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UK Music Festivals Still Going Ahead in 2021 and Dates

A Definitive List of All the UK Music Festivals That You Won't Want to Miss in 2021

Aug 26 2021

Festivals are a staple in any music-lover's diet, and after the break from live music we had last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, we're all desperate to get back to being in sweaty crowds and messy fields, and seeing our favourite performers in the flesh. A majority of live music festivals were understandably cancelled last year, but as more and more vaccinations are administered and dates on the United Kingdom roadmap are confirmed, a number of organisers are starting to share their plans for the year ahead. For festivals like Isle of Wight, this means delaying festivities for until after June, while for major players, like Glastonbury, news of this year's event has yet to be announced. Reading and Leeds, Field Day, and Parklife are among some of this year's festivals that have proudly confirmed their place on our 2021 events calendar this summer, and have started to share their impressive lineups.

Either way, there's a lot of news floating around about the state of live music, and it can be overwhelming trying to keep track of what's going ahead and what isn't. To help you plan your year right, we've rounded up all of this year's UK festivals and whether they're happening, cancelled, or postponed.

Scroll through to check out the status of your favourite festival.

Image Source: Getty / Matthew Baker

Strawberries and Creem Festival

Strawberries and Creem Festival typically takes place in Cambridge in September, and this year it'll happen on 18-19 September. For the first time ever, Notting Hill Carnival will be partnering with Strawberries & Creem for a carnival takeover on the main stage on Sunday.

On the event, the festival's co-founder Preye Crooks said that "NHC and their team embody all that our 'Celebrate Heritage' tagline represents, and when we heard the sad news of their postponement this year, we felt there would be no better way than to celebrate the influence NHC has had on all of us than by collaborating with them."

Status of festival: Confirmed to return on 18-19 September 2021.

Image Source: Getty

Notting Hill Carnival

Whilst Notting Hill Carnival isn't exactly a music festival in the traditional sense, it's pretty damn close. The carnival typically takes place during the August bank holiday, and is home to some of the most incredible performances, outfits, and street food that Caribbean culture has to offer. Unfortunately, the board has confirmed that the carnival will not take place this year, due to current COVID-19 restrictions.

On 18 June, the board shared a statement which read "This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make. Everyone involved in the event desperately wants a return to the road where Carnival belongs but safety has to come first and with the latest cautious announcement on the government's 'roadmap', this is the only way to ensure that."

Image Source: Getty / Oli Scarff

Reading and Leeds

The joint Reading and Leeds festivals take place over three days in both towns. The festivals take place simultaneously on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend, sharing the same bill of artists across different days. Previous headliners have included Fall Out Boy, The 1975, and Kendrick Lamar.

On 24 Feb, the event organisers tweeted, "Reading and Leeds 2021 📣 Following the government's recent announcement, we can't wait to get back to the fields this summer 🎉 LET'S GO 🍻 #RandL21," confirming that the 2021 iteration will indeed be going ahead.

Status of festival: Confirmed to take place on 27-29 Aug 2021.

Image Source: Getty / C Brandon

All Points East

All Points East typically takes place in Victoria Park, Hackney, over 10 days in May. Past headliners of the festival have included Tame Impala, Bon Iver, and Bombay Bicycle Club.

On 9th March 2020, the festival announced that it would be going ahead in August, during the bank holiday weekend, with all line-ups now released.

Status of festival: Confirmed to take place 27th-30th August 2021.

Image Source: Getty / Burak Cingi

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Field Day

Field Day was typically held in Hackney's Victoria Park, until the festival changed locations to Brockwell Park in 2018, and Meridian Water in Enfield in 2019, where it'll take place this year. Past acts have included Skepta, Jorja Smith, and Mahalia.

On 25 Feb, Field Day's Twitter account announced that tickets for the 2021 festival had sold out. On 11th March, the festival announced that it would be changing dates and location for 2021. It will now take place in Victoria Park on 29th August, as part of the All Points East festival.

Status of festival: Confirmed to take place on 29th August.

Image Source: Getty / Andrew Benge

Creamfields

Creamfields typically takes place in Daresbury, Warrington, during the August bank holiday weekend. Previous headliners of the electronic dance music festival have included Calvin Harris, Deadmau5, and Duke Dumont.

On 22 Feb, the festival's Twitter account confirmed its return. "Following the Prime Minister's statement in the House of Commons this afternoon we're gearing up to welcome you all to THE party of the summer." Since the announcement, Creamfields has sold out all tickets in record time.

