As the temperatures heat up, it’s time to start planning how to make the most of those long, sunny summer days. We’ve got you covered, with a range of free UK summer events across the country to keep you entertained.
From food festivals and music concerts to vibrant carnivals and quirky events, we’ve got a huge array of free events in summer 2025 in the UK for you to choose from.
London
Notting Hill Carnival
London’s biggest street festival, Notting Hill Carnival celebrates Caribbean culture and attracts over 50,000 participants and around two million attendees. You can expect music, dancing, street food and endless fun. It starts on Saturday with a ticketed event, and then the Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday are free to all (Sunday is Families and Children’s Day, while Monday is Adults Day). Arrive early to bag a good spot to watch the parade. The Sound Systems will be booming from midday.
When: Sunday 24 to Monday 25 August 2025
Where: W10 and W11, London
Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF)
Dubbing itself ‘London’s leading festival of free outdoor theatre and performing arts’, Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF) provides two weeks of free theatre, art, dance and circus performance in London. There’s sure to be something for everyone, from street theatre to thought-provoking installations. There are also plenty of kid-friendly events, too. Highlights for 2025 include an all-female high-wire walk framed by London’s best view, a fusion of engineering and circus, and on-water physical theatre with a climate message.
When: Friday 22 August to Saturday 6 September 2025
Where: Greenwich and Docklands, London
The Cally Festival
The Cally Festival celebrates the vibrant culture of the mile-and-a-half-long Caledonian Road, which runs from Camden Road to Pentonville Road in North London. Every year, the road is closed so that more than 7,000 people can enjoy the party atmosphere. The free event includes music, performance, art, activities, creative workshops and a street market.
When: Sunday 6 July 2025
Where: Caledonian Road, North London
The South
Newport Carnival
The Main Carnival Procession of Newport Carnival on the Isle of Wight takes place on Saturday 2 August 2025 and is the highlight event, setting off from South Street at 7pm. Popular vantage points include South Street and High Street, while Trafalgar Road and the Mall can be quieter. There’s also an illuminated procession on Thursday 21 August.
When: Saturday 2 August 2025
Where: South Street, Newport, Isle of Wight
Leigh Folk Festival
The largest free folk festival in the UK, Leigh Folk Festival celebrates folk music, arts and culture, and takes place in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex. Nearly all of the events are free, and in addition to the music there are dance and storytelling sessions, family activities, and food and drink vendors.
When: Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 June 2025
Where: Around Leigh Library Gardens, Leigh-on-Sea, Southend, Essex
Brighton & Hove Pride Community Parade
The Brighton & Hove Pride LGBTQ+ Pride Community Parade attracts 300,000 people to the streets of the seaside city to participate in and watch the free fun every year, as floats and walking groups showcase the city’s charities, community groups, small businesses and emergency services. ‘Ravishing Rage’ is the theme this year, with the tagline ‘Fury never felt so fierce!’
When: Saturday 2 August 2025
Where: From Hove Lawns to Preston Park, Brighton & Hove
There are numerous other Pride events taking place all over the UK this summer, so take a look at the full list of Pride events to find more.
Hastings Old Town Carnival Week
There are plenty of fun events around Hastings Old Town in August, including pram racing, treasure trails, open houses, street parties, live music and art shows. There’s also the Grand Carnival Procession to enjoy at Hastings Old Town Carnival Week, which has been going since 1968. The events are organised by volunteers and donations support local charities.
When: Friday 1 to Sunday 10 August 2025
Where: Hastings, East Sussex
Herne Bay Festival
Herne Bay Festival is here to bring you a fun-filled summer holiday, with lots of free events for the family. There are great activities to take part in, like craft workshops, sports and art trails, as well as live music and performances.
When: Sunday 20 July to Sunday 17 August 2025
Where: Herne Bay, Kent
Graveshem Riverside Festival
Sonique is the headline act at this year’s Gravesham Riverside Festival, and is joined by an array of tribute acts celebrating the music of Amy Winehouse, Madness, Nile Rodgers and Chic, and Rod Stewart, plus local band Gold. In addition to the music, there’s free activities for families at Fort Gardens, including an Active Area full of sports to try, circus shows and skills workshops in the Big Top, and fun and games around the bandstand with Centre Stage Parties, creative workshops, garden games, a magician and face painting.
When: Saturday 5 July 2025
Where: Gravesend Promenade, Gordon Place, Kent
Reading Mela
Reading’s largest South Asian event, Reading Mela celebrates the music, culture and food of South Asia. Expect live performances of grassroots music, Bollywood DJ sets and Punjabi Dhol, plus Punjabi bhangra dancers, Indian classical music and Qawwali singing. There’ll be shopping stalls and world food stalls, plus a Family Fun Zone with free activities, shows and an Indian street circus plus fun fair rides. The event is free but you need to book tickets.
