Music Festival Guide 2017: The 10 UK Events Worthy Buying A Ticket For

It's time to get the wellies out again.
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Music fans, it’s officially time: Festival season is upon us. 

And while there are many aspects of the summer we can’t help you with - y’know, like the weather - we are here for some of the more important decisions starting with the most obvious: Which festivals are worth getting a ticket for? 

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Over the next few months, the UK will play host to a number of events, with homegrown talent and worldwide superstars making their way between stages up and down the country. 

Whether you’re looking for a weekend of going back to basics and camping in the rain, or a luxe day out in the capital, we’ve got you covered. 

Check out 10 festivals worth buying a ticket for below... 

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Scott Dudelson via Getty Images

When: 21 - 25 June

Where: Pilton, Somerset

In 2018 the festival will take a year off, so expect revellers to be partying twice as hard to make up for it.

This year, headliner duties fall to Radiohead, Foo Fighters and Ed Sheeran, but it’s away from the Pyramid Stage that things really get exciting.

French duo Justice will make their first ever Worthy Farm appearance, while retro acts Shaggy and The Jacksons will also perform on the West Holts stage. 

2. British Summertime Festival 

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NBC via Getty Images

When: 30 June - 9 July

Where: Hyde Park, London 

This annual event once again boasts one of the most eclectic line-ups on the festival calendar, with everyone from Blondie to Kings of Leon and Justin Bieber set to perform. 

3. Latitude 

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Empics Entertainment

When: 13 - 16 July
Where: Henham Park, Suffolk

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Mario Anzuoni / Reuters

When: 14 - 15 July
Where: Victoria Park, London 

Actual. Frank. Ocean. Need we say more? No? Good. 

5. Secret Garden Party

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When: 20 - 23 July 
Where: Mill Hill Field, Cambridgeshire

If you’ve never experienced Secret Garden Party then now is literally your last chance.

As their farewell letter explains, SGP began life as 500 people trying to have a good time, and in the years since, it’s morphed into one of the best events on the British festival scene calendar.

6. V Festival

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PA Archive/PA Images

When: 29 - 20 August
Where: Weston Park, Staffordshire and Hylands Park, Chelmsford

Now in its 22nd year, V will welcome US superstars Pink and Jay Z to headline the event, but they’ll be joined by a whole host of British favourites including comeback kings Craig David and James Arthur, along with Ella Eyre and Jess Glynne.

7. Reading And Leeds 

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When: 25 - 27 August
Where: Richfield Avenue, Reading and Bramham Park, Leeds

After delighting fans in 2013, Eminem will be back for more across the Bank Holiday weekend.

This time around, he’ll be joined by festival favourites Kasabian and Muse, while Major Lazer, Liam Gallagher and Fatboy Slim are elsewhere on the bill. 

8. End Of The Road

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Kevin Winter via Getty Images

When: 31 August - 3 September 
Where: Lamar Tree Gardens, Dorset 

Father John Misty will headline the Dorset event, months before fans around the UK get to see his Pure Comedy tour live.

End Of The Road is proof that it’s not all about the line-up though, and the festival prides itself on having no VIP areas and creating “a unique atmosphere, relaxed and friendly but serious about music”.

9. Bestival

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Taylor Hill via Getty Images

When: 7 - 10 September
Where: Lulworth Estate, Dorset

For the first time in its history, Bestival is leaving the Isle Of Wight behind, swapping Robin Hill for the grounds of Lulworth Castle. Expect all the usual fun and games, though. Yes, we mean plenty of glitter, dressing up and the Saturday afternoon parade.

While the festival may have a location, many of its best stages will making the move too, including 206 favourite the Jägerhaus, with acts including Blossoms, Circa Waves and Shadow Child all DJing across the weekend. 

10. Festival No. 6

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When: 7 - 10 September 
Where: Portmeirion, Wales

It’s not just about the music at Festival No. 6, and - along with one of the most picturesque locations - the event boasts an impressive arts and theatre offering, while available activities include paddle-boarding, swimming and torchlight processions.   

