We can’t wait for summer - and festival season - to start up again! Here to help you plan the best summer of 2025, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most exciting alternative music festivals the UK has to offer.
UK Festivals 2025
January 8, 2025 11:29
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Balter Music Festival
Starting off the summer months, the first festival on our list is the Balter Music Festival. Taking place 22nd-25th May in Chepstow Wales, this festival is a lively start to the summer.
Not recommended for families, with no access to children under 14, this festival is all about providing an intoxicating mix of electronic music to dance away to all weekend. 2025 marks the 11th and final gathering of Balter, so this is your last chance to attend this party full of underground sounds and amazing entertainment. The line-up is still yet to be released, however, we can guarantee that this final festival is one for the history books.
Breaking Bands Festival
Breaking Bands Festival (22nd-26th May) clashes with Balter, however, if you’re less of an electronic and dance fan then you may prefer to attend this mega weekend. Head to the West Midlands for some up-and-coming punk, rock and metal bands. Find your new favourite artists on the stage in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, and come together to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this fantastic multi-award-winning grassroots festival.
Download
Download, the UK’s premier rock festival is taking place from 13th-15th June this year. Attend at Donnington Park in the East Midlands for the chance to see massive names in the rock and metal genre.
Get your Sleep Token merch from Blue Banana ahead of the festival so that you’re ready to be thrown into the moshes and fight for the barrier.
Isle of Wight Fest
The lse of Wight Festival began in the late 1960s but stopped after 1970. Re-established in 2002, The Isle of Wight Festive has hosted some massive national and international names, such as Muse, the Who, Kings of Leon, Foo Fighters, Blondie, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Amy Winehouse and more. This year, the Ilse of Wight Festival is on from the 19th to the 22nd of June.
Ferries to the Island leave from Southhampton, Portsmouth, Lymington or Southsea, so enjoy this amazing and historic festival alongside a bit of time off the mainland!
Radar
RADAR Festival in Manchester is on the first weekend of July this year, taking place across the 4th-6th. This rock-and-metal-focused festival has Carpenter Brut and Zeal & Ardor headlining for 2025.
RADAR states that its mission is to be a fun and safe festival that pushes and breaks down musical boundaries and is committed to bringing quality and unique acts. In 2022, they won the Best New Festival award. Providing master classes, opportunities to meet artists and amazing acts, this festival is great for those who love to discover new sounds.
This festival focusing on the biting edge of music isn’t a camping festival. However, campsites are available nearby if you still want the chance to pitch your tent this summer. Located on the outskirts of Manchester, there are also plenty of other options for accommodation available.
The Godney Gathering Festival
Looking for a quick escape into the world of music? The Godney Gathering has become a hugely successful micro-festival, taking place on the 18th-19th of July this year in Somerset.
Featuring a mix of genres and sounds, Godney has gathered quite a few big name headliners in the past; they also feature smaller artists from the South West on their Glastonbury Calling Stage. This range provides a fun weekend jam-packed full of musical talent.
Truck Music Festival
Truck Music Festival, 24th-27th July, takes place in Oxfordshire. Full of Alt-Rock and Indie bangers, this family-friendly festival has been steadily growing each year. Headliners of 2025 include Kasabian and Nothing but Thieves. Blossoms and Franz Ferdinand will also be gracing the stages this July.
Enjoy camping on a peaceful farm with some banging tunes and an amazing atmosphere this summer at the UK’s ‘most warped village fete’.
Steelhouse
Steelhouse Festival is known as the UK’s best value Rock Music Festival, taking place in South Wales from 25th-27th July.
If you love rock music check out this small but mighty festival that has built a loyal following, dedicated to celebrating classic rock sounds. Officially the UK’s highest music festival, this weekend brings decadent sounds and stunning views.
Rebellion
After some more punk sounds than classic rock? Check out the Rebellion Festival in the historic Winter Gardens, Blackpool. Taking place from 7th-10th August, this non-camping, indoor punk music festival has plenty of accommodation nearby, taking place in the city. Find the full list of the acts already confirmed for 2025 on their website here. If you have a younger rocker in the family, then don’t worry. Children of all ages are welcome, although it is recommended that they wear ear defenders to keep them safe and healthy. This punk festival offers over 300 live acts across 6 stages, so you’ll never have nothing to listen to.
Bloodstock
On the same weekend (7th-10th August), Bloodstock Heavy Metal Festival is also taking place in Walton-on-Trent.
Start on the neck workouts now so you can headbang away at this fantastic, open-air festival. The UK’s biggest independent metal festival has headline acts Trivium, Machine Head and Gojira this year, so get your favourite official band merch from Blue Banana before you go! With four stages, there is always an act playing, so enjoy some of the best national and international metal and rock acts with like-minded fans!
ArcTanGent Festival
Need some more rock and metal? ArcTanGent 2025 is taking place from 14th-17th August in Bristol.
With a banging first-release of acts and more to be added, five stages, and a silent disco every night from 11 pm-3 am, you won't want to miss this weekend.
Reading and Leeds
This year, Bring Me The Horizon will be the headline act for Reading and Leeds (Playing on Saturday and Sunday respectively). Taking place on the 21st-24th of August, this final festival will end your summer of music on a high.
We also recommend getting your official merch from Blue Banana and a pair of Doc’s for the perfect pair of festival shoes! Comfortable, durable, and ready to protect your feet in the mosh pits, a pair of sturdy boots is a great choice for a whole weekend spent trekking around fields!
So, this is our list of the top festivals to attend over the summer months in 2025. This range of alternative, rock, electronic and metal festivals all have one thing in common; an amazing atmosphere with everyone ready to enjoy the music come rain or sunshine! If you’re still looking for a festival with the perfect line-up, we hope you can find some of your favourite bands in this list. And remember, Blue Banana has the perfect alternative range of clothing to suit your festival needs, from cyber-gothic fits for the rave, to official band merchandising, to simple summer fits that will stand out in the crowds.
