The unmissable music festivals in Oxfordshire
Summer is the season of music festivals in Oxfordshire, and 2025 promises unforgettable musical experiences. From global music icons performing in open-air theatres to the laid-back vibes of emerging artists in scenic fields, there’s something for everyone.
With a range of world-class festivals scheduled across Oxfordshire and just beyond, tickets are already selling fast. If you’re planning to attend a music festival in Oxfordshire – or just beyond – in 2025, now is the time to book!
Keble Early Music Festival 2026
The Keble Early Music Festival at Keble College, Oxford, celebrates medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music with world-class performances, masterclasses, and talks. Held in the stunning Keble College Chapel, it showcases historically informed interpretations, bringing early music to life. A highlight of Oxford’s musical calendar, it attracts enthusiasts of both music and history.
Witney Music Festival 2026
Witney Music Festival is a fantastic two-day open-air music festival for all the family in Witney, Oxfordshire. It is the biggest music event in the Witney calendar, drawing in a record-breaking crowd of more than 15,000 in 2019. The event is the climax of a 2-week program of entertainment throughout the town.
Festival lineup includes: TBC
Blenheim Palace Festival
Experience a summer of world-class music and culture at the debut Blenheim Palace Festival, set against the stunning backdrop of the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taking place across June and July 2026, this open-air festival promises an unforgettable five-day celebration of international talent, immersive cultural experiences, and elevated hospitality.
Festival lineup includes: Pete Tong Ibiza Classics / Teddy Swims / Katy Perry / Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts / Michael Bublé
Henley Festival 2026
Henley Festival is an exclusive boutique black-tie festival that takes place over five days, celebrating the best of the UK and International music and arts. The festival is a truly unique event. It embraces a vibrant programme from pop to world music, classical to jazz where art and gastronomy share equal billing with music.
Festival lineup includes: TBC
Truck Festival 2026
Truck Festival takes place in the picturesque Oxfordshire countryside, offering a long weekend of live music, camping and community spirit. Family-friendly and inclusive, the festival features multiple stages, arts, workshops, food and bars, along with full campsite facilities, making it one of the region’s most cherished independent summer festivals.
Festival lineup includes: The Maccabees / Two Door Cinema Club / CMAT / The Libertines / The Wombats / Primal Scream / Kaiser Chiefs / The Vaccines
Oxford Piano Festival 2026
The Oxford Piano Festival was founded in 1999 by Marios Papadopoulos, renowned pianist and Music Director of the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra. Each year, the Festival welcomes piano players and pedagogues, experts and enthusiasts, to some of Oxford’s most historic venues, such as Sir Christopher Wren’s Sheldonian Theatre, the Holywell Music Room, and Christ Church Cathedral.
Wilderness Festival 2026
Wilderness festival is the multi-award winning 4-day festival combining live music, contemporary arts and an array of theatre, artisanship, late-night parties, outdoor pursuits and culinary experiences. It’s one festival where genres are redefined, identity is turned on its head, and arts from across the spectrum sit side by side.
Festival lineup includes: TBC
Fairport Cropredy Convention 2026
The Fairport Cropredy Convention 2026 will be staged over the weekend of 13 to 15 August. The annual festival of folk and rock music, headed by British folk-rock band Fairport Convention is held on the edge of the village of Cropredy near Babnury in Oxfordshire.
Festival lineup:
Thursday – Fairport Acoustic / Banter / Soft Machine / Matt Bragg / Turin Brakes / Le Vent Du Nord
Friday – Cropredy Primary School Folk Class / Danny & The Champions of The World / Danny Bradley / The Celtic Social Club / Marshall Gilmour Webbs / Breabach / Spooky Men’s Chorale / Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips (plus S Nicol, D Mattacks & D Pegg)
Saturday – Gerry Colvin Big Band / Rob Jones & The Restless Dream / The Haar / Barbara / Hayseed Dixie / Will Pound & Jenn Butterworth / Fairport Convention & Friends
Rewind Festival South 2026
Rewind Festival South is probably the biggest 80’s music festival in the world. It is a spectacular event, packed full of fun, laughter, great (and terrible!) costumes and friends. Celebrate the best decade around with all your favourite 80s icons. Get your tickets and join the biggest party of the summer. This really is going to be one of the 2025 festivals in Oxfordshire you can’t afford to miss.
