The Best Pop Music Festivals

Ah pop music, the genre that everyone loves to hate, but everyone knows (and we're sure secretly loves, don't want to ruin that street-cred now do we?). It dominates our music charts; soundtracks our day-to-day lives, in shopping centres, waiting rooms, radio shows, bars, and nightclubs; it turns people into global superstars; and it gives out the purest of vibes and joy. It's the music of the people, that is as easy to listen to as it is to dance and singalong, and when it comes to festivals, often brings about the biggest crowd and biggest sing-alongs. 

So, with all this in mind, you may be thinking, well, where can I get myself in on this pop-fuelled action? Do not fear Skiddle reader, as we are about to chart a journey around the UK and beyond, to bring you our list of the very best pop festivals around. From huge multi-genre bashes that attract the biggest stars; to cheesy, nostalgia-driven, get-togethers that bring along the icons of yesteryear; to the pop-focused parties that pepper their lineup with the biggest names, as well as the stars of tomorrow. Whatever your craic, we've got something here for you.

Let's have a scroll down, shall we? because then, you can decide which one takes your fancy and make your festival season one that surrounds you in pure pop bliss!

Kubix Festival - Pop & Dance

Image: Kubix festival on Facebook

When: Saturday 15 July, 2023

Where: Herrington Country Park in Sunderland

Sunderland's best pop party, Kubix, provides a much-needed injection of pure pop cheese for their joyous and carefree party that annually lights up the North East. Repeatedly bringing back pop icons from the older lots youth to come and get them moving like they used to when they were younger.

The Limneups are absolutely jam-packed with excellent throwbacks, especially in 2023. We're talking about Five, A1, The Sugababes, Blue, 911, Basshunter, and so much more. If you spend your nights out in Popworld, well you’ve probably already got tickets, but we can't remember a more well-catered cheesy pop lineup. So all rise, push the button, and get your tickets, we know it's all you ever wanted.

Tickets for Kubix Festival - Pop & Dance

Highest Point Festival

Image: Highest Point Festival on Facebook

When: Friday 10th - Saturday 11th May 2024

Where: Williamson Park in Lancaster

Whilst not entirely pop music (few of them are we're afraid), Lancaster's number one open-air live music event, Highest Point has a main stage that's absolutely jam-packed with Pop superstars. 2023 saw the likes of Anne-Marie, Bastille, Freya Ridings, Craig Charles, Gok Wan, and Toploader, amongst many others, turn the main stage into a pure pop party, and if you're local to the area, there's no better place to sing your heart out to some pop bangers in the festivals season.

What's even better is, the festival takes over the magnificent grounds of Williamson Park, a hill-top setting with a stunning memorial and awesome views of Morecambe Bay. Whilst the 2023 edition has already taken place, sign up for alerts below and secure your spot for next year, as we're sure it'll more than surpass itself!

Tickets for Highest Point Festival 

Party at the Park

Image: Party at the Park on Facebook

When: Friday 14th July 2023

Where: Tredegar Park in Newport

This is one for those who prefer their pop to be of the cheesy and nostalgic variety. Party at the Park is an annual pop extravaganza that takes over the incredible Tredegar Park in Newport for a weekend of unabridged, pop-fuelled bliss. Taking the stage in 2023 is none other than Peter Andre, with the likes of Five, East 17 (we're not sure whether the white coats will be on at this time of year), and so many more.

It's an awesome affair that'll have you screaming out the lyrics to the cheesy pop of your youth (or your parent's youth if you are that way inclined) and the vibes here are always welcoming, inclusive and joyous; get yourself down and indulge in the sounds of the popstars of yesteryear, without judgement or remorse, tickets below!

Tickets for the Party at the Park

Coachella

Image: Coachella on Facebook

When: Friday 14th - Sunday 16th & Friday 21nd -  Sunday 23th April 2023 

Where: Empire Polo Club, Indio, California

Coachella is easily America’s most famous music festival for a fair few reasons, including the fact it’s massive, always has impressive, current lineups, it’s Instagrammable, and, like any festival, it attracts a certain crowd. In Coachella’s case, the crowds of around 125,000 are made up of celebrities and boho vibes. Plus, this is one of the very best places on the planet to see the biggest pop stars of the day, give absolutely massive sets to the monstrously joyful crowds/

Whilst this year has already happened, it featured the likes of Frank Ocean, Blackpink and Bad Bunny as headliners. But further down the lineup was equally full of Pop superstars, with the likes of Burna Boy, Rosalia, Bjork, Charlie XCX, Kali Uchis and so many more. If you want to see the world's biggest Pop stars (and have the budget to do so), Coachella is the one. 

