UK festivals: Hidden gems you may not have heard of - Gemfest, Gottwood and more
Festival season is approaching, and while I'm sure you know all about Glastonbury, Boomtown and Reading festivals, why not try something new?
With Glastonbury taking a year’s break from music and dancing, what other festivals can compare?
Away from the immense crowds, ticket prices and mainstream headliners, here are some under-the-radar festivals offering community, forest raves, and rising artists, as recommended by Music News Blitz’s Olivia Carolan.
Gemfest
Four nights of community and celebration from June 11-14, Gemfest brings live performances and uplifting DJ sets.
It's a space for self-expression, dressing boldly, dancing freely, and simply being yourself.
Gemfest takes place at Charlton Park Estate, Malmesbury, and stemmed from a small birthday party about three years ago.
In 2024, the festival held around 800 people, and is now an 8000 capacity festival, averaging around £170 for a full weekend of partying and your favourite artists.
Each year, the festival creates a theme for people to dress up on a Saturday, encouraging creativity and individuality.
This year, the festival has chosen the theme of ‘Jungle is massive’ from the song Incredible by M-Beat and General Levy, encouraging event-goers to dress up as anything from wild animals to iconic rave outfits.
The festival isn’t mainstream yet, but it’s getting there - this year they’re upgrading to five extra stages, double the amount of artists, a street of micro venues and dancing platforms at the main stage.
If your taste ranges from Hamdi’s Dnb set to Shapeshifters live performance, Gemfest brings the best of both worlds.
Gottwood
If you have the stamina for a 24-hour party for four days, then welcome to Gottwood.
Gottwood is located in Wales from June 11-14, a mystical party hidden in the woods, with a 5000-person capacity.
Bringing more than just music, Gottwood offers a wellness experience, full of walks along the coast, yoga, sound healing and even a luxury meal in a floating restaurant.
With diverse stages - some overlooking the lake - and a carefully curated electronic line-up, this year the festival marks its 15th anniversary.
Prioritising critically acclaimed DJs, if you're ready to discover someone new, Gottwood is for you.
Beyond The Woods
Leeds brings their first ever open air forest experience hidden deep within ancient grounds on May 30.
The day festival at Hazlewood Castle has a capacity in the low thousands, with 2026 being the second year of the festival's run.
Just 25 minutes from Leeds city centre, the festival consists of three stages: The Maze, The Treehouse and The Amphitheatre.
Each stage is presented by Slapfunk Records, Ruckus 24 and District, each curating a different style of music for their stage.
The intimate house-led, club culture festival, shaped by nature, sound and discovery, has announced the 2026 line-up with DJs such as Locklead and Alisha, with all sets being two hours minimum.
Allowing you to connect with nature and listen to your favourite artists, the festival also offers yoga if you want to take a break before their after party hosted at Testbed - Leeds largest industrial warehouse.
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Beat - Herder
From the 90s icon Faithless to Soul Mass Transit System, Beat - Herder celebrates its 20th birthday this year in Lancashire, July 16-19.
The festival covers genres from reggae to techno with a blend of live performances, including a Stone Roses tribute performance in 2025.
From raving in a church to dancing on top of cars all night, what other festival would you find this in?
Starting in 2006 as a small rave in the trees, the festival now has 17 stages, each with its own identity and energy: The Parish Church, Gay Paris and Fowlers Autos.
Beat - Herder is more than a music festival, it’s an immersive experience consisting of miniature towns, tattoo parlours, barbers, a secret swimming pool and a fancy dress day.
If you want to participate in the festival experience even more, every year they host ‘Beat - Herder’s Got Talent,’ a chaotic mix of poetry, dancing and comedy.
Green Island Festival
Underground, underrepresented and emerging talent in an intimate 1500 capacity festival.
Spread across five stages, over 50 artists and £40 tickets, the event takes place across three dates: June 6, July 25 and September 5.
Different to any other festival, the family-friendly grassroots event in the heart of Manchester is built around more than just music with workshops, development programmes and supporting local businesses.
Located in a garden centre, the multi - genre, underground-focused festival will find pint pouring machines, family activities and music all day long.
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