At Damart, our clothing is designed to emphasise style and comfort using quality fabrics. We want to provide feel-good pieces for any event, whether a food festival, carnival or street party. With this in mind, we have created a guide to the likelihood of rain at different UK events, so you can prepare your outfit accordingly.
The UK is known for many things, including its monarchy, castles and sports – to name a few. But its reputation for rainy weather surpasses them all. On average, the UK experiences between 150 and 200 rainy days a year.
Although UK residents are familiar with the drizzle each season brings, wouldn’t it be nice to know which events you can avoid taking your umbrella to?
Using Met Office data, we have compiled a list of 100 outdoor events in the UK with the highest and lowest likelihood of rainfall to help you prepare for your carnival or festival, after all, there is no better feeling than having a summer jam-packed with events.
All that’s left to sort out now is what to wear. Our ladies’ dresses, short-sleeve blouses, ladies’ striped tops, ladies’ floral tops, casual trousers for women and ladies’ trainers are perfect for any occasion and if you want to stock up on weather-appropriate clothing, check out our women’s lightweight jackets and thermal clothing.
Now, let’s dive into the results.
The top UK events where you will need to pack an umbrella
Wondering which events you will need to pack waterproofs for? To help you out, we’ve listed the top five UK events with the highest chance of rainfall.
Which event takes the spot for first place?
The top two rainiest events are located in Scotland. The country is known for its frequent showers, receiving 1,570 millimetres of annual rainfall.
The Eilean Dorcha Festival in Benbecula, Inverness-shire, has the highest chance of rain at 88%. It will take place from the 27th to the 29th of July and features a diverse line-up of musical genres, including rock, country and pop. The festival is renowned for its tribute bands, with this year’s highlight being The Legend of Springsteen, a tribute to Bruce Springsteen. Additional acts to look out for include Callum Beattie, Vengaboys, and Heron Valley.
Which events make up our top five?
Foodies Festival at Inverleith Park, Edinburgh, takes second place with an 86% chance of rain. Running from the 4th to the 6th of August, this food festival features renowned chefs, a wide range of street food, refreshing drinks and live music. Attendees can enjoy exciting activities like the Cake & Bake Theatre, where Great British Bake-Off stars share baking tips on stage.
In joint third are Boardmasters in Cornwall, Beautiful Days Festival in Devon, and Clitheroe Food Festival in Lancashire, all with an 83% chance of rain.
Boardmasters in Newquay, Cornwall, runs from the 9th to the 13th of August and will feature renowned artists Liam Gallagher, Lorde, Ben Howard, and Florence + the Machine. This coastal event in Cornwall offers access to local beaches and combines live music with exciting surfing and skateboarding competitions.
Beautiful Days Festival at Escot Park, Devon, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, taking place from the 18th to the 20th of August. The line-up includes renowned artists Primal Scream, Indigo Girls, and Johnny Marr. Established in 2003, this independent family festival has a Theatre Tent, a Walkabout Theatre, folk sessions and various food and craft stalls.
Clitheroe Food Festival in Ribble Valley, Lancashire, will be held on the 12th of August. With 100 food and drink stalls, there will be a wide range of refreshment choices available. The festival also has live music and entertainment for children.
Green Man Festival and the Bristol Balloon Fiesta share fourth place with an 82% chance of rain.
Green Man Festival in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, Wales, runs from the 17th to the 20th of August. This environmentally conscious festival promotes sustainability by avoiding the use of plastic straws and using recycled materials for its programmes. Artists such as Devo, Slowdive, and Goat will be performing. The festival also features dedicated children, teenager, science and film areas.
The Bristol Balloon Fiesta at Ashton Court Estate spans four days from the 10th to the 13th of August. Established in 1979, it is Europe’s largest annual hot air balloon festival, with over 100 balloons and 500,000 visitors yearly. The event offers children’s entertainment, live music at the bandstand, street food and daily ballooning activities in the arena.
In fifth place are Valley Fest and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with an 81% chance of rain.
