It’s no exaggeration to say London’s live music scene is one of the best in the world and during the gorgeous long summer nights, it truly comes alive with some of the finest music festivals the UK has to offer.
So, whether you’re a local looking to discover live music on your doorstep or you’re a big festival fan looking for your next fix, we’ve put together a guide to 2020 London music festivals to get your head nodding and toes tapping.
22-31 May 2020
This one’s a fairly new kid on the block but it’s already made its mark on the scene. All Points East spans two weekends, the first of which is your typical festival weekend, followed by four days of community activities which are free to enter - called ‘In the Neighbourhood’, and then the 10-day event is rounded off by three stand-alone gigs.
This year’s line up includes Iggy Pop, Johnny Marr and Tame Impala to name a few, takes place in Victoria Park, and there’ll be a wide range of food and drink on offer to keep you going. Ticket prices vary depending on which event(s) tickles your fancy, but general admission starts at £65pp - you can add additional shows at a reduced price.
7th June 2020
Head to Brixton’s beautiful Brockwell Park for a day of music, workshops, food, talks plus a wellness area and creative markets as part of Cross the Tracks fest. If you go, you’ll be treated to a mix of well-known and upcoming funk, jazz and soul artists such as Sister Sledge, Shabaka and Giles Peterson.
According to Clash Magazine, this one-day festival is a breath of fresh air and if that sounds good to you, tickets will cost £30 for standard admission, £40 for VIP, £50 for a group of two people arriving together, and £100 for four.
12-14 June 2020
This three-day fest was founded in 2002 by Groove Armada DJs Cato and Findlay and has won awards such as the UK Festival Award for the best medium-sized festival. A self-proclaimed celebration of UK and international music talent, dance and the arts, this one offers the perfect opportunity to let your hair down and boogie with like-minded dance and pop fans.
The 2020 line-up includes Khalid, Charlie XCX, Mabel and Disclosure, to name a few.
You’ll find it in West London’s Gunnersbury Park, easily accessible from central London using public transport. Again, it’s not a camping fest so you’ll need to find nearby accommodation if you’re travelling from afar. You can’t opt for a one day ticket with this one, it’s three-day tickets only and they start at £149.50.
28th June 2020
If Indie music’s more your scene then check out London’s Community festival which showcases some of the best indie talent on offer inside the picturesque Finsbury Park.
Unfortunately, we can’t tell you who’ll be on the 2020 billing just yet (it’s not been announced), but to give you an idea of the sort of thing you can look forward to, last year’s big names included Blossoms, The Kooks and Kate Nash. Based on 2019 prices you can expect to pay around £40 for a ticket, but keep your eye on the official website for all the latest details as they’re released.
3-5 July 2020
Hailed London’s number one urban music festival, this one’s a must for fans of grime and hip-hop. Wireless hosts some big names on the scene in 2020 including Cardi B, Travis Scott, and J Hus. It takes place in London’s 110-acre Finsbury Park which is well connected to central London making it a handy event for locals and visitors alike.
A few pieces of useful info: a) wireless isn’t an overnight fest - ticket holders are required to head home once the music’s finished, b) you can take your own snacks but no drinks are admitted - there’ll be food and drink available to purchase throughout the event, c) it’s a no re-admission fest, so you can’t pop in and out as you please, once you’re in, you’re in.
Tickets will set you back £70 for one day or £190 for the whole weekend.
3-12 July 2020
American Express presents British Summer Time in Hyde Park with this 10-day extravaganza. Immerse yourself in an award-winning fest hosting world-famous artists alongside rising talent in the picturesque surroundings of Royal Park.
The event spans two weekends of live music with an ‘Open House’ festival in the week between, where you’ll find an open-air cinema, street food, live bands and free summer activities. The stellar line-up for 2020 includes some huge names such as Taylor Swift, Pearl Jam supported by The Pixies, and Little Mix.
Ticket prices vary depending on which show or event you’re interested in, but to give an example a standard ticket to see Little Mix (plus special guests Zara Larsson, Kesha, Rita Ora, and more) costs £70.
11th July 2020
This one-day electro music fest is held in The Drumshed’s in London’s N18 district. It promises live acts and DJ sets across three stages including an indoor stage where the music will be pumping until 3am.
The 2020 headline act is BICEP - well known amongst fans of electronic music, who’ve gained international acclaim for their top-class dancefloor sessions. A standard ticket will set you back £45 or you can opt for VIP (with access to an exclusive bar and lounge, queue jump and other VIP perks) and pay £80.
12th July 2020
Citadel is an all-day indie rock spectacular held in Gunnersbury Park and it offers something for music fans old and young.
The 2020 line-up is yet to be announced but last year they bagged some big names including Catfish and the Bottlemen, Bastille and Friendly Fires. There’s also food and drink, arts and ideas, fun and fitness, plus kids and families activities (in 2019 they hosted a Peppa Pig meet and greet!).
General admission will cost (based on last year’s figures) £39.50 for an adult, £25 for a teen and under 12’s go free with an adult. Keep your eye on their website for all the latest.
If all that’s not filled your dancing boots then check out these other music events in the London festival scene:
Country 2 Country 2020 - 13-15 March - The o2
One Love Festival - 21-23 August - Venue TBC
The Ends Festival - 29-31 May - Lloyd Park
Hospitality in the Park - 19th September - Finsbury Park
Camden Rocks - 30-31 May - Camden
UK Garage Fest - 10-11 April - Boord Street
Wide Awake Festival - 5th June - Brockwell Park Gardens
South West Four (SW4) - 29-30 August - Clapham Common
Gala Festival - 23-24 May - Peckham Rye Park
We are FSTVL - 23-24 May - Damyn’s Hall Aerodrome, Upminster
Junction 2 - 5-6 June - Boston Manor Park
Mighty Hoopla - 6th June - Brockwell Park
51st State - August 1st - Trent Park
For one reason or another London festivals rarely offer camping or accommodation, so music fans heading to the capital to get their boogie on will need to find somewhere to put their hard-worked feet up. Any one of our conveniently located London hotels will offer you a large comfortable bed, free Wifi, friendly staff and much more. Sound like music to your ears? We hope to welcome you soon!
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