When: Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August 2025, 12pm to 7pm
Where: Palmer Park, Reading, Berkshire
Ryde Carnival
Ryde Carnival has been taking place since 1888, and includes not one but three different carnivals taking place across three dates this August. You can expect a riot of colour and light to mark the end of the summer at these free events.
When: The children’s carnival is on Saturday 23 August, the main carnival is Thursday 28 August, and the illuminated carnival is Saturday 30 August 2025.
Where: Ryde, Isle of Wight 
The Midlands
Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival
The 22nd Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival in aid of Brain Tumour Research is free to watch at Willen Lake. Thousands of spectators will watch up to 48 teams compete over the 200m race course. Bankside entertainment, activities and food stalls all add to the fun.
When: Saturday 19 July 2025
Where: Willen Lake, V10 Brickhill Street, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DS
Nottingham Riverside Festival
Nottingham Riverside Festival is organised by Nottingham City Council, and has been taking place since 1973. Previously attracting 250,000 people after two years off due to the pandemic, last year’s festival offered a scaled-back version minus the fireworks and live music. Details of 2025’s offering are yet to be confirmed, but you can expect lots of family fun.
When: Friday 1 to Monday 3 August 2025
Where: Victoria Embankment, Nottingham
Oswestry Balloon Carnival
Oswestry Balloon Carnival is a two-day family fun charity event in aid of Nightingale House hospice, and while admission is free, a £2 donation is warmly encouraged. There are over 20 hot air balloons confirmed, as well as carnival fun, a farmers’ market and food.
When: Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 August 2025
Where: Oswestry, Shropshire
Worcester Music Festival
A three-day free music festival that aims to support and encourage live and original music, and raise money for local charities. Worcester Music Festival takes place in more than 20 venues across Worcester City Centre, featuring around 250 bands plus workshops.
When: Friday 12 to Sunday 14 September 2025
Where: Worcester City Centre
The North
Durham BRASS Festival
Celebrating brass music in all its forms, Durham BRASS Festival takes place over eight days, blending genres in a range of paid-for and free events. Some of the free events include Streets Of Brass in Durham City, Party in the Park in Wharton Park, and the Brass Bash taking place in various locations.
When: Sunday 13 to Sunday 20 July 2025
Where: Venues across County Durham
This Is South Tyneside Festival
This Is South Tyneside Festival provides free entertainment on South Shields seafront. This includes Sunday Concerts at Bents Park, which are free concerts across four weekends, with gates opening around 12.45pm and no tickets required. Headliners for the various dates include Shayne Ward, Nik Kershaw and Bjorn Again. There’s also a Festival Parade on 5 July, and Proms in the Park on 6 July.
When: Sunday 13 July, 20 July, 27 July and 3 August 2025
Where: South Shields, Tyne and Wear
Clarence Park Music Festival
Clarence Park Music Festival is Yorkshire’s longest running free music festival and is presented by the Wakefield Music Collective. Its aim is to promote live, local music of all genres. This year’s festival also marks its 32nd birthday. The 4,000 to 6,000 people who enjoy the music over the weekend can expect food tents, craft stalls and a beer tent, and you can bring a picnic to enjoy on the grass.
When: Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July 2025
Where: Clarence Park, Wakefield, Yorkshire
Stockton International Riverside Festival
Dubbing itself the ‘North East’s biggest FREE to enjoy outdoor arts and street theatre festival’ Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF) features dance, music and circus art courtesy of artists from the Tees Valley and the UK as well as Belgium, Catalonia, France and Korea. There are more than 100 shows to enjoy.
When: Friday 1 to Monday 3 August 2025
Where: Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham
The East
Aldeburgh Carnival
Described as ‘a grand three days out at the seaside’ and ‘Suffolk’s finest carnival’, Aldeburgh Carnival is at least 170 years old. You’ll find award-winning fun for the whole family over the three days, with the Carnival itself on the Monday.
When: Saturday 16 to Monday 18 August 2025
Where: Aldeburgh, Suffolk
BIG Wednesdays Fireworks Great Yarmouth
On Wednesdays through the summer holidays, you can enjoy free firework displays on Great Yarmouth beach. BIG Wednesdays Fireworks also provide other family fun, including street acts and entertainment.
When: Wednesdays from 23 July to 27 August 2025, with entertainment starting at 6pm and 9pm, and fireworks at 10pm
Where: Great Yarmouth Central Beach, Marine Parade, Norfolk, NR30 2EN 
The West
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
Europe’s largest annual hot air balloon festival, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is free to attend (but there’s a charge for parking to help the not-for-profit organisation cover operational costs). You can also walk up to watch the launches from Ashton Court Estate, or find another local spot to watch for free. Expect twice-daily mass balloon ascents as more 100 hot air balloons take to the skies at dawn and dusk, in addition to balloon-themed fun, stunt displays and music. In the evening on Friday and Saturday, the Nightglow features a display of glowing balloons set to music from BBC Radio Bristol.
