2017 Best UK City Festivals
2017 Best UK City Festivals
As the weather gets warmer, Britain becomes the destination for festivals and events of all sizes and genres. You will have heard of the most famous ones, Glastonbury and the V Festival, but for those not so keen on camping or unable to fork out for expensive tickets, there are a myriad urban festivals taking place all over the UK. From one-day Carnivals to music weekenders, there is something for everyone and some of them are even free! Say hello to the best UK city festivals of 2017.
Art & Literature
MAY
Chelsea Flower Show Festival focus: horticulture and garden design When: 23rd – 27th May (23rd – 24th May for members only) Expect: one of the world’s most prestigious horticultural shows, attracting all the big names in garden design and horticulture supplies as well as visits from the Royal family. Price: £32 - £63 depending on how long you will stay and if you are a member of the Royal Horticultural Society or not. Where: Royal Hospital Chelsea, London https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show
London Comic Con Festival focus: modern pop culture literature, film and arts with a sci-fi focus When: 26th – 28th May Expect: modern pop culture exhibition and events, covering comic books, anime, video games and sci-fi in general Price: £17- £65 Where: Excel, London http://www.mcmcomiccon.com/london/
JULY
Manchester Comic Con Festival focus: modern pop culture literature, film and arts with particular interest on sci-fi When: 29th – 30th July Expect: modern pop culture exhibition and events, covering comic books, anime, video games and sci-fi in general Price: £15- £24 Where: Manchester Central (formerly The GMEX), Manchester http://www.mcmcomiccon.com/manchester/
AUGUST
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Festival focus: thousands of art acts across multiple genres When: 4th – 28th August Expect: the biggest art festival in the world, covering multiple genres and disciplines in various locations across the city Price: there are free events as well as ticketed ones, see festival website for more details Where: various locations in Edinburgh https://www.edfringe.com/experience/what-is-the-fringe-festival
CARNIVALS & PARADES
JULY
Pride in London Festival focus: LGBT and music When: 24th June – 9th July (Parade and main event on 8th July) Expect: LGBT+ events, performances and parade Price: the main parade and events are free, but partner events may require tickets Where: West End and Trafalgar Square, London http://prideinlondon.org/
Brazilica Festival focus: Brazilian inspired carnival When: 14th - 16th July Expect: a celebration of Brazilian art and culture, including a parade through the centre of Liverpool and the Brazilica Fringe Festival encompassing films, exhibitions, workshops and performances in the run to the main carnival day. Price: free for the main parade, but Fringe events may require tickets Where: parade through the city centre, Liverpool (check website for route details) http://brazilicafestival.co.uk/
Liverpool Pride Festival focus: LGBT and music When: 29th – 30th July Expect: LGBT+ events, performances and parade Price: the main parade and events are free, but partner events may require tickets Where: St George's Quarter, Liverpool http://liverpoolpride.co.uk/
AUGUST
Brighton Pride Festival focus: LGBT When: 4th – 6th August Expect: LGBT+ events, performances and parade; Brighton Pride is widely recognised as one of the best Pride Festivals in the world. Price: the main parade and events are free, but partner events may require tickets Where: Preston Park, Brighton https://www.brighton-pride.org/
Caribbean Carnival of Manchester Festival focus: Caribbean inspired carnival When: 12th – 13th August Expect: floats, dancers, exuberant costumes and Caribbean music. There are two parades, one from 1pm to 4pm which is more family-friendly and the J’Ouvert parade from 6pm to 10pm - a street party following the Caribbean body painting tradition. Price: free for the main parades, but partner events may require tickets Where: Alexandra Park, Manchester http://themanchestercarnival.com/
Manchester Pride Big Weekend Festival focus: electronic, house and pop music, part of a larger LGBT event When: 25th – 28th August Expect: part of the famous Manchester Pride event, Pride Big Weekend brings electronic, house and pop music to Manchester’s Gay Village during the August bank holiday. Highlights this year include Melanie C, Gok Wan, Louisa Johnson, Shaun J Wright and Saara Aalto. Price: the parade is free, but the music event requires tickets Where: Gay Village, Manchester http://bigweekend.manchesterpride.com/index.html
Notting Hill Carnival Festival focus: Caribbean inspired carnival When: 27th – 29th August Expect: floats, dancers, costumes and drums. Price: free Where: Notting Hill, London http://www.thelondonnottinghillcarnival.com/
CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
APRIL
