The LFTO team’s tried and tested picks of festival tents, for all weather and group sizes

Trying to find the best festival tent can lead you down a rabbit-hole of polycotton, flysheets, geodesic designs and hydrostatic heads – all of which is downright confusing. That's why our expert gear testers have done the work for you, neglecting their beds to uncover the very festival tents for 2025.

It's Friday afternoon, and you've just arrived at the festival. You've lugged your stuff across half the country on three different trains and a coach, it's sweltering hot, and you can't wait to get your tent up and relax. But what's this confusion of fabric and poles, how can it possibly resemble a tent?

Alternatively: It's Monday morning, and the festival campsite is halfway between a bog and a rubbish tip. There was heavy rain and wind last night, and the remains of what appear to be tents are scattered across the ground amongst half-empty cans of Red Stripe.

These scenarios are nothing short of a nightmare, and probably won't happen to you. But the right tent might just make or break your festival camping experience.

You want something that won't cause any fallouts trying to set up, that you can easily carry on public transport (if you're using it). It needs to stay standing in less-than-ideal weather and must be comfortable, so you can go to sleep and be ready for it all again. And all of this without breaking the bank.

Do you opt for a classic budget pop-up tent like the Eurohike Pop 200, or something a bit more sturdy like the Vango Apex Compact 200? And what if you need a bigger tent for a family festival? Well, fear not. Read on to discover the LFTO team's tried and tested list of best festival tents.

Our shortlist: The best festival tents for 2025

Best pop-up tent: Quechua 3-person Blackout Pop-up 2 Seconds XL Tent

Best budget option: Mountain Warehouse Pop Up 3-Person Tent

Best group tent: Coleman Octagon 8

Best roof tent: TentBox Classic 2.0

How we tested

The LFTO team is made up of outdoor gear experts with years of experience using and testing tents (maybe too many, their beds miss them). Each review in this list is informed by thorough, real-life field tests across a variety of weather conditions. Using hands-on experience of festival camping, we've carefully narrowed down dozens of options to 7 of only the most suitable tents.

During these tests, we've paid close attention to each festival tent’s performance across several metrics, including weather proofing, weight, features, comfort and value.

The tents recommended below were tested by our editor Oli Reed and our expert kit testers: James Forrest, Fliss Freeborn and Chris Williams.

Read more about how we test gear HERE.

Best festival tents reviewed:

What to look for when buying a festival tent

Buying a festival tent is pretty similar to buying a traditional camping tent. In both scenarios you’ll need to think about the tent’s design, structure and shape, as well as its weatherproofing, ventilation, materials, size, weight, price and ease of set-up.

Types of festival tent

There are several different types of festival tent. You could opt for a pop-up tent, which are often more affordable but probably not very weather-resistant or durable (see our list of the best pop-up tents).

If you're not concerned about the weather and aren't going to use it very often, this might be a good option. Pop-up tents can also be handy for windy beach days.

However, if you're looking for something that'll withstand several years of use, especially in poor weather conditions, you might be better off paying a bit more for a traditional pole tent.

Not many people intend to camp in the wind and rain, but as we all know, the weather can be unpredictable (especially if you live in the UK), so a pole tent is a safe option.

Within pole tents, you could go for a more lightweight (smaller) option which can also be used for backpacking. This would work well if you're having to carry it on public transport to get to the festival.

If you're going with a bigger group, you could go for a larger pole tent which can also be used for car camping.

We wouldn't really recommend taking an expensive, technical tent to most big festivals, though, as the risk or damage or loss is higher than on a standard campsite.

Where can I buy tents for festivals in the UK?

If you want something that's not too expensive, your best bet is probably a retailer like Decathlon, GO Outdoors or Mountain Warehouse. In all of these outlets, you'll be able to choose from a wide range of tents with different sizes and shapes.

Decathlon has good-value tents by in-house brands Quechua and Forclaz. Mountain Warehouse offers super budget options – look out for their regular clearance deals. Go Outdoors offers a wider range of options, from low to mid-level brands.

How much do festival tents cost?

