Are you planning on attending your first festival in 2023 and wondering which UK festivals to consider?
I’ve updated my blog from 2018 with some different festivals as a few have sadly ended since then, and I’ve tried a few more that I think would be great for newbies.
Are you ready to embark on your first festival experience in 2023?
It’s Spring, and the days are getting longer… this means the UK festival season is almost upon us again! Festivals in the UK offer a wide variety of options to suit all musical tastes, budgets and locations. However, with so many to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which one to attend for your first time. That’s why I’ve curated a list of the best UK festivals for first-time festival goers. Each one offers a unique experience with a diverse range of musical genres, activities, and attractions. Whether you’re a fan of rock, pop, indie, techno, drum n bass, or folk music, there’s a festival that’s perfect for you. So grab your tent, pack your essentials, and get ready for an unforgettable weekend of music, culture, and fun.
Let’s dive into our top picks for the best first festivals to attend in the UK in 2023:
1. Boardmasters Festival
10-13 August 2023
Held in Cornwall, Boardmasters offers a unique experience of surfing and music combined. With a scenic backdrop of the beach and a lineup of popular artists, this festival is perfect for those looking to combine their love of music and the outdoors. You can stay in the campsites by the main arena, and travel by bus down to the beach and town. There are glamping options too for those who want an easier & more comfortable stay. You can also stay in a hotel or Airbnb for real home comforts whilst festivalling in Newquay. They always host great range of household name artists and up-and-coming acts. A slightly younger crowd overall, but great for newbies of all ages.
2. Valley Fest
4-6 August 2023
Located right next to the GORGEOUS Chew Valley Lake near Bristol, Valley Fest has a backdrop like no other. It focuses equally on music and food, with incredible musical artists, but also famous chefs doing live kitchen demos, and the best street food on offer. They also are the only festival other than Glastonbury to host Arcadia Spectacular, so the lighting and pyrotechnics on that stage are fantastic. A great campsite, good size arena, clean facilities, and excellent vibes from daytime family to nighttime naughty. A firm Where’s My Tent favourite, and perfect for someone new-to-festivals.
Read my review of Valley Fest 2021 here, and Cat’s review of Valley Fest 2022 here
3. Nozstock Festival
20-23 July 2023
Located in Herefordshire, Nozstock Festival is a smaller festival that boasts a family-friendly atmosphere and a diverse lineup of music, comedy, and arts. This festival is perfect for those who want to enjoy a more intimate festival experience. It’s completely independent, and run by family of farmers, the Nosworthys. They host some amazing artists every year, the vibes are sky high with this one, and there’s lots to do including a cinema, yoga, comedy, cabaret, and late night disco.
Read our Nozstock review here by Ell and Henry, and Jessi is headed to Noz herself in 2023
4. Love Saves The Day Festival
27-28 May 2023
One of Bristol’s finest, Love Saves The Day Festival is a two-day event featuring a lineup of electronic and indie music. With multiple epic stages and a killer line up, this is a great introduction to the world of music festivals as it’s a non-camping event right by the city centre. It tends to be majority attended by a slightly younger crowd of 18-30 year olds.
5. Stowaway Festival
18-20 August 2023
If you’re looking for a unique, completely stress-free yet super fun festival experience, Stowaway Festival in Buckinghamshire is a great choice. With a lineup of up-and-coming artists alongside some big hitters, multiple stages to be discovered by the lake and in the woods, great food choices, and a whole host of included activities (including paddleboarding, a fairground, tree climbing, bushcraft, canoeing, and more) this festival is perfect for those looking for something a little different.
Read my full review of Stowaway Festival 2022
6. Big Love Festival
14-16 July 2023
It says it all in the name! Big Love festival is full of smiley faces and happy vibes, nestled away in the Welsh countryside, just 35 mins from Bristol. They put so much effort into curating a line up of super talented artists, all crowd pleasers, guaranteed to get you stomping. You’ll get more hugs here than any other festival in the UK, I can almost guarantee you that.
7. Download Festival
8-11 June 2023
If you’re a fan of rock and heavy metal music, Download Festival is a must-attend event. Held in Derbyshire at Donington race track, with multiple stages, immersive experiences, and top-notch headliners, this festival is a great introduction to the world of rock festivals. The “RIP” packages are the glamping options, and those campsites are right next to the main arena so less walking. The normal campsites are a bit further away but they have the Village area for food, stalls, a big top stage, fairground rides, and more late night entertainment for when the headliners have finished. It’s friendly, easy to navigate, and has great bands… despite being a big Live Nation corporate event (unlike most of the festivals on this list) it does have some soul, mostly because of the excellent crowd.
8. Shindig Festival
25-28 May 2023
Shindig is one HELL of a party, with one of the best crowds. Absolutely zero bad vibes on the Dillington Estate near Ilminster. The site is large enough to explore with lots of different stages and venues, but the campsite is just a short walk away, meaning it’s easy to pop back and forth. The sound at all stages is fantastic, and there’s lots on offer for food and drink. The on-site decor is great too, with lots of places to hang with friends between bands. WMT loves Shindig!
Read our full review of Shindig Festival 2022 here
9. Green Man Festival
17-20 August 2023
Held in Wales, the independent Green Man Festival is a popular choice for those who enjoy folk, indie, and alternative music. With a scenic backdrop of the Brecon Beacons, this festival is a great way to enjoy music in a natural setting. Relaxed, clean, and super friendly, Green Man is the one for guitar lovers, but also has a big focus on literature, film, comedy, science, theatre, and family acts.
10. Shambala Festival
24-27 August 2023
Located in Northamptonshire, Shambala Festival is a unique and independent event that celebrates music, arts, and sustainability. With a lineup of diverse performers, immersive experiences, and a focus on eco-friendly practices, this festival is perfect for those who want to enjoy music while being mindful of their impact on the environment. It’s a meat free festival but I still eat better at Shambala than at any other festival! Another FIRM Where’s My Tent? favourite, I can promise you Shambala will have you coming back every single year.
Read my review of Shambala 2019 here
11. Lost Village Festival
24-27 August 2023
Held in Lincolnshire, Lost Village Festival is a magical event that transports attendees to a mystical world of music and art amongst the trees and by a lake. With a mix of electronic, indie, and alternative music, this festival features a lineup of talented performers, interactive installations, and secret performances that make for an unforgettable experience.
Each of these festivals offers something special that sets them apart from the rest, making them great options for first-time festival goers. From the beachside paradise of Boardmaster, to the natural beauty of Green Man Festival, the sustainability focus of Shambala Festival, and the mystical world of Lost Village Festival, there’s a festival out there for everyone.
Going to Nozstock for the first time this year, do you have any tips?
Hi Rachael! I’ve not been myself yet but am excited for next week, however two of my writers went last year and loved it. You can read their review here: