The best music festivals to experience in London this summer 2025
Summer in London means the return of an exciting line-up of music festivals, and 2025 is set to be unforgettable. From icons like Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, and Faithless to chart-toppers Charli XCX, Chase & Status, Floating Points, and Moodymann, all set to hit the big stage. With beloved festivals like BST Hyde Park, Field Day, and Wireless making their return — and fresh names like Lido Festival debuting in Victoria Park — here’s your essential guide to the best music festivals to experience in London this summer.
Wide Awake Festival
Wide Awake Festival 2025. Image credit Luke Dyson.
#FLODown: Wide Awake is South London’s forward-thinking festival championing the best in leftfield sounds, post-punk, and underground electronica. Set in the heart of Brockwell Park, this one-day affair has carved out a name as a tastemaker’s paradise—where cutting-edge music meets a conscience. With a focus on sustainability and progressive ideals, it’s a must for those after something raw, intelligent, and boldly offbeat.
Line-up highlights: Peaches, Daniel Avery, Marie Davidson, Sega Bodega, English Teacher, Kneecap.
Date: 24 May 2025. Location: Brockwell Park, Norwood Road, London SE24 9BJ. Price: from £49.50. wideawakelondon.co.uk
GALA
GALA Festival.
#FLODown: GALA Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2025, returning to Peckham Rye Park. The festival is celebrated for its dedication to underground club culture and its focus on providing an authentic experience for fans of a wide range of electronic sub genres, including house, techno, disco, and more experimental sounds.
Line-up highlights: Caribou (live), KiNK (live), Moodymann, Floating Points, Theo Parrish (open-to-close set), Avalon Emerson, Ben UFO, Floorplan, HUNEE & Antal, Alex Kassian (live), Amaliah, Anz, Batu, Benji B b2b Judah, Calibre, Chima Isaaro.
Date: 23–25 May 2025. Location: Peckham Rye Park, Strakers Road, London SE15 3UA. Price: From £55. thisisgala.co.uk.
Field Day
Field Day 2024. Image credit Danny North.
#FLODown: Field Day, one of London’s most beloved electronic music festivals, returns to Brockwell Park in 2025 after a stint in Victoria Park. Loved for its community feel and standout line-ups, this year’s edition will be headlined by Peggy Gou.
Line-up highlights: Peggy Gou, James Blake , Skream & Benga, Fatima Yamaha, Mall Grab, Jayda G, VTSS.
Date: 25 May 2025. Location: Brockwell Park, Norwood Road, London SE24 9BJ. Price: From £49.50. fielddayfestivals.com.
Mighty Hoopla
Image courtesy of Mighty Hoopla.
#FLODown: Mighty Hoopla is London’s ultimate pop extravaganza, celebrating the finest in pop, alternative, and queer culture. Known for its inclusivity, vibrant atmosphere, and eclectic mix of pop icons and emerging LGBTQ+ talent, it’s a two-day celebration of all things camp, fun, and fabulous.
Line-up highlights: Kesha, Ciara, JoJo, Loreen, Vengaboys, Pixie Lott, Kate Nash.
Date: 31 May – 1 June 2025. Location: Brockwell Park, Norwood Road, London SE24 9BJ. Price: Day from £69.50, Weekend £149. mightyhoopla.com.
LIDO Festival
Brand new festival LIDO to launch in London this summer.
#FLODown: LIDO Festival is a new addition to London’s summer festival scene, taking place over two weekends in June 2025 at Victoria Park. Organised by the team behind All Points East, the festival offers a curated lineup of musical performances alongside community-driven activities. The name “LIDO” is derived from Victoria Park’s historic Lido Field, where the event will be held.
Line-up highlights: Massive Attack, Jamie xx, Arca, Charli XCX, 070 Shake, London Grammar, Celeste, Turnstile.
Date: 6–15 June 2025. Location: Victoria Park, Grove Road, London E3 5TB. Price: From £64.95. lidofestival.co.uk.
Hampton Court Palace Festival
Hampton Court Palace. @hcpfestival
#FLODown: Set within the historic grounds of Hampton Court Palace, this festival offers an intimate concert experience with performances from renowned artists, complemented by gourmet dining options and picturesque gardens.
Line-up highlights: James, Rag’n’Bone Man, Tom Jones, Bananarama, The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, 10cc, Chaka Khan, Gary Barlow, Elbow.
Date: 11–21 June 2025. Location: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU. Price: From £49.50. hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com
Meltdown Festival
Little Simz © Thibaut Greet.
#FLODown: Meltdown is an annual festival held at London’s Southbank Centre, curated each year by a different artist. In 2025, the festival will be curated by Little Simz, offering a mix of musical performances and artistic experiences. It’s a unique opportunity to see a lineup selected by one of the UK’s most exciting artists.
Line-up highlights: The Streets, Mahalia, BADBADNOTGOOD, Ghetts, James Blake, Jon Batiste.
Date: 12–22 June 2025. Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Price: Varies by show. southbankcentre.co.uk.
BST Hyde Park
image courtesy of British Summer Time (BST) Hyde Park.
#FLODown: British Summer Time (BST) Hyde Park is one of London’s most iconic music festivals, offering an incredible series of concerts in Hyde Park. The 2025 edition promises a line-up of legendary artists and rising stars, along with the vibrant Open House experience, where visitors can enjoy live music, talks, and interactive activities.
