The South East of England, including London, is famous for its vibrant and diverse music scene — and 2025 is shaping up to be no different. Whether you’re into electronic beats, indie rock, or soulful rhythms, this year’s festival lineup has something for everyone.
From underground gigs to major events, here’s your guide to the most exciting music festivals happening across London and the South East in 2025. Don’t wait to grab your tickets — these shows are set to sell out fast!
Shindig Festival – (22 – 25 May)
Shindig Festival offers a boutique music and arts experience, famous for its family-friendly vibe and diverse lineup of international music, art, and community spirit. It’s more than just music — with immersive art installations, engaging talks, and activities for all ages, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
We at Reading West kick off the festival season over the bank holiday weekend at Shindig, bringing you all the highlights and stories from this special event.
Taking place from May 22 to 25 at the beautiful Charlton Park Estate in Wiltshire, Shindig has been called “a pint-sized version of Glastonbury” by Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis — and it’s easy to see why. The festival features an incredible mix of international talent, including Gilles Peterson, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, and Moonchild Sanelly, who’s worked with Beyoncé, Gorillaz, Self Esteem, and Ezra Collective.
It’s a brilliant celebration of music, arts, and community — the perfect way to welcome summer.
LIDO Festival – (6 -15 June)
LIDO Festival takes place on the historic Lido Field across 10 days in Tower Hamlets, East London. As a fan-first festival, we celebrate globally loved artists who take the lead on the event curation, alongside emerging talent, community engagement, and creativity at the heart of East London. As well as the music, we are also committed to sustainability and giving back to our local surroundings with our policies.
Headliners for the massive weekend concerts are Massive Attack (Friday June 6) Jamie xx (Saturday 7 June), OUTBREAK Fest (Friday 13 June), Charli xcx’s own party girl festival (Saturday 14 June) and London Grammar (Sunday 15 June) for the inaugural LIDO.
BST Hyde Park – (27 June – 13 July)
Set in the heart of one of London’s most beautiful Royal Parks, BST Hyde Park first came to life in 2013 with a bang — The Rolling Stones returned to relive their iconic 1969 gig, joined by legends like Bon Jovi and Lionel Richie. Since then, it’s become a must-do summer tradition.
Every year, each headline act is supported by an incredible line-up across multiple stages — from global stars to exciting new artists — performing for fans who travel from all over the UK and beyond.
Now a staple of the London summer, BST Hyde Park is more than just a concert — it’s a whole experience. This June and July, the festival is back across three weekends, with huge names like Olivia Rodrigo (27 June), Zach Bryan (28 + 29 June), Noah Kahan (4 July), Sabrina Carpenter (5 + 6 July), the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra (10 July), Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts (11 July), Stevie Wonder (12 July), and Jeff Lynne’s ELO (13 July) all taking over the park.
And it’s not just about the music. The midweek Open House programme offers free entry to the site, with outdoor cinema, street food markets, children’s theatre, fitness classes, live music, sports screenings and loads more — making it the perfect summer hangout spot for everyone.
The Love Supreme Jazz Festival (4-6 July)
The Love Supreme Jazz Festival is a three-day event held every July in Glynde Place, East Sussex. It celebrates jazz and related styles like funk, soul, blues, and hip-hop. The festival features five stages: The Main Stage for R&B, funk, soul, and blues; The Big Top with top jazz acts; The Arena for contemporary jazz; The Bandstand showcasing rising and local talent; and Bands & Voices, a new stage for spoken word, dance, and cabaret.
The 2025 Love Supreme Jazz Festival runs from July 4th to 6th, headlined by Jacob Collier on Saturday and Maxwell on Sunday, with Nile Rodgers & Chic also starring. The lineup includes The Roots, a hip-hop group with jazz roots; Motown legend Smokey Robinson, performing his first UK show in over 15 years; R&B chart-toppers En Vogue; soul revivalists Thee Sacred Souls; and the Branford Marsalis Quartet, a renowned jazz ensemble.
