Free UK Festivals & Carnivals 2013 Region by region guide to over 60 gigs nationwide

Last Updated:
18 Jun
2013
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Whether you want to listen to jazz, indie or rock music, or be part of a carnival or parade, there are free UK festivals to suit all tastes. Just use the map below to pick your area.

Alternatively, it may be possible to get into the big paid-for festivals without paying a penny, though it can take some work. See the stewarding guide below.

Includes

Related

Click your region for local festivals

Some festivals are spread across different venues and may have concerts that cost extra, so always check with the organisers before you go

London Festivals

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Festival picture Street Feast
Where: Haggerston (map) Link: Street Feast
Dates: Every Friday until 28 Jun 2013
Description: Large outdoor food festival celebrating a variety of different cuisines. Also features two bars serving an impressive range of beers, wines and cocktails.
Festival picture Shoreditch Festival
Where: Shoreditch (map) Link: Shoreditch Festival
Dates: Sat 13 - Sun 14 Jul 2013
Description: Live music, street dance, circus acts, street theatre shows, craft areas, costume workshops and more.
Festival picture Lambeth Country Show
Where: Brockwell Park, Herne Hill (map) Link: Lambeth Country Show
Dates: Sat 20 - Sun 21 July 2013
Description: Wide variety of music and entertainment, arts and crafts, trade stalls, farm animals & exotic species, brass bands, storytelling and a funfair.
Festival picture Brixton Splash
Where: Brixton (map) Link: Brixton Splash
Dates: Sun 4 Aug 2013
Description: Mix of music, arts and crafts, food, live music, theatre, dance performances and sound systems celebrating local talent.
Festival picture Notting Hill Carnival
Where: Notting Hill, London (map) Link: Notting Hill Carnival
Dates: Sun 25 - Mon 26 Aug 2013
Description: One of the largest street festivals in the world, it features vibrant colourful costumes, music and hundreds of Caribbean food stalls.
Festival picture London Mela
Where: Gunnersbury Park (map) Link: London Mela
Dates: Sun 1 Sep 2013
Description: Seven zones of urban, classical and experimental music, DJs, circus, dance, visual arts, comedy and the Magic Mela kids area. Line-up to be announced in July.
Festival picture iTunes Festival
Where: Roundhouse, Camden (map) Link: iTunes Festival
Dates: Sun 1 - Mon 30 Sep 2013
Description: 30 nights of free live music throughout September from Kings of Leon, Justin Timberlake, Jessie J and more. Download the free iTunes Festival app on your smartphone, select the artist(s) you'd like to see and you'll be entered into a draw to win two tickets. Competitions close seven days before each show. See iTunes FAQs for more info.
Festival picture Mayor's Thames Festival
Where: Central London (map) Link: Mayor's Thames Festival
Dates: Fr1 6 - Sun 15 Sep 2013
Description: A celebration of art and music, including a night-time river opera, riverside film screenings, floating art fair, children's choir, Great River Race and more.
Festival picture The Scoop
Where: City Hall (map) Link: The Scoop
Dates: Various
Description: An outdoor sunken amphitheatre which hosts a variety of free events - from free films, free music and free theatre to local community events and activities.
Festival picture UEFA Champions Festival
Where:Stratford City (map) Link: UEFA Champions Festival
Dates: Thu 23 - Sun 26 May 2013
Description: A four-day football celebration, featuring a series of family-friendly activities, including skills clinics, competitions and a chance to watch a number of former international footballers go head-to-head.
Festival picture Rioja Tapas Fantasticas
Where: Potters Fields Park (map) Link: Rioja Tapas Fantasticas
Dates: Sat 15 - Sun 16 Jun 2013
Description: Large outdoor festival celebrating food and wine from the Rioja region. Enjoy Spanish music, cookery and wine-tasting..
Festival picture West End Live
Where: Trafalgar Square (map) Link: West End Live
Dates: Sat 22 - Sun 23 Jun 2013
Description: Live performances of a variety of West End hit musicals and theatre shows.

