We’ve rounded up the best festivals, shows and activities to help you see off the summer in style – without spending a thing
Whether you're looking for ways to keep the kids busy over the school holidays or simply fancy doing something a little different, you've come to the right place. To save you from scouring the internet for ideas, we've rounded up some of the brilliant free events happening across the UK in August, with everything from air shows and adventure trails to festivals and family fun on the list. All you need to do is turn up and have a great time!
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Free nationwide events
Head out on a family adventure
Summer trails, select WWT centres, every day throughout August
Credit: wwt.org.uk
Uh oh! Pelican Postie has lost their mail across seven WWT centres up and down the UK – and you’re invited to help find it! As you track down the nine missing postcards, you’ll discover the wonder of wetlands and the animals that call these vital habitats home. Simply pick up your trail map from the visitor centre and head off on an epic adventure; available at WWT Arundel, Caerlaverock, Castle Espie, Llanelli, London, Washington and Welney.
Over at WWT Slimbridge, you can test your wits with a huge interactive code-breaking adventure, while the Castle Espie centre is running another adventure trail on weekdays between 12–23 August.
Boundless membership grants you and up to five children the opportunity to make the most of unlimited entry to all nine WWT centres, plus 50% off for one additional adult guest. Find out more about Boundless membership and how to join.
Free events in London & the South East
Embrace the spirit of summer
King’s Cross Riviera, London, until 1 September
Credit: John Sturrock
You don’t need to step on a plane to indulge in the laid-back spirit of the French Riviera – the team at King’s Cross are bringing it to you. When you’re not busy exploring the acres of parks and gardens or cooling off in the fountains at Granary Square, there’s heaps more to do: try your hand at pétanque, kick back to open-air film or sports on the banks of Regent’s Canal (until 18 August), or enjoy an electrifying evening of live music (15–26 August).Oh, and there’s also the Team GB official fanzone, where you can catch all the action of the games along with live DJ sets, Olympic-themed activities and celebrate medal wins with returning athletes (until 11 August). What more could you ask for?
Have a putt-erly good time
Minigolf by Craig & Karl, London, until 29 September
Credit: Canary Wharf Group
Amid the towering skyscrapers, Canary Wharf’s wonderfully colourful free minigolf course is back to brighten up your afternoons. So grab your friends, pick up a club and get putting! Once you’ve conquered all nine holes, why not pop around the corner to Canada Square Park and unwind with an open-air film?
Catch an open-air performance
Alfresco Arts, London, throughout August
With the warm weather and longer days still with us, it makes sense to bring the things we like to do inside, outside. So it’s great that Canary Wharf’s Alfresco Arts series is offering Londoners a whole host of outdoor entertainment: little ones can play a hilarious game of ‘finger sports’ or sing along to West End classics, while theatre enthusiasts might enjoy a brand-new play. Over in leafy Jubilee Park, you can relax to a spot of jazz or classical music every other Wednesday lunchtime. Don’t forget your sunscreen.
Unravel the life of a beloved author and illustrator
Leslie Linder: Decoding Beatrix Potter, London, until 15 September
Credit: Getty Images
Fifty years ago, scholar and collector Leslie Linder donated his personal collection of Beatrix Potter’s drawings, manuscripts and works to the V&A. But he was more than an avid collector, studying Potter back when she was relatively unknown and even deciphering her secret code-written journals. In this special exhibition, you can view some of Linder’s unrivalled collection, discover how he cracked the code and uncover hidden stories about this world-famous figure.
Spin back to the ’70s
Vinyl Night, near Waltham Cross, 13 August
Credit: Getty Images
Sometimes all you need for a great night is good company and good tunes, and the Boundless North East London Group will be delivering both at their next club night. Taking things back to the 70s with an entire evening of vinyl, it’s a fantastic chance to have a chat with fellow members while indulging in a night of musical nostalgia.
Interested in this event but not yet a Boundless member? Boundless membership includes free entry to top attractions and exclusive events, as well as year-round savings. Find out more about Boundless membership and how to join.
Turn your eyes to the skies
Eastbourne International Airshow, Eastbourne, 15–18 August
Credit: @VisitEastbourne
Summer isn’t complete without a visit to an airshow, and Eastbourne's is up there with the very best. Celebrating its 30th year, this award-winning spectacle features breathtaking displays from the Red Arrows and the RAF Typhoon team as they soar across the seafront. The entertainment continues on the ground, with lots to keep the whole family busy all day long.