Valley Fest at Chew Valley Lake, Somerset, runs from the 3rd to the 6th of August. The music line-up includes Scouting for Girls, The Kooks, and Bananarama. The festival offers various activities, including wellness classes, poetry and comedy shows. Attendees can enjoy a diverse selection of street food and watch demonstrations by top chefs.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe runs from the 4th to the 28th of August, offering a range of performances, including theatre, comedy, music and dance. This festival is a celebration of arts and culture, boasting over 1,000 shows. Attendees can enjoy various entertainment like Jazz at Lunchtime, Dean Friedman, a show about Elizabeth Taylor’s life story, comedian Chloe Petts, and children’s shows.
The top UK events with the least chance of rain
If you are planning on attending these events, you are in luck! Rainfall is expected to be low here.
Notting Hill Carnival and Oxford’s Foodies Festival are the events with the least chance of rain
Notting Hill Carnival in London and Oxford’s Foodies Festival share first place with a 56% chance of rainfall. London’s annual rainfall is 615 millimetres, while Oxford’s is 660 millimetres.
Notting Hill Carnival in Kensington, London, is scheduled for the 27th to the 28th of August. It has become Europe’s largest street festival, attracting over one million visitors. With 50,000 performers and 30 sound systems, it offers a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture. Attendees can expect to see live performers Candy Love, Rotten Hill Gang, and Tayah.
Oxford’s Foodies Festival in South Park, Oxford, is happening from the 26th to the 28th of August. Foodies Festival is the UK’s largest food and drink festival, showcasing quality culinary delights. With 12 festivals nationwide, it has become a prominent celebration since its establishment in 2006. Attendees can enjoy local street food, chef masterclasses and live music. This year’s music line-up features performances by Blue, Fleur East, Five, Toploader, and Scouting for Girls.
These are the top five UK events with the lowest chance of rain
Towersey Festival, Brighton’s Pub in the Park and Winchester’s Foodies Festival share second place with a 58% chance of rain.
Towersey Festival at Claydon Estate, Buckinghamshire, runs from the 25th to the 28th of August. It gives visitors access to 12 stages and venues featuring over 70 hours of live music. Known as the UK’s longest-running independent festival, this event has been family-run since 1965. Attendees can expect four days of comedy, crafts, games and workshops suitable for all ages. The Young’uns, Frank Turner Duo, Nickel Creek, and The Proclaimers are on the music line-up.
Brighton’s Pub in the Park at Preston Park is a food and music celebration taking place from the 14th to the 16th of July. This festival is spread across 10 locations in the UK and combines the best of British pubs with live music. This year’s music line-up includes Sugababes, Judge Jules, Example, and Happy Mondays. Don’t miss live cooking shows hosted by Ed Gamble and Hairy Bikers, the pair of renowned celebrity chefs. It’s a must-visit festival for food enthusiasts!
Winchester’s Foodies Festival at North Walls Recreation Ground runs from the 14th to the 16th of July. The event features renowned winners from the Great British Bake Off and MasterChef, including Thomas Frake, Shelina Permalloo and Syabira Yusoff. Visitors can sample delicious street food and visit pop-up bars and artisan markets. The entertainment line-up includes Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Cocktails & Cabaret with ABBA Tribute.
Taste of London, Blenheim Palace Flower Show, Reigate’s Pub in the Park and Hampton Court Palace Flower Show take third place with a 59% chance of rain.
Taste of London in Regent’s Park is back for a five-day feast from the 14th to the 18th of June. Founded in 2004, the event highlights 36 of the City’s top restaurants, offering cocktail-making and cooking classes with Michelin-starred chefs, as well as various DJ sets.
Blenheim Palace Flower Show in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, taking place from the 23rd to the 25th of June. It’s the perfect place to find your favourite plants, flowers and gardening treasures, including greenhouses and garden gazebos.
Reigate’s Pub in the Park at Priory Park takes place from the 23rd to the 25th of June. The event features performances by various musical artists, including Stereo MCs, Ministry of Sound Disco, and Norman Jay.
Hampton Court Palace Flower Show by the Royal Horticultural Society in Richmond upon Thames runs from the 4th to the 9th of July. The world’s largest flower show spans 34 acres and features captivating gardens, floral marquees and informative talks and demonstrations.