When: Friday 8 to Sunday 10 August 2025
Where: Ashton Court, Bristol
Fowey Regatta
Taking place in August each year, Fowey Regatta is one of the UK’s best known sailing events. This historic event doesn’t just include amazing sailing races, but also lots of land-based fun, most of which is free, from watching bands performing on Town Quay and the Grand Carnival Parade to the Crowning of the Royalty and the Flora Dance, plus a sand sculpture competition and crab catching contest.
When: Sunday 17 August to Saturday 23 August 2025
Where: Town Quay and various venues in Fowey, Cornwall
Love Local Food Festival
Discover Devon’s best food and drink at Love Local Food Festival. Hosted by Greendale Farm Shop, there’s free entry and an array of street-food vendors in Exeter Castle courtyard. Entertainment includes live music, children’s activities, talks, ice cream and cheese making demos, and gin and chocolate tasting experiences.
When: Saturday 9 August 2025
Where: Exeter Castle, Devon
St Paul’s Carnival Back a Yard
St Paul’s Carnival is returning in 2025 with a scaled-back series of events celebrating ‘Roots of Resistance’. This year’s programme honours the legacy of activists throughout Bristol's history, with food, music and carnival arts. The Community Celebration Day on 5 July is a free, ticketed event (donations are very welcome) at Circomedia. Docklands Community Centre is holding their carnival day celebration too.
When: Saturday 5 July 2025
Where: Circomedia at Portland Square, Bristol
Devize’s Confetti Battle
After the Colour Rush in the Market Place, Devize’s Confetti Battle brings even more colour to the sky when the cannon goes off at 8.15pm, followed by fireworks. It’s free to attend, although you can purchase confetti on the night from a stall. Devizes is thought to be the only town in the world that has a Confetti Battle tradition. The confetti dates back to the old Devizes Carnival in 1913, and the battle started around 1955.
When: Saturday 16 August 2025
Where: Market Place, Devizes, Wiltshire
Scotland
Edinburgh Folk & Food Festival
Formerly the Edinburgh Food Festival, the 2025 offering is called the Edinburgh Folk & Food Festival and is free to enter, with some ticketed programmed events. Expect to enjoy some of Scotland's best food and drink vendors and some of the best folk music from Scotland and beyond during the ten-day event.
When: Friday 18 July to Sunday 27 July 2025
Where: George Square Garden, Edinburgh
Free Fringe Festival
The Free Fringe Festival in Edinburgh runs for more than three weeks in August and has 320 free and Pay What You Can shows. There are over 6,000 performances, from comedy and cabaret and kids shows to music and theatre.
When: Thursday 31 July to Sunday 24 August 2025
Where: Edinburgh
Loch Lomond Summerfest
Free, family fun is the order of the day/s at Loch Lomond Summerfest. Expect live music and performances, activities and entertainment, plus street food and drinks.
When: Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July 2025
Where: Loch Lomond Shores, Ben Lomond Way, Balloch G83 8QL
Wales
Chapel World Bog Snorkelling Championships
Crowds gather in Mid Wales to watch who’s the fastest bog snorkeller over 120 yards. Competitors, of which there can be 150, wear a facemark, snorkel tube and flippers, and use doggy paddle in a bid to become a World Champion. There’s also a best fancy dress contest. You can take the mile-long walk from the town or the free shuttle bus, or pay a small fee to park at the bog site. In addition to the contest, there are food and drink stalls, live music and crafts. This annual event is approaching its 40th outing.
When: Sunday 24 August 2025
Where: Waen Rydd bog, on the outskirts of Llanwrtyd Wells
Aberaeron Carnival
A fixture for more than 50 years, Aberaeron Carnival takes place annually on the August bank holiday Monday. There’s a different colour theme each year; in 2025 it’s blue and pink.
When: Monday 25 August 2025
Where: Aberaeron, Cardigan Bay
Caerphilly Cheese Festival
Caerphilly Cheese Festival is a two-day event offers entertainment too, with workshops, craft sessions, three stages across the town centre hosting live music, plus a funfair and food and drink stalls. There’s also a Cheese Race, which is free to enter and all participants are given free funfair tickets, with a £100 prize for each winning category.
When: Saturday 30 to Sunday 31 August 2025
Where: Caerphilly town centre, CF83 1JL, and rear of Caerphilly Castle
Northern Ireland
Scarva Bandstand Concerts
The summer concert programme returns to Scarva Bandstand each Sunday from April to September. Admission is free, and limited seating is provided. Simply sit back, relax and take in the beautiful music. Throughout July there’s a range of Silver Bands.
When: Every Sunday from 6 April (exc. 20 April) to 28 September 2025, 3-4pm
Where: Scarva Bandstand, Armagh
Portstewart Red Sails Festival
The week-long Portstewart Red Sails Festival includes entertainment for all ages. There’ll be live music, kids’ events and dance, as well as a fireworks display.
When: Sunday 20 to Saturday 26 July 2025
Where: The Promenade, Portstewart, County Londonderry
Whichever free events in the UK you head to this summer, we hope you have fun!
