2025 is shaping up to be a big year for festivals. While some well-loved names like Barn on the Farm, Sundown Festival, and Cambridge Club Festival aren’t returning this year, plenty of others are stepping up to keep the good vibes going. From music and comedy to family-friendly events, there’s still loads to look forward to across the UK!
In this guide, we’ll share some of the top festivals happening in 2025, with a few favourites from the Tickets for Good team. You’ll also find out how eligible NHS staff, charity workers, teachers, and cost-of-living payment recipients can access free and discounted festival tickets through our platform. Whether you’re a regular at UK festivals or planning your first one, this is a great place to start.
There’s something special about the 2025 festival season, and it’s not just the big-name headliners like Drake, Olivia Rodrigo, and Neil Young lighting up line-ups across the country.
People across all ages are turning to festivals as their go-to way to experience live music and connection. As James Ralls, founder of the award-winning Victorious Festival, recently shared in an article by The Standard, “With the loss of some of the night-time economy, people are going out to festivals as an alternative.”
It’s not just about the music anymore, either. Audiences are expecting more, such as quality food and facilities in wellness areas, comedy stages, and family-friendly spaces. And festival organisers are delivering! They are shifting to become immersive and inclusive experiences.
There’s also a noticeable shift in how people, especially younger generations, want to connect with music. Post-pandemic, there's a higher demand for real-world connection, community, and shared experience. Festivals offer that in a way few other events can.
In short, after many have had to stop operationally, we hope 2025 is the year UK festivals bounce back, evolve, and prove they’re more than just weekend escapes - they’re cultural milestones of the UK.
Glastonbury Festival is a global cultural event that has been drawing crowds for over five decades. From its humble beginnings as the Pilton Pop, Folk & Blues Festival in 1970, Glastonbury has grown to be one of the most celebrated events in the global music calendar.
Line-up: The headliners for Glastonbury 2025 are The 1975, Neil Young, and Olivia Rodrigo.
Set in the heart of East London’s Victoria Park, All Points East is known for its eclectic programming and urban festival feel. It runs across two weekends with world-class line-ups and free midweek community-focused events.
Line-up: The 2025 edition features LCD Soundsystem, RAYE, and Queens of the Stone Age.
Located in the Brecon Beacons, Green Man is beloved for its relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere and stunning natural setting. It blends indie music with literature, science, wellness, and comedy.
Line up: This year’s festival features Kneecap, Wet Leg, Underworld, Beth Gibbons, & more.
The UK’s leading rock and metal festival, Download has been bringing heavy riffs and headbanging to Donington Park for over 20 years.
Line-up: Headliners in 2025 include Slipknot, Metallica, and Avenged Sevenfold.
One of the UK’s most historic festivals, Isle of Wight blends big-name music with a laid-back vibe in a scenic island setting. It’s perfect for families and fans of legacy acts.
Line-up: Confirmed for 2025 are Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Pet Shop Boys, and Paloma Faith.
New for 2025, Lido Festival brings two weekends of standout live music to Victoria Park’s Lido Field in June. The diverse lineup includes Massive Attack, Jamie xx, Charli XCX, Turnstile, London Grammar, and more. A bold new entry to London’s festival scene.
While not brand-new, The Great Escape continues to rise as the UK’s go-to festival for discovering the next big thing. Set in venues all across Brighton, it focuses on emerging artists from around the world, offering an intimate, citywide festival experience.
Wide Awake is a forward-thinking one-day festival held in Brockwell Park, South London. With a focus on leftfield indie, post-punk, electronic, and new sounds, it’s already gained a reputation for booking boundary-pushing artists.
Hosted on Bristol’s Downs, Forwards is building a name for itself by blending music, social impact, and ideas. The festival doesn’t just offer incredible music but also puts a spotlight on conversations around culture, politics, and community.
Taking place in Sheffield, Get Together is all about independent music, craft beer, and local culture. It’s a vibrant and compact festival that brings together up-and-coming bands, DJs, and grassroots energy in one of the UK’s most exciting cities for music.
Set in the riverside town of Marlow, this festival combines great food, craft drinks, and live music. Expect dishes from top chefs, local pubs serving street food favourites, and a buzzing, family-friendly atmosphere.
A must for any foodie, Taste of London brings together some of the capital’s best restaurants and chefs. With live demos, hands-on workshops, and signature bites to try, it’s a tasty way to kick off summer.
Set on the beautiful Porthminster Beach, this festival showcases Cornwall’s top chefs and local producers. From fresh seafood to baked treats, it’s the perfect mix of food, sea views, and a laid-back coastal vibe.
A celebration of local flavours and global cuisine, Birmingham’s Good Food Festival offers everything from street food and chef demos to artisan stalls and drinks tastings. Great for families, foodies, and anyone looking to explore the city’s diverse food scene.
Held in George Square Gardens during Edinburgh’s buzzing summer season, this free-to-enter festival champions Scottish food producers and street food vendors.