Party by the Thames
Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, London, 23 August – 8 September
Credit: Prudence Upton
Said to be “one of the best free festivals in the UK”, London’s annual performing arts celebration is back this summer. The banks of the Thames will be overflowing with a vibrant showcase of outdoor theatre, dance, circus performances and more. Don’t miss Thaw, an awe-inspiring eight-hour aerial show set atop a massive melting block of ice (don’t worry, you won’t need to sit through the entire duration!).
Revel in carnival joy
Notting Hill Carnival, London, 25 & 26 August
Credit: Getty Images
One of the world’s biggest street events, the legendary Notting Hill Carnival needs no introduction. Every year, this corner of London bursts to life with a massive celebration of Caribbean culture, with live bands, sound systems and dazzling costumed parades. Be sure to arrive with an appetite, as you’ll find a huge array of stalls dishing up delicious global cuisine (although you’ll have to pay for your food and drink).
Free events in the South West & Wales
Raise those jazz hands
Stompin’ On the Quomps, Dorset, 3 August
Credit: David Burgess
What better way to spend a summer’s day than by kicking back to some live jazz? Once a year, hundreds descend on the ‘Quomps’ – a park in Christchurch Quay, Dorset – for a day of eclectic jazz acts from across the country. And if you need to refuel after all that jumping, jiving and swinging, there’ll be food and drink stalls where you can pick up a delicious tipple or a tasty bite.
Watch the big lift-off
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, Long Ashton, 9–11 August
Credit: Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
What could be more breathtaking than the sight of colourful giant orbs floating silently in the air? Mesmerising crowds since 1979, this thrilling free event paints Bristol’s skies with a rainbow of hot air balloons, with mass ascents planned at dawn and dusk each day of the fiesta. But that’s not all – with live music, funfair rides and food stalls taking over the launch site at Ashton Court, you’re sure to find the whole occasion uplifting. Away from the main festival hob, spots such as Clifton Observatory, Brandon Hill and Victoria Park offer fantastic vantage points to witness this awe-inspiring spectacle. Up, up and away!
See the sky light up
British Fireworks Championships, Plymouth, 14 & 15 August
Credit: Getty Images
If you're crazy about Catherine wheels and barmy about bangers, then head down to Plymouth Hoe for this annual fireworks showdown. The idea is simple: six of the UK’s top pyrotechnics companies will each put on a 10-minute display, illuminating the sky with their colourful cascade before a winner is crowned at the end of it all.
Catch some awesome aerial displays
Bournemouth Air Festival, Bournemouth, 29–31 August
Credit: Paul Johnson
All eyes to the skies! Britain’s biggest free air festival soars back to Bournemouth Bay at the end of August, promising a spectacular treat for aviation fans and casual visitors alike. Featuring exhilarating flypasts by the RAF Typhoon team by both day and dusk, plus lots more happening on the ground, it’s sure to be a great day for the whole family.
Brie inspired!
Caerphilly Cheese Festival, Caerphilly 31 August & 1 September
Credit: Tom Curno Photography
Love a bit of Stinking Bishop or Slack-ma-Girdle? Then head to Caerphilly this weekend for the town's annual cheese festival. With food and drink stalls, live music, craft sessions and funfair rides for the kids, it promises to be a cracker of a weekend.
Free events in the Midlands & East
Get arty
Art in the Park, Leamington Spa, 3 & 4 August
Credit: Getty Images
The name Art in the Park does this two-day festival in Leamington Spa's Jephson Gardens somewhat of a disservice, as art is only a small part of its appeal. Alongside the local painters and craftspeople giving live demonstrations of their work and free workshops, there’ll be a whole host of live music, dance and theatre performances, as well as a smorgasbord of locally produced food and drink.
Have a merry old time
Robin Hood Festival, Nottinghamshire, 3–26 August
Credit: Mark Powell
The legend of Robin Hood and his Merry Men is one of the most captivating in English folklore, and where better to celebrate their exploits than in their old stomping ground of Sherwood Forest? Every weekend in August, themed events will be taking place at the site for this annual festival, with everything from battle reenactments to craft demonstrations on the itinerary. The medieval mayhem wraps up on the weekend of 24–26 August with The Grand Finale – an all-action arena show of chivalrous shenanigans.
Attend a beachside bash
Aldeburgh Carnival, Suffolk, 17–19 August
Credit: Getty Images
Held every year along a slice of Suffolk seaside, this award-winning carnival is always a fun-filled weekend. And there’s far more to it than the vibrant procession, with live music on the beach, duck races, an illuminated kite display, a silent auction and a 10K run all on the agenda. In celebration of the carnival’s 80th birthday, this year’s event is embracing all things 1980s – so don your best neon gear and get into the carnival spirit!
