Glastonbury kicks off today, but here’s how to get your festival fix for free this summer

Gates opened at Glastonbury this morning, with 210,000 people set to enjoy five days of music, arts and opening‑ceremony fireworks. Headlined by The 1975, Neil Young, Rod Stewart and Olivia Rodrigo, tickets went for a whopping £378.50 and sold out in 35 minutes. But fear not, if cash is tight, you can still get your festival fix at these free and nearly-free events around the UK.

📍 South East England

• Festival Too, King's Lynn, Norfolk (28 June–12 July)
  A free music festival over three weekends, drawing crowds of 60,000 and showcasing local and national acts.
• Greenwich+Docklands International Festival, London (22 August–6 September)
  A free, outdoor performing-arts spectacle across Tower Hamlets and Greenwich.

📍 South West England

• Bath Carnival, Bath (12 July)
  A free street carnival featuring samba bands, stilt walkers, live music and family entertainment.
• St. Paul’s Carnival, Bristol (5 July)
  A one-day free African-Caribbean carnival parade with music, dance and vibrant floats.

📍 Midlands

• Jewellery Quarter Festival (26 July)
  An annual celebration of local creativity and heritage, this free festival features live music, artisan markets, heritage tours, street theatre, art demos and even a quirky mini-golf course styled after the Quarter.
• Upton Blues Festival, Worcestershire (18-20 July)
  One of the UK’s largest free blues events, featuring multiple stages of live music.

📍 Yorkshire

• Hornsea Carnival, East Yorkshire (18–20 July)
  The region’s biggest free carnival with processions, stalls, entertainment and family-friendly fun.
• Heptonstall Festival, Heptonstall near Hebden Bridge (5 July 2025)
  This charming, day-long community festival takes place in Weavers’ Square, featuring local music acts, a fell race, and a friendly village atmosphere.

📍 North East England

• Ouseburn Festival – Newcastle upon Tyne (13–14 July)
  A vibrant community arts weekend in the Ouseburn Valley, featuring outdoor and indoor performances, interactive art, food stalls, circus acts, a family parade, and live music into the evening - free and unticketed.
• Summer Streets – Sunderland (5–6 July)
  Free two-day street arts & music festival.

📍 North West England

• Manchester Day (Sat 26 July 2025)
  This vibrant, city-wide free festival celebrates Manchester’s music scene across St Ann’s Square, Cathedral Gardens, and more. Expect spontaneous performances, community choirs, drumming parades, sing-alongs, and interactive family-friendly activities - all totally free.
• Liverpool WaVeS International Music & Marching Band Festival (4–6 July 2025)
  This free event celebrates world-class marching bands and live music with street performances and parades - multigenerational entertainment without costing a penny.

📍 Scotland

• Edinburgh Festival Carnival (13 July)
  One of Scotland's brightest multicultural celebrations, showcasing over 750 performers with parade, music, dance and costumed displays in West Princes Street Gardens
• Tall Ships Aberdeen (19–22 July)
  A free maritime extravaganza featuring tall ships, funfair rides, concerts and carnival-style entertainment.

📍 Wales

• Big Cheese Festival – Caerphilly (30-31 August)
  A weekend of cheesy celebration in the iconic Caerphilly Castle grounds. Expect street entertainment (fire‑eaters, minstrels), medieval re‑enactments, food and craft stalls, live music, a funfair, cheese‑rolling races and best of all, free entry, including castle grounds during the event.
• Big Splash Outdoor Arts Festival – Newport (19–20 July 2025)
  South Wales’ largest free outdoor arts festival transforms Newport city centre into a creative playground. Enjoy street theatre, live music, dance, art workshops and family-friendly activities - all free.

📍 Northern Ireland

• Carnival of Colours – Derry/Londonderry (1–2 July 2025)
  A dynamic street arts and music festival, featuring circus acts, acrobatics, cabaret, live music, and colourful parades.
• Music in the Parks – Belfast (Various Sundays from July to September)
  A programme of live music featuring brass, concert, flute and silver bands as well as Black Moon, Belfast’s disco group for adults with learning disabilities. A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon with music and picnic vibes.