Camp Bestival is designed with families in mind - with circus shows, theatre, arts and crafts, and music for all ages. Expect headliners for the grown-ups, and plenty to keep the kids entertained all weekend.
Set in Henham Park, Latitude mixes music, comedy, and culture with a dedicated family area, kid-friendly entertainment, and relaxed vibes. A great intro to festivals for younger ones.
Known as one of the most family-friendly festivals in the UK, Wychwood offers a wide range of kids’ workshops, a literature tent, and music that appeals to all generations — all on a safe, compact site.
A unique blend of music, science, arts and comedy, Deer Shed is packed with family programming.
Although Tramlines is a major city festival with big names on the bill, it also makes space for families, with a dedicated family area and kids’ crafts.
14th – 17th August – Wimborne St Giles, Dorset
We Out Here is a four-day celebration of music, community, and creativity, curated by BBC Radio 6’s Gilles Peterson. Set in the grounds of Wimborne St Giles, Dorset, the festival hosts artists and DJs spanning soul, jazz, hip hop, afrobeat, and house across 15 unique stages. The 2025 lineup features artists like Michael Kiwanuka, Rotary Connection 222, Nala Sinephro, and Nubiyan Twist, among others. Beyond the music the festival also has wellness sessions and family-friendly activities, emphasising inclusivity and connection. I’m yet to go to the festival myself but from what I’ve heard, it’s one of the best of the year for both its amount of music and friendliness of attendees!
After working with We Out Here last year as part of their Open Arms initiative, we were proud to help distribute free tickets through our partnership. The scheme offered tickets to those receiving cost-of-living payments, with 100 spots allocated via ballot - and even included free return travel for local attendees in Dorset! It’s great to see a festival making real efforts to open up their event to new audiences, and we’re excited to see how this work develops in the future (stay tuned! 👀).
25th May – Temple Newsam, Leeds
Slam Dunk North is one of my absolute favourites – the atmosphere is always so good, and there’s such a good mix of bands on the lineup every year.
I like that there are big names you’ve been wanting to see or smaller bands you end up falling in love with, there’s something for everyone. I’ve always found it’s the perfect day out with friends – you’re running between stages, grabbing a drink, catching your favourite sets, and soaking up the energy.
I also love the layout at Temple Newsam – it’s spacious without feeling too spread out, and everything’s easy to get to. It’s just a guaranteed good time. 🖤
21st - 24th August - Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire
Set in rural Northamptonshire, Shambala Festival really lives up to its reputation as being ‘the most fiercely independent, seriously silly, wildly creative and radically sustainable party in a field’. It’s one for all ages with a definite family friendly vibe, but if dancing until the early hours is more your thing then you’ll be pleased to hear that the music continues until 5am every night.
In terms of what’s on offer musically, Shambala is exciting to say the least. The festival champions grassroots artists and performers spanning across multiple genres. With last year’s big addition of the Solasta stage, you’ll also see some of the most talked about new risers, such as Moonchild Sanelly and Fat Dog, making their way to the site in August.
There’s plenty of silly little twists to this festival with secret rooms in some unexpected places, a Saturday costume theme of ‘Pun Intended’ (which is taken very seriously), and a huge array of weird and unusual talks and activities. The festival is so much more than your average music festival, so you’re guaranteed to come back from this one with serious post-festival blues.
Through Tickets for Good, people receiving cost-of-living support can now enter a ballot for the chance to win tickets for their household to Shambala Festival! The festival is also offering travel support for ballot winners, including shuttle buses, coach tickets from select cities, or a weekend car parking pass. You’ll be able to let the organisers know your individual needs when claiming your ticket.
If you’re not yet a member of Tickets for Good but are eligible for support, you can sign up for free today. Don’t miss your chance to experience one of the UK’s most creative and inclusive festivals.
At Tickets for Good, we believe that festivals should be accessible to everyone, regardless of budget. That’s why we partner with festivals across the UK to offer free and discounted tickets to NHS staff, charity workers, teachers, and people receiving cost-of-living support.
In 2024, we teamed up with festivals like Parklife, Radar, Tramlines, and Truck Festival to make sure more people could experience live music without the cost barrier. Some tickets were distributed through member ballots, while others were available on a first-come, first-served basis directly through our platform.
We’re proud to be growing this work in 2025, with more festivals and more opportunities for members to attend amazing events across the country. Make sure you’re signed up to Tickets for Good to stay updated on new releases, ballots, and exclusive offers throughout the summer.
As a Tickets for Good member, getting access to free and discounted festival tickets is simple. Here's how it works:
The UK’s festival scene in 2025 is shaping up to be one of the best yet, with events that cater to every taste. With Tickets for Good, you can enjoy these festivals without worrying about the cost. From music lovers to first-timers, our platform makes sure everyone has the chance to experience the magic of live events.
So, start planning your festival calendar today, and keep an eye on Tickets for Good for all the latest updates and ticket releases.
We can’t wait to see you there!