The best music festivals in London 2025

AVA London, the mammoth electronic music and arts conference, is back in town. Offering a weekend of masterclasses, talks, interviews, and workshops with some key figures from the nightlife industry, it'll be staged across some of London’s most iconic venues, including KOKO, Here at Outernet, The Standard and The British Library. Don't miss out on the night-time antics which suitably complement the thought-provoking conversations in the day.  

Line-up includes: FKA Twigs, Jarvis Cocker, Munroe Bergdorf, No Tags Podcast, Erika de Casier, Ryoji Ikeda Live, LSDXOXO.

Varous venues. March 20-22.

Serving up an eclectic mix of live music, visual arts, spoken word, podcasts and club nights, Roundhouse Three Sixty is a brand-new springtime festival at Chalk Farm’s famous circular arts venue aims to ‘amplify the voices of today’s most vital and unapologetic artists’. Musical highlights include a celebration of the legacy of Queen of Disco Donna Summer and a headline show from Corinne Bailey Rae, plus club nights curated by Sherelle and Jack Rooke. 

Line-up includes: Corrine Bailey Rae, MNEK, Katy B, Sherelle and Sexy Lady Massive, Self Esteem (DJ set), Tom Odell.

Roundhouse, NW1 8EH. April 1-30.

Taking place across a whopping 20 venues in and around Queen’s Yard in Hackney Wick – including The Yard, Colour Factory, CRATE brewery and 9294 – this day-to-night celebration of London’s vibrant dance music scene is becoming a much-loved fixture over the early May Bank Holiday weekend. More than 100 DJs or collectives feature on the whopping line-up, which ranges from beloved local selectors to more established international names playing everything from house and techno to garage and disco. But that’s not all, as there’ll be after-parties kicking off at Colour Factory and Village Underground, too.

Line-up includes: Sports Banger, Percolate and Rhythm Labs. Check out the full line-up here.

Various venues, E9. May 3.

What is a spatial audio festival, you might be wondering? If you go to Polygon Live LDN, you’ll probably find out. The gist is seeing live music in a 360-degree arena surrounded by high-tech lights and loads of crystal-clear speakers – a spectacle which event organisers actually call a ‘spaceship’. Artists on the lineup so far include dreamy Pakistani-American singer Arooj Aftab, electronic legend Jon Hopkins, and composer Cosmo Sheldrake. This is one for audiophiles looking for something a bit more immersive. 

Line-up includes: Arooj Aftab, Gold Panda, Jon Hopkins, Cosmo Sheldrake

Crystal Palace Park, SE19 2GA. May 2-4.

Wide Awake bills itself as a ‘musical melting pot’, with a thoroughly eclectic line-up offering leftfield indie, post-punk, electronica, techno and more. Headlining this year are Irish-speaking rap sensations Kneecap. When they aren’t tearing up the stage with their club-ready raps, there’s the Mercury-winning indie band English Teacher, electroclash maven Peaches, DJ extraordinaire Daniel Avery and country star CMAT, alongside many more.

Line-up includes: Kneecap, CMAT, English Teacher, Peaches, Cobrah, Fcukers, Daniel Avery, Mannequin Pussy.

Brockwell Park, SE24 9BJ. May 23.

Is it just us or does Field Day feel way younger than 17 years old? Time flies, eh? The electronic-heavy festival returns to Brockwell Park in 2025 after a stint in east London, with a line-up that leans more heavily towards DJs and producers than the spread of live acts and selectors we’ve seen at the festival in recent years. With a whole host of globe-trotting selectors on the bill, expect a day of non-stop dancing. 

Line-up includes: Peggy Gou, Jungle (DJ set), Bubble Love (Ross From Friends), James Blake (DJ set) b2b Mala, VTSS, Special Request b2b Yung Singh, Fatima Yamaha, Girls Don’t Sync.

Brockwell Park, SE24 9BJ. May 24. 

Peckham Rye’s electronic music bonanza GALA turns ten this year. Returning in its usual slot over the late May bank holiday, the festival is celebrating reaching double digits with a stellar three-day line-up curated in partnership with NTS radio, plus some of the city’s most acclaimed music and nightlife brands, including Horse Meat Disco, Rhythm Section, Jumbi, Chapter Ten and The Cause. The line-up is a massive one featuring dozens of world-class DJs offering a weekend of genre-fluid grooves.

Line-up includes: Floating Points, Moodymann, Theo Parrish, Avalon Emerson, Ben UFO, Hudson Mohawke, Caribou, Floorplan.

Peckham Rye Park, SE15 4HA. May 23-25.