Extraordinary Festivals Around the World
Chalk It Up to Talent(01 of12)
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Beautiful but fleeting these sidewalk masterpieces last just a few days before nature, pedestrians, or cleaning crews wash them away. Now in it’s 20th year, the Pasadena Chalk Festival hosts artists who compete in categories that range from “Best 3-D Effect” to “Best Rendering of a Masterpiece.” See all Extraordinary Festivals on Trippy.comPhoto credit: Bullet Salvador
You Say Tomato...(02 of12)
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Now that’s going to leave a stain! It may only last an hour but this festival in which participants throw tomatoes at each other leaves enough of an impression that local shopkeepers wrap their storefronts in plastic in preparation. If you go, make sure to bring old clothes because there’s no chance of you ever being able to wear them again. See all Extraordinary Festivals on Trippy.comPhoto credit: David McEvoy
Awash With Color!(03 of12)
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You’ll need to bring both a sense of fun and a set of old clothes to this colorful early spring festival in which participants douse each other with vibrant colored powder. Celebrating, in part, the end of the winter season, revelers also sprinkle each other with scented water. See all Extraordinary Festivals on Trippy.comPhoto credit: THUY
The Other Side(04 of12)
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This vibrant, reverent festival is perhaps best-known as a Mexican tradition, but in fact, exists all over the world. A day when the living pay tribute to friends and relatives who have passed away, it’s very much a celebration of life and reminder of all they were on earth. See all Extraordinary Festivals on Trippy.comPhoto credit: Fer Mirabelli
Sheep Happens(05 of12)
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Celebrating the migration of sheep from the north to the south of this state, this festival offers everything from knitting classes to a “Lamb Dine Around” in which lamb is the featured dish of local restaurants. The event features some great activities for kids, too, like cheese-making and sheep shearing demonstrations. See where this Extraordinary Festival is on Trippy!Photo credit: Greg Harness
Make Lemonade Out of Lemons(06 of12)
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Now nearing its 80th year, this celebration of all things citrus takes place in late winter due to its location in a mild and unbelievably scenic part of the world. The parade themes here have ranged from “Signs of the Zodiac” to “Lemons Without Borders.” See where this Extraordinary Festival is on Trippy!
Monkeying Around(07 of12)
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Bet you’ve never been to a tea party like this. At this festival local monkeys are feted with offerings of fruits and eggs by locals who hope the gesture will bring them good luck. If you go, keep in mind that the monkeys are known for helping themselves to things other than food, like expensive cameras and sunglasses. See where this Extraordinary Festival is on Trippy!Photo credit: Chris Gusen
Light Up the Sky!(08 of12)
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Once used by farm workers to send signals to their families in nearby towns, the lanterns at this stunning festival are now considered symbols of peace and prosperity. Combining the traditional with the modern, the festival now includes an enormous fireworks display as well as electromechanical lanterns. See where this Extraordinary Festival is on Trippy!Photo credit by: Make a Wish
Bloomin' Beautiful!(09 of12)
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It’s estimated that roughly two million people come to marvel at the snow and ice sculptures constructed at this annual event. Amazingly, local legend has it that the impetus for this festival was the creation of six snow sculptures created by high school students in 1950. See where this Extraordinary Festival is on Trippy!Photo credit: Frank Gong
Snowed Under(10 of12)
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It’s estimated that roughly two million people come to marvel at the snow and ice sculptures constructed at this annual event. Amazingly, local legend has it that the impetus for this festival was the creation of six snow sculptures created by high school students in 1950. See all Extraordinary Festivals on Trippy.comPhoto credit: Frank Gong
For Whom the Beard Tolls(11 of12)
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Held for the area’s most famous literary resident, events at this festival include readings, look-alike contests and a mock “Running of the Bulls.” If you happen to look like the celebrated scribe and want to enter the contest, be forewarned; last year’s competition garnered 120 participants. See all Extraordinary Festivals on Trippy.comPhoto credit: Donna S. McCraw (luv2run on Flickr)
The Sands of Time(12 of12)
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Only 10 years old, this festival attracted over 140,000 visitors last year, not to mention competitors from all over the world. If you plan on competing, take note that the theme for 2013 is “The Wild West.” See all Extraordinary Festivals on Trippy.comPhoto credit: Steen Jeppesen