The Best Music Festivals in Wales

Did you know there are some great musicians from Wales? Besides Tom Jones, obviously. Alongside the Sex Bomb singer, there’s Catfish and the Bottlemen, Neck Deep, Marina and the Diamonds, Bullet For My Valentine, Stereophonics and Feeder. They don’t call it the Land of Song for nothing!

Speaking of great music, with such stunning landscapes including castles, beaches, ruins and vast green fields, Wales is a fantastic location for a music festival. Even when the fest is over, you can have some fun. You could check out the picturesque landscapes of Anglesey, surf, kayak, or hike up Mount Snowdon and fill your lungs with fresh air as you take in the unreal views all around you. 

Sounds good, doesn’t it? We’re getting excited just thinking about it. So we’ll get straight into this one. Check out these brilliant Welsh music festivals.

 

In It Together 

Photo: In It Together / Facebook.com

When: Friday 24th - Monday 27th May 2024

Where: Old Park Farm Margam in Port Talbot

2024 lineup: Craig David, Wilkinson, Dizzee Rascal, Razorlight, Rag'N'Bone Man, Sugababes, Ewan McVicar, Joel Corry, Eats Everything, Mella Dee and many more 

The multi-genre favourite In It Together is returning for a bigger and better 2024 lineup. Alongside those listed above, the likes of Sister Sledge, Arielle Free, Artful Dodger and so many more are taking to the stage. Spread across three stages, it's easily one of the most eclectic and diverse lineups you could ask for, providing the best of any genre from past, present and future. You could be a techno fan or a reggae fan or anywhere inbetween, it's got something for you. 

If you need a break from the tunes (although, with this lineup, we doubt you will), you can check out the climbing wall, arts and crafts, the outdoor cinema, the jitterbug circus, and so, so much more. It’s looking absolutely unreal this year - tickets secured, we’re packing our bags!

 

Find tickets, FAQS, and more information on In It Together - HERE

 

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Green Man Festival

Photo: Green Man Festival / Facebook.com

When: Thursday 15th - Sunday 18th August 2024 

Where: Brecon Beacons in Wales 

2024 lineup: TBA

This family-friendly festival takes place during the summer holidays and has much more than just music to discover. Green Man has multiple tents with different themes, keeping attendees entertained throughout. For example, the tent Einstein’s Garden is maths and science themed, while Nature Nurture has yoga, restorative massages, meditation, wellness workshops and more. 

While Green Man is family-friendly, that doesn’t mean adults can’t attend and unlock their inner child, connect with themselves, and, most importantly, check out some fantastic live music.

 

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Swn Festival 

Photo: Swn / Facebook.com

When: Friday 25th - Sunday 27th October 2024 

Where: Multiple venues on and around Womanby Street, Cardiff 

2024 lineup: TBA 

If checking out new music and supporting smaller bands is right up your street, Swn Festival might be the perfect choice. This festival doesn’t lean into any particular genre. The team behind it only book artists that excite them, focusing on emerging artists, homegrown acts, and new music.

Perfect for discovering your new favourite artists, the festival has welcomed The Cribs, The Vaccines, Marina and the Diamonds, Clean Cut Kid, The Amazons, Peace, and many more to its past editions. Taking place across multiple venues, Swn is also the perfect excuse to discover your new favourite live music venue. 

  

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Inside Out Festival

Photo: Inside Out Festival / Facebook.com 

When: TBA, June 2024

Where: Bute Park in Cardiff 

2024 lineup: TBA

Inside Out is a dance music festival that features drum and bass, hip hop, grime, garage, house and more to the stunning Bute Park. Basically, pure banging tunes all weekend. Even better, Inside Out has rides for thrill-seekers and a mad crowd who’s always up for it. 

The lineup hasn't been revealed yet but trust us when we say it'll be killer. Past editions have seen Andy C, Tion Wayne, Idris Elba, Fleur Shore, Solardo, Hannah Wants, and Alan Fitzpatrick, to name a few. And it's extremely good value for money with tickets starting from just £35! 

 

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Westival

Photo: westival.wales / Instagram.com 

When: Thursday 6th - Monday 10th June 2024  

Where: Shipping Hill Farm in Pembrokeshire

2024 lineup: Evelyn "Champagne" King, Crazy P Soundsystem, Eris Drew, Yung Singh, 2 Bad Mice, My Analog Jounal and many more 

2,000 people gather each year in Pembrokeshire for Westival, an independent underground music and arts festival. The genres you’ll discover at Westival are varied with some heavier acts, electronic, funk, hip hop, house, dance and so much more. There's also a shuttle bus to the beach and the festival site's only 2 minutes from a train station so it's easy to get to. 

With such a limited capacity, Westival maintains an intimate vibe that just can’t be replicated at major festivals, allowing for a deeper connection with the music and a chance to get closer to the artists on stage. Try out something different this year. Check out a smaller festival to see what all the hype’s about! 

 

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Gottwood Festival

Photo: Gottwood Festival / Facebook.com 

When: Thursday 13th - Sunday 16th June 2024  

Where: Carreglwyd in Anglesey 

2024 lineup: A Love From Outer Space, Admo (live), Brown Excellence, Crazy P Soundsystem, DJ Masda, Hamish & Toby, Simone Marie (Primal Scream), Soul Mass Transit System (DJ set) and many more

Described as "one of the most important boutique festivals that the UK has to offer" by The Independent, Gottwood Festival has a brilliant reputation as an intimate underground electronic music festival. Situated deep in the forest, Gottwood has a free-spirited vibe that offers attendees a place to escape life and connect with their favourite music. If you love mind-altering house and euphoric trance anthems, this is one for you. 