Northern Ireland Festivals

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Festival picture Belfast Pride Festival
Where: Belfast (map) Link: Belfast Pride Festival
Dates: Fri 28 Jun - Sat 6 Jul 2013
Description: Explores Belfast's diversity with a week-long celebration culminating in a street parade on Sat 6 Jul. This year's theme is 'bright colours and bold statements'.
Museum picture Red Sails Festival
Where: Portstewart (map) Link: Red Sails
Dates: Sun 21 - Sat 27 July 2013
Description: A family-friendly festival with lots of free music from local bands and orchestras, Irish dancing and a spectacular firework display to end the festivities. The festival is mostly free but some events may charge.
Festival picture Maiden City Festival
Where: Derry/Londonderry (map) Link: Maiden City Fetsival
Dates: Sun 4- Sat 10 Aug 2013
Description: Celebrating history and heritage, community and diversity with music, dance and drama.

Scotland Festivals

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Festival picture Dundee Blues Bonanza
Where: Dundee (map) Link: Dundee Blues Bonanza
Dates: Fri 28 - Sun 30 Jun 2013
Description: Blues music festival with over 125 live performances, featuring artists and fans from across Europe.
Festival picture Youth Beatz
Where: Dumfries (map) Link: Youth Beatz
Dates: Sat 10 Aug 2013
Description: Apply for free tickets online. Aimed at young people aged 12-25 and featuring celebrities as well as local bands.
Festival picture Glasgay
Where: Glasgow (map) Link: Glasgay
Dates: Mid-Oct - mid-Nov 2013
Description: A Scottish take on the Gay Pride parade. Events span comedy, music, film, theatre, visual art, performance art, literature, club nights, education events, and community arts projects.

North East Festivals

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Festival picture South Tyneside Summer Festival
Where: South Shields (map) Link: Summer Festival
Dates: June/July/August 2013
Description: Live music, brass bands, parades, parties and open-air concerts throughout June, July and August. This year's acts include Toploader, Liberty X and Rick Astley.
Museum picture
Where: Rothbury, Northumberland (map) Link: Rothbury Music Festival
Dates: Fri 19 - Sun 21 Jul 2013
Description: The festival offers traditional outdoor music, ceilidh dancing, competitions and workshops.
Festival picture Stockton International Riverside Festival
Where: Stockton (map) Link: Stockton Festival
Dates: Thu 1 - Sun 4 Aug 2013
Description: Street theatre, circus, dance, music and pyrotechnics from world class artists and performers.
Festival picture Newcastle Green Festival
Where: Leazes Park (map) Link: Newcastle Green Festival
Dates: Sat 1 - Sun 2 Jun 2013
Description: A festival run entirely on green power sources, feturing entertainment, activities and workshops.
Festival picture Looka' Tesside
Where: Stockton-on-Tees (map) Link: Looka' Teesside
Dates: Sat 1 - Sun 2 Jun 2013
Description: Two day festival celebrating creative, film, arts, fashion, digital and music talent in Tees Valley.

Wales Festivals

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Festival picture Cardiff Festival
Where: Cardiff (map) Link: Cardiff Festival
Dates: Wed 12 Jun - Sat 31 Aug 2013
Description: Live music, street and open-air theatre, children's entertainment and funfairs in the city centre and around Cardiff Bay.
Festival picture Big Cheese Festival
Where: Caerphilly Castle (map) Link: Big Cheese Festival
Dates: Fri 26 Jul - Sun 28 Jul 2013

