🎸 UK Rock Festivals & Gigs This Weekend (20–22 June 2025) – Family-Friendly Picks & Must-See Acts
At KidVicious.co.uk, we live for loud guitars, legendary vocals and the joy of watching your little rockers dressed to impress in officially licensed band tees. If you're planning a music-filled weekend with the kids, we’ve rounded up the best rock festivals and gigs across the UK happening this weekend (20–22 June 2025) — plus a few insider tips for family-friendly fun.
🔥 Top UK Rock Festivals This Weekend
🎪 1. Isle of Wight Festival – 19–22 June (Newport, Isle of Wight)
One of the UK's most iconic music events, the Isle of Wight Festival returns with a massive lineup blending rock royalty and pop legends.
Line-up Highlights:
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Thursday: Example, The Pigeon Detectives
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Friday: Sting, Faithless
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Saturday: Stereophonics, The Script
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Sunday: Justin Timberlake, Jess Glynne
Why It’s Family-Friendly:
This seaside festival includes dedicated kids’ areas, arts and crafts zones, and delicious food markets. A great intro to festival life for families with children.
🎶 2. On The Waterfront Festival – 19–22 June (Liverpool, Pier Head)
Set along Liverpool’s historic Pier Head, this open-air event is a chilled but lively weekend of music right by the river.
Headliners Include:
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Thursday: The Wombats
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Friday: The Wolfe Tones
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Saturday: Cream Classical Ibiza (with orchestra), Groove Armada DJs
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Sunday: Sting (plus surprise guests)
Why It’s Worth It:
City-centre convenience, epic skyline views, and a solid mix of rock, indie, and electronic acts. Perfect for parents wanting music with minimal travel stress.
🎸 3. Sign of the Times Festival – 20–22 June (East of England)
If you’re east of London, the Sign of the Times Festival offers two stages of indie and rock talent in a compact, easygoing setup.
Family Highlights:
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Safe, manageable site size
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Kids welcome with wristbands
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Artisan food and drink options
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Camping available
🌍 4. Rock Festivals in Europe – Hellfest & Graspop (19–22 June)
Feeling adventurous? Two massive European festivals are taking place this same weekend:
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Hellfest (France): A paradise for metal and punk fans
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Graspop Metal Meeting (Belgium): Headliners include Iron Maiden, Slipknot, and Korn
Why Go:
Combine a summer trip abroad with iconic performances, perfect for families with older kids who want the full metal festival experience.
📍 5. TRNSMT Festival Preview – Glasgow (Next Weekend)
While TRNSMT Festival doesn’t kick off until 28 June, things are already heating up in Glasgow with site testing and final line-ups dropping soon. Known for its family zones, affordable tickets, and rock/electronic mash-ups, it's one to bookmark for next weekend.
🏄♂️ 6. Yorkshire, Devon & Midlands Rock Vibes
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Goodlife Festival (Leeds – 28 June): A boutique day festival with Happy Mondays, Soul II Soul, David Morales, and kid-friendly features.
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GoldCoast Oceanfest (Croyde, Devon – 20–22 June): Surf by day, music by night. Think chilled coastal energy and live local bands.
🌟 One-Day Rock Gigs & Spotlight Shows
🎤 Forever Now Festival – 22 June (Milton Keynes, National Bowl)
This brand-new one-day rock festival is perfect for families who want the full experience without camping. Catch emerging artists and new rock acts in a legendary setting.
🎸 Santana Live – 18–20 June (Glasgow OVO Hydro & London O2)
Legendary guitarist Santana is playing two venues this week, with his final night landing just before the weekend kicks off. Expect guitar solos, Latin-rock fusion, and timeless grooves.
🧑🎤 Saturday 21 June Rock Gigs
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Elbow at Hampton Court Palace Festival – Stunning outdoor setting
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LCD Soundsystem & Working Men’s Club at O2 Academy Brixton – A high-energy indie fix
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Wilco at the Royal Albert Hall (Sunday 22 June) – Intimate, unforgettable alt-rock
👨👩👧 Family Festival Tips: Rock Out, Stress-Free
✅ Choose the Right Festival
Pick events with family zones, accessible toilets, and chill-out spaces. Isle of Wight and On The Waterfront are great for this.
⏰ Go for Day Passes
If camping with kids is too much, go for day tickets to make your weekend flexible and fun.
🎒 Pack Like a Pro
Essentials include:
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Sunscreen & hats
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Reusable water bottles
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Child-friendly ear defenders
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Snacks & wipes
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Portable pop-up tent for shade/rest
🚗 Travel Smart
Check rail access and parking in advance. Many festivals offer shuttles—book early to avoid delays.
👕 Dress to Impress
Let your little rockers steal the show in officially licensed kids band t-shirts from KidVicious.co.uk. Choose from iconic designs like Nirvana, AC/DC, Green Day, Slipknot and more!
🔝 Top Picks by Audience Type
Audience | Must-See Event |
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Rock Purists | Forever Now Festival (Milton Keynes), Santana (Glasgow, London) |
Family-Friendly | Isle of Wight, Sign of the Times, On The Waterfront |
Indie Fans | Elbow at Hampton Court, LCD Soundsystem (Brixton), Wilco (London) |
Newcomers to Festivals | GoldCoast Oceanfest, Goodlife Leeds, Hootenanny Fayre |
🎆 Final Thoughts: Let’s Rock This Weekend
With so many incredible rock gigs, indie sets, and family-friendly music festivals happening across the UK and beyond this weekend, there’s never been a better time to get out and make memories with music.
So grab your tickets, load the car, throw on those tiny tees, and let your little legends experience the magic of live rock.
👕 Shop the look: Explore our full range of kids’ rock band and hip-hop t-shirts now at KidVicious.co.uk