Festival season is fast approaching! If you’re seeking an experience with fewer hangovers and a greater emphasis on wellbeing, we’ve got you covered. While bopping along to emerging artists in muddy fields is deeply ingrained in British culture, fortunately, for those of us more inclined toward mindfulness, a new breed of festivals has transpired. These shindigs blend yoga, wild swimming, fitness activities, workshops, talks, spiritual experiences, and more. And fear not, if you still crave the music festival vibe but desire a healthy dose of wellness, there are festivals tailored just for you.

Wilderness
Prepare for a culture-filled weekend at Wilderness, where music, comedy, poetry, art, talks, feasting, and wellness converge in the Cotswolds. This festival masterfully strikes a hedonistic balance, whether you’re into serene sound baths or lively bass baths. The main stage hosts music performances from renowned artists Michael Kiwanuka, Jessie Ware, Faithless, and BICEP. The Feasting Banquets are the hot ticket to relish an unforgettable meal from a culinary star, this year Andi Oliver and Asma Khan will be cheffing up in the big tent! Wellness takes various forms, ranging from mindful meditation to mass morning yoga, HITT, group runs, Pilates, and even ‘hot girl’ boxing! For those seeking adventure, the lake hosts wild swimming and paddle boarding, while others may prefer the relaxation of The Lakeside Spa’s inviting hot tubs. 

1st-4th August • Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire

The Big Retreat Festival
Set in the idyllic countryside of Pembrokeshire, Wales, The Big Retreat Festival returns for four feel-good days, bringing together a lineup of musical talent, DJ sets, fitness sessions led by experts, inspiring talks and activities for the whole family. Between performances from The Feeling and Lucy Spraggan, cooking demos with Madeleine Shaw, workouts with Mr Motivator and booging to Mother Pukka DJ, wander around the festival to discover wild swimming, paddleboarding, a woodland spa, arts and crafts, forest bathing and more.

24th-27th May • Pembrokeshire, Wales

Love Trails
Primed with scenic trail routes, Gower Peninsula is the runner’s paradise that hosts Love Trails. From non-competitive runs spanning 3km to 55km, invigorating swims, and thrilling sea kayaking to heart-pounding coasteering, rock climbing, and wild guided foraging, this is the festival geared for outdoor enthusiasts! Joy Anonymous and Stornoway are amongst the headliners, plus inspiring talks from athletes, practitioners, authors and scientists. As a tonic to all the running, head to the Estuary Spa for wood-fired hot tubs, cold plunges and Finnish saunas.

11th-14th July • Gower Peninsula, South Wales

Wellnergy Festival
Wellnergy, the day festival in London and now Manchester too, is back bigger than ever with fitness, yoga, meditation, workshops, talks, nutritious culinary offerings and music, plus will be held at Manchester too! Whether you fancy testing the waters with cold water therapy or you’re curious to try F.I.T Jam Dance Movement, Wellnergy allows you to dabble in the latest health and fitness crazes with leading experts guiding you through. Special guests include The Happy Pear brothers, Stef Williams and Ferne Mccann. Centred around the pillars of mindfulness, fitness, nutrition, music and laughter, Wellnergy helms over 75 wellness classes and exhibitors spanning the industry.

15th June • Wimbledon Park, London || 6th July • Wythenshawe Park, Manchester

Paradhis
Exploring the intersection of music and wellbeing, Paradhis is the new festival where yoga trance dance, cacao ceremonies, and forest bathing meet world-renowned DJs, drum circles, and global headline artists. Transforming Boconnoc Estate in Cornwall into a sanctuary for self-discovery, Paradhis’s line-up welcomes Californian yoga teacher Shiva Rea and electronica pioneers Morcheeba, as well as renowned artists and emerging talents in indie and folk music. From deer safaris to ancient tree forest bathing and a sound waves immersion, the inaugural event highlights niche wellness and nature therapies for a transformative experience.

5th-7th July • Boconnoc Estate, Cornwall

ALSO
ALSO is a cultural extravaganza, uniting prominent comedians, experts, emerging talents, authors, and more for an outside-the-box festival experience. Embracing the natural surroundings of Warwickshire, ALSO’s eccentric programme features discussions spanning self-growth, holistic rituals, yoga and meditation, comedy in the woods, creative writing sessions and nature excursions. Thought-provoking and liberating, the celestial festival offers a sense of escapism, yet undoubtedly leaves you enriched with newfound wisdom by the end of the weekend.

2nd-4th July • Park Farm Estate, Compton Verney, Warwick

Waves Of Wellness
On the scenic coast of Cornwall, the Bedruthan Hotel & Spa unveils its debut ‘Waves of Wellness’ festival in collaboration with London’s Oyogo wellness consultancy. Renowned experts such as surfer Sophie Hellyer, rugby player-turned-breathwork coach David Jackson, and yoga therapist Dr. Alicia Ray headline a diverse lineup of workshops spanning movement, mindfulness, creativity, and nature. From beach yoga and silent discos to hot and cold therapy sessions and sustainable craft workshops, there’s a wide plethora of activities to get stuck into over the course of the weekend, aimed to foster a connection with Cornwall’s natural splendour. If pitching a tent isn’t your forte, this is the festival for you!

14th – 16th June • Bedruthan Hotel, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall

Good Vibrations Society
Good Vibrations Society is a 3-day festival for old and young to enjoy music and wellness in the beautiful surroundings of the Ashdown forest. Set against the backdrop of Ashdown Forest, Good Vibrations Society is a 3-day celebration of friendship, expression, personality and nature. From soul-stirring musical acts to captivating workshops, intellectual talks, mass meditation, invigorating wild smiths, uplifting yoga flows and guided hikes the festival cultivates a sense of connection and happiness through every endeavour. Drum and bass legend, Goldie is set to headline alongside Leftfield and 24hr Garage Girls, plus don’t miss the enchanting talk on the history of Ashdown Forest, the birthplace of Winnie The Pooh.

2nd-4th August • Ashdown Forest, Wych Cross

Words by Isabelle Shury