The festival guide 2016

Where to go, what to do and who to see at the summer's best UK festivals.

Wondering how best to get your festival fix this summer? Right this way!

Love live music? Lost Village, Bestival and Secret Garden party offer the perfect storm of your favourite acts hitting the stage and fancy dress fun.

Adele-headlined Glastonbury is also a sure thing when it comes to the picture perfect festival experience (rain or shine). See Mossy and Alexa Chung for your festival fashion inspiration.

Or for any Beliebers out there, V festival has your name on it.

And festival fun doesn't have to mean negotiating muddy, rural fields. For those who want to sleep in an actual bed and boycott the babywipes, the Big Smoke boasts the Somerset House summer series and a Hyde Park music festival - no camping involved.

If you're more into your festival food there's a whole host of mouth-watering options. Grillstock will keep meat lovers happy, Innocent Unplugged features banqueting events and you can enter the sausage competition at Ludlow's foodie weekend.

And if that hasn't peaked your interest, the Blenheim or Oxford literary festivals just might. They give a platform to a starry cast of speakers and writers so you can immerse yourself in inspiring thought and big ideas.

The Festival Guide 2016

Click through our gallery for more info on the summer's best festivals...

Edinburgh Fringe Festival

What Is it?
The world's largest arts festival, spanning over 25 days with more than 3000 performances.

What/Who's there?
Cabaret, stand-up, dance, physical theatre, circus, theatre, children's shows and more.

When?
August 5th-29th.

How much?
Tickets go on sale from June 8th and vary depending on each show.

Boardmasters

What is it?
Cornwall's very own surf and music fest held at Fistral beach and Watergate Bay.

What/Who's there?
Deadmau5, James Bay and Chase & Status will headline but there's all manner of surf-related activity and competitions on hand for entertainment with some serious partying by the beach. Other artists include Catfish and the Bottlemen, Craig David, Kaiser Chiefs and Sigma.

When?
10th -14th August

How much?
From £47.50 for day tickets - but there's tonnes of weekend and camping options available.

V Festival

What Is it?
A pop music summer extravaganza. It's been running every August since 1996 and is based in two locations simultaneously (Chelmsford and Weston Park).

What/Who's there?
The best of the mainstream music acts such as Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Sia and Rita Ora.

When?
August 20th - 21st.

How much?
Starting from £89 for a day ticket

Big Feastival

What Is it?
An award-winning family-friendly weekend of music and food in the Cotswold s.

What/Who's there?
The festival was founded by Jamie Oliver who will be joined by a whole host of celebrity chefs. With banquets, street food, a wellness kitchen and even a cheese hub, you ll be spoilt for choice. Sharp s Brewery will also be there to supply their exceptional beers for a fourth year running, along with their infamous Beer Confessional and mystery tasting bar. If music is more your thing you ll find a top line-up including Mark Ronson, Kaiser Chiefs, Tinie Tempah and Foxes.

When?
August 26th-28th

How much?
An adult day ticket costs £74.50, a teen ticket costs £42.25 and children go free. Visit thebigfeastival.com

Reading/Leeds Festival

What Is it?
A pop and rock weekend music festival taking place in two locations - Reading and Leeds.

What/Who's there?
Disclosure, Fall Out Boy, Chvrches, A$AP Rocky, Aluna George and more.

When?
August 26th-28th

How much?
Weekend camping tickets start at £213.

SW4

What Is it?
Taking place over London's bank holiday weekend, SW4 offers a two-day music special in Clapham Common.

What/Who's there?
This year Rudimental, Knife Party, Dizzee Rascal, Netsky, Bondax and heaps more are taking to the stage.

When?
August 27th-28th

How much?
£57.50 for the Saturday and £62.50 for Sunday tickets

Ludlow Food Festival

What Is it?
Now in it's 21st year, the Ludlow food festival takes place in the historic setting of Ludlow Castle and around the local town.

What/Who's there?
Food talks from top chefs, exhibits, cake tasting, sausage competitions, free cookery lessons, circus-skills classes and entertainment for the kids.

When?
September 11th-13th.

How much?
£8 per day for tickets, available from July 2016

Bestival

What Is it?
A music and costume extravaganza on the Isle of Wight with acts playing until 5am each day.

What/Who's there?
There's music from pop, electronic and reggae royalty including Major Lazer, Damian Marley, Hot Chip and The Cure.

When?
8th-11th September

How much?
Adult tickets are £190, and student tickets cost £180.

Blenheim Palace Festival Of Literature, Film & Music

What Is it?
A literary, music and film festival taking place in the beautiful grounds of Blenheim Palace.

What/Who's there?
Talks from established speakers, authors, journalists and television professionals.

When?
September 24th-27th

How much?
This year the festival has introduced a 'ticketless' event. More info can be found on the Blenheim Palace website.

Hay Festival

What Is It?
Hay Festival Wales brings together writers, thinkers and performers in a celebration of creative work for all ages. Taking place in the picturesque setting of the Wye Valley, the festival is now in its 29th year.

What/Who's there?
Award-winning scientists, global leaders, cutting edge intellectuals, and prize-winning writers. As well as performers, musicians and comedians. Last year's event saw record attendees and book sales.

When?
May 26th - June 5th.

How much?
Entry is free to all but individual events and performances can be ticketed. For booking info check the Hay Festival site.

Lost Village

What Is it?
An intimate 5000-person music festival in secluded Lincolnshire woodland.

What/Who's there?
This year will see some of the world's biggest DJs and artists perform, from Fat Boy Slim to Jack Garratt to Ben Klock. With hot tubs serving Prosecco, a Michelin-starred tribal banquet and huge dream catchers hanging from the trees, it's more tranquil paradise than your average weekend rave.