The fest has seen performances from some pretty big names, including Mr Scruff, Hunee, Ben UFO, Daniel Avery, Maribou State, and more. And this year's lineup is looking equally lovely.

 

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FOCUS Wales

Photo: FOCUS Wales / Facebook.com 

When: Thursday 9th - Saturday 11th May 2024

Where: Multiple venues in Wrexham 

2024 lineup: Spiritualized, The Mysterines, The Royston Club, Deerhoof, Snapped Ankles, The Bug Club, Skinny Pelembe, Adwaith, Flamingods and many more 

Having won Best Festival for Emerging Talent at the UK Festival Awards in 2019, we couldn’t leave FOCUS off this list. FOCUS brings 250 artists, both local and international, with music that covers just about every genre you can think of including punk, hip hop, reggae, folk, indie, pop, metal, prog, RnB, soul and more. 

Alongside a  wide range of cracking new live artists, there are film screenings, workshops, and a new music conference to check out. With around 15,000 attendees spread across 20 venues, FOCUS maintains that intimate feeling without it feeling empty. 

 

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Balter Festival

Photo: Balter Festival / Facebook.com 

When: Thursday 23rd - Sunday 26th May 2024

Where: Chepstow Racecourse in Chepstow

2024 lineup: Andy C, Phibes, A.M.C., Chimpo, Gray, Zero, Kurupt FM, Phatworld, Euphonique, Sota and many more  

Self-described as “the UK’s maddest small festival”, you’re in for a treat with Balter. And to give you a feel for the vibe here, the word balter means “to dance clumsily, without particular grace or skill, but usually with great enjoyment. It’s all about having a cracking time and throwing your inhibitions out the window.

With this year's lineup having names such as Andy C, Phibes, Chimpo and even Kurupt FM to name a few, so you know this year will be another top chapter in Balter's chequered history. 

 

Find tickets, FAQS, and more information on Balter Festival - HERE

 

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Steelhouse

Photo: Steelhouse Live / Facebook.com 

When: Friday 26th - Sunday 28th July 2024

Where: Hafod Y Dafal farm in Ebbw Vale

2024 lineup: Skindred, The Almighty, Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, Mr. Big, James and the Cold Gun, Creeping Jean and many more 

Steelhouse is Wales’ biggest classic rock festival that goes down in a breathtaking mountaintop location. Aiming to be the best value rock festival in the UK, it’s no wonder the fest has gained such a loyal following over the years.

Past editions have seen classic rock heroes such as The Darkness, Thin Lizzy, Myles Kennedy and many more. Among those confirmed for this year includes The Vintage Caravan, Florence Black, and Jordan Red. And the good times don’t end there. After the artists have completed their performances, the beer tent will stay open for pints and rock DJ sets. Sounds like a top weekend! 

 

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Escape Festival

Photo: Escape Music Events / Facebook.com 

When: TBA, August 2024

Where: Singleton Park in Swansea 

2024 lineup: TBA

One of the best Wales festivals for ravers, Escape Festival will be landing in Swansea’s Singleton Park with a lineup to get you jumping, skanking, and raving all over the place. Ran by the team behind Inside Out Festival and Colour Clash, it's safe to say these guys know what they're doing. 

While we don't have a lineup yet, we promise you , when they do drop it, it'll be stunning. Last year's event featured Ben Hemsley, Horse Meat Disco, Roger Sanchez,  Andy Whitby, and many other cracking DJs. Expect drum and bass, house, trance, bass music and more at this mad summertime fest. 

 

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Party At The Park 2024

Photo: Party At The Park Newport / Facebook.com

When: TBA

Where: Tredegar Park in Newport

2024 lineup: TBA

Split into three stages, Party At The Park features a reggae stage, one for club classics, and the main stage, which is a mish-mash of genres. To get the nostalgic vibes flowing, Peter Andre will be headlining. Imagine the whole crowd tipsy and singing to Mysterious Girl. absolute scenes. 

Alongside all that, there's a street food village - yes a village, a fun fair, a gin and prosecco bar, and the jitterbug circus. At Party At The Park, there won’t be a single dull moment. 

 

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Love Trails Festival 

Photo: Love Trails Festival / Facebook.com

When: Thursday 11th - Sunday 14th July 2024 

Where: The Gower Peninsula in Swansea

2024 lineup: JOY (Anonymous), Riot Jazz Brass Band, Stornoway, Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet, Aleighsha Scott, AMA, Gonora Sounds, Theo Kottis and many more 

Tired of getting down and dirty in festival season? Love Trails prides itself as one of the cleanest and aesthetically pleasing events you'll ever have the pleasure of visiting. Nestled away near Swansea in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in the grounds of a 14th century castle, a belting lineup awaits along with the eye candy landscape. 

Electronic auteurs like JOY (Anonymous) and eclectic jazz outfits like Riot Jazz Brass Band give you a taste of what to expect from this event. Couple that with trail races of 5km, 10km and 25k along some of the most scenic running routes in the country and you've got one of the most unique and special Welsh festivals you could ask for. 

 

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Wales has loads of great music festivals. Whether you’re looking for your next favourite act, wanting to rave in a forest or reconnect using yoga, creativity and learning, there’s something in Wales that will float your boat. And with such lovely, friendly locals, there’s nothing to stop us from checking it out this festival season. We'll meet you there! 

 

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

 

 

  

 

 

Header: Green Man Festival / Facebook.com