Laces Out! Trainer Festival Festival focus: sneaker culture When: 29th April Expect: vintage, rare, box fresh and deadstock sneakers for collectors to buy or swap, as well as accompanying entertainment, including DJ sets, talks, demonstrations and live performances. Price: £8 Where: Camp & Furnace, Liverpool http://www.lacesout.co.uk/
JUNE
Africa Oyé Festival focus: African culture When: 17th – 18th June Expect: African culture, food and art, including live dance, music and theatre performances as well as activities for families. Price: free Where: Sefton Park, Liverpool http://www.africaoye.com/
West End Live Festival focus: theatre productions When: 24th – 25th June Expect: thirty-one top West End theatre shows live on stage for free Price: free Where: Trafalgar Square, London http://www.westendlive.co.uk/
JULY
Liverpool Arab Arts Festival Festival focus: Arab arts and culture When: 8th - 16th July Expect: UK’s biggest celebration of Arabic art and culture returns to Liverpool, including music, dance, theatre and markets. Price: Mostly free, but some events do charge for the tickets. Usually around £12 Where: Various venues in Liverpool http://www.arabartsfestival.com/
Holi Festival of Colours Festival focus: EDM, bass and dance music with Holi colourful powders When: 29th July Expect: Inspired by the Hindu festival with a European twist, Holi Festival of Colours combines music and coloured powder to create a unique festival atmosphere. Price: £29.99 - £42.99 depending on what package you choose Where: Wembley Park, London http://www.holifestival.com/uk/en/your-city/london
MUSIC
MAY
The Great Escape Festival focus: rock, alternative rock, indie rock, punk rock, hard rock, dance, techno, electronic, acoustic, hip-hop When: 18th – 20th May Expect: British and international artists performing in a variety of genres in venues all over Brighton, all within walking distance of each other. Please check their website for line up and venues. Price: £29 - £60 Where: various venues in Brighton http://greatescapefestival.com/line-up/
Sound City Festival focus: indie, alternative and rock When: 25th – 28th May Expect: true to Liverpool history, expect indie, alternative, electronic and rock music to be filling the line-up of this festival. Highlights this year includes The Kooks, The Cribs, The Kills, The Human League and Metronomy. Price: £38.50 - £71.50 Where: Liverpool Waters, Clarence Dock, Liverpool https://www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk/
Slam Dunk Festival focus: rock, metal, punk and emo When: 27th May and 28th May Expect: one full day of rock and complementing genres. Highlights include Enter Shikari, Don Broco, Bowling for Soup, Neck Deep and many others. Starts in Birmingham and moves on to Leeds. Price: £48.40 - £53.90 Where: NEC, Birmingham and City Centre, Leeds http://slamdunkmusic.com/
BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend Festival focus: chart music When: 27th – 28th May Expect: current big names in music and tickets that go super fast. This year’s line-up includes Katy Perry, Little Mix, Kings of Leon, Stormzy and more. Price: free, but there is an admin charge of £8.50 for the tickets Where: it changes every year. This year it’s in Hull, Capital of Culture for 2017 http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/eppp6q
Love Saves the Day Festival focus: underground and new music When: 27th – 28th May Expect: the best of Bristol’s underground scene as well as pioneering artists from across the globe. Price: £27.50 - £104.50 depending on what type of ticket you go for. Where: Eastville Park, Bristol http://lovesavestheday.org/line-up/
Spring Fest Festival focus: pop, R&B, rock, indie rock and techno When: 27th – 28th May Expect: indoor festival with four stages and ten zones. Highlights include All Saints, sister Sledge, Phil Rudd (AC/DC), Wheatus and DJ Sammy. Price: £30 - £74 Where: The Corn Exchange, Edinburgh https://www.skiddle.com/festivals/spring-fest-edinburgh/lineup.html
JUNE
Field Day Festival Festival focus: alternative When: 3rd June Expect: the world’s finest alternative act, from weird pop and indie up-and-comers to underground dance producers and folk musicians Price: £64.50 Where: Victoria Park, London http://fielddayfestivals.com/news/
Parklife Manchester Festival focus: indie, dance, electronic and hip-hop When: 10th – 11th June Expect: Manchester’s biggest music festival returns to the city with an extensive line up over several arenas. Highlights include The 1975, Frank Ocean, Jess Glynne, Fatboy Slim and Stormzy. Price: £65.45 - £137.50 Where: Heaton Park, Manchester https://parklife.uk.com/
British Summer Time Festival Festival focus: big names in chart music When: 30th June – 9th July Expect: big names in music. Highlights include Phil Collins, Green Day, Justin Bieber, Kings of Leon, The Killers, and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. Price: £62.50 - £399.50 depending on what tickets you buy and for which event. Where: Hyde Park, London http://www.bst-hydepark.com/
JULY