When?
May 27th, 28th and 29th.

How much?
£149 for the weekend or £60 for a day ticket. For more info visit lostvillagefestival.com

Innocent Unplugged

What Is It?
A super-cheap two-day festival in a secret location in Kent. There's 'no Wi-Fi, no texts and no traditional electricity. Just a load of people camping in a forest clearing with great music, real conversations and lungfuls of fresh air.' Sounds good to us...

What/Who's there?
Apart from the smoothie giants, there's music from DJ Yoda, Lucy Rose, Jake Isaac, Jazz Mino and more. There's also camping, big roaring fires, a banquet, spa, yoga, and healthy food facilities.

When?
May 28th - 30th.

How much?
Entry is just £7.50 per day or you can buy weekend tickets for £15. If you want to take part in the banquet that's an extra £55, and parking is £10.

Isle Of Wight Festival

What Is it?
Originally a counter-culture festival and founded in 1968, today the Isle of Wight hosts one of the most colourful and popular musical celebrations.

What/Who's there?
A plethora of pop, punk and clubbing acts headline each year with Queen, Faithless and the Stereophonics set for 2016. Glamping is also a big thing, and for £895 you can sleep in a stylish shed kitted out with hairdryers, loos and 24/7 security.

When?
June 9th-12th.

How much?
Weekend tickets £195, student tickets £175.

Download

What Is It?
Europe's biggest rock festival set over three glorious, fun-filled days. Expect huge pyrotechnics, the world's biggest rock bands and guaranteed bad behaviour. (There's also great shopping, fun fairs and food too.)

What/Who's there?
Download gets the best rock and metal acts on the planet. This year its headline slots belong to Rammstein, Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden. There's something for everyone across several stages and a genuine party atmosphere unlike any other festival out there.

When?
June 10th - June 12th.



How much?
Entry varies depending on if you camp, and how you camp (there's the cool VIP camping package that gives you access to upgraded facilities,) but prices start at around £110 and day tickets are available too.

Glastonbury

What Is it?
The world famous British festival is one huge five-day party that takes place near the eponymous Somerset town.

What/Who's there?
Aside from all the celebs in their body glitter and Hunter wellies, a lot of really great acts. Coldplay was the first headline act to be announced followed by Muse and Adele. In previous years there's been everyone from Beyonce to Oasis, and there's also a plethora of dance, art and culture shows spanning the 900 acre site.

When?
June 22nd-26th.

How much?
Full weekend access for 2016 costs £232. For further info, check the Glastonbury website.

Barclaycard British Summer Time Hyde Park Festival

What Is it?
A mainstream music festival in London's Hyde Park.

What/Who's there?
There's no camping as the festival closes at midnight, but there are plenty of great music acts set to perform including Florence and the Machine, Kendrick Lamar, Mumford and Sons and Stevie Wonder.

When?
July 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th and 9th.

How much?
£59.60 for a day ticket

Grillstock

What Is it?
'Meat, music and mayhem'. Grillstock is a food and music lover's festival at Bristol Harbourside.

What/Who's there?
BBQs, seafood stalls and general deliciousness, as well as music from headliners The Fratellis.

When?
July 2nd and 3rd.

How much?
Weekend tickets cost £45 or you can attend on the Saturday for £35 and Sunday for £18.

Somerset House Summer Series

What Is it?
The summer series is a group of concerts set in one of London's best open-air venues for up-and-coming acts.

What/Who's there?
Laura Mvula, James Morrison and Courtney Barnett will all take to the central-London stage this year.

When?
July 7th-19th.

How much?
From £28.50

T In The Park

What Is it?
T In The Park takes place in Strathallan Castle, Scotland with a line-up of pop, house and indie acts.

What/Who's there?
This year sees Disclosure, Jamie XX, Calvin Harris, The Stone Roses, Bastille and Jess Glynne take to the stage, to name just a few.

When?
July 8th-10th

How much?
Weekend camping from £194

Cornbury Festival

Latitude Festival

What Is it?
A family-friendly indie music event in Southwold, Suffolk.

What/Who's there?
The Maccabees, Cvrches and M83 will take to the stage this summer. There's also kids play areas, boat hire and plenty of delicious food markets.

When?
July 14th -17th.

How much?
Weekend camping tickets cost £205.50.

BBC Proms

What Is it?
An eight-week classical and orchestral celebration of music organised by the BBC. It's held in the Royal Albert Hall and other locations across the UK.

What/Who's there?
The programme will be announced on April 13th, so be sure to check the BBC Proms website.

When?
July 15th - September 10th.

How much?
Booking opens on May 7th and tickets can start at just £5.

Secret Garden Party

What Is it?
The UK's coolest independent musical festival takes place in Abbots Ripton, Cambridge. Every year there's a new theme and for 2016 it's 'The Gardener's Guide to the Galaxy'.

What/Who's there?
Caribou, Milky Chance, Shura and the Temper Trap will play this summer, but the music is just the beginning. You'll find every extra imaginable from fine dining to double-decker bus hot tubs and even a hair salon. Oh, and it's definitely time to up your fancy dress game.

When?
July 21st-24th.

How much?
Adult weekend tickets start at £180 and can be paid for in instalments. Visit secretgardenparty.com

Goodwood Festival

What is it?
Formerly known as Glorious Goodwood, this is glamorous extravaganza of horse racing, food and fashion in the beautiful Goodwood estate.

What/Who's there?
Big excitement for The Magnolia Cup on Ladies? Day. Dress up for one of the most stylish days of The Season. High profile female riders race for charity wearing silks specially designed by the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Kate Halfpenny & Jasmine Guinness.

When?
July 26 - 30th

How much?
Tickets from £16.80

www.goodwood.com