What's on this festival season

It’s nearly summer – and that can mean only one thing. Festivals!

Aside from the biggie in Edinburgh (and smaller upstarts in London), comedy is taking an ever-important role in the big outdoor events scattered across the countryside

Here’s our guide to who’s on where this season:

Comedy headliners: Ed Byrne, Simon Munnery, Brendon Burns

Music headliners: Gorillaz, Muse, Stevie Wonder

Why you should go: Cos it's Glastonbury! The biggest, and arguably the best, of all the festivals

Full comedy line-up: Ed Byrne, Simon Munnery, Jeremy Hardy, Nina Conti, Four Poofs and a Piano, Arthur Smith, Brendon Burns, John Otway, Mitch Benn, Robin Ince

Where: Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset

Ticket info: Long sold out

Comedy headliners: Phill Jupitus' Impro All Stars, Howard Marks, Andre Vincent

Music headliners: Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, Toots & The Maytals, Courtney Pine, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown

Why you should go: With a music programme of veterans and mellow music, this is probably one for the more mature festival-goer

Full comedy line-up: Phill Jupitus' Impro All Stars, Howard Marks, Andre Vincent, Carl Donnelly, Marty McLean, Tiernan Douieb, Keith Farnan, Pete Cain, Josh Widdicombe

Where: Merton Farm, Canterbury

Ticket info: Adult weekend: £95 from 0844 888 9991

Comedy headliners: Russell Howard, Rich Hall, David O’Doherty

Music headliners: Toots and the Maytals, Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra with Alison Moyet, Martha Wainwright

Why you should go: A relatively intimate festival that is proudly kept its non-branded, non-corporate ethos for its 20-year history.

Full comedy line-up: Russell Howard, Rich Hall, David O’Doherty, Pappy’s, Craig Campbell, Wil Hodgson, Steve Hall, Jason Cook, Joe Lycett, Ed Gamble

Where: Larmer Tree Gardens, on the Wiltshire/Dorset border, just off the A354 between Salisbury and Blandford

Ticket info: Five day ticket is priced at just £184 for adults. Click here for all the options.

Comedy headliners: Emo Philips, Daniel Kitson, Mark Watson, Tommy Tiernan

Music headliners: Florence And The Machine, Belle and Sebastian and Vampire Weekend.

Why you should go: The most middle-class of all the festivals, but also the most eclectic. Comedy and cabaret take a central role, not just adjuncts the music, and the smallish site has a laid-back, creative vibe that it's a pleasure to soak in

Full comedy line-up: Emo Philips, Daniel Kitson, Ardal O’Hanlon,Mark Watson, Rich Hall, Tommy Tiernan, Russell Kane, The Early Edition with Marcus Brigstocke, Andre Vincent and Guests, Arthur Smith, Phill Jupitus and Friends Improv Show, Richard Herring, Robin Ince’s Book Club with Kevin Eldon, Jo Neary, Robyn Hitchcock, Josie Long & Gavin Osborn, Rich Fulcher, Laura Solon, Kevin Bridges, Charlie Baker, Doc Brown, Terry Alderton, Idiots of Ants, Miss Behave, Phil Kay, Paul Zenon, Micky Flanagan,Craig Campbell, Mark Olver, Joe Bor, Holly Walsh, Josie Long , Sara Pascoe, Seann Walsh, Kalki Hula Girl, Raymond and Mr. Timpkins, David O’Doherty, Angelos Epithemiou, Jimmy McGhie, Andi Osho, Chris Ramsey, The Al Pitcher Picture Show, Colin Hoult: Carnival Of Monsters, Pros From Dover, Tom Basden, Deborah Frances-White, Richard Dedomenici

Where: Henham Park in Southwold, Suffolk

Ticket info: Weekend tickets £155 ; day tickets £65 (no camping). Click here for tickets

Festival has been cancelled.

Comedy headliners:Tim Minchin, Rufus Hound, Andrew Maxwell, Jim Jefferies

Music headliners: Madness, Friendly Fires, Human League

Why you should go: Relatively intimate, it's good for the family... in fact it was voted best family festival last year.

Full comedy line-up: Tim Minchin, Rufus Hound, Andrew Maxwell, Jim Jefferies, Marcus Brigstocke, Andre Vincent, Carl Donnelly, Craig Campbell, Papa CJ, Mitch Benn, Rob Rouse, Matt Kirshen, Pete Cain, Tiernan Douieb, Tiffany Stevenson, Tim FitzHigham

Where: Lulworth Castle, Dorset

Ticket info: Adult Weekend Ticket: £155 from 0844 888 4410

Comedy headliners: Tim Minchin, Sean Hughes

Music headliners: Iron Maiden, Alice Cooper, Iggy & The Stooges

Why you should go: Because you like metal. The comedy takes over one stage in the afternoon, a brief break from the guitars.

Full comedy line-up:Tim Minchin, Sean Hughes, Andrew O'Neill, Jarred Christmas

Where: Kenbworth House, Hertfordshire

Ticket info: Weekend camping tickets £157.50. Click here to buy.

Comedy headliners:Sarah Millican, Mitch Benn, Paul Sinha

Music headliners: Human League, Lighning Seeds, Mercury Rev

Why you should go: Because it's all free!

Full comedy line-up:Sarah Millican, Mitch Benn, Rob Rouse, Mick Ferry, Ivan Brackenbury, Andrew Lawrence, Paul Sinha, Alun Cochrane, Matt Reed, Jason Cook, Dan Nightingale

Where: Stockton Riverside

Ticket info: Free!

Comedy headliners:Milton Jones

Music headliners: Seasick Steve, Caribou, Steve Mason, Roots Manuva

Why you should go: Not one of the higher-profile festivals, with names unlikely to draw huge crowds, but very convenient if you're in the East Midlands

Full comedy line-up: , Milton Jones, Rob Deering, Junior Simpson, Andy Robinson, Ray Peacock, Mark Olver, Kent Valentine, Liam Mullone, and Adrian Poynton

Where: De Montfort Hall, Leicester

Ticket info: Weekend tickets £105, on sale from the official website

Published: 28 Apr 2010