Status of festival: Confirmed to return this August bank holiday.

Image Source: Getty / David Munn

Latitude Festival

Latitude Festival is typically held in Henham Park, Suffolk, over three days at the end of July. Past headliners have included George Ezra, Snow Patrol, and Lana Del Rey.

On 25 June, the festival confirmed its return for July 2021, as part of the government backed event research programme. Acts like Lewis Capaldi, Bastille, and Snow Patrol have already been announced, with more to come in due course.

Status of festival: Confirmed to return on 22-25 July 2021.

Image Source: Getty / Andy Sheppard

BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend

BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend is typically held in May in a different part of the UK each year. Previous acts at the festival have included Katy Perry, Kings of Leon, and Sam Smith. In 2020, the festival was held virtually, and featured the likes of Yungblud, Haim, and Sean Paul.

The festival will be taking place virtually in 2021, with a line up that includes Jorja Smith and Coldplay.

Status of festival: Taking place virtually from 28-31 May.

Image Source: Getty / Jo Hale

Glastonbury

Glastonbury Festival is typically held in Pilton, Somerset, over five days. Previous headliners have included the likes of Stormzy, The Killers, and Ed Sheeran.

On 21 Jan, the festival organisers released a statement. "With great regret, we must announce that this year's Glastonbury Festival will not take place, and that this will be another enforced fallow year for us," the statement read.

"In spite of our efforts to move Heaven & Earth, it has become clear that we simply will not be able to make the Festival happen this year. We are so sorry to let you all down."

On 31 March, co-organiser Emily Eavis announced that a virtual event, Live at Worthy Farm, would take place on 22 May, with tickets costing £20.

Status of festival: Cancelled for 2021, but taking place in a virtual format.

Image Source: Getty / Ian Gavan

Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight Festival typically takes place in Seaclose Park in Newport, Isle of Wight, over four days. Previous headliners have included George Ezra, Biffy Clyro, and Kasabian.

On 2 March, the organisers announced that the festival would in fact be returning for 2021, but would be postponed till September. "The Isle of Wight Festival is a summer staple and two years without being together on the island is too long. That's why we're so excited to announce that we're moving the festival to 16 to 19 September 2021. We're thrilled to be able to welcome everyone to the island in September," the announcement read.

The festival promoter, John Giddings has said that "over the coming months we'll be watching and learning from the events taking place before us and, of course, liaising with all the relevant authorities to make sure everyone – audience, artists, staff, the community – is kept safe. See you in September."

Status of festival: Confirmed to take place on 16th-19th Sept 2021.

Image Source: Getty / Mark Holloway

Victorious Festival

Victorious festival typically takes place over three days in Southsea Common, Portsmouth. Past headliners have included the likes of The Kooks, Rudimental, and Years & Years.

On announcing the festival's dates for 2021, Andy Marsh, the director of the festival said that "This year's line-up is my personal favourite. It feels like we have achieved an exciting combination of headliners, rising artists, and the return of some family favourites too."

Status of festival: Confirmed to take place on 27th-29th August 2021.

Image Source: Getty / Harry Herd

Wireless

Wireless Festival typically takes place in Finsbury Park in London over three days. Previous headliners have included Drake, The Weeknd, and J. Cole.

According to NME, head of Festival Republic Melvin Boss has said that Wireless Festival and Latitude Festival will take place if the lockdown roadmap allows. On 23rd March, Wireless Festival announced on Twitter that it would take place in September in Crystal Palace Park, with tickets on sale now.

Status of festival: Confirmed to take place on 10th-12th September 2021.

Image Source: Getty / Lorne Thomson

Standon Calling

Standon Calling festival typically takes place in Standon, Hertfordshire over three days. Previous headliners have included Wolf Alice, Rag 'N' Bone Man, and Nile Rogers.

This year's festival is set to go ahead in July, with the founder Alex Trenchard telling BBC that "this year's festival is more important than ever, with all of us at Standon Calling determined to bring a summer festival experience full of entertainment and memories to the fields once again."

Status of festival: Confirmed to take place on 22nd-25th July 2021.

Image Source: Getty / Gideon Mendel

Boardmasters

Boardmasters Festival usually takes place in Newquay, Cornwall, over five days during the second weekend of August. Previous headliners have included Florence + the Machine, Two Door Cinema Club, and Alt-J.