Thirteen events tie for fourth place, including Wimbledon, Isle of Wight Festival, Henley Festival, BST Festival, Goodwood Festival of Speed, Latitude Festival, CarFest, PennFest, Junction 2 Festival, Kaleidoscope Festival, Standon Calling, Victorious Festival and Black Deer Festival. These events all have a 60% chance of rain.
Wimbledon at the All England Club in London runs from the 3rd to the 16th of July. It is the only one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments played on grass, resulting in a fast-paced game. Past participants include tennis legends Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams and Andy Murray.
The Isle of Wight Festival at Seaclose Park, Newport, is back from the 15th to the 18th of June. Formed in 1968, the festival took a break from 1970 and was re-launched in 2002. Since then, it has hosted legendary bands The Who, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. This year, the line-up includes Pulp, Courteeners, Robbie Williams, and George Ezra.
Henley Festival in Henley-on-Thames takes place from the 5th to the 9th of July, showcasing the best of UK and international music and arts. Founded in 1983, this exclusive black-tie festival offers a range of music genres, from pop to classical and jazz. Artists Rag’n’Bone Man, Robyn, Westlife, and Nile Rodgers & CHIC will perform. Attendees can dine at various restaurants, including the Riverside Restaurant.
BST Festival in Hyde Park, London, takes place from the 24th of June to the 9th of July and will feature Lana Del Rey, Take That, Billy Joel, and P!nk. Founded in 2013, the festival also offers a midweek programme called Open House with free activities and entertainment. Attendees can browse products by artisan traders and visit themed bars serving a variety of refreshments, from real ales to cocktails.
Goodwood Festival of Speed is held in the parkland surrounding Goodwood House, West Sussex, taking place from the 13th to the 16th of July. The event was founded in 1993 to bring motor racing back to the Goodwood Estate.
Founded in 2006, Latitude Festival in Henham Park, Suffolk, takes place from the 20th to the 23rd of July. The event offers a combination of daytime music, theatre, arts and fun wellness activities. This year, the festival will feature renowned artists Pulp, Metronomy, The Kooks, Paolo Nutini, and The Lightning Seeds.
CarFest is a family music and motoring festival held annually at Laverstoke Park Farm in Hampshire, taking place from the 25th to the 27th of August this year. This is the UK’s largest family fundraising festival, which has raised over £20 million in the past 10 years. This year’s music line-up features Boyzlife, The Feeling, The Dolly Parton Experience, and McFly.
PennFest at The Big Park, Buckinghamshire, returns for its eleventh year from the 21st to the 22nd of July. The event offers various activities, such as creative workshops and a global artisan market. Kids Kingdom provides plenty of entertainment for children, such as arts, crafts and circus workshops. This year’s music line-up features Noel Gallagher, Johnny Marr, Bastille, and DJ Fresh.
Junction 2 Festival at Boston Manor Park, London, takes place from the 21st to the 22nd of July. It showcases techno, bass, and house DJ sets. Established in 2016, this year’s line-up includes DJs Cirez D, Charlotte De Witte, and FJAAK.
Kaleidoscope Festival in Alexandra Palace Park, London, is on the 15th of July. This event has been running for four years and offers panoramic city views across 196 acres. Artists Hot Chip, George Fitzgerald, and Antony Szmierek will perform. The event features four areas: Hilltop Stage, Cloud 10, Fringe Stage, and Victorian Basements, along with the bandstand.
Standon Calling, a boutique music festival in Hertfordshire, runs from the 20th to the 23rd of July. The festival celebrates its 17th anniversary this year and will feature performances by Bloc Party, Years & Years, The Human League, and Anastasia. Attendees can enjoy activities like yoga and a diverse selection of food and drink.
Victorious Festival in Southsea, Portsmouth, is scheduled for the 25th to the 27th of August. Founded in 2011, the festival features multiple stages, including a comedy tent and an acoustic stage area. This year’s music line-up includes Kasabian, Kaiser Chiefs, Raye, and Circa Waves. The event also offers a delicious range of food and drink.
Black Deer Festival at Eridge Park, Kent, is a new Americana and Country music festival that takes place from the 16th to the 18th of June. This year’s line-up features The Pretenders, Richard Hawley, Patty Griffin, and Joanne Shaw Taylor. Attendees can enjoy tasty food and drink, including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. The festival also offers kids’ entertainment throughout the weekend.