Description: Over 50 Welsh producers gather to sell cakes, wine, liqueurs, sweets, chocolate, cheese, pickles and more. Includes entertainment and a grand fireworks display.
Festival picture Monmouth Music Festival
Where: Monmouth (map) Link: Monmouth Music Festival
Dates: Fri 26 Jul - Sun 3 Aug 2013
Description: The festival offers a diverse range of musical genres including rock, classical, pop, folk, jazz, ska, punk, world music and more. Also includes a carnival day on Sun 28 Jul, featuring stalls, workshops, street entertainers and a funfair.
Festival picture Cardiff Mas Carnival
Where: Cardiff (map) Link: Cardiff Mas Carnival
Dates: Sat 10 Aug 2013
Description: Parades and workshops featuring "hundreds of flamboyant costumes and carnival creations, masks and headpieces, giant puppets on backpacks and mobile sculptures".
Festival picture Talgarth Festival
Where: Talgarth, near Brecon (map) Link: Talgarth Festival
Dates: Sat 24 - Sun 25 Aug 2013
Description: A celebration of food, farming, music and the countryside.

East England Festivals

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Festival picture Willow Festival
Where: Peterborough (map) Link: Willow Festival
Dates: Fri 12 - Sun 14 Jul 2013
Description: Showcasing over 120 live bands on six stages, over three days. A variety of different music genres from punk to jazz.
Festival picture Norwich Pride
Where: Norwich town centre (map) Link: Norwich Pride
Dates: Sat 27 July 2013
Description: Norwich's Gay Pride festival with a parade, live bands, yoga sessions and arts and crafts.
Festival picture Stowfest
Where: Stowmarket (map) Link: Stowfest
Dates: Fri 31 May - Sat 1 Jun 2013
Description: Two-day music festival showcasing some of the best talent from East Anglia and further afield.
Festival picture Museums at Night
Where: Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (map) Link: Museums at Night
Dates: Fri 17 May 2013
Description: An evening of live music across the Fitzwilliam Museum site, from folk and pop to classical and jazz. Also features short talks from museum staff and drawing activities.

South West England Festivals

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Festival picture Burnham-on-Sea Food & Drink Festival
Where: Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset (map) Link: Burnham-on-Sea Food & Drink Festival
Dates: Sat 25 May & Sat 28 Sept 2013
Description: A celebration of local and fresh produce. Includes workshops, taster sessions, competitions and a large outdoor market.
Festival picture Folk on the Quay
Where: Poole (map) Link: Folk on the Quay
Dates: Sat 29 - Sun 30 Jun 2013
Description: Free folk festival featuring live music and morris dancing around the quay and in a host of local pubs.
Festival picture Bristol Harbour Festival
Where: Bristol (map) Link: Bristol Harbour festival
Dates: Fri 26 - Sun 28 Jul 2013
Description: A showcase of international & local artists, Bristol's circus and street theatre talent, as well as a display of ships & boats and fireworks.
Festival picture Stompin' on the Quomps
Where: Christchurch (map) Link: Stompin' on the Quomps
Dates: Sat 3 Aug 2013
Description: Christchurch Quay will host an afternoon and evening of jazz and big band music.
Festival picture Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
Where: Bristol (map) Link: Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
Dates: Thu 8 - Sun 11 Aug 2013
Description: The festival celebrates its 35th year with over 100 hot-air balloons, an entertainment village and craft marquee.
Festival picture Devizes International Street Festival
Where: Devizes (map) Link: Devizes Festival
Dates: Sun 18 - Sat 31 Aug 2013
Description: Two weeks of events and celebration, including a communal picnic, a street festival, a carnival parade and and even a confetti fight!
Festival picture Wareham Music Festival
Where: Wareham (map) Link: Wareham Music Festival
Dates: Fri 23 - Sat 24 Aug 2013
Description: Live bands play at different venues across the town.
Festival picture Folkfest in Burnham-on-Sea
Where: Burnham-on-Sea (map) Link: Folkfest
Dates: Thu 29 Aug - Sun 1 Sep 2013
Description: Acoustic folk festival, with free activities in pubs and over 70 acts, dancers, workshops, exhibitions, market, refreshments and kids' entertainment.
Festival picture Swanage Blues & Roots Festival
Where: Swanage (map) Link: Swanage Festival
Dates: Fri 4 - Sun 6 Oct 2013
Description: Over 50 different gigs with blues and roots musicians at fifteen venues around the picturesque seaside town of Swanage.
Festival picture Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival
Where: Bridgwater, Somerset (map) Link: Bridgwater Carnival
Dates: Sat 2 Nov 2013
Description: Illuminated procession through the streets of the Somerset town.
Festival picture St Ives Food and Drink Festival
Where: Portminster Beach, St Ives (map) Link: St Ives Food and Drink Festival
Dates: Sat 18 - Sun 19 May 2013
Description: Cooking demonstrations, food foraging walks and local food and drink producers exhibiting and selling their produce. Also features pasty making classes for children, face painting, sand castle competition, an oyster and champagne event and live music.
Festival picture Devizes Food & Drink Festival
Where: Devizes (map) Link: Devizes Food & Drink Festival
Dates: Sat 18 May 2013
Description: Festival celebrating cuisine from the local area and around the world. Featuring a Grand Market Fair, cake baking competitions, cookery demonstrations and more. Events are also taking place throughout the following week, although these charge a small fee.

