The Most Famous Events and Festivals in Great Britain

Great Britain is famous for festivals held all year round, from open-air music events in summer to bonfire celebrations in autumn and light installations in winter. Here are the best-known events worth planning a trip around.

The most famous festivals and celebrations in Great Britain

Glastonbury Festival

One of the world's best-known music festivals. It takes place at the end of June at Worthy Farm in Somerset, with stars of rock, pop, electronic music and hip-hop on its stages. Every few years the festival takes a fallow year to rest the land, as in 2026, so check the dates in advance.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

The world's largest performing arts festival, running in Edinburgh for most of August. Thousands of shows: comedy, theatre, music, dance and free street performances.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

An annual show of military bands and pipers on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade in August, ending with fireworks.

Notting Hill Carnival

One of Europe's biggest street carnivals, held in London's Notting Hill over the weekend before the last Monday of August: costumed parades, steel pan music and Caribbean food.

Reading and Leeds Festivals

Twin festivals with the same line-up held simultaneously in Reading and Leeds on the same August weekend. They are among the country's main rock and pop festivals.

Chelsea Flower Show

The famous Royal Horticultural Society garden and flower show held in London every May.

Isle of Wight Festival

A music festival on the Isle of Wight held in June at Seaclose Park near Newport, famous since its legendary 1970 concerts.

Hay Festival

A literary festival in Hay-on-Wye in Wales, known as the town of books. It runs in late May and early June with readings, debates and meetings with well-known authors.

Cambridge Folk Festival

One of the country's oldest folk festivals, held in late July in the grounds of Cherry Hinton Hall in Cambridge.

Nottingham Goose Fair

One of Britain's oldest fairs, more than 700 years old. It is held in early October at the Forest Recreation Ground in Nottingham, with rides, entertainment and street food.

Bonfire Night

Celebrated on 5 November to mark the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Bonfires and fireworks are lit across the country, and the most famous torchlit procession takes place in the town of Lewes.

Winter Lights at Canary Wharf

A free festival of light installations by artists from different countries, held every January in London's Canary Wharf business district.

Events calendar by month

Month	Events
January	Winter Lights at Canary Wharf
May	Chelsea Flower Show, Hay Festival
June	Glastonbury, Isle of Wight Festival
July	Cambridge Folk Festival
August	Edinburgh Fringe, Military Tattoo, Notting Hill Carnival, Reading and Leeds
October	Nottingham Goose Fair
November	Bonfire Night

Tickets for the big festivals sell out months ahead, so plan your trip and accommodation early. A Fly&Joy manager will help you choose a tour to Great Britain for the dates you need.