How to enjoy your favourite festivals in September

While we all understand the reasons behind the cancellation of the entire festival season in summer 2020, we can't help but feeling like something is missing as we approach the weekends when our favourite festivals were supposed to take place.
However, summer festival organisers still want to keep their communities connected, engaged and excited about their 2021 dates through a series of amazing virtual events. Here's our guide to virtually enjoy the best September festivals and check out what the UK's most popular festivals have organised so far through the summer.
DJMag Top 100 DJs virtual festival - every Sat or Sun until 19 Sept
With nightclubs and raving all over the world struggling to re-open safely, magazine DJ Mag has came up with an innovative virtual way to engage fans as they vote for their favourite DJs to rank on the yearly Top 100 DJs list. It consists on weekly live virtual sets available on Youtube featuring some of the world's best DJs. Previous sets are also available to replay
iHeart Radio Festival September 27th and 28th
2020 was supposed to be the tenth edition of iHeart Radio Festival. Traditionally held in front of an audience in Vegas, this year the event will be virtual with performances recorded across two venues in Los Angeles and Nashville on the 18th and 19th of September. The event will then be broadcast on September 27th and 28th via the CW app. Lineup includes big names such as BTS, Coldplay and Miley Cyrus with chances for fans to virtually connect one-to-one.
Introducing the lineup for the 2020 #iHeartFestival! Tune in to our special 10th Anniversary show on September 18th + 19th on @TheCW app! 💫https://t.co/x6Dr7e12Yw pic.twitter.com/5ex64vtRes
— iHeartRadio Festival (@iHeartFestival) July 21, 2020
MORE: A look back at the UK's most popular events in 2019
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Past Virtual Festivals
BBC Radio 2 Live at Home 12-13th Sept
BBC Radio 2 has put together an outstanding line-up that will perform live from their houses or from selected locations across the country and in the US. The show will be broadcasted live on BBC Sounds and available to replay on BBC iPlayer for 30 days. And if you miss BBC Radio 2 Live at Hyde Park you can also watch replays from past performances featuring the likes of Kylie, Take That, Rita Ora, Elton John and Pet Shop Boys - starting now.
As we can't make it to Hyde Park, we're bringing the festival to you!
Introducing Radio 2 Live at Home - a star-studded line-up, beamed direct to your living room for 30 days with @BBCiPlayer & @BBCSounds! 🤩
Re-live those Hyde Park sets now 👉 https://t.co/iKKSgyyOKw. pic.twitter.com/7HzbEfbEcv
— BBC Radio 2 (@BBCRadio2) September 1, 2020
BBC Last Night Of The Proms - Sat 12 Sept
Fans of classical music can watch the Last Night of the Proms live from the iconic Royal Albert Hall on BBC One, BBC Radio 3 and on BBC iPlayer. The event will feature South-African soprano Golda Schultz with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under its Principal Guest Conductor Dalia Stasevska. Fans can get the opportunity to be virtually featured at the event by submitting a video. Performances from previous BBC Proms evenings are also available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Tonight on @BBCR1, @AnnieMac will be playing some tracks from Sunday's captivating Prom from @lauramarlinghq and @12ensemble
Check out the full Prom here: https://t.co/Bq2Fizmd8j pic.twitter.com/q231ZzribL
— BBC Proms (@bbcproms) September 9, 2020
MORE: 2021 Festival lineups - what we know so far
Virtual festivals also offer the opportunity for British music fans to be part of major international festivals without the stress of buying expensive plane tickets. Here's what top festivals from abroad are planning to engage with fans globally:
Burning Man - in the 'Multiverse' 30 Aug - 7 Sept
Burning Man Festival, traditionally held in a temporary city set up on the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, has announced their plans to move the 2020 edition into the "Multiverse". Organisers launched a series of initiatives aimed at connecting communities of fans globally through fundraising, workshops and a series of interesting reads on Medium.
Fans are given the opportunity to recreate a "Virtual Black Rock City" and join different initiatives throughout the week, culminating on "Burn Night" on Saturday 5th of September when fans (aka 'Burners') can build their own man and upload a video to actively contribute to the virtual event.