Cross the Tracks is known for its tasteful, groove-heavy curation across soul, funk and jazz, as well as loads of decent street food and craft beer. The festival has a laid-back, open-arms appeal, meaning you’ll find people of all sorts of ages having a boogie. This year, you've got everyone from Michael Kiwanuka to Jordan Rakei and Baby Rose to get excited about.

Line-up includes: Michael Kiwanuka, Ezra Collective, Jordan Rakei, Nala Sinephro, Cymande.

Brockwell Park, SE24 9BJ. May 25.

The world’s biggest independent one-day celebration of Caribbean and African culture takes place right here in London, with City Splash’s annual get together taking over Brockwell Park. For the 2025 edition, they’re pulling out the big names with dancehall legend Popcaan topping the bill. The rest of the line-up is just as stacked, with pioneers like Ms Dynamite and King Tubby slated to appear alongside emerging acts like Afrobeats star Qing Madi and Yeshie Renee. This year, City Splash is once again hosting its ‘Rise Up’ initiative, which champions emerging artists from the Caribbean and offers a one-week residency culminating at the festival, with Jaz Elise, Nesta, Raebel, Ras-I, ElevateToday and Savannah Dumetz all chosen for the programme.

Line-up: Popcaan, Ms Dynamite, Spice, Odumodublvck, Nia Smith, Sasha Keable, Qing Madi

Brockwell Park, SE24 0NG, May 26

Sometimes you need to embrace the cheesiness, you know? Mighty Hoopla has firmly established itself as a festival promoting the very finest of pop, as well as platforming established and emerging LGBTQ+ performers. The result of this is a weekend of feel-good fun where the crowd are just as dazzling at the entertainment.

Line-up includes: Kesha, Ciara, Kate Nash, Pixie Lott, Jojo, Loreen, Vengaboys.

Brockwell Park, SE24 9BJ. May 31- Jun 1.

The inaugural SXSW London will take over various venues in Shoreditch, including Shoreditch Town Hall and Village Underground, bringing with it the hottest new acts from across the globe for more than 70 music events, plus 420 talks and panels delving into the most pressing issues across business, tech and more. Music partners including Abbey Road Studios, BBC Introducing, Black Lives in Music and City Splash Festival will be co-curating line-ups, with Grammy-winning singer Tems announced as the first musical headliner.

Line-up includes: Tems

Various. Jun 2-7.

Scheduled for two consecutive weekends in June, the inaugural Lido festival takes place in Vicky Park’s 5000-capacity Lido Field. Trip-hop legends Massive Attack headline the first day, before Jamie xx brings his club residency The Floor to the park. The second weekend opens with a takeover from Sheffield-born hardcore festival Outbreak, before Charli xcx brings Brat summer 2.0 to east London with her Partygirl takeover, and London Grammar round out the weekend with ehtereal indie-pop.

Line-up includes: Charli xcx, Jamie xx, Massive Attack, London Grammar, Turnstile.

Victoria Park, E3 5SN. Jun 7, 14, 15.

With its 30th edition taking place this summer, the Southbank Centre’s Meltdown Festival has long since established itself as a key date in London’s cultural calendar. Each year, the Southbank invites one celebrated artist to curate the festival, and this year it’s the turn of Mercury Prize-winning rapper and previous Time Out cover star Little Simz. She’s promising a boundary-pushing line-up for the eleven-day festival, featuring plenty of local and grassroots organisations, plus the one-of-a-kind performances that have characterised Meltdown over the years. As usual, it’ll culminate in a headline show from the Brit winner herself.

Line-up includes: Little Simz, more TBC.

Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX. Jun 12-22.

To celebrate its 20th birthday, Wireless has called on Drake to do not one, but three, separate nights with differing setlists. Join Champagne Papi and his mates RnB singer Summer Walker, Afrobeats icon Burna Boy, dancehall star Vybz Kartel, OVO signee PARTYNEXTDOOR and London grime collective Boy Better Know for what promises to be a historic long weekend. 

Line-up includes: Drake, Burna Boy, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Summer Walker and Vybz Kartel, Boy Better Know, more TBC.

Finsbury Park, N4 1EE. Jul 11-13.

Up at the top of Ally Pally this summer, you’ll find a multifaceted web of genres. Where else can you while away the day with renowned DJs like Eats Everything, Sara Cox and DJ Spoony, drum and bass legend Goldie and the familiar hits of Faithless? There’s also comedy on the books from Shappi Khorsandi, the Beatles Dub Club, hip hop karaoke and high-energy Shakespear. This is one festival that truly lives up to its name.