West Midlands Festivals

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Festival picture Godiva Festival
Where: Coventry (map) Link: Godiva Festival
Dates: Fri 5 Jul - Sun 7 Jul 2013
Description: Showcasing local, national and international musicians, plus comedy, entertainment and cabaret.
Festival picture Birmingham Jazz & Blues festival
Where: Birmingham (map) Link: Birmingham Jazz festival
Dates: Fri 5 - Sun 14 Jul 2013
Description: Jazz & blues artists from across the world alongside the best from the UK.
Festival picture Upton Blues Festival
Where: Upton, Worcs (map) Link: Upton Blues Festival
Dates: Fri 19 - Sun 21 Jul 2013
Description: Set in and around the pubs and streets of Upton upon Severn, this music festival features everything from blues rock to bluegrass, country blues to New Orleans, acoustic to soul and gospel.
Festival picture Worcester Music Festival
Where: Worcester (map) Link: Worcester Music Festival
Dates: Fri 30 Aug - Sun 1 Sept 2013
Description: Live, local and original music staged in pubs, clubs, cafes, and historic buildings around or near the city centre.
Festival picture National Forest Walking Festival
Where: South Derbyshire (map) Link: National Forest Walking Festival
Dates: Sat 18 - Thu 30 May 2013
Description: Over 100 varied walks with something for all ages, interests or abilities. From a gentle stroll to walks for the whole family, walks suitable for wheelchair users, to longer and more strenuous rambles for keen walkers. Most walks are free, but some may charge a small fee.

East Midlands Festivals

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Festival picture SO Festival
Where: Skegness (map) Link: So festival
Dates: Fri 28 Jun - Sun 7 Jul 2013
Description: A festival with lots of free events, including participatory art, music from unsigned and local bands, street theatre and street dance.
Festival picture Derby Carnival
Where: Derby (map) Link: Derby Carnival
Dates: Sat 20 - Sun 21 Jul 2013
Description: An Afro-Caribbean celebration with reggae music, steel drums and vibrant costumes.
Festival picture Nottinghamshire Pride
Where: Nottingham (map) Link: Nottingham Pride
Dates: Sat 27 Jul 2013
Description: Mini stage acts, a funfair, three bars and a hundred stalls to celebrate the LGBT community.
Festival picture Nottingham Riverside Festival
Where: Nottingham (map) Link: Riverside Festival
Dates: Fri 2 - Sun 4 Aug 2013
Description: Bustling street fair with vibrant mix of live music, with performances from national and international artists.
Festival picture Leicester Caribbean Carnival
Where: Leicester (map) Link: Leicester Caribbean Carnival
Dates: Sat 3 Aug 2013
Description: Parade celebrating Leicester's Caribbean heritage with music, dance and costumes.
Festival picture Umbrella Fair
Where: Northampton (map) Link: Umbrella Fair
Dates: Sat 17 - Sun 18 Aug 2013
Description: The green festival offers music, poetry, a healing and well being area, food stalls, an environmental education display, and a children's area.