Find out more information on Coachella - HERE

Isle of Wight Festival

Image: Isle Of Wight Festival on Facebook

When: Thursday 15 - Sunday 18 June 2023

Where: Seaclose Park in Newport

Isle Of Wight Festival is among the first major festivals of the UK’s summer and one of the longest-running, most significant and legendary British live music events; especially when it comes to showcasing the country's biggest pop icons. 2023 might've already happened, but with the likes of Robbie Williams, George Ezra, Ella Henderson, Sugababes, Scouting For Girls, MIKA, and many more performing, 2024 is likely to be even better. 

A real favourite amongst families, as well as just being an incredibly well-run and legendary event; the Isle of Wight festival is truly one of the places to be to see the UK Pop stars of the day come and set the stage alight.

Find out more information on the Isle Of Wight Festival - HERE 

Pukkelpop

Image: Pukkelpop on Facebook

When: Thursday 17th – Sunday 20th Aug 2023

Where: Kiewit-Hasselt, Belgium

Pukkelpop has been Belgium's biggest Pop and alternative music festival since its birth in the 80s. Hundreds of thousands travel from all over the world to check out this festival which boasts pretty incredible, diverse lineups. Whilst Pop isn't the main focus of the festival, it doesn't matter, as some of the biggest pop stars on the planet come to play it; and with names like Billie Eilish, The Killers, Florence & The Machine, Years & Years, Anne-Marie, Yungbuld, Boygenius, Jessie Ware, and so many more playing, it's hard not to see why po fans flock to this European delight. 

Pukkelpop is also known as one of the greenest festivals, so you can get down to cracking tunes, and enjoy well-being activities and theatre performances, without any worries about harming the environment. Lovely stuff.

Find out more information on Pukkelpop - HERE

Camp Bestival

Image: Camp Bestival on Facebook

When: Thursday 17th - Sunday 20th August 2023

Where: Weston Park in Shifnal

Camp Bestivalsawesome sister show, coming to Weston Park for the first time in 2023, follows hot on the heels of the pioneering Dorset-based Bestival jamboree in July, bringing all the Pop-fuelled, family-friendly elements of the original Camp Bestival to the heart of England.

The lineup is also a sight to behold for any pop enthusiast. From 80s icons The Human League to modern purveyors of pop like Rudimental, Confidence Man, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Sam Ryder, Mel C, Ella Henderson, and so much more; this one looks set to be a wholesome extravaganza of awesome pop music, and even better people; get on it!

Find out more information on Camp Bestival - HERE

Sziget Festival

Image: Sziget Festival on Facebook

When: Thursday 10th – Tuesday 15th August 2023

Where: Hajógyári Island in Budapest, Hungary

Sziget is the champion of Budapest music festivals, being the biggest in the capital and even one of the biggest in Europe. With a super diverse lineup, everyone stays happy, and everyone has a good few artists to look forward to; with some absolutely wicked pop icons joining too. The lineup includes people like Billie Eilish, David Guetta, Florence + the Machine, Imagine Dragons, Lorde, Mumford and Sons, Niall Horan, Caroline Polachek, and many more. 

If you're looking for a festival that your pals who arent as into pop will want to attend with you, Sziget is the place; with a diverse lineup that doesn't skimp no matter what genre you're into, it's one of the very best on the European calendar.

Find out more information on Sziget Festival - HERE 

BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend

Image: BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend

When: Friday 26th – Sunday 28th May 2023

Where: Different Location Each Year

BBC Radio One's Big Weekend is a travelling festival that hits a different city in the Uk each year, and they bring along with them some of the biggest current pop acts in the UK. 2023 saw it visit Dundee with the likes of The 1975, Jonas Brothers, Jess Glynne, Mimi Webb, Tom Grennan, Rudimental, Self Esteem, and many more take the stage; for a poppy party of the very best kind (as long as Royal Blood don't kick off again.)

Open'er festival

Image: Open'er festival

When: Wednesday 28 June – Saturday 1st July 2023

Where: Gdynia, Poland

The Open'er Festival h takes place on the north coast of Poland, in Gdynia, and is one of the biggest annual music festivals in Poland. The lineup is a pretty diverse one but is not without its huge pop stars. Huge names like Lil Nas X, Lizzo, SZA, Labyrinth, Anne-Marie, Rina Sawayama, Thundercat, Caroline Polachek, and so much more. this is with the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Kendrick Lamar, Queens of the Stone Age, and many more filling out the bill. It's another for groups of varying musical tastes, where no one misses out; especially you pop kings and queens. 

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.