Dance at some of Black Rock City’s most renowned sound camps and mutant vehicles — including Mayan Warrior — in Multiverse, one of the Recognized Universes in the Burning Man Multiverse. It all kicks in during Burn Week — August 31 to September 6. https://t.co/b7Fh3ie6Ro pic.twitter.com/RYSAcATIVJ
— Burning Man Project (@burningman) August 23, 2020
Reading & Leeds weekend - 28-30 August
Following the success of Glastonbury highlights back in June, Reading & Leeds festival are also teaming up with BBC Four, BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer to broadcast the best highlights of the festival's history. The full schedule features the likes of Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Foo Fighters and Billie Eilish
Celebrate #RandL20 WEEKEND with three days of incredible archive sets from the festivals 🍻 Check out the dedicated #RandL channel on @BBCiPlayer that kicks off at 12pm on Friday the 28th of August 🎉
Reading ❤️ https://t.co/42KRmk9Apx
Leeds 💛 https://t.co/qlxoNpJ8Gc pic.twitter.com/RG1YKuPiWN— Reading & Leeds Fest (@OfficialRandL) August 27, 2020
Creamfields House Party - 29-31 August
After announcing over 40 new additions to its 2021 edition, including huge names such as Carl Cox, Tiesto and Sven Vath, Creamfields has finally confirmed plans to engage fans over the upcoming August Bank Holiday Weekend with #CreamfieldsHouseParty, a live streaming event with more than 40 artists, featuring archived and exclusive headline sets including Armin Van Buuren and Tiesto.
Our MASSIVE #CreamfieldsHouseParty lineup is here! 🔥 With donations to mental health charity @MindCharity pic.twitter.com/NzOXxm8STI
— Creamfields (@Creamfields) August 5, 2020
Virtual Notting Hill Carnival - 28-31 August
Notting Hill Carnival is going digital for the first time and has launched its virtual platform and a series of event happening during the August Bank Holiday weekend. It will include performances, interviews and cookery shows.
We are going to make history together with the 1st Digital #NottingHillCarnival - Let the spirit take over your home from Aug 29th- 31st.
Register for exclusive Access All Areas at https://t.co/pjjp3ZftFV 🧡#NHCATHOME #NHC2020 #NOTTINGHILLCARNIVAL #NHCAAA powered by @letsgodo pic.twitter.com/xmLjCtJkr1
— Notting Hill Carnival (@NHCarnivalLDN) August 23, 2020
SW4 Live from Electric Brixton - 28-30 August
The popular Clapham Common EDM festival is going to entertain fans and ravers with #SW4Live2020, 30 hours of exclusive sets live from South London's iconic Electric Brixton. To access the live streaming fans are asked to do make a donation to Mental Health Charity 'Mind' as well as other fundraising partners including NHS Charities Together and Black Lives Matter.
Every August Bank Holiday for the last 16 years has seen us prepare for our yearly ritual on the Common. This year we present SW4 Live, broadcasting 30hrs of exclusive sets 🥳 Organise your raving crews, grab your drinks - we'll do the rest for your Bank Holiday Weekend 🍻🕺💃 pic.twitter.com/4gIAiAlyO7
— SW4 Festival (@southwest4) August 7, 2020
Green Man - Field of Streams: 22-23 August
Welsh festival Green Man is connecting the community in 2020 with online event 'Field of Streams', featuring archived and exclusive performances from big headliners as well as local Welsh bands. The virtual festival will also include an interactive virtual Zoom event partnering with theatre company Hijinx.
Unveiling your Field of Streams line-up! 📺 With never-before-released sets → Father John Misty, @THE_EELS, @stelladonnelly, @adwaithband, & special show @PictishTrail! Performance theatre, film screening, digital arts, yoga, Rising final & plenty more! 👉https://t.co/DSf3JWC7s2 pic.twitter.com/6P6T3s1z6G
— Green Man (@GreenManFest) August 13, 2020
ArcTanGent - ATG TV 20-22 August
After smashing their crowdfunding target in order to guarantee a 2021 edition, Independent Metal Festival ATG has now announced ATG TV, a free online festival featuring live music and exclusive content
📺 ATG TV // 20.08.2020 - 22.08.2020 📺⠀
We're extremely stoked to bring you news of ATG TV, an online extravaganza of music, interviews and more, coming to your screens next weekend! pic.twitter.com/TEHYcxoOgx
— ArcTanGent (@ATGFestival) August 12, 2020
We Out Here Festival - 21-23 August
Reform Radio, a community radio station in Manchester, have teamed up with We Out Here Festival, a family festival located in the Cambridgeshire countryside, and Beavertown Brewery to present a virtual weekend festival. All proceeds from the event will be split between Black Lives Matter associated charities
We're very excited to get this out there! We Out Here - Online & On Air, 21-23 August - bringing the best of the fest into your home 🙌
Sign up for access via our website - https://t.co/ISLn6bh4Dz pic.twitter.com/ikwNHmZCKK— We Out Here Festival (@weoutherefest) August 12, 2020
Sziget Together Online 5-11 August
Sziget, the popular European 10-days festival located in the "Island of Freedom" in Budapest will be connecting with fans all over the world through #SzigetTogether. On their website fans can enjoy last year's highlights and find out the best facts and stories from the festival's history. And every evening this week at 8pm fans can also watch for free the festival's best performances on their Youtube channel.
