There is nothing quite like heading to a music festival with a group of friends in the summer months. The good news is that it is not too late for this, as there are a handful of excellent music festivals taking place in the UK in September – this will be your last chance to soak up the sun, see live music, and let your hair down for the year!

These are a few of the best festivals to check out in September.

Sundown Festival, Norfolk

  • Dates: 29th August to 31st August 2024
  • Location: Norfolk Showground, Norwich
  • Headliners: Tom Grennan, D-Block Europe, and Mahalia.

Sundown Festival is held at Norfolk Showground and is a fast tempo celebration of pop, dance, and urban music, making it a must-visit for those who enjoy high-energy performances and a party atmosphere.

Held at the Norfolk Showground, the festival marks the end of summer with a bang. The 2024 edition will see Tom Grennan headlining, with his performance at TRNSMT promising a powerful set here of ten of his hits.

Sundown also offers a variety of fairground rides, street food vendors, and late-night DJ sets, ensuring non-stop entertainment throughout the weekend.

forwards festival bristol

Forwards Festival in Bristol brings more than music

Forwards Festival, Bristol

  • Dates: 31st August to 1st September 2024
  • Location: Clifton Downs, Bristol
  • Headliners: Loyle Carner, Four Tet, LCD Soundsystem, and Jessie Ware

Forwards Festival is quickly becoming a staple on the UK festival circuit with its unique blend of music, thought-provoking talks, and innovative programming. Set on the iconic Clifton Downs in Bristol, the festival is not just about music but also about creating a platform for social action and thought leadership.

This year’s line-up includes an eclectic mix of headliners ranging from electronic group LCD Soundsystem to the soulful Jessie Wareu, ensuring a diverse musical experience.

Alongside the music, festival-goers can engage in discussions on a range of topics, from climate change to social justice, making it a holistic cultural experience and a must-visit for those interested in both music and meaningful discussions.

Lindisfarne Festival, Northumberland

Lindisfarne Festival

  • Dates: 29th August to 1st September 2024
  • Location: Beal Farm, Northumberland
  • Headliners: The Vaccines, Tom Walker, Orbital, De La Soul, and Everything Everything

Lindisfarne Festival is somewhat of a hidden gem, with the breath-taking Northumberland Coast providing the perfect backdrop for live music. The festival is set on Beal Farm, offering stunning views of Holy Island and the surrounding coastline.

Lindisfarne’s line-up for 2024 features a mix of rock, indie, and electronic music, with headliners like Orbital and De La Soul bringing a nostalgic feel to the festival. The Vaccines will be guaranteed to get the crowds rocking.

The festival also includes wellness workshops, yoga sessions, and comedy, making it a well-rounded experience for attendees looking to unwind and enjoy a variety of activities.

Mucky Weekender, Hampshire

  • Dates: 5th to 7th September 2024
  • Location: Vicarage Farm, Winchester, Hampshire
  • Headliners: The Dualers, Dub Pistols, Dreadzone.

Mucky Weekender is an intimate but energetic festival set in the scenic countryside of Winchester. Curated by Dub Pistols frontman Barry Ashworth, the festival features a diverse range of music genres, including Dub, Ska, Reggae, Jungle, House, Disco, Funk, and more.

With five music stages and a variety of other entertainment options, Mucky Weekender promises a lively and unforgettable experience. The festival encourages attendees to embrace a whimsical theme, with this year’s focus on “The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party,” complete with fancy dress and afternoon tea​

Live at the Park Music Festival

  • Dates: 6th to 7th September 2024
  • Location: Victoria Park, Salisbury, SP1 3NE in Salisbury
  • Headliners: Scouting for Girls, The Hoosiers, Artful Dodger, Symphonic Ibiza

Live at the Park is a family-friendly music festival set in the beautiful surroundings of Salisbury. The festival features a mix of well-known artists and local talent, providing a diverse range of music genres for attendees of all ages.

In addition to music, the festival often includes food stalls, children’s entertainment, and other activities, making it a great day out for families.

suger hill gang at boogietown 23

Sugar Hill Gang were immense at Boogietown in 2023

Boogietown Festival

  • Dates: 7th to 8th September 2024
  • Location: Apps Court Farm in Walton-on-Thames
  • Headliners:  Boy George & The Culture Club, KC & The Sunshine Band, Lisa Stansfield, The Jacksons, Boney M, Wet Wet Wet

Prepare for an unforgettable weekend of retro heaven as Boogietown becomes a haven of disco, funk, and soul with legendary acts and chart-topping performers, such as Boy George & The Culture Club, KC & The Sunshine Band, Lisa Stansfield, The Jacksons, Boney M, Wet Wet Wet, Bananarama, Soul II Soul, Heather Small, Katrina (without the Waves) and so much more.

Boogietown has an apt name, and with the talents of Roger Sanchez and Craig Charles making the The Boogie Tent the go-to spot for disco & house lovers.

I literally cannot wait for this, it’s like the soundtrack to my childhood.

Uptown Festival

  • Dates: 15th September 2024
  • Location: Bute Park, Cardiff
  • Headliners: Sister Sledge, Maxi Priest, Aswad

The Uptown Festival, set in Cardiff’s beautiful Bute Park, offers a vibrant celebration of soul and reggae music. This festival, with the stunning backdrop of Cardiff Castle, brings an exceptional mix of legendary acts.

The 2024 lineup features Sister Sledge, known for their timeless disco hits, alongside reggae legends Maxi Priest and Aswad. The festival also includes performances by Desmond Dekker’s Aces and Captain Accident & the Disasters, ensuring a full day of lively music and entertainment.

Attendees can enjoy a variety of food stalls, funfair rides, photo booths, and even opt for a VIP experience for exclusive perks like a VIP bar and special seating areas

The Weekend Festival

  • Dates: 21st to 22nd September 2024
  • Location:  Nottingham
  • Headliners: Boyzlife, Scouting for Girls, Dub FX

The Weekend Festival in Nottingham is a two-day event that promises a diverse line-up of music genres and performances. Headlining the festival, Boyzlife, a supergroup combining members from Boyzone and Westlife, will bring nostalgic pop hits to the stage.

Scouting for Girls, known for their catchy pop-rock tunes, and the innovative beatboxing artist Dub FX will also perform.

The festival aims to offer a fun-filled weekend with various activities, food stalls, and entertainment options for attendees of all ages.

Travel Tips

If you are heading off to a festival this summer, you want to make sure that you plan ahead when it comes to travel. Driving is the easiest way to reach festivals as they are often in remote areas, so you should make sure that your car is in good condition before hitting the road. Splitting up the driving is a good idea, especially on the way back when you are likely to be tired! You can arrange short-term car insurance so that you can share the driving without the need to take out a full annual policy.

If you want to experience a music festival before summer is over, these are a few of the best options. It is hard to beat a music festival during the UK summer, and these are a few of the last opportunities you will get for a festival experience this year.