Festival tents can cost anything from £20 to hundreds of pounds. An average quality two-person pop-up tent ranges from £30-£60. A good quality pole tent of the same size starts at around £100.

You don't necessarily pay for size, as bigger tents can be relatively cheap, too. Glamping tents are at the higher-end of the spectrum, costing anything from £200-£500+.

If you've got a tight budget, then it might be worth considering a second-hand tent. But make sure to practice putting it up before you head to the festival, as there might be damage to the poles or not enough pegs.

No one wants to arrive, only to realise that their tent is lopsided as it hasn't got the right fixtures.

How quickly can I set up a festival tent?

A pop-up tent like the Eurohike pop 200 can be set up in seconds. Most of the time you'd expect to spend 5-10 minutes putting up your tent. Larger tents (for more than four people) can sometimes be complicated to set up, taking up to 20 minutes. If you want to minimise time spent faffing at the campsite, then it's best to practice putting it up beforehand.

Are festival tents durable enough for multiple uses?

Yes, festival tents can be durable enough for multiple uses, but it depends on the quality, materials and how well they are maintained.

Cheap pop-up tents are unlikely to be durable. They might last a few uses, but can easily tear and might not be able to withstand a storm. A lot of the time, budget tents are designed for convenience rather than longevity. Higher-quality pole tents are more likely to last longer, as they have a stable structure and are made of more durable materials.

If you want some expert tips on how to prolong the life of your tent, read our article on how to fold a pop-up tent away.

How do I ensure my festival tent stays cool during hot weather?

A tent can easily become a hellish inferno in direct sunlight. If you can, make sure to set your tent up in the shade. You could use a parasol or camping tarp to create your own shade if there isn't any. If it's positioned to cover the tent, this will create a cooling air gap.

If you know it's going to be hot, there's a few things you can look out for when choosing your tent. Opt for something with good ventilation (for example, vents or mesh panels), which you can keep open during the day.

Light-coloured fabrics will help to reflect heat back, instead of absorbing it. Ventilation is most important, but the fabric of the tent can also make a difference. Canvas tents tend to be cooler than polyester, though not always.

What size festival tent should I get?

Aim for a size that's at least one or two people larger than the number of people camping, unless you're really comfortable with each other and don't have much stuff.

Normally, the stated capacity of a tent is how many people it fits at the absolute maximum. For example, a four-person tent will absolutely not fit five people, it'll fit four people at a squeeze.

So if you've got lots of bags and want to prioritise comfort, it's best to go for a tent that fits more people in than you're intending. Check if there's a separate storage area for your bags, as this can make a huge difference in comfort.

Can I secure my belongings in a festival tent?

Tents aren't the most secure option. Your best bet is to either carry your valuables with you, or to use on-site lockers if there are any. If you've got a car you could lock valuables in there.

If none of these options are possible, you could use a lockable storage container, but there's not really anything you can do to stop someone running off with it.

When you're not at your tent, it's best to leave all of your things inside it, so that no one will think to opportunistically run off with them. Making friends with your neighbours will also help, as you can keep an eye out for each other's stuff.

How do I clean and maintain my festival tent?

The most important thing is to make sure it's completely dry before storing it. Otherwise, when you get it out to use next year it'll be covered in mould (trust us – it's happened to us).

For deeper cleaning, hand wash with mild soap and water, using a soft brush for stubborn dirt. If mould develops, a vinegar-water solution can help remove it. Machine washing is best avoided, as it can damage the fabric.

If it's got poles, treat them with the utmost caution, as they can easily snap and can be tricky to repair. If minor damage occurs, you can repair small tears with duct tape or tent repair tape and reinforce larger holes with sewing patches or seam sealer.

For some expert tips on looking after your festival tent, read our article on how to clean your tent.

About the author

This article has been put together by some of our most experienced gear testers. They include freelance outdoor journalist James Forrest (who, by the way, has climbed every mountain in the UK and Ireland, camping out for over 200 nights in the process), our group editor Oli Reed and staff writer Fliss Freeborn.