Community Festival Festival focus: indie rock, alternative rock and punk rock When: 1st July Expect: British and Irish indie rock bands. Highlights include Catfish and the Bottlemen, Slaves, The Wombats and Nothing but Thieves. Price: £35 Where: Finsbury Park, London http://communityfestival.london/community-festival-2017
Wireless Festival focus: pop, dance and R&B When: 7th – 9th July Expect: highlights include Zara Larsson, Skepta, The Weeknd and Tory Lanez. Price: £55 - £160 Where: Finsbury Park, London http://www.wirelessfestival.co.uk/
Birmingham & Solihull Jazz & Blues Festival Festival focus: jazz and blues When: 14th – 23th July Expect: Dozens of jazz and blues performances and workshops take place across several venues in Birmingham and Solihull. Price: Free and ticketed events Where: Several venues, Birmingham area https://www.facebook.com/Birminghamjazzfestival/
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival Festival focus: jazz and blues When: 14th – 23th July Expect: Jazz and blues events all over the city Price: Free and ticketed events Where: Several venues, Edinburgh http://www.edinburghjazzfestival.com/
Lovebox Festival focus: club music When: 14th – 15th July Expect: hottest names from the clubbing scene, including Chase & Status, Frank Ocean, Jess Glynne, Jamie XX, Solange, Annie Mac, Sampha and many more. Price: £72.25 - £145 Where: Victoria Park, London http://loveboxfestival.com/#
BBC Proms Festival focus: classic music infused with other genres BBC hosts several BBC Proms across the UK from the 15th of July until the 10th of September, but the main events take place at the Royal Albert Hall in London. When: 15th July - 10th September Expect: one of the world’s greatest classical music festivals. Tickets are hotly anticipated so you must keep an eye out for them and book as soon as they come available. Price: ticket prices vary according to event and seating arrangement please check BBC Proms website for more details. Where: Royal Albert Hall, London and various other locations http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/r938q9/series?event_details=setlist
Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF) Festival focus: R&B, pop and rock When: 14th – 15th July Expect: household names and up-and-coming acts perform on a number of stages throughout the park. The festival includes a silent disco, DJ sets, live performances and even an orchestra. Highlights include Trevor Nelson, Gordon City, Katy B, Fleur, Kate Nash and many others. Price: Free Where: Sefton Park, Liverpool http://www.limfestival.com/
Tramlines Festival Festival focus: rock, indie, pop, electronic, dance, hip-hop, folk, experimental, metal, world and reggae When: 21st – 23rd July Expect: seventy-three national and local acts on five stages across three parks with other six venues supporting the main performances. Highlights include The Libertines, All Saints, Kano and Metronomy. Price: from £38 Where: The Ponderosa, Devonshire Green and The Folk Forest in Sheffield http://tramlines.org.uk/
AUGUST
BBC Proms Festival focus: classic music at times infused with other genres BBC hosts several BBC Proms across the UK from the 15th of July until the 10th of September, but the main events take place at the Royal Albert Hall in London. When: 15th July - 10th September Expect: one of the world’s greatest classical music festivals. Tickets are hotly anticipated so you must keep an eye out for them and book as soon as they come available. Price: ticket prices vary according to event and seating arrangement please check BBC Proms website for more details. Where: Royal Albert Hall, London and various other locations http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/r938q9/series?event_details=setlist
SW4 Festival (South West Four Festival) Festival focus: dance and electronic When: 26th – 27th August Expect: the best of London’s dance and electronic music. Price: £52.50 - £125 Where: Clapham Common, London http://southwestfour.com/
SEPTEMBER
BBC Proms Festival focus: classic music at times infused with other genres BBC hosts several BBC Proms across the UK from the 15th of July until the 10th of September, but the main events take place at the Royal Albert Hall in London. When: 15th July - 10th September Expect: one of the world’s greatest classical music festivals. Tickets are hotly anticipated so you must keep an eye out for them and book as soon as they come available. Price: ticket prices vary according to event and seating arrangement please check BBC Proms website for more details. Where: Royal Albert Hall, London and various other locations http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/r938q9/series?event_details=setlist
Fusion Festival Festival focus: pop music When: 2nd - 3rd September Expect: British and international big names in pop music. Price: £53.45 – £95.95 (2016 prices) Where: Otterspool Promenade, Liverpool http://thefusionfestival.co.uk/
Moseley Folk Festival Festival focus: folk When: 1st – 3rd September Expect: from unsigned to established international folk artists. Price: £42 - £199 Where: Moseley Park, Birmingham http://www.moseleyfolk.co.uk/