In September 2020, organisers of the festival announced that it would return in August the following year.

Status of festival: Confirmed to return on 11-15 Aug 2021.

Image Source: Getty / Matt Cardy

Parklife

Parklife typically takes place in Heaton Park in Manchester over two days in June. Previous headliners have included Cardi B, Dave, and AJ Tracey.

In December 2020, organisers of the festival announced that it would be returning for 2021, postponed till September. "With all the good recent news, we're now looking ahead to 2021, and a return to the fields and good times we all love," their announcement read. "It's a party 2 years in the making that we all deserve."

Status of festival: Postponed until 11-12 Sept 2021.

Image Source: Getty / Joseph Okpako

Slam Dunk

Slam Dunk Festival typically takes place in two locations, Hatfield Park in Hertfordshire and Temple Newsam in Leeds, during the May bank holiday. Previous headliners of the alt-rock festival have included All Time Low, Bullet For My Valentine, and Neck Deep.

On 23 Feb, the festival's Twitter account announced its return. "Hopefully moving back to September will allow enough leeway should there be any delays to the current roadmap," the statement read. "We are also very happy to say the vast majority of the line-up will be staying with us for September, and a line-up announcement will be coming shortly."

Status of festival: Postponed to 4-5 September 2021.

Image Source: Getty / Andrew Benge

Camp Bestival

Organised by BBC Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank, Camp Bestival is the "little sister" to Bestival, and typically takes place at Lulworth Castle in Dorset at the end of July. Previous headliners have included Jess Glynne, Lewis Capaldi, and Annie Mac.

On 26 Feb, da Bank told the BBC: "There is literally nothing [my wife] Josie and I like more in life than standing in a field surrounded by family and friends, dressed in daft outfits dancing to amazing bands and DJs and Mr Tumble.

"That's exactly what we plan to be doing at Camp Bestival."

Status of festival: Confirmed for return on 29 July to 1 Aug 2021.

Image Source: Getty / Joseph Okpako

British Summer Time Hyde Park

British Summer Time Hyde Park is typically held over two weekends in July and takes place in London's Hyde Park. Previous acts at the festival have included Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder, and The National.

According to Ticketmaster, BST will be going ahead in 2021, with the festival itself recently announcing a lineup that includes Pearl Jam and Duran Duran.

Status of festival: Confirmed to return on 9-11 July 2021.

Image Source: Getty / Christie Goodwin

Lovebox

Previously held in Hackney's Victoria Park, Lovebox Festival relocated to Gunnersbury Park in West London back in 2018. Past headliners have included the likes of Tyler, the Creator; Skepta; and Childish Gambino.

Status of festival: TBC.

Image Source: Getty / Burak Cingi

Citadel

Citadel Festival typically takes place in Gunnersbury Park, West London, on one Sunday in July. Previous headliners have included Ben Howard, Tame Impala, and Catfish and the Bottlemen. Back in 2019, organisers announced that the festival would be cancelled after an incredible five-year run.

"After five incredible years of Citadel, the time has come for the sun to set on the ultimate summer Sunday," the statement read. "We want to say a massive thank you to every single one of you who has ever attended the festival, and to every artist, performer, speaker and volunteer who we have worked with to create some truly unforgettable moments. See you in another universe. The Citadel team."

Status of festival: Cancelled indefinitely.

Image Source: Getty / Burak Cingi

Download

Download Festival typically takes place in Donington Park, Leicestershire, at the beginning of June. Previous headliners of the British-made rock festival have included Metallica, Marilyn Manson, and Slipknot.

On 1 March, Download's organisers announced via Twitter that the festival would not be taking place this year. "We're sorry to announce that Download 2021 will no longer be taking place. Please read the full statement below," the statement read.

"Download will return stronger than ever 10th - 12th June 2022 with headliners @kiss, @IronMaiden and @BiffyClyro."

Status of festival: Cancelled for 2021.

Image Source: Getty / Ollie Millington

South West Four

South West Four typically takes place in Clapham Common at the end of July. Past headliners of the dance music festival have included Martin Garrix, Tinie Tempah, and Craig David.

On 8 Feb, the festival's Twitter account shared a tweet announcing the 2021 festival's cancellation: "We are sad to announce that due to the ongoing uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the current travel restrictions in place by the French and UK governments SW-4 will not take place in March this year."

Status of festival: Cancelled for 2021.

Image Source: Getty / Joseph Okpako

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