GuilFest – (5-6 July)
GuilFest (Winner of the BEST Family Festival in the UK) is back for a weekend packed with fantastic performances, local charm, and a strong sense of community. This much-loved festival promises to be a summer highlight, taking place at Stoke Park in Guildford, Surrey on 5th and 6th July 2025.
The Jacksons and Razorlight are headlining GuilFest on Saturday, July 5th, 2025. GuilFest also features other acts like KT Tunstall, Soul II Soul, and Leo Sayer. The festival takes place at Stoke Park in Guildford.
Kew the Music (8-13 July)
Top international artists set to perform in breathtaking surroundings
The first lineup for London’s beloved outdoor concert series, Kew the Music 2025, has been announced. Headliners include UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell, DJ Spoony Presents Garage Classical, and Nicolas Reyes, the iconic voice of the Gipsy Kings.
This week-long celebration of picnic concerts takes place at the stunning UNESCO World Heritage site, Kew Gardens, in southwest London. It’s become a highlight of the city’s summer, drawing music fans of all ages to one of the UK’s most beautiful concert settings.
The month of July holds a special place in my heart, and one of the reasons is Kew The Music. There’s something truly magical about enjoying live music in the beautiful surroundings of Kew Gardens — it’s become a summer tradition I look forward to every year.
What makes this festival truly special is that visitors can bring their own food and drinks to enjoy, or choose from the open-air bars and delicious street food stalls — perfect for a relaxed and unforgettable evening under the sky.
Wireless Festival (11–13 July)
Tickets for Rockstar Energy Presents Wireless 2025 sold out in minutes — the fastest in the festival’s history. Returning to London’s Finsbury Park from 11–13 July, this year’s edition is set to be massive.
Drake headlines all three nights with different setlists, but that’s not all. Wireless is also welcoming back grime legends Boy Better Know for their first live show in eight years, performing on Saturday, 12 July. The crew made history as the first UK grime act to headline the festival — and now, 20 years on, they’re back for a milestone moment in both their story and Wireless’s.
They’ll join a stacked line-up including Burna Boy, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Summer Walker, and Vybz Kartel, as Wireless celebrates its 20th edition with the biggest names in rap, R&B, afrobeats, dancehall, and grime.
Boogietown – (July 12)
Boogietown is a vibrant weekender bursting with disco, soul, and funk vibes. Just 35 minutes from London, it’s set at Apps Court Farm, nestled among the bends of the Thames River, ancient woodlands, rolling green hills, and hidden lakes in the British countryside.
Taking place on Saturday, July 12th, at Apps Court in Walton-On-Thames, Surrey, this one-day festival offers a packed schedule of nonstop top-tier performances. With multiple stages, legendary artists, and energetic DJs, Boogietown creates an electric atmosphere where freedom, self-expression, and pure joy come together.
This year’s unmissable headliners include Kool and the Gang, UB40, and Billy Ocean, promising a day full of unforgettable grooves and good vibes
Kaleidoscope Festival – (12 July)
Kaleidoscope Festival is back at Alexandra Palace on 12 July 2025, ready to bring the good vibes all over again. Set against the stunning backdrop of one of London’s most beautiful spots, this one-day wonder is packed with live music, DJ sets and laugh-out-loud comedy from morning ‘til night.
It’s the kind of day that really has something for everyone – whether you’re a music lover chasing your next favourite act, or a family after a fun, feel-good outing. With incredible views across the city, delicious food and drink, and a proper commitment to sustainability, Kaleidoscope is a summer must.
Faithless are set to headline, bringing their legendary sound to the breathtaking Hilltop Stage – and it’s going to be something special.
They’ll be sharing the bill with a cracking line-up, including Goldie, Eats Everything, Sara Cox, Sleeper, DJ Spoony, Beatles Dub Club, R Voices Choir, Brandon Block, Mele Brown and plenty more. From big tunes to belly laughs, cabaret to kid-friendly fun, it’s all happening at Alexandra Palace – and it’s looking like one of the standout days of the summer.