One more day until we kick off Sziget Together Online! Join us for a week of celebrating everything The Island Of Freedom has to offer - for free! #SzigetTogether pic.twitter.com/vOmxPYcjL6
— Sziget Festival (@szigetofficial) August 4, 2020
European Metal Festivals Alliance 2020 - 7-9th August
Bloodstock Open Air, the UK's leading Metal festival, is joining forces with twelve of the best independent European metal festivals to create a unique online fundraising event. A ticket for the whole 3 days costs just €6.66 which will entirely go towards supporting the independent metal festival scene and will include a 48 hours replay. The event will feature never broadcasted before performances from bands such as Sabaton and Avatar as well as live interviews with festival legends.
THE #EMFA2020 RUNNING ORDER 🤘with only 3 DAYS days to go make sure you start planning your weekend of METAL! Be part of this amazing experience and get your tickets, T-shirts or bundle now! PLUS a chance to win a pass for all 13 festivals in 2021! https://t.co/mY3lT7FZqv pic.twitter.com/8cKAaBtMuG
— bloodstockfest (@BLOODSTOCKFEST) August 4, 2020
Kendal Calling - Kendall Radio 30th July - 2nd August
Traditionally located in the picturesque Lake District region in Cumbria, Kendal Calling festival will be connecting with fans all over the country with a 'Kendal Calling Front Room Festival' in partnership with Absolute Radio on the 2nd of August. Moreover, Kendal Calling Radio will be digitally broadcasting 15 years of festival highlights and exclusive interviews starting from Thursday to raise funds for its five supporting charities.
Just announced... @KendalCalling Front Room Festival will take place on Sunday 2nd August from 8:30pm! Join @rossy for a wonderful evening of live music as we play out some of the very best performances from years gone by 🎶 pic.twitter.com/SS97B5fZWW
— Absolute Radio (@absoluteradio) July 21, 2020
On the festival's website there's also a 'Live From Your Living Room' section with Youtube links to its best past performances from over 15 years.
Monegros Festival 1st Aug
The rave festival, traditionally held in the Spanish desert of Fraga, has announced a live streaming event featuring six hours of live DJ performances from the desert itself. During the virtual event organisers will reveal some confirmed artists for their 2021 edition set for the 31st of August.
6h Live Streaming, 6 DJ's, from the desert next 1st of August, announcing our first 50 Artists for #MDF2021! Don't even think about missing it!
Sponsored by 8.6 / In collab. with @beatport & Clair Brothers pic.twitter.com/ogVTnXfocI— Monegros Festival (@MONEGROSFEST) July 9, 2020
Tomorrowland - Around the World 25th and 26th July
Since late March Tomorrowland has been extremely active in connecting ravers from all over the world with United Through Music, a weekly live stream on Youtube with top DJs performing live from their homes.
Organisers also announced a digital 3D festival weekend. Accessible with any PC, laptop, smartphone or tablet and from anywhere in the world upon the purchase of a ticket, the brand new digital location will allow visitors to freely explore a fully-fledged festival site with 8 stages alongside fellow visitors. It will feature 60 live performances from many of the world's greatest DJs including Armin Van Buuren, Steve Aoki and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike - discover the full lineup.
Tomorrowland - Around the World - The digital festival. On July 25th & 26th, the first chapter in The Reflection of Love will be written. Prepare for a spectacular two-day digital music festival experience on a new location. Tickets will go on sale on June 18th. pic.twitter.com/GWgf8SRtZS
— Tomorrowland (@tomorrowland) June 4, 2020
Bluedot 24-26 July 2020
Bluedot Festival is an award-winning weekend event mixing music, art and science against the backdrop of the Jodrell Bank deep space observatory. This year they will host 'A Weekend In Outer Space', a virtual event mixing live performances and talks by artists and personalities live from London and New York. On Sunday they'll also take over Tim Burgess' Twitter Listening Party.
