With the news that Sundown Festival and Black Deer Festival were no longer taking place in 2025, alongside a report that over 72 UK music festivals did not take place this year, is there now a growing concern that the UK music festival calendar might not be quite as busy in years to come?
While Glastonbury, TRNSMT and Leeds and Reading continue to survive despite a cost of living crisis and inflation to boot, some of even the most lucrative of festivals have fallen foul of poor ticket sales, a disastrous year causing damage to good will, or just simply it’s unaffordable to run anymore.
We’ve taken a look at 13 music festivals (some of which this writer has attended and shed tears for too) that once were cornerstones of the UK festival calendar, only to fade away into distant memories - or in one case, deep regrets.
Did you attend any of these festivals yourself? Let us know by leaving a comment below, but without further ado, here’s 13 UK music festivals “in memoriam."

5. Deconstruction
The Deconstruction Tour was a popular one-day punk music and skate festival that took place across Europe from 1999 to 2006. The event was designed to showcase up-and-coming local bands, with the lineups growing in prominence as the day progressed. It also featured displays by BMX riders and skaters, adding to the festival’s alternative appeal. The Deconstruction Tour became a significant part of the punk music scene in Europe, but in 2006, the event faced difficulties due to issues with booking bands and a limited number of scheduled dates. As a result, the tour was not held after 2006. | Getty Images

6. Bestival
Bestival was a renowned four-day music festival held annually in the south of England, initially launched in 2004 at Robin Hill on the Isle of Wight. The festival was organized by DJ and record producer Rob da Bank, along with his wife Josie, as an offshoot of his Sunday Best record label and club nights. It grew in size from an initial 10,000 attendees in 2004 to 50,000 by its final year in 2018. The festival was known for its eclectic mix of music genres, arts, and performances, becoming a beloved event for music fans and families alike. The Bestival legacy lives on through Camp Bestival, which remains a popular event today. | Getty Images

7. Zoo Festival
The Zoo Thousand and Eight (Zoo8) festival, held in Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in Kent, has been widely regarded as one of the worst festival experiences in recent history. The festival faced a cascade of issues, starting with long delays at the gates, cramped camping conditions, and a lack of basic amenities like drinkable water. Things worsened as major logistical failures, such as collapsing perimeter fences and last-minute schedule changes, led to the cancellation of performances from prominent acts like Dizzee Rascal, Roni Size, and The Rascals. Financial difficulties meant that some bands pulled out because the organizers were unable to pay them, and the zoo itself had to step in to fund the event. | Canva

8. Witcombe Festival
Witcombe Festival, a popular event in Gloucester since 2012, cancelled the 2024 August bank holiday weekend event due to the financial impact of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Organizers cited reduced ticket sales and the high costs of staging the festival as key factors in their decision. Despite considering alternatives like reducing capacity, they found this unfeasible due to licensing restrictions. The festival has promised to return stronger in the future, and fans are hopeful for its eventual comeback | Provided