Admire retro roadsters
Warwick Classic Car Show, Warwick, 18 August
Credit: Chas Randhawa
Warwick might be best known for its historic castle, but a different kind of history will be celebrated here when over 100 cars, bikes and other motors descend on the town’s Market Place for this vintage vehicle show. Have a browse and meet their proud owners – you never know, it might even inspire you to renovate a classic vehicle of your own.
Free events in the North of England
Have a knees-up by the Tees
Stockton International Riverside Festival, Stockton-on-Tees, 2-4 August
Credit: Stockton International Riverside Festival
A cacophony of colour and sound awaits at the Stockton International Riverside Festival, held every August in County Durham. Over an electrifying three days, world-class performers showcase their sensational talents, from daring dance to street theatre, live music to magic acts.
Feel the flower power
Knowsley Flower Show, Merseyside, 4 August
Credit: Getty Images
Nothing lifts the spirits quite like the sights and smells of summer blooms, and they’ll be in abundance at the Knowsley Flower Show. The biggest free flower show in the region with over 100 flower, plant and veg classes on display, there’s also a craft zone, a dog show and family fun to keep you busy. And if you pop along a day early, you can attend the (also free) Knowsley Feelgood Festival, complete with wellness talks, workshops and other activities designed to keep you in tip-top shape.
Reach for the skies
Blackpool Air Show, Blackpool, 10 & 11 August
Credit: VisitBlackpool
Blackpool may be famous for its Illuminations and Pleasure Beach, but for one weekend everyone's eyes will be on the skies as a procession of winged wonders show off their prowess. Highlights will include performances from the Red Arrows, the RAF Typhoon team and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, while stalls and activities on the ground complement the aerial action.
Savour a slice of Italy
Festa Italiana, Manchester, 23–25 August
This mouth-watering Italian food and drink festival is set to transform Manchester’s Cathedral Gardens into a bustling piazza, with artisan market stalls, authentic street food, cookery demos all on the menu, plus live music and activities for the kids. Whether you savour freshly baked pizzas and homemade pasta, indulge in creamy gelato or sip an Aperol Spritz in the sunshine, it’s the perfect way to take your tastebuds on holiday without having to board a plane. Buon appetito!
Free events in Scotland & Northern Ireland
Dive into a cultural kaleidoscope
Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh, 2–26 August
Credit: Getty Images
Touted as “one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture in the world”, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe sees thousands of shows taking place at venues across the Scottish capital. The best part? You don’t need to spend a thing to get in on the fringe fun, with over 300 events free to attend (though contributions are appreciated if you enjoyed the show). With theatre, comedy, music and poetry on the bill, you can sample something different every day.
Enter the realm of giants
Wake the Giant Festival, County Down, 17 & 18 August
Credit: Getty Images
If you hear booming footsteps and notice your cup of water shaking, it's not an earthquake – it’s the mighty giants stomping their way back to Warrenpoint for the annual Wake the Giant Festival. Set against the stunning shores of Carlingford Lough, these 40-foot marionettes will share tales of their epic adventures, bringing the myths and legends of this enchanting region to life. While the puppets themselves are a massive draw, they’ll be keeping watch over a whole weekend of live music, family fun and culinary delights.
Free online events
Step up your snaps
Have a go at… Photography, anytime
Credit: Getty Images
Smartphones have turned us all into photographers, but have you considered taking your shooting skills to the next level? World Photography Day on 19 August is the perfect time to start unleashing your creative potential, and this on-demand, online masterclass is a brilliant starting point for Boundless members. It’ll teach you some simple techniques to transform your photography (even with your smartphone), then once you’ve snapped your way through those, you can delve into masterclasses on astrophotography, portrait photography and moving objects.Once you’ve put your newfound knowledge to the test, why not share your snaps with your friendly fellow members in the Boundless Photography Group?
Do more with Boundless
If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus. With Boundless, you get unlimited access or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions, including Kew Gardens and Wakehurst and WWT centres across the UK, as well as year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more. With Boundless Plus, you can enjoy additional benefits including unlimited access to Historic Royal Palaces sites, National Trust for Scotland places, access to the Ramblers' extensive walking community, and peace of mind with roadside assistance and local recovery by LV= Britannia Rescue.
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