We're thrilled to unveil the line-up for A Weekend In Outer Space, a special online weekend taking place Friday 24 - Sunday 26 July 2020.
RT for the chance to win a pair of weekend tickets to bluedot 2021!
View the full schedule at https://t.co/20h4aUIxYk. pic.twitter.com/v9IITsrcIK
— bluedot (@bluedotfestival) July 20, 2020
2000 screens 8-10 July
Organisers of the Cotswolds' independent festival 2000Trees have put together a 3-days virtual replacement festival with special live performances, podcasts and past performances, which can be streamed via the festival’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
📺 GET READY FOR #2000SCREENS THIS WEEKEND!! 📺
🌳 We've got three days of live music on Facebook and Instagram, with exclusive sessions from your fave bands from the 2020 lineup (incl. @jimmyeatworld + @Thrice), plus special extras... did someone say @ENTERSHIKARI!? 1/3. pic.twitter.com/d3nTmIcVUW
— 2000trees Festival (@2000trees) July 6, 2020
Montreux Jazz Festival - 3-18 July
Taking place every summer on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland, this year's Montreux Jazz Festival will be broadcasting 16 of its most iconic performances over 16 days on Youtube as part of the "54th Summer of Music". The concerts will include legends such as Carlos Santana and Nina Simone as well as World Premieres hosted by the festival such as Rag’n’Bone Man and Tom Misch’s landmark concert in 2019, punctuated by performances by Loyle Carner and FKJ.
The Festival could not bring itself to spend its 54th summer without music. The “54th Summer of Music” will offer a series of iconic performances to watch on YouTube from 3 to18 July!
👉 Programme: https://t.co/7365N49v2Z#54SummerOfMusic #WhereLegendsAreBorn #MJF20 pic.twitter.com/mImUcRLsC9— Montreux Jazz Festival (@MontreuxJazz) July 1, 2020
TRNSMT Highlights - Sat 11th July from 9pm
Enjoy the best performances of Glasgow's TRNSMT festival from your front room with BBC Scotland's 3-hour special featuring sets from the likes of Biffy Clyro, Lewis Capaldi and Radiohead.
NEWS: Fans to relive festival highlights with a special @TRNSMTfest takeover on @BBCScotland!https://t.co/eBh6zCNsGR pic.twitter.com/pMiQrzvVoF
— Whats On Glasgow (@WhatsOnGlasgow) June 28, 2020
TRNSMT 2021 dates are also been set on 9-11 July 2021 with confirmed lineup featuring Lewis Capaldi, The Courteneers, Liam Gallagher and Snow Patrol. Get tickets here
J2v - Sat 11 July from 6pm
West London's Techno and EDM festival Junction 2 has released the details of its virtual edition J2v. The event will feature exclusive DJ sets across 4 music stages and all profits will be donated to selected charities including Black Lives Matter. On Sunday 12th July, following the music event, fans are encouraged to join a stimulating panel discussion on the roots and future of the entire Techno scene
Announcing the full lineup for the evolved J2v Virtual Festival, taking place next Saturday 11th July from 18.00 BST / 19.00 CET.
Featuring exclusive DJ sets showcased across 4 unique music stages in our virtual world, we look forward to welcoming you all... pic.twitter.com/i5k0aXBby5— Junction 2 (@junction_2) July 1, 2020
Wireless Connect - 3-5th July
Wireless festival UK and USA promoters and performers joined forces in delivering Wireless Connect: a virtual reality event with brand new pre-recorded performances in partnership with MelodyVR app. Here are the highlights
Lost Horizon - 3 and 4th July
Organised by Glastonbury's Shangri-La team "Lost Horizon",isthe world's largest VR independent festival. Glastonbury's South East corner, known as its raving arena was rendered in a video game-like 3D landscape hosting over 50 performances headlined by Fatboy Slim, Carl Cox and Peggy Gou. Replay Carl Cox's full set below
Carl Cox LIVE for Lost Horizon Festival | Beatport Live https://t.co/czPEbUjyw4
— Beatport (@beatport) July 3, 2020
Glastonbury - 25-28th June
2020 was expected to be the celebration of Glastonbury's 50th anniversary. To honour this important milestone the BBC will broadcast Worthy Farm's most legendary sets from superstars such as Adele, Coldplay, Beyonce, Arctic Monkeys and many others. The full schedule will be available on BBC Two and BBC Four with more highlights on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds. Weather forecasts look perfect for a Glasto garden party!
