Terminus, a 24-hour stage with a secret lineup, and which is not even marked on the festival map. At peak times, the queue can take hours, but at 10am we waited a mere 15 minutes before descending down the iconic steps through the woodland into an intimate quarry filled with seemingly full-time ravers. Terminus perfectly encapsulates the sense of community at Houghton, bringing together global dance music-lovers with no need for famous headliners or rigid scheduling, and proving once and for all that this festival is a marathon not a sprint. Our final stop was the Earthling stage for Derry-born DJ and producer Or:la, whose eclectic, playful set sparked the most joyous dancing we saw all weekend.

Houghton Festival 2024. Houghton Hall. Image credit Jake Davis, Khroma Collective.

Art & Sculpture

Alongside music, Houghton has a strong focus on contemporary art. Multi-sensory installations can be discovered across the festival site, and this year’s highlights included two major new commissions. Chris Levine debuted 528Hz LOVEdub, a vintage chromed VW campervan floating in the middle of the lake, which transformed every evening into a kinetic light sculpture, sending high-intensity beams across the water. Nestled into the forest, Pulse by London-based design studio EBBA converted the bioelectric signals of surrounding trees into shifting pulses of light and sound beneath a sculptural canopy — you can read more in our recent interview with EBBA’s Benni Allan.

Houghton Festival 2025. Houghton Hall. Image credit Sienna Lorraine Gray, Khroma Collective.

Festival-goers could also join free guided tours of Houghton Hall’s world-class sculpture park, enjoying its impressive permanent collection (including a meditative Skyspace by James Turrell and Richard Long’s Full Moon Circle) and a temporary exhibition by British sculptor Stephen Cox. This is Cox’s largest exhibition to date, featuring 20 outdoor sculptures spanning over 40 years of his practice, alongside smaller works displayed within the historic State Rooms and a contemporary gallery.

Houghton Festival 2025. Houghton Hall. Image credit Jake Davis, Khroma Collective.

Food & Drink

Fuel is essential at a 24-hour festival, and Houghton’s food offering more than delivered. In the main arena, Hanoi Kitchen’s pork bánh mì was a generous, two-hands-required affair, packed with well-seasoned meat and crisp pickled vegetables. Navazi’s chicken, falafel and halloumi wraps were another standout, offering warm soft flatbreads stuffed with juicy fillings and sides of perfectly spiced patatas bravas. For something more indulgent, the festival’s lakeside Mexican restaurant, Turntable & Napkin, was serving three-course tasting menus and tequila flights that were as scenic as they were satisfying.

Houghton Festival 2025. Houghton Hall. Image credit Sienna Lorraine Gray, Khroma Collective.

Wellness

The Orchard offered a welcome change of pace, with hammocks strung between the trees, a tea area, and even foot massages. In the main tent, a varied wellness programme proved hugely popular, with sessions ranging from gong baths and life drawing to reggae yoga, freedom dance and a full moon cacao ceremony.

Accommodation 

Away from the hustle and bustle of general admission camping was the “boutique village”, offering a range of glamping options from upcycled vintage tents to premium tipis. Beyond the extra comfort, these campsites came with welcome upgrades: hot showers, pampering areas and private bars, a welcome touch of comfort in a weekend built for endurance.

Festival Factfile

Houghton Festival 2025. Houghton Hall. Image credit Khali Ackford, Khroma Collective.

Size: 10,000 people

Length: 4-day weekender

Location: Houghton Hall, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE31 6UE

Ticket price: £280 + booking fees

USP: 24-hour music; no phone signal

Recommended for: Dance music lovers who prefer Berlin to Ibiza; small groups; all ages

Website: houghtonfestival.co.uk

Instagram:@houghtonfestival