Line-up highlights: Olivia Rodrigo, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Jeff Lynne’s ELO, Noah Kahan, Sabrina Carpenter.
Date: 27 June – 13 July 2025. Location: Hyde Park, London W2 2UH. Price: From £79.95. bst-hydepark.com.
Kew the Music
Image: @kewthemusic
#FLODown: Kew the Music is a week-long summer festival set in the picturesque Kew Gardens, featuring performances from artists across classic hits, modern pop, and jazz. Offering a relaxing festival experience, it’s perfect for those who enjoy deck chairs, Pimm’s, and great music in a beautiful setting.
Line-up highlights: Craig David presents TS5, The Human League, UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, DJ Spoony presents Garage Classical, Alison Moyet, Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes.
Date: 8–13 July 2025. Location: Kew Gardens, Kew Road, Richmond, London TW9 3AE. Price: From £45. kewthemusic.org.
Somerset House Summer Series
Image: Somerset House Summer Series © James Bryant.
#FLODown: Somerset House is undoubtedly one of the city’s most beautiful festival settings. Celebrating its 25th anniversary as a cultural cornerstone, the Summer Series returns to its iconic courtyard, offering an extraordinary line-up of live performances.
Line-up highlights: Rizzle Kicks, Freya Ridings, Jacob Banks, Parov Stelar, Akinola Davies Jr, Joy Oladokun, St. Vincent, The Snuts, The Paper Kites, FLO, Giggs & Family.
Date: 10–20 July 2025. Location: Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA. Price: From £27.50. somersethouse.org.uk
Wireless Festival
Wireless Festival. July 2023. Photo by Jahnay Tennai.
#FLODown: Wireless Festival returns for its 20th anniversary, bringing a historic lineup to the stage. Renowned for its celebration of hip-hop, R&B, and grime, this year’s event will see Drake headline all three days. Vybz Kartel will also make his highly anticipated return to the UK stage, marking a pivotal moment for both the festival and the world of dancehall music.
Line-up highlights: Drake (all 3 days), Burna Boy, Vybz Kartel, Summer Walker, PARTYNEXTDOOR.
Date: 11–13 July 2025. Location: Finsbury Park, Endymion Road, London N4 1EE. Price: From £94.25. wirelessfestival.co.uk.
Kaleidoscope Festival 2025
Kaleidoscope Festival 2024. Alexandra Palace. @kaleidoscope_festival
#FLODown: Set against the panoramic backdrop of Alexandra Palace, Kaleidoscope Festival is a one-day celebration featuring live music, comedy, and family-friendly activities. This year’s lineup includes Faithless, Goldie, Eats Everything, DJ Spoony, and more. The family area offers arts and crafts, circus skills, and the World’s Tallest Bubbleologist.
Line-up highlights: Faithless, Goldie, Eats Everything, Sara Cox, DJ Spoony, Sleeper, Shappi Khorsandi, Andrew Maxwell, Hip Hop Karaoke.
Date: 12 July 2025. Location: Alexandra Palace Park, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY. Price: from £13.33. kaleidoscope-festival.com.
All Points East
Image courtesy All Points East.
#FLODown: All Points East is back in Victoria Park with an epic lineup, bringing a week of top-tier music to East London. With a lineup that spans drum and bass, indie rock, and pop, including Chase & Status, this beloved East London festival is set to be a big one this year.
Line-up highlights: Chase & Status, RAYE, The Maccabees, Bombay Bicycle Club, Confidence Man, Shygirl, Tyla, Doechii.
Date: 16–24 August 2025. Location: Victoria Park, Grove Road, London E3 5TB. Price: From £70. allpointseastfestival.com
RALLY
RALLY Festival. Photo by Isabelle Dohmen.
#FLODown: Rally Festival is a one-day event in Southwark Park that celebrates alternative and underground music scenes. It’s an intimate festival with a unique vibe, mixing up live performances and DJ sets from some of the most exciting names in indie, punk, and post-punk.
Line-up highlights: Floating Points, CASISDEAD, Ben UFO, Astrid Sonne, Malibu, Vlada, Mia Koden, TAAHLIAH, Man Power, Pender Street Steppers, livwutang b2b Richard Akingbehin, Nosedrip b2b Orpheu The Wizard, Speakers Corner Quartet.
Date: 23 August 2025. Location: Southwark Park, Lower Road, London SE16 2PA. Price: £45–£75. rallyfestival.com.
Waterworks Festival
Waterworks 2023. Photo by Sienna Gray for Khroma Collective.
#FLODown: Waterworks Festival brings the best of global underground electronic music to East London. Celebrating house, techno, and experimental beats across seven stages, it’s the must for fans of cutting-edge dance music.
Line-up highlights: Bakey, Bitter Babe, Chloé Caillet, DJ Stingray 313, DVS1, Eris Drew, Octo Octa, Palms Trax, Yung Singh, Calibre, Felix Dickinson, Mala and Nicola Cruz.
Date: 13 September 2025. Location: Gunnersbury Park, Popes Lane, London W3 8LQ. Price: From £49.50. waterworksfestival.co.uk.
