Rock and metal festivals to look forward to

Take a look through our ultimate guide

Author: Georgie HollandPublished 25th Oct 2024

Kerrang! Radio looks at the rock and metal festivals coming up that we’re totally stoked for. Take a look at these festivals set to rock the UK that you don't want to miss - including what's still to take place in 2024 - bringing you the all-important dates and details on who is headlining.

Check out all the festival details below and get those dates in your calendar - and, if you're quick, there might even be some tickets left on Aloud.com.

Rock and metal festivals to look forward to in the UK:

Damnation Festival 2024

When: Saturday 2nd November 2024


Where: BEC Arena, Manchester


Headliners: Cradle of Filth


Billed as Europe's premiere indoor extreme music festival, Damnation brings the most brutal of metal acts together for one day, with the added advantage of being sheltered from the elements. 2024's edition sees the legendary Cradle of Filth headline, with the ferocious NAILS, Bleeding Through, and Gatecreeper also on the bill.

Bearded Theory 2025

When: 21st-25th May 2025
Where: Catton Park, Derbyshire
Headliners: Iggy Pop, Manic Street Preachers and The Sisters of Mercy
Five days of family-friendly creative and performing arts set in the heart of the Midlands. So far announced for the Wednesday-Sunday festival are Iggy Pop, Manic Street Preachers, The Sisters of Mercy, Leftfield, Yard Act, The Mary Wallopers, Ash, CMAT, Fat Dog, Nova Twins and many more.

Slam Dunk 2025

When: Saturday 24th May 2025 (South) and Sunday 25th May 2025 (North)


Where: Hatfield Park (South) and Leeds Temple Newsam (North)


Headliners: A Day To Remember, Electric Callboy, Neck Deep, Less Than Jake and New Found Glory.


The UK's biggest independent rock festival will return in 2025, with - yet again - a line-up of epic proportions. Bringing us the best of pop-punk, emo, metal, ska and more, a range of iconic names top the bill, with headliners and 20+ world-class artists already announced.

Download Festival 2025

When: Friday 13th - Sunday 15th June 2025


Where: Donington Park


Headliners: TBC


Following another triumphant weekend at Donington Park in 2024, the dates for Liquid Death presents Download Festival 2025 have been confirmed. Early bird tickets for the three-day rock extravaganza went on sale on 17th June 2024, available from Download Festival's official website.

Steelhouse Festival 2025

When: Friday 25th July 2025


Where: Hafod-Y-Dafal Farm, Ebbw Vale


Headliners: TBC


Returning to its stomping ground of Hafod-Y-Dafal Farm, on the edge of the beautiful Brecon Beacons, Steelhouse Festival will return for 2025, with its one almighty stage and no band clashes.

Kendal Calling 2025

When: Thursday 31st July - Sunday 3rd August 2025



Where: Lowther Deer Park, Lake District



Headliners: Courteeners (Friday), Fatboy Slim (Saturday), The Prodigy (Sunday), Kaiser Chiefs (Thursday).



Returning to the beautiful surroundings of Lowther Deer Park in the Lake District, Kendal Calling will welcome a lineup including rave-rock titans The Prodigy and Skindred. Among the 80+ acts confirmed are also the likes of Travis, The Last Dinner Party, The Wombats, Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Maximo Park, Skindred, The Lottery Winners, Scouting for Girls, and Corinne Bailey Rae.

Bloodstock Open Air Festival 2025

When: Thursday 7th - Monday 11th August 2025


Where: Catton Park, Derbyshire


Headliners: Trivium, Machine Head, Gojira, Ministry, Fear Factory, Heriot, Warbringer, Cage Fight and Mastodon.


With much of the line-up now announced, tickets are for sale now - with early bird access selling out in record-breaking time, and extra tickets announced in October 2024.

ArcTanGent 2025

When: 13th - 16th August 2025


Where: Fernhill Farm, near Bristol


Headliners: Karnivool


The award-winning and critically acclaimed ArcTanGent Festival returns in 2025. The independent festival has been delivering unique line-ups - with 100+ acts playing across five alternating stages - since 2013, bringing us a range of math rock, post rock, progressive metal and experimental music.

Reading & Leeds Festival 2025

When: 21st - 24th August 2025


Where: Richfield Avenue (Reading) and Bramham Park (Leeds)


Headliners: TBC


The famous Reading & Leeds Festivals will be returning for 2025 over the August Bank Holiday! With R&L serving as one of the UK's biggest and best music festivals, we're sure to see yet another star-studded lineup with some of the biggest rock bands around.

Stonedead Festival 2025

When: 23rd August 2025


Where: Newark Showground, Nottinghamshire


Headliners: TBC


One day, one stage, and one monster rock show where rock music reigns eternal. Although the line-up is yet to be announced, the festival promises to continue their tradition of bringing both established and new rock bands to Newark Showground.

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