Glamour puss: Grace Jones takes on Barcelona's Sonar Festival Handout

June I July I August I September

Go for free: Win tickets to this summer's best festivals!

The strangest festival fancy dress costumes!

// Hampton Court Palace Festival //

2-13 June

Now in its 17th year, this pricey but classy festival mixes big-name classical and pop artists with fireworks and posh picnics. Line-up includes José Carreras , Jools Holland, Russell Watson, Beverley Knight, Lemar and James Morrison.

£42-£75, Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, KT8

// BASS (British Art and Street Sounds) Festival //

4-30 June

Running across the UK, the London arm of this arts and music festival has masterclasses, exhibitions and theatre as well as dance and music. Line-up includes Bashy, Mary Ann Hobbs, Rodney P, Charlie Dark, Beat Cypher, Evoke, No Lay and DJ Spooky, focusing on the inspiration of “Africa and Africans” on the arts and culture scene.

most events free, various venues

// RockNess //

12-14 June

Tucked away in a natural amphitheatre next to the mystical Loch Ness, RockNess plays host to The Flaming Lips, Basement Jaxx, Dizzee Rascal, Prodigy, Biffy Clyro, Orbital, Placebo, Soulwax, Super Furry Animals and Pendulum , with Scotch touches like themed pubs and dressing up.

£45-139, Loch Ness, Scotland

// Download //

12-14 June

An encyclopaedia of rock, metal and hardcore from classic bands to the new breed: Faith No More, Korn, Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, Motley Crue, Papa Roach and Opeth to be getting on with.

from £135, Donington Park, Castle Donington, Derby, DE74

More festivals: May I July I August I September

// Meltdown //

13-21 June

Experimental alt rockers Yo La Tengo , Senegalese superstar Baaba Maal and the first ever British performance by the Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band are highlights of this summer's Meltdown Festival, this year organised by Free Jazz icon Ornette Coleman. The Roots, sax and clarinet virtuoso David Murray, Sean Lennon, Moby, Patti Smith and Robert Wyatt are also on the bill.

£12-£30, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1, 020 7960 4242, 0871 663 2520

// Sonar Festival //

18-20 June

One of Europe’s hippest shindigs, this three-day affair offers the chance to bake in the Barcelona sunshine, discover new musical talents and rave in a supersized club space. Grace Jones, James Murphy, Carl Craig and Ebony Bones headline.

CCCB/MACBA and Fira Gran Via (M2) L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain

// Lexapalooza Festival //

20 June

Raising money for the Breast Cancer Campaign, Lexapalooza champions emerging indie talent. The fourth year features Armed Response Unit, Ben Marwood, Blind Havoc, Jim Lockey, Kill Chaos, Oxygen Thief, The Xcerts, and Chris T-T & The Hoodrats.

£5-£7.50, 1pm-late, The Gaff, 382 Holloway Road, N7, 020 7609 3063

// Paradise Gardens //

20-21 June

This chilled out weekend harks back to Vicky Park’s pleasure garden days. Line-up TBC, but expect London music with global roots, as well as a circus, a “Tea Dance” tent and street theatre, plus a village fete and funfair.

free, Victoria Park, Victoria Park Road, Hackney, E9

// T-Mobile INMusic festival //

24-25 June

If you haven’t got tickets for Glastonbury or can’t face the virtual inevitability of mud, there’s is another option other than moping and watching it on telly. Go to Croatia instead. The T-Mobile INMusic festival in Zagreb happens during Glasto week and the eclectic line up including Lily Allen, Franz Ferdinand , Kraftwerk, Anthrax, Editors, N*E *R*D and Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs. Best of all bands don’t start till a civilised 5pm, giving you all day to sight see the historic capital which leaves you all set to party into the wee hours not least because there’s a specially designated night stage.

// Glastonbury //

24-28 June

The granddaddy of UK festivals is back on form after last year’s blip, with a storming line-up of classic rock and new pop and indie (Bruce Springsteen, Blur, Neil Young) plus all the usual hippie shenanigans.

sold out, Worthy Farm, Somerset

More festivals: May I July I August I September

// Hard Rock Calling //

26-28 June

The Killers and Bruce Springsteen have sold out, but you can still catch Neil Young taking on this open-air rock fest on Saturday night with Fleet Foxes and Ben Harper & Relentless7.

£45, Hyde Park, W2, 020 7298 2000

// Toast Festival //

26-28 June

Inspired by the culture of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, each day celebrates a different culture. Expect bush poets, gumboot dancing, traditional foods and wine, a sports zone, music and homegrown comedy.

£15-£25, Clapham Common, Clapham, SW4

// English Heritage Picnic Concerts //

27 June-22 August

Pull up a deckchair at this thoroughly civilised series of concerts in a plush outdoor setting. Simply Red, James Morrison, Katherine Jenkins, Ray Davies, Will Young, Jools Holland and more have signed up to trill through the summer evenings.

from £23.50, Kenwood House, Hampstead Lane, Hampstead, NW3, 020 8348 1286

Go for free: Win tickets to this summer's best festivals!

The strangest festival fancy dress costumes!

More festivals: May I July I August I September