Summer Festivals

Leeds International Festival at Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds, 2–12 May 2019, from £00.00 - Find Out More

Leeds International Festival, the UK’s leading metropolitan festival of new ideas and innovation, is back for its second year, this time featuring more than 50 events and 40 speakers over 15 days.

Manchester Jazz Festival 2019 at St Ann’s Square, City Centre, 23–27 May 2019, from £5.00 - Book now

The sound of jazz floats across the city for ten days in July, as Manchester Jazz Festival hosts performances across the city, with the central hub in Albert Square brimming with live music until late, street food and, of course, alcohol.

Timber Festival at Feanedock, 5–7 July 2019, from £70 - Find Out More

An extraordinary new festival where music, art, philosophy and sustainability weave together into an exhilarating weekend in the heart of the National Forest, one of Britain’s boldest environmental projects.

Underneath The Stars Festival at Cinderhill Farm, Cheshire, 2–4 August 2019, from £20 - Book now

This charismatic folk and acoustic music festival in the stunning South Yorkshire countryside has a cracking family-friendly arts programme and tremendous food. Musical highlights in 2019 include The Proclaimers, Billy Bragg and Kate Rusby – who is also one of the festival’s organisers.

Manchester International Festival 2019 at Albert Square, City Centre, 4–21 July 2019, from £12.00 - Book now

Manchester International Festival is the world’s first festival of original work and special events – a biennial celebration of performance, art, music, theatre and more, which marries the world’s best-known artists with Manchester’s cultural institutions. Returning 4 – 21 July 2019, MIF19 is the second festival under Artistic Director John McGrath.

bluedot festival 2018 at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, 19–21 July 2019, from £59.75 - Book now

Entering its fourth year in 2019, bluedot celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Moon Landings with a special weekend of music, science, arts, technology, culture, food and film beneath the iconic Lovell Telescope.

Kendal Calling at Lowther Castle and Gardens, Cumbria, 25–28 July 2019, from £20.00 - Book now

With back-to-back sell outs in 2017 and 2018, we recommend you beg, borrow but don’t steal to get in to Kendal Calling. Catfish & The Bottlemen, The Libertines, Run DMC, Ocean Colour Scene and James were among the big names in 2018.

Just So Festival at Rode Hall, Cheshire, 16–18 August 2019, from £20 - Book now

The best family festival in the UK? We think so. Adventure together into a wonderland of the best outdoor theatre, music, comedy, literature and other curious creative escapades. 2017 was all about midnight feasts, pillow fights and the bonkers Tribal Tournament. Be sure to snap up a 2018 ticket fast.

Vintage by the Sea at Midland Hotel, Morecambe, 31 August–1 September 2019, free entry - Find Out More

Celebrate the brilliance of 20th century design, fashion, vehicles and entertainment at this award-winning festival set around Morecambe’s famous art deco Midland Hotel.

The Good Life Experience at Hawarden Estate, 12–15 September 2019, from £119 - Book now

Exclusive 10% discount for Creative Tourist readers. Co-founded by Cerys Matthews, The Good Life Experience returns for its fifth outing, in the shadows of two castles on the Hawarden Estate in Flintshire. The festival features music from the likes of Gwenno, Bill Ryder-Jones and Norman Jay, as well as campfire cooking, spoken word, a 1930s fairground and dozens of activities for all ages.