Top UK Festivals 2023: LineUps, When, Where & How To Get Tickets
With only a few months to go until summer, it means we haven’t got long to go until our favourite time of year, festival season!
Here at HFS we’re doing a full rundown on the top UK festivals taking place in 2023 with the full line ups, when and where they’re taking place, as well as how you can get tickets.
With our music guide you can get your plans boxed off and have a summer you won’t forget this year with the perfect festival for you and your pals.
Calling all fezzy lovers, you’ll want to carry on reading…
Top UK Festivals 2023
The UK plays host to many different festivals throughout the year with something to suit every festival goer.
From the iconic Glastonbury Festival to the students rite of passage Reading and Leeds Festival to the quirky El Dorado Festival to the indie and alternative Kendal Calling, you’re sorted for a summer of music.
There are few things better than sitting in a field with your mates around a campfire with a drink in hand before heading to watch some class acts, is there?
Festivals are the place to make memories to last a lifetime with your favourite people and see some amazing performances, you just can’t beat them!
With so many events to choose from in different locations across the UK, it can be hard to determine which festivals to head to.
Thankfully, we’ve done the hard work for you and researched the top festivals in 2023 you need to experience…
Glastonbury
It’s no surprise that we have to kickstart our coverage on the top UK music festivals with Glastonbury, it’s an event which is on everyone’s festival bucket list being the biggest and arguably the most spectacular.
Taking place in June across a span of five days on 2,000 acres of farmland, this vibrant contemporary performing arts festival plays host to musical performances from every genre as well as dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret, and other arts.
Currently the line up for this year’s Glastonbury Festival is yet to be released with Sir Elton John being the only confirmed headliner, but year after year the world class festival plays host to many huge names, so we’re sure 2023 will be one to impress – keep your eyes peeled.
Let’s be real though, Glasto is somewhere which is notoriously hard to get tickets for, and whilst it might be the place to be this summer, getting tickets certainly is no walk in the park (or rather the Somerset fields).
Tickets for the festival went on sale in November but if you weren’t successful, there are also Spring resales, when any returned tickets go back on sale.
Check out the official Glastonbury Website for more information on securing tickets.
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When: Wed, Jun 21, 2023 – Sun, Jun 25, 2023.
Where: Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset.
Reading and Leeds Festival
When it comes to multi-genre UK festivals, Reading and Leeds are a pair of annual events which take place simultaneously across August bank holiday weekend and are not one to miss out on.
As a young person, attending Reading or Leeds Festival is a rite of passage into adulthood, with 3 days of alternative music and comedy promised at each location, make sure to get your wellies on this summer and head to the fields.
Attracting music lovers from far and wide, these annual pair of events have so much to offer to suit everyone’s tastes with a varied line up year after year.
It’s ideal if you and your friends are struggling to find somewhere to please everyone!
Who wouldn’t want to sing Mr Brightside with their pals this summer? Whether you’re heading to Braham Park or Richfield Avenue, you’re guaranteed to have an amazing experience.
Some of the huge acts on this year’s lineup include Billie Eilish, Sam Fender, Foals, The Killers, Loyle Carner, Lewis Capaldi and Wet Leg to name a few.
For a full breakdown of the lineup and getting tickets, head to the Reading and Leeds official website.
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When: Friday 25th – Sunday 27th August 2023.
Where: Reading Festival – Richfield Avenue.
Leeds Festival – Braham Park.
Creamfields
The place to be for electronic dance music is none other than the legendary Creamfields.
Taking place across the August bank holiday weekend since the late 90s, this vibrant festival has become the most popular and renowned open air electronic music festival, and for good reason.
The stellar lineup for this year is set to feature names from every genre under the electronic music banner, although it currently hasn’t been released yet, we’re sure it will be mega.
Check back for updates from the official website and social media to see who’ll be amongst the big names.
Sadly, tickets for this year have already sold out but you can sign up on the website for limited re-sale tickets.
We would recommend only purchasing from official ticketing sites to avoid disappointment!
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When: Thu, Aug 24, 2023 – Sun, Aug 27, 2023.
Where: Daresbury, Warrington.
Download Festival
We weren’t kidding when we said this guide would feature an event to suit all festival goers, with Download being the best place to hear rock and metal music.
If you’re wanting to get into the mosh pit this summer and see some amazing live performances from the likes of Bring Me The Horizon, Metallica, Slipknot, Ghost, Disputed, Alexisonfire and Architects along with many more, then you need to be fast at snapping up a ticket.
Dubbed as the UK’s premier rock festival, this iconic event takes place in Donington Park in Derby in June across five days, so you haven’t got too long to go.
For everything you need to know including the full line up and how to get tickets, head to the Download Festival official website now.
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When: Thu, Jun 8, 2023 – Sun, Jun 11, 2023.
Where: Donington Park, Derby.
Tramlines
Next up in our guide to the UK festival scene for 2023 is Tramlines Festival.
Known as Sheffield’s biggest party, this genre pushing festival offers music lovers with three days of good times, it’s the sort of place you’ll want to return to again and again.
Some of the first acts announced for this year include Richard Ashcroft, Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott, Courteeners, Blossoms, Kaiser Chiefs, Bloc Party, Sugababes and The Zutons – sounds like a real mix of artists, eh?
