Essex


<p>Fancy getting your rocks off in a field? ‘Course you do! Our&nbsp;neck of the woods punches above its weight when it comes to music festivals, and many of them are brilliantly family-friendly (in which case avoid getting off your rocks too much). In chronological order, here’s where&nbsp;you’ll find Muddy decked out in daisy chains, denim hot pants and wellies&nbsp;this summer.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-creamfields-south-hylands-park-chelmsford-26-28-may">1. <a href="https://creamfieldssouth.com/lineup/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Creamfields South</a>, Hylands Park, Chelmsford (26-28 May)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="586" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Creamfields.jpeg" alt="Creamfields South " class="wp-image-12025" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Creamfields.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Creamfields-800x469.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Creamfields-768x450.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Creamfields-896x525.jpeg 896w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This is the big one: three days, 50,000 people, Becky Hill, CamelPhat, *small scream* Calvin Harris, Fat Boy Slim. Tends to attract a young crowd, but don’t let that put you off if you&#8217;re a more mature dance music-lover as this fest is one of the best in the biz &#8211; simply wave your hands in the air like you just don’t care.</p>



<p>Psst! HEAD TO OUR<a href="https://www.instagram.com/muddyessex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> INSTAGRAM PAGE</a> ON 17 APRIL IF YOU WANT TO BE IN WITH THE CHANCE TO WIN TICKETS! </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-classic-ibiza-maldon-promenade-park-maldon-9-june">2. <a href="https://www.summertimelive.co.uk/maldon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Classic Ibiza Maldon</a>, Promenade Park, Maldon (9 June)&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-1.jpeg" alt="Classic Ibiza Maldon " class="wp-image-12026" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-1.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-1-800x532.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-1-768x511.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-1-789x525.jpeg 789w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Get ready for goosebumps (and a heavy dose of nostalgia) dancing to anthems like <em>Insomnia</em>, <em>Sandstorm</em> and <em>Born Slippy</em> from your misspent youth (just me?) courtesy of a 32-piece orchestra and live vocalists. Amazing scenes expected in Promenade Park, particularly when support act and Garage Legend Artful Dodger hits the stage and the crowd says…”Bo Selecta”.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-soultasia-essex-promenade-park-maldon-10-june">3. <a href="https://www.skiddle.com/festivals/soultasia--essex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Soultasia Essex</a>, Promenade Park, Maldon (10 June)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/https-cdn.evbuc_.com-images-372701079-181552984636-1-original.20221013-095956.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-12028" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/https-cdn.evbuc_.com-images-372701079-181552984636-1-original.20221013-095956.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/https-cdn.evbuc_.com-images-372701079-181552984636-1-original.20221013-095956-800x400.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/https-cdn.evbuc_.com-images-372701079-181552984636-1-original.20221013-095956-768x384.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/https-cdn.evbuc_.com-images-372701079-181552984636-1-original.20221013-095956-900x450.jpeg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Ok you might as well pack a toothbrush and knickers, so you can rave into the night at Classic Ibiza (above) and then dance your way through Sunday to Heather Small, Soul II Soul and Gabrielle &#8211; proof dreams can come true *wink* and that Promenade Park in Maldon is a hotter spot than the Sahara this June.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-cambridge-club-festival-childerley-orchard-cambridgeshire-9-11-june">4. <a href="https://www.thecambridgeclub.co" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cambridge Club Festival</a>, Childerley Orchard, Cambridgeshire (9-11 June)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Cambridge-.jpg" alt="Cambridge Club Festival " class="wp-image-12031" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Cambridge-.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Cambridge--800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Cambridge--768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Cambridge--789x525.jpg 789w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Hello, do you want to dance all night long? Well, you can at this funky, family-friendly fest just over the border where none other than Lionel Richie (or Rich Tea as my kids call him) is headlining. He’ll be joined by other big names like Grace Jones, Kool &amp; the Gand and Billy Ocean, who will of course be rocking the boat, though it&#8217;ll be tempting to just hang out in the Discovery Den dancing to DJs like Fat Tony and Jodi Harsh. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-the-wild-wood-disco-linton-cambridgeshire-16-18-june">5. <a href="https://www.thewildwooddisco.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Wild Wood Disco</a>, Linton, Cambridgeshire (16-18 June)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-3.jpeg" alt="Wild Wood Disco" class="wp-image-12033" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-3.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-3-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-3-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-3-787x525.jpeg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Relive your 90s rave days for a lost weekend in a private woodland miles from any neighbours. Expect noisy sound systems, mirrorballs hanging from the branches, friendly strangers in shades and sequins, top DJs (still to be released) and a bell tent to collapse into when the sun starts to rise&#8230;before doing it all over again, just like the good old days.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-leigh-folk-festival-leigh-library-gardens-leigh-on-sea-22-25-june">6. <a href="https://www.leighfolkfestival.