With the price of residing biting family budgets I wager you’re in search of budget-friendly actions to take pleasure in with your loved ones in the course of the summer season. As a serving to hand I’m sharing a number of the free occasions in England taking place all through July, August and into September.
These occasions are ordered by date however scroll down the checklist and also you’ll discover:
free artwork in London and Warwickshire
free festivals in Bristol and Portsmouth
free airshows in Devon and Blackpool
and all types of different free methods to entertain the kiddos.
On the lookout for extra concepts for days out whereas colleges are out? Right here’s my spherical up of particular days out this summer season.
Contents – leap to what you’d prefer to know
Free occasions throughout EnglandBristol Harbour Competition – 17 to 19 July 2023Art within the Park, Warwickshire – 1 to 2 August 2026Bristol Worldwide Balloon Fiesta, Somerset – 7 to 9 August 2026Blackpool Air Present – 8 to 9 August 2026Plymouth Firework Championships, Devon – 13 to 14 August 2026Greenwich+Docklands Worldwide Competition, London – 23 August to eight September 2026Telford Balloon Fiesta, Shropshire – 28 to 30 August 2026Sidmouth Airshow, Devon – 28 to 30 August 2026Harvest Seasonal Market, Raby Fort, County Durham – 29 to 31 August 2026Leeds West Indian Carnival – 29 to 31 August 2026Ryde Carnival, Isle of Wight – 29 August to three September 2026Notting Hill Carnival, London – 30 to 31 August 2026
Free occasions throughout England
Right here’s the place to seek out budget-friendly occasions to expertise with your loved ones this summer season:
Bristol Harbour Competition – 17 to 19 July 2023
The biggest free arts pageant within the South West brings collectively a packed programme of music, efficiency, circus and dance.
Be a part of within the enjoyable because the harbour aspect transforms right into a stay leisure venue.
Discover out extra about what’s on at Bristol Harbour Competition.
Why not climb the rigging on SS Nice Britain whilst you’re on the pageant?
Artwork within the Park, Warwickshire – 1 to 2 August 2026
Artwork within the Park, the biggest free out of doors arts gathering in Warwickshire, will happen in Jephson Backyard and Mill Gardens in Leamington Spa this August.
The pageant provides guests, households and younger individuals the chance to participate in and luxuriate in a spread of artwork, theatre, dance, crafts, music, occasions and workshops. It would additionally host a number of the best native culinary choices throughout pop-up foods and drinks stalls.
Artwork within the Park is not only a two-day arts occasion, however is a year-round cultural hive which works to help younger individuals, underrepresented teams and rising artists – and their inventive growth.
Discover out extra about what’s on at Artwork within the Park.
Bristol Worldwide Balloon Fiesta, Somerset – 7 to 9 August 2026
Bristol’s largest free fiesta returns to Ashton Court docket Property in Bristol this summer season.
Greater than 100 hot-air balloons collect for mass ascents, tethered shows and the extremely anticipated Evening Glow spectacles on the largest occasion of its type in Europe.
Held over 4 days, there are market stalls, stay music, fairground rides and road meals stalls that additionally assist appeal to over half one million individuals to the fiesta annually.
Discover out extra about what’s on at Bristol Balloon Fiesta.
Blackpool Air Present – 8 to 9 August 2026
Again for 2026, the Blackpool Air Present appears to be like set to draw as much as 100,000 guests to see a number of the world’s best plane – together with the long-lasting Pink Arrows – performing over the long-lasting seafront location.
Discover out the road up for this 12 months’s present.
Plymouth Firework Championships, Devon – 13 to 14 August 2026
Probably the most illuminating free occasions in England, the Championships are a spectacle to not be missed. They happen overlooking Plymouth Harbour and Sound for additional sea view drama and appeal to tens of 1000’s of individuals annually.
The fireworks will begin from round 9.30pm every night. There’s leisure, together with a funfair, and foods and drinks stalls to take pleasure in on Plymouth Hoe earlier than the spectacle begins.
For the newest occasion information and data see the Plymouth Firework Championships.
Right here’s some extra concepts for locations to go to in Plymouth.
Greenwich+Docklands Worldwide Competition, London – 23 August to eight September 2026
Greenwich+Docklands Worldwide Competition is London’s free theatre and performing arts pageant, that tells compelling tales in spectacular type.
The programme will embody performances by worldwide artists, from nations together with Spain, Germany, Flanders, Italy, France, The Netherlands and the US.
Take a look at the total pageant programme.
Check out extra concepts for visiting London on a finances this summer season.
Telford Balloon Fiesta, Shropshire – 28 to 30 August 2026
Telford Balloon Fiesta will return to Telford City Park and QE11 Enviornment for 3 days of free enjoyable over the Financial institution Vacation weekend.
Celebrations kick off on the Friday with a heat up night that includes stay music. Saturday brings extra stay music and leisure in addition to the favored Evening Glow, and Sunday provides a day of household leisure and have-a-go actions together with crafts and circus performances.
Individuals throughout Telford and additional afield will be capable to see sizzling air balloons travelling across the county all through the weekend.
Discover out extra about this occasion.
Sidmouth Airshow, Devon – 28 to 30 August 2026
The Airshow returns to Sidmouth in 2026. Headlining the line-up would be the world well-known RAF Aerobatic Group, The Pink Arrows who will return to the city’s skies to show at one among their favorite places over the bay at Sidmouth.
Discover out extra about Sidmouth Airshow.
Discover extra issues to do in East Devon on my Devon with Youngsters web site.
Harvest Seasonal Market, Raby Fort, County Durham – 29 to 31 August 2026
Raby is doubtless one of the spectacular intact castles within the North of England. Constructed within the 14th Century by the highly effective Nevill household, it has a protracted historical past and makes for an exquisite day trip within the Durham Dales.
Over the August Financial institution Vacation, the fortress is internet hosting its well-liked Harvest Seasonal Market. This can be a free occasion with a spread of native suppliers together with meals, drinks, jewelry, ceramics and homeware.
Go to the Raby Property web site for additional data and updates.
Leeds West Indian Carnival – 29 to 31 August 2026
Europe’s longest working Caribbean Carnival parade, Leeds West Indian Carnival, is returning to Potternewton Park in Leeds this August. With vibrant costumes, tropical music, and mouth-watering meals, this can be a true celebration of West Indian tradition in Leeds.
The Leeds Carnival web site with all have all of the up-to-date data.
Which of those free occasions in England takes your fancy?
Ryde Carnival, Isle of Wight – 29 August to three September 2026
Ryde Carnival dates again to 1887 making it the UK’s oldest carnival and one of many oldest free occasions in England. It’s an all-inclusive and joyous parade of color and lightweight marking the tip of summer season.
Three parades will happen throughout the week: the Important Carnival, the Illuminated Carnival and a Kids’s Carnival Day..
Take a look at extra about what’s on at Ryde Carnival.
Notting Hill Carnival, London – 30 to 31 August 2026
One of many world’s largest celebrations, Notting Hill Carnival returns to the streets of West London in 2026 bringing with it a spectacular show of color and sound that celebrates wealthy cultural heritage.
View the Notting Hill Carnival web site for all the small print.
If of any others tat will be added to this checklist please drop me a line.
Discover extra days out in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Eire in my massive spherical up of 101 UK points of interest for households.