Our 2024 guide to festivals in the East of England

Live music fans in the East of England have plenty to look forward to in 2024. Here is a selective - but not exhaustive - guide to what is coming up.

• Where? Henham Park, Suffolk
• When? 25-28 July
• Capacity? 45,000
• Headliner? Duran Duran, Kasabian, Keane, London Grammar

Even before you try counting Latitude's famously colourful sheep, this is the biggest festival in the East of England by some margin, with an offering that also includes comedy and theatre performances.

The headliners are sure to be big crowd-pleasers with stadium quality shows, but there are pockets of disco in the line-up, dance music and 80s swagger.

• Where? Abbotts Ripton, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire
• When? 25-28 July, 5-12 August
• Capacity? 10,000 and roughly 2,000
• Headliner? Yet to be announced

Known for its hedonistic spirit and fancy-dressed attendees, Secret Garden Party shrinks in size this year while offering a second, smaller event in August.

"Head Gardener" Freddie Fellowes says he is aware of the cost of living pressures and the two festivals are an attempt to focus more on "personal connections".

• Where? Thetford Forest
• When? 20, 22 and 28 June
• Capacity? 9,750
• Headliner? Bryan Adams, Sting, Sir Tom Jones

With a capacity of just under 10,000, Forest England has announced rock legends Bryan Adams, Sir Tom Jones and Sting as their Forest Live acts this year.

This event regularly sells out and with its location between the Norwich and Cambridge train line, a shuttle is being put on this year to avoid any parking issues.

• Where? A "secret location" in North Northamptonshire
• When? 22-25 August
• Capacity? 15,000
• Headliners? Yet to be announced

An independent, colourful festival which says it is proudly free of corporate influence, Shambala keeps its location a secret, revealed beforehand to those attending.

With a "pay it forward" mindset, ticket holders are given the option to donate to a community fund that is then spent on inviting along young carers and other groups who might otherwise not get to experience a music festival.

• Where? Holkham Hall, Norfolk
• When? August 8-11
• Capacity? 5,000
• Headliner? Sam Ryder, Example, McFly

Focused on the outdoors, this family-friendly festival is coming to Norfolk for the first time and includes activities and pursuits ranging from fire walking to talks, climbing and a Royal Marine assault course.

Gone Wild also comes with an evening music line-up including crowd-pleasers Example and Sam Ryder.

• Where? Five venues across Ipswich
• When? 14 and 15 June
• Capacity? 3,000 across the weekend
• Headliner? Yet to be announced

This two-day festival sees four indoor and one outdoor venue host music and talks, with more than 75 bands usually booked. The first wave of acts announced includes Grace Jones collaborator Dave Okumu, tuba player Theon Cross, The Orielles and Cambridge's Ugly.

Brighten The Corners organiser Joe Bailey said he hoped to create "I was there" moments while putting the Ipswich music scene on the map.

• Where? Earlham Park, Norwich
• When? 16-17 August
• Capacity? 10,000
• Headliner? Ezra Collective, Sbtrkt

Born out of Wild Paths, the multi-venue, city-wide event, Wild Fields Festival finds itself home at the Earlham Park for the first time. Organiser Ben Streets says it is a natural progression from its Norwich city-based event.

It's a chance to see 2023 Mercury Prize-winners Ezra Collective on a line-up that also includes Kae Tempest and Zambian singer and rapper Sampa The Great. This year the festival is partnering with Climate Live UK and welcoming their big pink, solar-powered bus stage onto the site with a diverse line-up of emerging regional talent.

• Where? Cherry Hinton Hall, Cambridge
• When? 25-28 July
• Capacity? 14,000
• Headliner? Yet to be announced

Approaching its 60th year, Cambridge Folk Festival remains as international and cherished in the hearts of folk fans.

You might see Molly dancers and hear instruments that you might not have heard of, but the grounds of Cherry Hinton Hall are at their most impressive when the festival is in full swing. And this is a region not short on folk festivals, with FolkEast in Suffolk and Ely Folk festival among others.

Other events include the F1 at Silverstone 4-7 July, which has a festival-worthy line up, featuring Stormzy, Kings of Leon and Rudimental.

Chase and Status have already sold out Milton Keynes Bowl on 10 August, Fatboy Slim is due to play at Tofte Mannor in Bedfordshire next July, Strawberry Fair in Cambridge celebrates its 50th year.

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