Yorkshire and Humber Festivals

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Festival picture Clarence Park Music Festival
Where: Wakefield (map) Link: Clarence Park Festival
Dates: Sat 27 - Sun 28 July 2013
Description: Features a host of local and national bands. There's also a beer tent, food stalls, and craft stalls.

North West England Festivals

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Festival picture Dentdale Music & Beer Festival
Where: Dent, Cumbria (map) Link: Dentdale Music & Beer
Dates: Fri 28 - Sun 30 Jun 2013
Description: Community festival hosting over 25 bands across two stages and a wide selection of ales from northern England and Scotland.
Festival picture Keswick Convention
Where: Keswick, Cumbria (map) Link: Keswick Convention
Dates: Sat 13 Jul - Fri 2 Aug 2013
Description: Bible teaching, music and fellowship, with separate kids' and youth programmes.
Festival picture Liverpool International Music Festival
Where: Liverpool (map) Link: Liverpool International Music Festival
Dates: Fri 23 - Mon 26 Aug 2013
Description: Replaces the 20-year-old Mathew Street Festival as "a celebration of all things music".
Festival picture Feel Good Festival
Where: Rochdale (map) Link: Feel Good Festival
Dates: Fri 30 Aug - Sat 31 Aug 2013
Description: Celebration of entertainment and culture featuring a high profile line-up of celebrity chefs and top musical artists.
Festival picture Africa Oye Festival
Where: Sefton Park, Liverpool (map) Link: Africa Oye Festival
Dates: Sat 22 - Sun 23 Jun 2013
Description: Now in its 21st year, Africa Oye showcases the best of African and Caribbean music and culture in the UK.
Festival picture Whaley Water Weekend
Where: Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire (map) Link: Whaley Water Weekend
Dates: Fri 7 - Sun 9 Jun 2013
Description: Although the main attraciton of this water festival is the free boat rides throughout the weekend, you'll also find market stalls, a climbing wall and live music on the Friday night.

South East England Festivals

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Festival picture Guildford Summer Festival
Where: Guildford (map) Link: Guildford Festival
Dates: Sat 22 Jun - Sat 3 Aug 2013

Description: Film, sport, theatre, music, walking, art and much more.
Museum picture T Fest
Where: Thurrock, Essex (map) Link: T Fest
Dates: Sat 27 - Sun 28 Jul 2013
Description: Entertainment, food and live music. This year's line-up hasn't been announced yet, but we'll update you here once the acts have been confirmed.
Festival picture Rox Festival
Where: Bognor Regis (map) Link: Rox Festival
Dates: Sat 27 - Sun 28 July 2013
Description: Live music, a procession, kids activities, carnival, world musicians, club stage, fringe events, music, craft and dance workshops, and other art.
Festival picture Lammas Festival
Where: Eastbourne (map) Link: Lammas Festival
Dates: Sat 27 - Sun 28 July 2013
Description: Folk music, morris dancing, traditional giants, carnival and live bands every afternoon and evening.
Museum picture Hastings Old Town Carnival Week
Where: Hastings (map) Link: Hastings Carnival Week
Dates: Sat 3 Aug - Sun 11 Aug 2013
Description: Carnival, music, performances, guided walks and more.
Festival picture Ryde Carnival
Where: Ryde, Isle of Wight (map) Link: Ryde Carnival
Dates: Fri 16, Sat 17 & Sat 31 Aug 2013
Description: Includes main carnival on Sat 17 Aug (exactly 125 years after the first ever Ryde Carnival), illuminated carnival and children's carnival featuring music, costumes & dance.
Museum picture Herne Bay Festival
Where: Herne Bay, Kent (map) Link: Herne Bay Festival
Dates: Sat 17 - Sun 25 Aug 2013
Description: Live music, street theatre, performances, workshops, competitions, parades, fireworks and more. This year's theme is 'Creatures of the Deep'.
Festival picture Aylesbury Festival
Where: Aylesbury, Bucks (map) Link: Aylesbury Festival
Dates: Sun 25 Aug 2013
Description: Showcasing local up-and-coming bands, some of whom will be free to watch.
Festival picture Reading Pride
Where: Reading (map) Link: Reading Pride
Dates: Sat 31 Aug 2013
Description: Music and dance festival to eliminate discrimination in relation to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Festival picture Faversham Hop Festival
Where: Faversham (map) Link: Faversham Hop Festival
Dates: Sat 31 Aug - Sun 1 Sep 2013
Description: A traditional, fun festival set in the picturesque medieval town's square and surrounding streets, celebrating the days of hop picking in Kent.
Festival picture Watercress Festival
Where: Arlesford, Hants (map) Link: Watercress Festival
Dates: Sun 19 May 2013
Description: The 9th annual festival celebrating the quintessentially British crop. Featuring stalls, live music, cookery demonstrations and a chance to tour a watercress farm.
Have we missed any?? If you know of any great free festivals in your area that we've not included, we'd love to hear about them. Add any suggestions to our free festivals thread.
View Free UK Festivals in a larger map

