We're as heartbroken as the rest of the music-loving population that Glastonbury is out of action this year, but we won't let that stop us from throwing ourselves headfirst into festival season. In the UK, we're frankly spoilt for choice when it comes to alternatives. Whether you're looking to throw some shapes at a mud-free city festival, or already have your tent and wellies prepped for a full-on camping experience with some highbrow culture thrown in, the options are endless. So it pays to be selective if you want to ensure the best possible time.
Click through for our roundup of the best festivals to fill the gaping Glasto-shaped hole in your life this year. iCals and debit cards at the ready!
Read These Next:
7 Wellness Festivals To Help You Namaste Your Way Through Summer
The Wireless Festival Lineup With The Men Removed is Shocking
How Coachella Can Combat Gender Inequality
All Points East
The new kid on the block this festival season, All Points East looks set to be an epic addition to the capital's festival scene. The 10-day event includes a three-day music festival, headlined by LCD Soundsystem, The xx and Björk, and also featuring the likes of Lorde, Sampha and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. On the other days you can enjoy an outdoor cinema, comedy and some delectable food. The whole thing has been organised by the brains behind Coachella, so we have high hopes.
All Points East takes place from 25th May–3rd June in Victoria Park, east London. Day tickets from £59.95.
Parklife
If you've got diverse music tastes or want a festival to cater to your whole friendship group, Parklife is your best bet. This year's stellar lineup includes Manchester's very own Liam Gallagher, The xx, Skepta, N.E.R.D, Lorde, Bonobo, A$Ap Rocky, Sampha, Annie Mac... we could go on. General admission weekend tickets have sold out so we'd advise bagging your ticket(s) stat.
Parklife takes place from 9th–10th June at Heaton Park, Manchester. Saturday and Sunday bundle tickets cost £130 plus booking fee.
Isle Of Wight
It may be a slight kerfuffle to get there, but revellers report that Isle Of Wight festival is well worth the ferry ride. Topping the bill of the four-day festival this year are Kasabian, Depeche Mode, Liam Gallagher and The Killers, with sets from Chase and Status, Camilla Cabello and Norwegian rising star Sigrid earlier on in the day.
Isle Of Wight festival takes place from 21st-24th June at Seaclose Park on the Isle of Wight. Adult weekend tickets cost £209 plus an £14.20 fee.
Wireless
Wireless is your best best for the biggest names in hip-hop, R&B, rap, grime and mainstream pop, so it's not really surprising that the London event sold out in record time this year. The all-star lineup is something to behold, boasting homegrown and international talent, including headliners Stormzy, J. Cole and DJ Khaled, along with Partynextdoor, Migos, J Hus, Giggs, and Mabel, one of the (regrettably) few women on the bill.
Wireless takes place from 6th-8th July in Finsbury Park, north London. Tickets from £55.
Latitude
Whether you're a parent with little ones to entertain or a party animal just looking to let loose with your mates, there's something for everyone at Latitude. This year's music lineup is pretty special, boasting headliners The Killers, Solange and Alt-J, comedy from Bridget Christie, along with a plethora of panel talks and debates, an action-packed kids' area and a lake for swimming. And don't forget to take a selfie with the pink sheep.
Latitude takes place from 12th–15th July at Henham Park, Suffolk. Adult weekend tickets cost £197.50 plus booking fee.
Lovebox
This beloved two-day dance party may have headed west from its usual east London setting to Gunnersbury Park for 2018, but the lineup is as good – if not better – than usual. Headlining this year is London's very own Skepta, Childish Gambino, N.E.R.D and "very special guest", the inimitable SZA.
Lovebox takes place from 13th–14th July at Gunnersbury Park, west London. Tickets start at £59.50 plus booking fee.
Citadel
If you're planning on going to Lovebox, it would almost be rude not to journey to west London for Citadel as well. The one-day event, happening in the same place the following day, calls itself "the ultimate summer Sunday" and truly, what better way to banish the Sunday blues than by getting down to Tame Impala, Chvrches, Leon Bridges and many more in a gorgeous park? (Refinery29 will be taking part in Sunday Papers Live at the festival – come and say hello.)
Citadel takes place on 15th July at Gunnersbury Park, west London. Tickets cost £49.50 plus booking fee.
Wilderness
It's dubbed one of the "poshest" festivals out there, thanks to the fancy food on offer, highbrow talks, debates and performance artists, the luxury camping options and idyllic Oxfordshire setting, but don't let that intimidate you. On this year's music bill are headliners Nile Rogers & Chic and Bastille, and exciting newcomers including IAMDDB and Mahalia. Refinery29 is working with Wilderness to offer free self defence classes for women at this year's festival. Why not follow all that physical exertion with a refreshing dip in the lake?
Wilderness takes place from 2nd–5th August at Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire. Spring release tickets cost £179.50 plus booking fee.
You could win the opportunity to join us at the festival with a pair of (very) luxury tickets. Enter before midnight on 30th May 2018 to be in with a chance.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Pippa Middleton Welcomes A Baby Boy
Gillian Jacobs Directs "Curated," A Thriller Short Film Just In Time For Halloween