London Best Summer Festivals in August

Summer is festival season in London, and 2019 promises to offer a bevvy of musical highs.

Here’s our guide to London’s best music festivals in 2019.

51st State 

(August 3)

Following two sold-out runs since its debut in 2015, 51st State Festival is set to return to London’s Trent Park on 5th August with an unrivalled line-up celebrating the intricate and uplifting roots of house music. With sharper sound systems, state of the art production and an improved VIP experience, 2019 is set to lay its own milestone in the annals of dance music history.

Eastern Electrics Festival

(August 3-4)

An intense two-day techno and bass sesh, Eastern Electrics summons London’s dance-heads to the very end of the Northern Line for a marvellously messy time in Morden Park. Eight stages of raving action await, with Marc Kinchen, Claptone, Hannah Wants, Big Narstie, Nadia Rose, and Mat Jam Lamont amongst the acts.

Art’s House 

(August 10)

Well isle be! Head east-east to Three Mills Island for a day packed of dancing, street food, and alfresco boozing at this little charmer of a festival. They’ll be announcing the lineup on the day, so you’re going to have to live a little and throw yourself into the unknown – how exciting! Art’s House will welcome a troupe of dancers to perform alongside the music, as well as a range of food and drink traders.

Elrow Town 

(August 17)

Elrow Town London sees the popular Barcelona party brand return to the capital, as over 25,000 dance music fans descend on London's Trent Park this August for the UK's biggest ever elrow show. Unique amongst London music festivals in that they have an excitable chicken for a mascot, Elrow Town always does things a little differently. It includes over 200 characters, stilt walkers, confetti, games, inflatables, town trains, wonky races and even a pink limo. El Triangulo de las Rowmudas mega-ship, featuring sandy beaches, looming palm trees and twisted shipwrecks and El Bowsque Enchantado, a colourful, enchanted forest that is the ultimate party jungle. 

One Day at the Disco Festival 

(August 24)

Three Mills Island hosts its second festival of the summer with One Day At The Disco, which does exactly what you expect. On the bill so far: 2manydjs B2B A Very Special Guest, Derrick Carter Does Disco, Inner City Live, Detroit Swindle, Mister Saturday Night, CC: Disco!, Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy and Chaka Khan’t. 

South West Four 

(August 24-25)

South West Four Festival is a dance music festival based in Clapham Common, London. SW4 Festival takes place over the UK bank holiday weekend on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 August. Join the party in Clapham this summer and enjoy multiple dance and electronic music artists across ten stages. Look out for Martin Garrix, Craig David, Sigala, Disciples, Pendulum, Andy C, Chase & Status DJ, Wiley, Noisia and Skepsis plus many more. If you need a break from the dancefloor, you will also have plenty of food and drink options along with fairground rides to keep the entertainment going.

Notting Hill Carnival 

(August 25-26)

A London institution, and one of the world’s biggest street parties, this free two-day celebration of Caribbean culture in the capital features a brilliant parade, and dozens of sound-system stages throughout the Notting Hill neighbourhood. It’s noisy, busy, colourful and a one-of-a-kind experience.

80s In The Park 

(August 26)

The era of Madonna, Blondie, and a whole host of other things from the Bowling For Soup song, the 80s were a glorious time for music. Come celebrate it at this short but sweet one-day festival, where outlandish throwback costumes aren’t just welcomed, they’re encouraged. 

Southport Weekender 

(August 31)

The world’s friendliest party returns this summer. With over 30 years of celebrating the finest talent from genres such as house, soul, R&B, garage and disco, Southport Weekender moves from its previous stomping ground of Finsbury Park to their new home of beautiful and historic Crystal Palace Park in London. Naughty by Nature, Shalamar, Ten City, Danny Tenaglia, David Morales and Kenny Dope all take the stage.