Festival lineup includes: TBC
Reading Festival 2026
Reading Festival, one of the UK’s most iconic music events, returns in 2026 with an electrifying lineup across multiple stages. Known for showcasing the best in rock, indie, hip-hop, and dance, the festival promises an unforgettable weekend of live music, vibrant energy, and festival culture. Join thousands of music lovers and make Reading Festival 2026 your highlight of the summer!
Festival lineup includes: Travis Scott / Chappell Roan / Bring Me The Horizon / Hozier / Becky Hill / AJ Tracey / Sammy Virji / Shikari / Conan Gray / Lola Young / Amyl and the Sniffers / Wunderhorse / Lancey Foux / Royel Otis / Wallows
Found Festival
Found Festival is a micro festival blend live music, wellness, creativity, comedy and dance together for a weekend of pure joy. . Relax and let the music, dance, art & craft wash over you or jump in with both feet and experience a creative process through performances, workshops, informal gatherings and masterclasses.
Festival lineup includes: TBC
The Big Feastival 2026
The Big Feastival will be back on Alex James’ beautiful Cotswolds farm this August Bank Holiday. This family-friendly music and food festival promises to be one truly unforgettable weekend. Expect a top-drawer selection of live music acts, some of the country’s top chefs, and plenty of hands-on activities for both big and little ones. The Big Feastival is for everyone, big and small.
Festival lineup includes: TBC
Foodies Festival Oxford 2026
Foodies Festival Oxford is a celebration of food, drink, and live entertainment. Across the festival, visitors can watch top chefs and bakers create mouth-watering dishes, sample fine wines, cocktails, and craft beers, and enjoy immersive cookery workshops.
Complementing the culinary delights, live music fills the festival, creating a vibrant, energetic atmosphere. Whether tasting new flavours, learning kitchen skills, or dancing to the music, the festival offers a full sensory experience for all ages.
Music lineup includes: Boyzlife / Scott Mills
Chef lineup includes: Radhika Howarth / Joe Wadsack / Andrew Carr / Mark Peregrine / Tom Surgey / Gary & Jay
Highlights from 2025
Nocturne Live 2025 at Blenheim Palace
Over the past ten years, Nocturne Live transformed the Great Court at Blenheim Palace into a grand arena with world-class acts and seating for 10,000, welcoming legendary artists and more than a quarter of a million visitors. The festival also offered a full-day experience, including VIP dining in the Palace’s renowned State Rooms, leisurely walks through its expansive grounds, or a waterside picnic. Sadly, Nocturne Live will not return to the Palace in 2026, marking the end of this chapter in its history.
Forever Now Festival 2025
Forever Now festival will debut on 22 June 2025 at the legendary venue The National Bowl, Milton Keynes, and the organisers have confirmed a myriad of names as performing their event.
Festival lineup: Kraftwerk / Billy Idol / The The / Death Cult / Johnny Marr / The Psychedelic Furs / The Jesus & Mary Chain / Happy Mondays / Peter Murphy / The Damned / Public Image Limited / Berlin / Theatre of Hate / She Wants Revenge / Chameleons / The Motels / UK Decay.
Elementary Festival 2025
The UK’s friendliest little festival again offers you the very best in world music, workshops, food and drink, sound journeys, yoga, and dance. Immerse yourself in Elementary… a world of sound!, in the wide-open fields of Braziers Park in the heart of England once again this year.
BunkFest 2025
On the banks of the Thames in South Oxfordshire, Wallingford BunkFest is a free-access community festival providing a unique, family-friendly celebration with something for everyone. In 2025, BunkFest celebrates its 23rd year of life – from a small marquee in a pub car park to filling the KineCroft and providing entertainment throughout Wallingford, on the River Thames and the Bunk Railway line.
Festival lineup includes: Laurence Jones / The Red Hot Chilli Pipers / The Amy Winehouse Band / The Coverbuoys / The High & Mighty / Weekend Warriors / Evergreen / Lily Beck / Brook Ellingworth / Monkeyfists / Papa Nui / RSVP Bhangra / Maff and The Magictones / The Swamp Stomp String Band
Oxford International Song Festival 2026
The Oxford International Song Festival returns from 10–25 October 2025, celebrating storytelling through song with 67 events across Oxford. Featuring world-class artists including Benjamin Appl, Helen Charlston, Roderick Williams and Camilla Tilling, the programme spans from 15th-century lute songs to new commissions. Highlights include an expanded four-day Schubert Weekend and performances in venues such as the Holywell Music Room and Sheldonian Theatre.
The post A first look at the major music festivals taking place in and around Oxfordshire in 2026 appeared first on The Oxford Magazine.
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