Paid festivals for free

As well as the free UK festivals listed above, there are a few ways to get into sold-out festivals for nothing.

Volunteering through charities

Some big charities like the Samaritans and Oxfam look for volunteers to help at big festivals. Don't volunteer if you're in it just for the free ticket - approach a charity you really believe in and do the work properly.

Festival Samaritans provides volunteers for big festivals such as Glastonbury, Leeds and Reading. Anyone is welcome to apply � whether or not they have been a member of the Samaritans before. You can apply online now for this year's festivals.

Oxfam provides stewards and campaigners who have to work three shifts (eight hours 15 mins each shift) over the duration of big festivals like Glastonbury, Latitude, Bestival and Womad. You can apply online for as many festivals as you want, but be quick as places for 2013 are filling up fast.

Odd jobs like litter-picking & car park attending

beer pictureIt's not easy to make a festival run smoothly, and extra help is always required with anything from car park assistance and tent pitching to litter-picking. Organisers usually use firms which provide staff specifically for festivals.

DC Services provide safety stewards, traffic marshals, recycling and litter teams to the likes of Reading, Leeds, Latitude and Glastonbury (check its events calendar). You get paid to work there, plus you'll get free meal tickets and free festival entry. You can apply online for jobs and shifts depend on what job you're applying for. You'll have to be over 16 or 18 depending on the job.

Places still available for 2013:

  • Royal Welsh Spring Festival, Powys
  • Glastonbury, Somerset
  • Beatherder, Lancashire
  • 2,000 Trees, Gloucestershire
  • Latitude, Suffolk
  • Royal Welsh Show, Powys
  • Y Not, Derbyshire
  • Green Man, Brecon Beacons
  • Leeds, West Yorkshire
  • Reading, Berkshire
  • Electric Picnic, Co Laois, Ireland
You can volunteer to pick litter at festivals including Beach Break Live, Secret Garden Party or Blissfields when you apply online with Seed Staff. You'll have to work for around 24 hours (depending on festival) in shifts during or after the event and you'll get fed. You will have to pay a deposit of £100-£175 depending on the festival. This will be returned upon completion of the work.

Places still available for 2013:
  • Beach Break Live, Cornwall
  • Foodies Festivals (Brighton, Cheshire, London, Bristol, Edinburgh)
  • Blissfields, Hampshire
  • Secret Garden Party, Cambridgeshire

Hotbox provides volunteers for anything from assisting festivalgoers with directions to helping them pitch their tents. If your application is successful, you'll have to work three 8-hour shifts for the duration of the festival. Hotbox have spaces for Latitude, Leeds and Reading festivals.

Places still available for 2013:

  • Latitude, Suffolk
  • Reading, Berkshire
  • Leeds, Yorkshire

Volunteering for festivals independently

Another option is to check with festival organisations directly to see if they're looking for volunteers. They usually have a dedicated area on their website for this.

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