Completing our top five are Henley Royal Regatta, Norwich’s Foodies Festival, Chiswick’s Pub in the Park, and St Alban’s Pub in the Park, with a 61% chance of rainfall.
Henley Royal Regatta, an annual rowing event on the River Thames, spans six days from the 27th of June to the 2nd of July. Since its establishment in 1893, the event has featured over 300 races and attracts over 300,000 visitors annually.
Norwich’s Foodies Festival at Earlham Park is scheduled for the 8th to the 10th of September. The music line-up and event programme will be consistent with other Foodies Festivals.
Chiswick’s Pub in the Park at Chiswick House and Gardens runs from the 1st to the 3rd of September. The music line-up includes Ronan Keating, The Hoosiers and McFly.
St Alban’s Pub in the Park at Verulamium Park takes place from the 8th to the 10th of September. The event will feature performances from Craig David TS5, Rudimental DJ Set, and UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell.
These are the most Instagrammed UK events
Now that we’ve uncovered the events that require an umbrella and those that don’t, let’s delve into which events have racked up the most Instagram hashtags. Here are the top five events that have been snapped the most.
Wimbledon, the oldest tennis tournament in the world, holds the title on our list as the most Instagrammed event, with over 1,872,895 hashtags. It’s famous for its strawberries and cream tradition, with a staggering 10,000 litres of cream and 28,000 kilograms of strawberries consumed annually.
Glastonbury Festival secures the second spot with a remarkable 1,071,993 hashtags. Held at Worthy Farm, Somerset, it is the world’s largest greenfield music and performing arts festival. Over the years, it has featured music icons Foo Fighters, Adele, and Paul McCartney. This year’s line-up features Arctic Monkeys, Elton John, Guns N’ Roses, and Lana Del Rey.
Notting Hill Carnival in Kensington, London, takes third place with 370,023 hashtags. The annual Caribbean festival originated in 1966 and spans two days of vibrant celebrations on the streets of Notting Hill.
Boardmasters in Cornwall claims fourth place with 117,853 hashtags. Established in 1981 as a surfing competition, the event expanded in 2005 to incorporate music acts. Attendees enjoy access to local beaches and breathtaking views at this festival.
Goodwood Festival of Speed rounds up our top five with 105,839 hashtags. Sebastian Vettel, the four-time Formula 1 World Champion, is set to make a special appearance at this year’s festival following his retirement from Formula 1.
These are the most searched UK events, according to Google
As well as which events have been snapped the most, we wanted to highlight which are the most in-demand as depicted by online searches. We analysed Google searches from the past three years to identify the most sought-after UK outdoor events.
Our top two most searched events mirror the most Instagrammed events, with Wimbledon and Glastonbury Festival clocking up the most searches.
Wimbledon is the most searched-for event, with an astonishing 16,923,500 million searches. Glastonbury Festival takes second place with 4,569,500 million searches.
In third place is the Isle of Wight Festival, with 2,183,700 million searches. This festival has various areas and stages, including the Kidzone, River Stage and Hipshaker Lounge.
Notting Hill Carnival is in fourth place with 1,901,700 million searches, and Boardmasters completes our top five with 1,853,000 million searches.
Methodology:
Using a seed list of 100 events (a mixture of events across the UK appealing to all demographics) we used Met Office weather data to pull the likelihood of rain on the dates of the festival. We did this by using any mm of rain as 100% chance of rain and 0mm of rain as 0% chance of rain to find the overall average percentage for each date.
We also used Google Keyword Planner to find which events have been Googled the most since 2020 and Instagram to count how many hashtags each event has. Google search volumes were pulled from January 1st 2020 to March 31st 2023. We also pulled Instagram hashtags for each event.
Where the exact region wasn’t available, we used closest-to region or region the event was in historically. For example, Glyndebourne Festival spans too many months, so we picked one instalment (e.g., The Rake’s Progress) and stayed within one month. Chance of rainfall doesn’t mean heavy rain, it means any rain. The Met Office data dates to 1931 and the data was filtered to pull specific days from all the years.
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