It’s no secret that money is tight for many of us right now, what with the cost of living crisis.
However, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the festival fun.
Forget Glastonbury, there are plenty of ways to get your festival fix on a budget this year.
Check out our top picks of the most purse-friendly gigs, all with line-ups so exciting you’ll have to do a double take at the price tag…
When is it? July 15 and 22
Where is it? Herrington Park, Sunderland
How much are tickets? From £37
Kubix Festival promises the ultimate nostalgia fix this year, with Sugababes, Basshunter, Five, Blue, A1, and 911 on the bill.
The festival runs over two days, with July 15 dedicated to pop and dance acts, while July 22 welcomes a rock and alternative line-up.
Squeeze, The Enemy, Terrorvision, and more feature on the latter, bringing their biggest tunes to Sunderland across two stages.
Tickets begin at £37 with camping and VIP options also available, as well as child tickets for ages 6-15.
When is it? May 31-June 4
Where is it? The Complex, Edinburgh
How much are tickets? From £25
Hidden Door is a five-day experience in Edinburgh, Scotland.
There are three performance spaces this year, with indie rock band Porridge Radio, Grammy-winning Hot 8 Brass Band, electronica and techno producer Max Cooper, and radical pop collective NiNE8 all performing.
There’ll also be sets from Irish rockers Pillow Queens, jazz collective Corto.alto, alt-pop singer Berta Kennedy, and more.
But music isn’t the only thing on offer, oh no, as there’ll also be visual art displays showcasing the work of local artists, poetry and spoken word readings, dance performances, film projections, and even opera.
Hidden Door markets itself as an arts charity that ‘opens up urban spaces to showcase new and emerging artists, musicians, theatre makers, performers, film makers and poets’, and that’s definitely true.
As for pricing, tickets start from £25 and they really don’t go much higher – everyone’s a winner!
When is it? Aug 18-28
Where is it? Victoria Park, London
How much are tickets? From £62
All Points East is held in Victoria Park in London over two weekends.
The annual 10-day event boasts a very impressive line-up this year, with rap royalty Stormzy taking the main slot.
There’ll also be performances from Dermot Kennedy, Haim, Girl in Red, Raye, and The Strokes.
While tickets for the music events start in the £60 region, there’s also plenty to take part in that won’t cost a penny.
All Points East has community activities known as ‘In the Neighbourhood’, a programme that is completely free to enter with an outdoor cinema, live entertainment, street food, pop-up bards, theatre, sports, children’s activities and more.
When is it? September 1 and 2
Where is it? Durdham Down, Bristol
How much are tickets? From £63
Forwards Festival will welcome performances from Raye, Arlo Parks, and Primal Scream to name just a few.
This September, some of music’s most exciting stars will play across three stages, as the festival prides itself in supporting both the biggest names in international music as well as emerging artists from Bristol and beyond.
The festival is child-friendly too, with tickets for ages 5-15 starting at around £18, while under fours go free.
General admission tickets for adults begin at £63, with weekend tickets also available if you’re keen not to miss out on a thing.
When is it? June 30-July 3
Where is it? Over Farm, Gloucester
How much are tickets? From £90
Barn on the Farm is held at Over Farm just outside Gloucester.
Over four days, attendees can enjoy performances from main stage headliners Lizzy McAlpine, Bleachers, and Holly Humberstone.
The final evening, however, includes a yet-to-be-announced secret headliner – and we’re very intrigued to discover who it is.
You can assure you’ll be in safe hands with Barn on the Farm, though, given that Tom Grennan, James Bay, Bastille, Hozier, and Ed Sheeran have all performed there in the past.
There’s plenty more where they came from too, as a whole bunch of acts will take to the stage, as well as some late night DJs and even surprise special guests.
Once again, it’s family-friendly, with children under 10 getting in for free and day passes and weekend tickets available for adults.
And if you fancy making a real experience of the whole thing, why not bring your tent and camp under the stars?
Boardmasters
When is it? August 9-13
Where is it? Newquay, Cornwall
How much are tickets? From £90
Boardmasters Festival returns to Cornwall this Summer (Summer is Here SALE)r.
In true Newquay style, the event is a combination of live music and surfing/skateboarding competitions in and around the town.
This year, Lorde, Florence + the Machine, Example, Gabrielle Alpin, Nathan Dawe, The Vaccines, and Rudimental are just some of the stars taking to the mic.
Liam Gallagher will even be there!
Meanwhile, in between all the excitement of the live music, the Boardmasters Open will see the best of the UK and international surfers go head-to-head in the country’s biggest surf competition, which has been going since 1981.
It’s the perfect holiday festival, super chilled, super relaxed, and just all-round great vibes.
Tickets are available in tiers and, once again, it’s family-friendly.
When is it? June 6-17
Where is it? Tudor Courtyard, Hampton Court Palace
How much are tickets? From £66
Hampton Court Palace Festival is welcoming a wealth of world-class acts to the stage once again this year.
Not only will Sir Tom Jones be returning, but there’ll also be sets from Soft Cell, Kool & The Gang, Kaiser Chiefs, and Rick Astley.
The performances all take place in a super intimate setting for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Artists take to the stage in Base Court, set against the backdrop of Tudor history with a 3,000-seated auditorium.
Meanwhile, depending on your vibe on the day, there’ll also be chilled acoustic sets outside from up-and-coming artists.
Tickets range in price with VIP experiences also on offer – you can even order a picnic!
When is it? June 10 and 11
Where is it? Heaton Park, Manchester
How much are tickets? From £84
Parklife is one of Manchester’s most exciting annual events.
This year, the two-day event will welcome some of the biggest names in music right now, celebrating the very best of dance and electronic music.
The 1975, Little Simz, Aitch, Becky Hill, Self Esteem, Mimi Webb, Raye, and The Prodigy will all perform.
Festival-goers can also expect DJ sets from the likes of Annie Mac, DJ Paulette, Honey Dijon, Eliza Rose, and Shy FX.
There really is something for everyone and while it might not be the cheapest of all the budget festivals (general admission is £84.50), it definitely offers value for money.
But you need to be quick, because Parklife tickets sell like hot cakes…
When is it? July 7
Where is it? Crystal Palace Park, London
How much are tickets? From £54
Community Festival is back for one day only this July.
The annual London event boasts an impressive not-to-be-missed line-up, as indie rock legends Two Door Cinema Club and The Wombats will co-headline.
Performances will also come from The Vaccines, Sea Girls, and Baby Queen.
While children are welcome and go free, general admission tickets for adults start at £54.
But if you do fancy splashing a bit more cash, VIP packages are available, which give you access to a chill out area, cocktail bar, food trucks, and cloakrooms.
When is it? July 20-23
Where is it? Henham Park, Suffolk
How much are tickets? From £96
Latitude is another hotly-anticipated festival, set within the grounds of Henham Park, near Southwold, Suffolk.
The festival hosts music artists spanning across a multitude of genres, meaning there should be something that takes your fancy, no matter what you’re into.
The 2023 bill includes Pulp, Paolo Nutini, and George Ezra as headliners.
Meanwhile, The Kooks, The Proclaimers, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Lightning Seeds also perform.
Latitude doesn’t stop at music though, as the likes of Ed Gamble, Sara Pascoe, Romesh Ranganathan, Russell Kane, and James Acaster will also be on hand to provide the belly laughs with comedic routines.
A range of tickets are available, including family weekend packages and camping packages, while standard day tickets start in the £90 region.
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