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leigh Folk Festival</a>, Leigh Library Gardens, Leigh-on-Sea (&nbsp;22-25 June)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-1-2.jpeg" alt="Leigh Folk Fest" class="wp-image-12035" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-1-2.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-1-2-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-1-2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-1-2-787x525.jpeg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The UK’s largest FREE folk festival’s been running for 30 years and has more than 120 performances over ten stages dotted around town. Some of it’s ticketed (check the website), some acts you can simply turn up for if you’re feeling fruity. Workshops, comedy, dance, communal barbecues and bars make this a must-go on the calendar.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-bures-music-festival-suffolk-5-9-july">7. <a href="https://www.buresmusicfestival.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bures Music Festival</a>, Suffolk (5-9 July)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-4-1.jpeg" alt="Unsplash festival crowd" class="wp-image-12036" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-4-1.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-4-1-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-4-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-4-1-787x525.jpeg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Set on the banks of the River Stour, on the Essex/Suffolk border, this not-for-profit, fund-raising fest is one of the most scenic around, with a wild mix of musical genres from jazz and pop to blues and rock, not to mention a Pimms and Champagne bar, rides, stalls and camping. There’s a loyal fanbase &#8211; it’s now in its 26th year &#8211; who annually help raise money for local charities like St Helena Hospice in Colchester and Nicholas Hospice Care in Bury St Edmunds.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-8-latitude-henham-park-suffolk-20-23-july">8. <a href="https://www.latitudefestival.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Latitude</a>, Henham Park, Suffolk (20-23 July)&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-5.jpeg" alt="Latitude " class="wp-image-12045" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-5.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-5-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-5-768x511.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-5-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Pulp, Paolo Nutini, George Ezra, The Kooks &#8211; this year’s Latitude line-up is a sing-along corker. It’s not only about the music at this family fest though, get ready for giggles courtesy of Romesh Ranganathan, Sara Pascoe and Ed Gamble, plus there’s theatre, literature, a massive kids play zone and wellness tents too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-9-secret-garden-party-abbots-ripton-cambridgeshire-20-23-july">9. <a href="https://www.secretgardenparty.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Secret Garden Party</a>, Abbots Ripton, Cambridgeshire (20-23 July)&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/14ft4.jpg" alt="Secret Garden Party " class="wp-image-12038" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/14ft4.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/14ft4-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/14ft4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/14ft4-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>SGP&#8217;s like Latitude&#8217;s smaller, younger, naughtier, brother/sister &#8211; it&#8217;s even running on the same weekend in typical competitive sibling style. This year’s theme is <em>Episode XVII: A New Hope </em>and the stellar line-up includes Underworld, The Libertines, Fat Freddy’s Drop, 2manydjs live and De La Soul. Don’t fancy slumming it? Book a furnished bell tent in Boutique Elysium, which gives you access to a cabaret restaurant, Champagne bar and coffee shop.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-10-the-nearly-festival-old-heath-recreation-ground-colchester-29-30-july">10. <a href="https://nearlyfestival.com/colchester/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Nearly Festival</a>, Old Heath Recreation Ground, Colchester (29-30 July)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/SLIDERS-DIANAROSS_2.jpg" alt="Nearly there festival " class="wp-image-12039" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/SLIDERS-DIANAROSS_2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/SLIDERS-DIANAROSS_2-800x400.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/SLIDERS-DIANAROSS_2-768x384.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/SLIDERS-DIANAROSS_2-900x450.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If singing along to some of the biggest singles of all time at the top of your voice while clutching a warm cider is your idea of fun (I mean, this is what summer’s all about amiright?), then you’ll be pleased to know Bob Marley, Robbie Williams, Coldplay and Oasis are the headliners of this tribute act festival, now in its 8th year. There’s also a family-friendly zone with inflatables, street food and bar.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-11-cozfest-halstead-road-sible-hedingham-26-27-aug">11. <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cozfest-23-music-festival-tickets-557264171137?aff=erelexpmlt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CozFest</a>, Halstead Road, Sible Hedingham (26-27 Aug)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-7-1.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-12041" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-7-1.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-7-1-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-7-1-768x511.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/03/Unknown-7-1-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Image @CozFest</figcaption></figure>



<p>A small, intimate fest (no global headliners here), this is a good one if you prefer to sit in a field, chat over a beer and discover some new music. Run by the family of Corran ‘Coz’ Powell, a talented musician from Halstead who was killed by a drunk driver when he was just 21, it&#8217;s a chilled affair with wild camping, decent food and drink stalls and music from lots of local artists, like This Boys Fire, Love Asylum, Point Clear and Four Kicks.&nbsp;</p>


11 best music festivals in Essex and beyond – book now!

You may also like