UK Festival Season With Cotopaxi
June means only one thing for many festival goers, and that's the true start of festival season, with Leeds/Reading, Download, Glastonbury and more all taking place in the same month.
As one of the biggest and most iconic music festivals in the world, Glastonbury which, takes place at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, attracts music fans from all over the world, but the festival had humble begins.
Far from attracting the huge crowds of 210,000 people that it draws today, when it started, a ticket cost just £1 and was attended by 1,500 people.
The festival features a diverse range of music genres, including rock, pop, hip hop, electronic, and world music. It has a reputation for showcasing both up-and-coming artists and established acts, with past headliners including legends like David Bowie, Prince, and the Rolling Stones.
Festival Facts
- Glastonbury is the largest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world.
- The Isle of Wight Festival was first held in 1968 and is one of the oldest music festivals in the UK.
- Download festival was first held in 2003 and has since become one of the UK's most popular rock music festivals.
- Latitude festival was first held in 2006 and has since expanded to include a variety of music genres, as well as comedy, literature, poetry, and more.
- In 2019, it was estimated that over 23,500 tonnes of waste were generated at UK music festivals, with only a third of it being recycled.
- In 2021, the Reading and Leeds Festivals introduced a "green campsite" initiative, where attendees were encouraged to bring their own camping gear and leave no waste behind.
- In 2009, the Big Green Gathering festival was cancelled at short notice due to safety concerns raised by police and council officials.
- Boomtown celebrates its 15 year in 2023 as is known for its immersive theatrical experience and diverse lineup of music, arts, and culture.
You can see a list of some of our favourite UK festivals taking place below.
2023 UK Festivals
June 2023
Download Festival Thu June 8 - Sun June 11
Taking place at Donnington Park in the east midlands, this is UK's number one heavy metal and rock music festival, with a lively party atmoshphere and more than one or two mosh pits!
Headlined this year by the mightly Metallica, other acts include Alter Bridge, Pendulum, Disturbed, Placebo and Evanesence.
Isle of Wight Festival Thu June 15 - Sun June 18
The isle of Wight festival has a long heritage and some of the biggest names in rock and pop have played the festival including the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and Bob Dylan in the 1960s and 70s
This year headliners include The Chemical Brothers, Pulp, Blondie, The Humand League and Example.
Glastonbury Festival Wed June 21 - Sun June 25
The epic 5-day music festival barely needs any introduction and with music accounting for only of what the festival has to offer, there's arts and entertainment galore from healing sound baths to comedy.
The lineup for Glastonbury is pretty spectacular this year and includes Elton John, Guns n' Roses, Cat Stevens, Alt-J, Goldfrapp, Leftfield and Hot Chip to name but a few.
July 2023
Timber Festival Saturday 1 July - Monday 3 July
Music wise, this year you'll find the lineup Go! Team, The Destroyers, Sister Wives, Lady Nade and Katherine Priddy.
Latitude Festival Thu July 20 - Sun July 23
Set in a woodland location in Suffolk, Latitude with headliners this year include Pulp, George Ezra, Metronomy, James and Young Fathers.
On the friges of the festival you'll find avant garde and artsy side of the festival and with a reputatin for a being pretty chill, it attracts firt-time festival goers and families as well as seasoned festival fans.
Bluedot Festival 20 Jul – 23 Jul 2023
Could the locaton of this festival be one of the quirkiest in the UK? Set in the grounds of Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire the festival covers arts, culture, family fun and given the location, there's also a good dose of science thrown into the mix.
The lineup includes Roisin Murphy, Leftfield, Django Django, Black Country New Road, Young Fathers, Pavement and Grace Jones.
Kendal Calling Thu July 27 - Sun July 30
As the name suggests, this festival takes place in the Lake District in stunning surroundings.
Acts for 2023 include Royal Blood, Blossoms, Nile Rodgers & Chic, The Enemy, KT Tunstall and Kasabian.
Camp Bestival Thu July 27 - July 30
Probably the most family-friendly of the larger festivals takes place in July at Weston Park in Shropshire (where V festival used to take place) with loads of family fun to be had, from comedy to crafting and silent discos to wild swimming!
The lineup for this year includes Primal Scream, Rudimental, The Human League, Sam Ryder and Utah Saints.
August 2023
Leeds/Reading Festival Fri 25 August – Sun 27 August
Leeds festival has legendary status among festival-goers with a reputation for craziness at the Yorkshire location in particular, which also takes place simultaneously down in Reading.
Headliners this year include Billie Eilish, Sam Fender, Foals, Loyle Carner and Arlo Parks.
Festival Must-Haves
Tech Bucket Hat £35
Practical sun protection, but make it colourful. The Cotopaxi Tech Bucket Hat is perfect for summer festivals with a long adjustable chin strap that makes it easy to slip the hat off withouth the need to stuff it into a pocket or hold it.
Maigo Neck Pouch - Del Día £20
The perfect size for carrying those festival essentials, the Maigo Neck Pouch is made using remnant fabric, giving perfectly good, unwanted materials a second chance to shine.
Bataan Hip Pack - Del Día £35
Hip packs worn across the body are an absolute must, large enough to keep your festival essentials in without impeding your ability to party. The Cotopaxi Bataan Hip Pack is always unique - no two are ever exactly the same.
Teca Half-Zip Windbreaker – Womens £80
An extra layer is an absolute must at a festival, especially here in the UK where the weather tends to remain so changeable even in the height of summer. This wind-resistent layer is ultra light and comfortable to wear, with a front kangaroo pocket to stash your essentials.
Brinco Short - Print – Mens £65
Relaxed fit, vibrant and bold looks, these Cotopaxi Brinco shorts are perfect for summers spent outdoors and a festival essential for hot weather.
Abrazo Hooded Full-Zip Fleece Jacket – Mens £120
When the weather turns chilly or you find yourself back at your tent in the wee small hours, the Cotopaxi Abrazo has got you. This cozy statement layer embodies our commitment to sustainability and is constructed using 100% recycled fleece.
Altitude Tech 5-Panel Hat £35
A classic 5 panel hat, perfect sun protection and to cover up hair that's not seen a shower or hair brush for a few days.
Mariveles 32L Duffel Bag - Del Día £55
A simple and streamlined duffel for quick trips and overnight getaways, ideal for all your festival packing and for weekends away once the festival is over.
Cotopaxi Vibe Organic T-Shirt – Womens £35
Sometimes the earth looks otherworldly—and this tee is our surrealist-inspired interpretation of the most awe-inspiring destinations out there.
