Best London music festivals

Right in the centre of the city, the elegant courtyard at Somerset House plays host to an exciting lineup of emerging and established musical artists every year during its Summer Series. Past festivals have seen Amy Winehouse, Adele, Sam Smith and Everything Everything step on the iconic stage.

Taking place over three summer weekends, British Summer Time brings a stellar lineup of international artists to Hyde Park. Past headliners have included the Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath and Blur. During the weekdays between performances, visit Hyde Park for Open House, a programme of street food, pop-up bars, free open-air film screenings, daytime DJs and entertainment.

Join partiers at Wireless in Finsbury Park and Crystal Palace for two weekends of big music hits from a unique mix of hot newcomers and music legends in rap, hip-hop and urban music. Past editions have seen celebrity headliners such as Stormzy, Chance The Rapper, Drake and Kendrick Lamar. 

Dance to the pioneers of house music and breakthrough acts of today at 51st Festival, with performers hailing from the UK, Europe and the Americas. Explore all things house with classic, afro and disco sounds filling the air.

Head to Southbank Centre to enjoy a celebration of art and music alongside the river Thames. Every year, a different top artist curates the lineup for Meltdown, and the list of past festival curators includes M.I.A., Patti Smith, Yoko Ono, David Bowie and Nile Rodgers, promising an eclectic mix of talent and events. 

Join revellers at the Field Day festival at Victoria Park. Soak up the atmosphere in the huge outdoor space and dance along to the lineup of independent and mainstream artists.

Get ready for two days of new and legendary rock and indie acts as they play across dozens of venues for Camden Rocks Festival. Catch your breath between gigs and check out Camden's famous market, filled with stalls selling band tees and tasty food.

Discover breaking acts and check out more established bands at Visions Festival. The expertly curated lineup of events includes gigs at venues throughout Hackney, karaoke sessions and a friendly competition between east London’s cutest pets at the annual dog show. 

Grab tickets to All Points East in Victoria Park. This blockbuster festival is a 10-day event, with stages set up for megastars and emerging artists over two weekends and a midweek programme of comedy, food and outdoor film screenings.

Head to Upminster for We Are FSTVL and move to beats from the biggest names in electronic dance music. Past acts have included Basement Jaxx, Armand Van Helden and Shy FX. Treat yourself to a VIP ticket to enjoy the pamper parlour, where you can get your hair done and get glammed up in glitter makeup.

Join the good vibes at the one-day Eastern Electrics festival, a delight for lovers of dance, techno and bass. In previous years, this popular clubbing event has taken summer fun to the next level with a pool stage for festival-goers to paddle in. 

ONBlackheath brings an impressive lineup to south London for a two-day fun-packed festival. Artists to grace the stage include Jamiroquai, UB40 and Rag'n'Bone Man. Michelin-starred chefs, workshops and kids' entertainers create a warm and relaxed atmosphere for the whole family in one of the capital's largest green spaces.

See rising stars at The Ends, a three-day music extravaganza in Croydon’s Lloyd Park that takes place every other year. Get your reggae, grime, hip-hop and soul fix while enjoying the atmosphere and sipping on cocktails at this outdoor festival. 

Catch the best of the world's electronic music scene at South West Four. For one summer weekend, some of the world's top DJs perform across multiple stages, and past festivals have boasted big names such as Alesso, Deadmau5 and Fatboy Slim.

Enjoy international musical legends playing against the backdrop of the magnificent Old Royal Naval College at the Greenwich Music Time festival. Past performers at this family-friendly event have included Seal, David Gray and Little Mix. 

South Facing Festival ensures the party never ends, with two weeks of outdoor concerts at the iconic Bowl amphitheatre in Crystal Palace Park. The gigs on offer span the musical spectrum, and past performers have included Dizzee Rascal and the English National Opera.

Head to Lloyd Park in Croydon for a day of garage and house music at The Butterfly Effect Festival. Previous artists on the lineup include Cooly G, DJ Luck, Shola Ama and Kele Le Roc.

Head to leafy Gunnersbury Park for a two-day celebration of dance, hip-hop and pop music. Founded by British electronic music duo Groove Armada, Lovebox has seen music stars such as Duran Duran, Goldfrapp, Ed Sheeran and Snoop Dogg performing on the festival's open-air and tented stages. 

Find stages championing the best of techno music under canopies of leaves at Junction 2. This two-day festival combines electronic dance music with a beautiful outdoor setting in Trent Park. 

Sing your heart out at Mighty Hoopla, an unashamedly pop-loving festival in Brockwell Park. Popular with London’s LGBTQ+ community, this festival encourages all to have fun without judgement. Enjoy glitter makeovers, lip-sync battles and drag performances.

Feel the beat at Waterworks, an electronic music festival in Gunnersbury Park. It takes place in mid-September to see off the summer season, and the lineup is an extensive list of local and international DJs.

See indie stars such as Bombay Bicycle Club, Ben Howard and Sigur Rós at Citadel in Gunnersbury Park. This unique one-day festival also hosts talks by an eclectic array of speakers during the day, as well as soothing yoga sessions.

Enter the haven of Kew Gardens as Kew the Music brings international indie, pop and even flamenco music artists to the open-air stage over six summer evenings. Enjoy the music from your own picnic blanket.

Savour the historic atmosphere during a summer night of music at Hampton Court Palace Festival. Music stars such as Elton John, Andrea Bocelli and Van Morrison have all performed in the royal palace's stunning courtyards. Enjoy a picnic in the palace gardens and grab a glass of champagne before the show.

Indulge in the perfect late-summer trifecta of music, craft beer and street food at Cross The Tracks Festival. This one-day event brings the sounds of soul, funk and jazz to south London's Brockwell Park.

Discover emerging artists at Bushstock Festival during a day of live music across various venues in Shepherd's Bush, including unusual spots such as intimate wine bars and a church. Catch the best up-and-coming talent and big names such as Bastille, Hozier and George Ezra.

Enjoy great food, music and arts as the Crystal Palace Festival returns to Crystal Palace Park with an array of exciting free entertainment. This family-friendly feast showcases south London's local artists and musicians, as well as arts and crafts from all over the world.

Get a taste of rural fun as the Lambeth Country Show returns to Brockwell Park. Catch sheepdog and owl displays, homegrown flower and vegetable competitions, and cool craft stalls before tucking into some delicious organic food while the best live afrobeat, ska, reggae and folk music performers keep you entertained.

Enjoy up-and-coming artists and world-class musicians as the EFG London Jazz Festival takes over London, with a host of concerts scattered around the city. International jazz stars such as Paolo Conte, Abdullah Ibrahim and Hugh Masekela have featured in the past, alongside the Harlem Gospel Choir.

Be dazzled by the greatest classical music festival in the world as the BBC Proms bring amazing concerts to Royal Albert Hall and other venues in the capital. Enjoy two months of brilliant performances at affordable prices with this British institution, and don't miss the BBC Proms in the Park's grand finale in Hyde Park.

Discover the best of the capital's ska music scene at the London International Ska Festival. The festival boasts big names in the industry, plus fringe events including tributes to the soul of Jamaica, special guest appearances and DJ sets until sunrise.

Head to the leafy suburb for the annual Ealing Blues Festival. This community-run event attracts international stars on the blues circuit, alongside the best local talent. In between sets, browse stalls selling crafts and incredible food.