That’s just some of the huge names set to take to the stage at Hillsborough Park, you can find out more about who else is playing and the comedy acts taking place on the official website.
This year is set to be the 15th addition of the festival, so we’re sure it’ll go off with a bang.
Make sure to sort out your ticket before they all sell out as they’re on final release!
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When: Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd July.
Where: Hillsborough Park, Sheffield.
El Dorado Festival
For those of you who love groovy tunes, you’ll want to head to El Dorado Festival this summer.
Taking place on the second weekend of July in Eastnor Castle Deer Park in Herefordshire, this boutique festival is put together by the creative team at Cirque Du Soul.
The 2023 line up focuses on emerging live and electronic artists.
You can expect to see KC and The Sunshine Band, Folamour, Sampha The Great, Vengaboys, Shy FX, Denis Sulta, Mall Grab and Maverick Sabre amongst many others – the good vibes will certainly be flowin’.
It’s not just music which is a focus at this buzzing fezzy either, there’s plenty of tasty street food restaurants, a hair salon and pamper stations, secret stages, cabaret, wellness and hot tubs, talks and comedy acts to be discovered.
Are you wanting to head to the road of El Dorado?
Make sure to grab your ticket now on the official website to avoid missing out on the fun!
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When: Thursday 6th July – Sunday 9th July 2023.
Where: Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire.
Parklife
Parklife is one of the most popular UK festivals and is set to be a highlight of summer 2023.
Set in the heart of Manchester’s Heaton Park, this metropolitan festival is the largest of its kind and hosts dance and electronic music, as well as pop and hip-hop artists across two days.
There’s no better way to kickstart the festival season than at Parklife.
Some of the huge artists set to perform in June are The 1975, Aitch, Fred Again, Little Simz, The Prodigy, Slow Thai, Skrillex and Peggy Gou – pretty unmissable if you ask us!
The only thing is, Parklife doesn’t offer any camping so you will have to sort out accommodation as well as a ticket for the festival. But that means you can freshen up each day if you’re someone who hates camping.
Tickets are set to sell out for this one so make sure to get a plan in the group chat and get yours sorted.
You can take a look at the full line up to see who’s expected to perform as well as buy your ticket on the official website.
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When: Sat, 10th June 2023 – Sun, 11th June 2023.
Where: Heaton Park, Manchester.
Isle Of Wight Festival
Whilst it may be a little bit further afield for those of you studying in the mainland, the Isle Of Wight Festival is one of the most highly acclaimed UK festivals.
This annual event takes place in Seaclose Park and is a historical festival which has built up quite the reputation for festival lovers from across the globe since it was first held back in the late 60’s.
Amongst the names on this year’s bill of performers include Robbie Williams, Pulp, George Ezra, The Chemical Brothers, Blondie, Courteeners, N-Dubz and Niall Horan – wow, we need to head here.
Although, there’s absolutely tons of other big names up and coming artists set to be announced in the next wave so, make sure to stay updated.
You can make the most of it and have a little holiday with your pals exploring the island this June, it’s stunning and there’s so much to do and see.
Make sure to add this event to your festival calendar for a summer like no other!
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When: Thu, Jun 15, 2023 – Sun, Jun 18, 2023
Where: Seaclose Park, Isle Of Wight
Kendal Calling
Kendall Calling is a massive fan favourite when it comes to UK festivals, and this year is the 15th addition so we’re sure it’ll be even more exciting.
Held annually in the stunning backdrop of the Lake District, you can expect a full weekend of music, art, comedy, food and drink, and of course, a barrel of laughs with your mates.
Amongst the names on the 2023 line up includes Kasabian, Royal Blood, Blossoms, Rick Astley, The Lathums, Frank Turner, KT Tunstall, Scouting For Girls and many more.
So, why not make memories with your favourite people, sit around the campfire, relish in the sunshine, head to see the artists and indulge in some food and drink?
It’s a must-attend for this summer, so escape to the lakes this July and get your ticket boxed off before they’re all gone!
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When: Thursday 27th – Sunday 30th July 2023
Where: Lowther Deer Park, The Lake District
Wireless
Calling all fellow music lovers, if you’re after somewhere to head to this summer don’t shy away from Wireless.
The rap and urban music festival is nestled at London’s Finsbury Park and is one of the capital’s much loved festivals, attracting fans from across the country and beyond.
Being one of the country’s most popular and famous weekend music festivals, the expertly curated line up always promises to be amazing.
Unlike previous years, the festival is set to take place across one weekend only, but they’re really taking things up a level offering up an array of huge artists including Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, Headie One, 50 Cent, Ice Spice, Lil Uzi Vert and so many others.
You can expect a bigger party than ever this year so grab your ticket now and celebrate the London festival scene!
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When: Friday 7th July – Sunday 9th July 2023
Where: Finsbury Park, London
Well, that’s the end of our coverage of the top UK festivals taking place in 2023.
Our question for you guys is, where will you be heading this summer?
Let us know your plans for festival season @_homesforstudents.
Thankfully, these top UK festivals 2023 are taking place in some of the cities where our student accommodations are located, so you’ll have somewhere to crash! Check out our property pages today to find your new student home.
Read next: Feeling Stuck In Your Degree? You Could Be Writing Songs For Taylor Swift And Ed Sheeran Tomorrow.
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