We’ve cued up some of Glastonbury’s greatest sets into this schedule for you.
📝Which 3 are you definitely going to catch?
And there’s more... as well as all this there will be 100 sets on iPlayer and even more on BBC Sounds, TV and Radio. #Glastonbury2020 pic.twitter.com/FFUagsbG2r
— BBC Glastonbury (@bbcglasto) June 22, 2020
The festival has also announced a virtual platform with a rich schedule of initiatives such as meditation sessions, DJ sets, craft workshops, poetry and much more to offer a taste of the full festival experience
It’s wonderful to see that so many of you are planning to celebrate #Glastonbury2020 at home, and we wanted to offer you a taste of the full Festival experience to go alongside @bbcglasto's coverage. Check it out at https://t.co/z64s5OIDAm now! #GlastoAtHome pic.twitter.com/vR9csQ5Wll
— Glastonbury Festival (@glastonbury) June 22, 2020
Alongside the official virtual line-up, tens of thousands of Glastonbury fans are also taking part in GlastHOMEbury, a fundraising initiative encouraging everyone to enjoy the festival highlights through their own homes and gardens while supporting several charities that have been selected through a community vote on Facebook.
Electric Blockaloo - 25-28 June
Alongside historical music festivals connecting their communities through virtual events, summer 2020 is also offering the chance for brand new virtual events to take place within video games.
This is the case for Electric Blockaloo, a 4-day virtual festival inside the video game Minecraft. Featuring over 300 DJs and artists performing on 30 virtually curated stages. Attendees will also be able to interact with each other virtually within the game, creating that feel of human interaction that traditional live streaming wouldn't provide.
Coming to @Minecraft this June 25-28, @steveaoki Presents “The Dim Mak Dōjō.” 🤺🥋
Virtual sets from:@steveaoki@BennyBenassi@QUINTINOO@wearebrohug@twofriendsmusic@henryfong@PartyPupils@maxstylermusic@sevenn@BOK_NERO@dlmtmusic@kendollmusik pic.twitter.com/4z2RImJoI3
— DIM MAK (@dimmak) June 11, 2020
Isle of Wight - #IOWFestAtHome, 12-14th June
Organisers of Isle of Wight Festival have announced two separate partnerships to bring you the most iconic performances that have hit its stages through the years.
During the 3-day weekend Absolute Radio will host the Isle of Wight Front Room Festival with a selection of classic performances including David Bowie's last ever UK show in 2004, Foo Fighters, The Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac.
Don't say we don't treat you... here's your VIP pass for our Isle of Wight Front Room Festival 🎶 Join us from June 12-14 as we bring you some incredible performances from the years gone by at the @IsleOfWightFest 🎪 pic.twitter.com/nTi3VtSoTX
— Absolute Radio (@absoluteradio) June 8, 2020
Isle of Wight Festival is also partnering with SkyArt broadcasting festival highlights for 3 nights starting from 7pm to midnight. The shows will be hosted by Edit Bowman and will be featuring a total of 30 sets from the festival's best acts.
Take a look at the full line up for the Isle of Wight Festival Greatest Hits thanks to @SkyArts 🎪 Join your hosts Edith Bowman and Will Best for 3 nights of incredible live music where you can relive some of our most iconic performances, from the comfort of your own home 🎶🕺 pic.twitter.com/HRX52K2DDn
— Isle of Wight Fest (@IsleOfWightFest) June 5, 2020
Download - #DownloadTV, 12-14th June
Looking at the weather forecasts Download festival goers might be glad to replace muddy camping in Donnington Park in favour of an exclusive 3-day streaming event in partnership with Youtube Music. Download TV will feature past standout moments from this year's announced headliners: KISS, Iron Maiden and System of a Down.
It will also show never-seen-before archive footage, exclusive Zoom interviews and more through an intense schedule including, amongst many others, Biffy Clyro, The Offspring, Lacuna Coil and Gojira.
Yes Ellie! Another awesome #DownloadTV stage! 🖤 https://t.co/eL6N2sWobL
— Download Festival (@DownloadFest) June 13, 2020