Line-up includes: Faithless, Goldie, Eats Everything, Sara Cox, Sleeper, DJ Spoony

It’s been an exciting fixture in London’s musical calendar since 2013, and it’s back with a line-up of some of the biggest stars on the planet. Taking place across weekends in June and July, Hyde Park will host an upmarket festival vibe complete with food, drink and a posh VIP area. Catch Gen Z pop hero Olivia Rodrigo, US country singer-songwriter Zach Bryan and folk-pop artist Noah Kahan. ‘Espresso’ hitmaker Sabrina Carpenter plays two consecutive nights, while Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra perform their final ever live show. 

Line-up includes: Olivia Rodrigo, Zach Bryan, Noah Kahan, Sabrina Carpenter, Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts, Stevie Wonder, Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra plus more. 

Hyde Park, W2 2UH. Various, Jul.

One of London’s biggest dance music festivals is back to take over Boston Manor Park in 2025. If previous years are anything to go by, you can expect Junction 2 to provide a careful balance of massive names and hotly-tipped up-and-comers across the last Friday, Saturday and Sunday of July. This year you’ve got a stacked selection of house and techno juggernauts like Ceri, Ahmed Spins, Amber Broos and Kolter. They come alongside the likes of Nina Kravitz, Bashkka, Mount Kimbie, Moxie and Soul Wax. Basically, it’s the holy grail of raves.

Lineup includes: Nina Kravitz, Bashkka, Mount Kimbie, Moxie and Soul Wax

Somerset House Summer Series is back for another year. Held in the Edmond J. Safra Fountain court, in the enclave of the iconic Neoclassical building, this open-air series of gigs has long held space for both exciting up-and-comers and well-known trailblazers from the UK and beyond. Every year, the Summer Series plays host to an eclectic mix of legends and exciting current acts, and 2025 is no different. This year's bill features Rizzle Kicks, Giggs, FLO, Joy Oladokun, St. Vincent, Parov Stelar and more. 

Line-up includes: Rizzle Kicks, Giggs, Jacob Banks, FLO, St. Vincent, Joy Oladokun and more.

Somerset House, WC2R 1LA. July 10-20.

Boiler Room's summer festival returns to south London for another massive open-air celebration. Its 'lethal program of talent' comes led by some of the country's most influential dance crews.

The party-starters have curated their own stage of world-class talent. That includes producer extraordinaire Joy Orbison and the iconic DJ Theo Parrish leading the charge. On the Places + Faces stage, you've got Kendrick Lamar collaborator Mustard, superstar DJ Kenny Beats, legendary beatmaker The Alchemist and Time Out cover star DJ AG, among other big-hitters. Meanwhile, you've got Dialled In coming through with DJ sets from the likes of Kahani vs Kunal Merchant and Yuné Pinku, and Recess enlisting Dlala Thukzin and Crazy Cousinz pres. Funky House All Stars plus many, many more. 

Line-up includes: Joy Orbison, Theo Parrish, Kenny Beats, DJ AG, Mustard, The Alchemist and more

Burgess Park, SE5 0RJ, Aug 1

Wake up babe, a new house and techno festival in London just dropped. Legendary house DJ Jamie Jones has announced he is bringing a brand-new festi to the capital this summer, taking over Boston Manor Park with one of his world-famous Paradise parties. Spread across four stages, Paradise in the City promises to have ‘cutting-edge sound and state-of-the-art production’, all produced by partners LWE. The line-up hasn’t been anounnced yet, but it’s going span to a variety of techno and house DJs, all hand-selected by Jones. Expect a day of four-to-the-floor belters with an Ibiza vibe. 

Line-up includes: TBC

Boston Manor Park, TW8 9JU. Sat Aug 2.

After a great debut last summer, London’s Jazz Cafe returns to Burgess Park for its sophomore edition in early August, with a line-up traversing jazz (of course), RnB, hip hop and electronic sounds across four stages. Headlining the 15,000-capacity festival in September is American singer and saxophonist Masego, best known for his RnB hit ‘Tadow’.  And just announced on the lineup is New York rapper Westside Gunn, who will make his UK stage debut. Also on the lineup is Benny the Butcher, Elmiene, Nooriyah and more. 

Line-up includes: Masego, Westside Gunn, Benny the Butcher.

Burgess Park, SE5 0RJ. Aug 3.

After setting up in its new home of Burgess Park last year, Maiden Voyage will once again transform the south London space into one big grassy dancefloor for its 2025 edition. This time, Azealia Banks will headline the PXSSY PALACE main stage, while R&B fusion star Amaarae will also appear on the bill. The rest of the line-up is yet to be revealed, but you can bet it’ll be a strong one.

Line-up includes: Azealia Banks, Amaarae

Burgess Park, SE5 0RJ. Aug 9.

