Music Venues and Festivals in the UK
The UK has one of the most exciting live music scenes in the world. From intimate club venues to massive outdoor festivals, world-class concert halls to legendary arenas — wherever you are in the country, there’s always something brilliant to see live. And building a UK break around a gig, concert or festival is one of the best things you can do.
Below you’ll find the UK’s biggest and most popular music venues, plus a guide to the major festivals. For tickets, we recommend checking See Tickets and Theatre Tickets Direct — both list events across venues nationwide.
Major Arenas — England
These are the big venues where the world’s biggest artists come to play. If your favourite artist is on tour, there’s a good chance they’ll be stopping at one of these.
The O2 Arena — London
One of the most famous arenas in the world. The O2 hosts the biggest names in music, comedy and entertainment. If an artist is doing a UK headline show, they’re almost certainly playing here.
Check Events →OVO Arena Wembley — London
Right next door to Wembley Stadium, this iconic venue hosts major concerts, tours and live events. A brilliant night out in one of London’s most recognisable locations.
Check Events →Co-op Live — Manchester
The UK’s largest indoor entertainment arena, right in the heart of Manchester. A brand new, state-of-the-art venue already attracting the biggest names in music. A great excuse for a Manchester city break.
Check Events →AO Arena — Manchester
Manchester’s other major arena and one of the busiest in Europe. Constantly hosting huge tours, comedy nights and live events. Manchester really is one of the best cities in the UK for live music.
Check Events →Utilita Arena Birmingham
One of the Midlands’ biggest entertainment venues, right in Birmingham city centre. Major concerts, comedy tours and live events throughout the year.
Check Events →First Direct Arena — Leeds
One of the north of England’s biggest arenas, hosting major touring acts, comedy and live entertainment in the heart of Leeds. A great addition to a Leeds city break.
Check Events →Utilita Arena Newcastle
The North East’s main large-scale indoor venue. Major concerts, tours and live events in one of the friendliest cities in the UK. Newcastle is a brilliant city break destination too.
Check Events →Motorpoint Arena Nottingham
The East Midlands’ main entertainment arena, hosting music, comedy, family events and sport throughout the year. A great reason to visit one of England’s most historic cities.
Check Events →Major Arenas — Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland
OVO Hydro — Glasgow
Scotland’s biggest entertainment arena and one of the busiest venues in Europe. If you’re heading to Glasgow — and you really should, it’s a brilliant city — check what’s on at the Hydro while you’re there.
Check Events →Utilita Arena Cardiff
Wales’s main indoor arena for major concerts, tours and live events. Cardiff is a wonderfully compact, lively city and a great base for a Welsh break.
Check Events →SSE Arena Belfast
Northern Ireland’s biggest entertainment venue, hosting major concerts, comedy and live events. Belfast has transformed into one of the UK’s most exciting city break destinations.
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World-Class Concert Halls
For classical music, orchestral performances and more intimate concerts, the UK has some of the finest concert halls anywhere in the world.
Royal Albert Hall — London
One of the most iconic buildings in the UK and one of the world’s greatest concert venues. Whether you’re going for the BBC Proms, a classical concert or a pop show, this is a truly special night out.
Check Events →Royal Festival Hall — London, Southbank
Part of the Southbank Centre, one of London’s most vibrant cultural destinations. Classical, contemporary, jazz and world music in a stunning riverside setting. Perfect combined with a walk along the Thames.
Check Events →Bridgewater Hall — Manchester
One of the UK’s finest concert halls and home to the Hallé Orchestra. Brilliant acoustics, a beautiful setting and a packed programme of classical, contemporary and popular music throughout the year.
Check Events →Symphony Hall — Birmingham
Widely considered one of the best concert halls in Europe for acoustics. Orchestral concerts, classical music, jazz and world music in a stunning venue right in Birmingham city centre.
Check Events →Usher Hall — Edinburgh
One of Scotland’s best-loved concert halls, right in the heart of Edinburgh. A beautiful Victorian venue with a brilliant programme of classical music, concerts and special events year-round.
Check Events →Wales Millennium Centre — Cardiff Bay
A stunning landmark building on Cardiff Bay hosting opera, dance, theatre, music and touring productions. One of Wales’s most impressive cultural venues and worth a visit for the building alone.
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Major UK Music Festivals
The UK festival scene is the envy of the world. There’s something for every taste — massive rock weekenders, dance music extravaganzas, intimate folk gatherings and everything in between. Many festivals are brilliant excuses for a UK short break, especially if you combine them with a night or two in a nearby city or cottage.
Glastonbury Festival — Somerset
The most famous music festival in the world — and rightly so. Glastonbury is an absolutely extraordinary event. Five days of music, theatre, comedy, art, food and an atmosphere unlike anything else on earth. Tickets are famously hard to get and sell out within minutes. If you ever get the chance to go, take it without hesitation.
Reading & Leeds Festivals — August Bank Holiday
The twin festivals of the UK rock and indie calendar, held simultaneously in Reading and Leeds every August bank holiday. A fantastic mix of big headline acts and emerging talent across multiple stages.
Search Tickets →Download Festival — Leicestershire
The UK’s premier rock and metal festival, held annually at Donington Park. If you love heavier music, Download is your spiritual home — three days of incredible bands and a very passionate crowd.
Search Tickets →Creamfields — Cheshire, August Bank Holiday
The UK’s biggest dance music festival. Electronic music, huge DJ headliners and massive stages — if dance music is your thing, Creamfields is unmissable.
Search Tickets →Isle of Wight Festival — Early Summer
One of the UK’s oldest and best-loved festivals with a brilliantly eclectic line-up and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. Combine the festival with a short break on the island for a memorable trip.
Search Tickets →BST Hyde Park — London, Summer
Outdoor headline concerts in one of London’s most beautiful royal parks. BST Hyde Park attracts some of the biggest names in music for summer evening shows in an iconic setting.
Search Tickets →TRNSMT — Glasgow, Summer
Scotland’s biggest city music festival, held in Glasgow Green. A fantastic mix of headline acts with the added bonus of Glasgow’s brilliant bars and restaurants on your doorstep.
Search Tickets →
Find tickets: See Tickets • Theatre Tickets Direct
More shows & entertainment: West End Musicals | Comedy Shows | Music Festivals | Regional Theatres | Theatre Breaks