Uptown Festival 2025 – (27th July)
Uptown Festival 2025 is the perfect day out for families looking to make unforgettable memories in London. Taking place on Sunday, 27th July at Blackheath, this vibrant festival blends legendary music with fun activities for kids and adults alike, making it a must-visit event for all ages.
From 2 pm to 10 pm, enjoy iconic live performances headlined by Boy George and Culture Club, alongside a lively mix of family-friendly entertainment that keeps everyone smiling. Whether you’re planning a special weekend with the kids or just want a festival that everyone can enjoy, Uptown Festival has it all — great music, exciting fun, and memories to last a lifetime.
Boomtown Festival – (6 – 10 August)
The 2025 Boomtown Festival, known as Chapter 4: “Power of Now,” takes place from August 6th to 10th. It’s the UK’s most immersive music experience, blending incredible live music with interactive storytelling and some of the most impressive stage production around.
Starting out in 2009 as a small gathering at Matterley Estate near Winchester, Boomtown has grown into a global phenomenon. Since moving to its current site in 2011, it has become a cultural highlight, attracting tens of thousands of fans every year who come for more than just music — they come for the whole experience.
Headliners on the 2025 bill include Maribou State, Sean Paul, and the Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter…see you there
South Facing Festival – (7-24 August)
South Facing Festival returns to the historic Crystal Palace Bowl in summer 2025 with its most exciting and ambitious programme yet. Set in one of London’s most iconic open-air venues, the festival promises a series of unforgettable live performances throughout August. With a diverse line-up spanning electronic, indie, hip-hop, folk, pop, jazz, reggae, and more, South Facing continues to cement its place as a standout event in the UK’s summer festival calendar.
South Facing Festival 2025 Headliners include…
Mogwai & Lankum 7 August
Flackstock 8 August
Big Smoke / Skepta 9 August
Morcheeba & Unkle 14 August
Busta Rhymes 15 August
Tinlicker 16 August
The Originals. 17 August
Basement Jaxx 22 & 23 August
Nile Rodgers & Chic 24 August
Venue: Crystal Palace Bowl, SE19 2BA
Stowaway Festival – (15-17 August)
Stowaway Festival began as a party for friends – and it still feels that way. Now in its fourth year, it’s a 3-day celebration in the beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside, surrounded by ancient woodland, open fields and a stunning lake.
This year’s headliners include Jungle (DJ set), The Wailers, Fabio & Grooverider & The Outlook Orchestra, and Seun Kuti & Egypt 80. You’ll also catch sets from Shy FX, Derrick Carter, Horse Meat Disco, Prosumer, Luke Una, DJ Storm, Don Letts and more.
Expect an eclectic music lineup, free family activities, and a laid-back vibe built on creativity, connection and fun.
Swim, feast, dance, explore. Find secret parties in the woods or unwind by the lake as kids paddle past.
This is your weekend. Come and lose yourself in it.
Found Festival – (22-24 August)
Found Festival is a fresh new chapter from the team behind the UK’s oldest independent festival. Happening from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th August at the beautiful Claydon Estate in Buckingham, it’s all about bringing music, culture, and community together in the most effortless way.
Expect carefully chosen acts in intimate settings, wrapped up in the warmth and experience of six decades of festival magic.
Found Festival is a fresh new venture from the team behind the UK’s oldest independent festival. Taking place from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th August at the beautiful Claydon Estate in Buckingham, it brings music, culture, and community together with effortless ease.
Expect carefully selected acts in intimate settings, all backed by six decades of festival experience.
This year’s inaugural lineup features fantastic artists like Elles Bailey, The Longest Johns, Talisk, Saltlines with Gigspanner Big Band and Raynor Winn, Breabach, The London Afrobeat Collective, and Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet.
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