After a hugely successful first year in 2024, award-winning and influential rapper, DJ, and record label head Skepta is not only bringing his Big Smoke festival back for a second year but expanding it too. This year, the event will take over Crystal Palace Bowl for two days, with both closed out with sets from the man himself. On August 9, he’ll deliver a full-scale performance and will be joined on the line-up by a mix of rising stars, including Chy Cartier and SkylaTylaa, and grime legends like JME, Frisco and Chip, with more acts TBA. August 10 will be presented by Skeppy’s label Más Tiempo and see the big man wrap things up with a DJ set, plus special guest performances throughout the day, with names to be confirmed soon.

Line-up includes: Skepta, JME, Frisco, Chip, Chy Cartier, SkylaTylaa, BXKS

Crystal Palace Bowl, SE19 2BA, Aug 9-10

This summer, some contemporary dance music greats will take up residence at a stunning venue. Labyrinth On The Thames – masterminded by promoter Labryinth – will see different artists from the world of electronic music takeover the Old Royal Naval College (a UNESCO World Heritage Site!) for six days of unmissable performances. So far, South African DJ and producer Black Coffee, melodic house star Anjunadeep, global dance phenom FISHER and legendary techno DJ Solomun have been confirmed as headliners, with further acts TBA.

Line-up includes: Black Coffee, Anjunadeep, FISHER, Solomun.

Old Royal Naval College, SE10 9NN. July 31- August 3; 8-10.

Now in its fourth year, South Facing might still be a fledgling festival compared to some of the other events on the calendar, but it continues a long and impressive legacy of live music events at the Crystal Palace Bowl, which has previously hosted the likes of Elton John, Bob Marley, Vera Lynn and Pink Floyd. South Facing brings the same level of thrilling eclecticism with its line-ups for summer 2025, with headline shows from Basement Jaxx and Tinlicker, plus takeovers from Flackstock and Love Motion festivals. 

Line-up includes: Basement Jaxx, Tinlicker, Nile Rogers and Chic, Louie Vega, Dimitri From Paris.

Crystal Palace Bowl, SE19 2BA. August 8-24.

All Points East returns to Vicky Park for its seventh edition in 2025. Since debuting in 2018, the festival has garnered a reputation for building some of the most exciting line-ups in the UK. Its headliners are often indie or dance-focused big-hitters, while its undercards are packed with cult heroes and rising stars you can say you saw first. As well as the ticketed weekend events, look out for All Points East In the Neighbourhood, the festival’s free midweek programme of community activities including film screenings, live sports, theatre, family fun and more. 

Line-up includes: Barry Can’t Swim, RAYE, The Maccabees, Confidence Man, Shygirl, Tyla, Bombay Bicyle Club, Dry Cleaning, Chase And Status.

Victoria Park, E3 5SN. August 15–17, 22-24.

Seasoned London festival-goers have been singing the praises of this 10,000-capacity Southwark Park festival since it debuted in 2023, thanks to its boutique size, community vibe and collaborative line-ups created with help from some of the city’s best culture venues. So we’re pleased to note that Rally is returning for its third edition in August 2025, with another genre-hopping line-up of cutting-edge British sounds traversing dance music, hip-hop and indie rock. 

Line-up includes: CASISDEAD, Floating Points, Ben UFO, Speaker’s Corner Quartet, Porridge Radio. 

Southwark Park, SE16 2TX. Aug 23.

Having outgrown its first home in Hackney Wick, London’s queer nightlife festival Body Movements levelled up last summer, making a dazzling debut in Southwark Park with five stages showcasing the great and good of the LGBTQ+ party scene in the capital and beyond. It was easily the best edition yet of the groundbreaking festival, so we’re thrilled that the great and good of the London queer scene will once again come together in the same location for its 2025 edition, on the Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend.

Line-up includes: Mura Masa, HAAi, I.Jordan, Coucou Chloe, Cakes Da Killa, Adonis, Pxssy Palace, Little Gay Brother.

Southwark Park, SE16 2TX. Aug 24.

Pitchfork Music Festival is gearing up for another November edition with a jam-packed schedule of eclectic live music encompassing everything from avant-rock and post-punk to psych-pop, UK rap and deconstructed dance music. Gigs take place at plenty of the capital’s most illustrious music and nightlife venues. Previous years have seen shows at Fabric, EartH and The Roundhouse, as well as atmospheric small venues like the Shacklewell Arms, Hackney Church and Union Chapel. The first headliner to be announced is French electronic pop artist Oklou, with more announcements expected soon. 

Line-up includes: Oklou, more TBC.

Various venues. Nov 4-8.