Carfest South

Carfest South, Basingstoke, Hampshire

22 - 24 August 2025

August Bank Holiday Weekend

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Make the most of the August Bank Holiday with our exciting list of activities and events across South East England. It's the perfect time to holiday in the UK and create lasting memories with family and friends, whether you're seeking a relaxing getaway, thrilling family day out, or the chance to dive right into one of the many cultural festivities on offer. 

Things to do August Bank Holiday Weekend

Delve into our featured bank holiday events below and discover thrilling medieval jousts, fantastic family fun, magical live performances, delicious food and drink, and some great festivals to soak up the last of the summer sunshine. In case the weather takes a turn, you will also find some fantastic indoor adventures to keep everyone busy no matter what the UK bank holiday weather brings plus some cost-effective ways to keep the kids entertained and out of the house.

Family Day-Out Ideas

  • TV's Taskmaster at Carisbrooke Castle, Newport, Isle of Wight, running throughout August Bank Holiday Weekend
    Summer fun as TV's Taskmaster sets challenges as you explore the historic castle. 
  • Summer bubble fun at Winchester Science Centre, Winchester, Hanpshire, running throughout August Bank Holiday Weekend
    Don't just watch the action – discover the science of bubbles with every pop and get hands-on with bubble fun of all shapes and sizes!
  • Jousting at Hever Castle, Edenbridge, Kent, 22nd - 25th August 2025
    The Knights of Royal England will be entertaining visitors with exhilarating displays of action, stunts, falls, and fights in an authentic arena complete with a Royal Box.
  • Sunset at the Hawk Conservancy Trust, Andover, Hampshire, 23rd August 2025
    A special summer evening with feathered friends - you'll have the opportunity to meet a wide range of their incredible birds
  • Viking Raid at Chiltern Open Air MusuemChalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, 24th - 25th August 2025
    Explore the Viking and Saxon living history camps and watch as the clash between the two forces unfolds before your eyes.
  • Sunrise Breakfast at Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Sandown, Isle of Wight, 25th August 2025
    Enjoy a rare early morning encounter with some of the rescued animals and a delicious breakfast 

Summertime Festivals & Shows

  • Rye Jazz & Blues FestivalRye, East Sussex, 21st - 25th August 2025
    Don't miss the Rye Jazz & Blues Festival, a sensational celebration of jazz and blues music
  • Reading Festival, Reading, Berkshire, 21st - 24th August 2025
    Offering a diverse lineup for a broad spectrum of musical tastes, with an eco-campsite, camping and glamping too.
  • CarFest South 2025, Basingstoke, Hampshire, 22nd - 24th August 2025
    Experience the ultimate celebration of cars, music, food, and family fun at CarFest,
  • Eastbourne BandstandEastbourne, Sussex, 22nd - 24th August 2025
    Open air tribute acts including ABBA, 80s Night and Phil Collins.
  • Victorious Festival, Southsea, Portsmouth, 22nd - 25th August 2025
    Bringing the best live music, comedy, and family entertainment to Southsea Common
  • Henley Country Craft Show, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire 22nd - 25th August 2025
    The UK's biggest, quality craft show with over 200 stands!
  • Sandwich Festival, Sandwich, Kent, 23rd - 25th August 2025 (F)
    A weekend of free entertainment in the town centre and on the Quay Green.
  • Ryde Children's Carnival, Ryde, Isle of Wight, 23rd August 2025
    Lots of free entertainment and activities across locations in Ryde on the Isle of Wight
  • Ice Cream Festival at Kent Life Heritage Farm Park, Maidstone, Kent, 23rd - 25th August 2025
    There will be a wide range of ice cream, waffles and sundaes to choose from.
  • Brogdale Cider Festival, Faversham, Kent, 23rd - 24th August 2025
    Enjoy local ciders, music and family fun. Free shuttle bus to and from Faversham station.
  • Live at the Bandstand, Windsor, Berkshire, 24th August 2025 (F)
    Come and enjoy live band performances in the open air.

When is the next bank holiday?

The next bank holiday is Monday 25th August, which means the August bank holiday weekend runs from Saturday 23rd August to Monday 25th August. This three-day long weekend makes it an ideal opportunity to get away for a city break, or to head out for a day trip, or to enjoy one of many events on your doorstep. This upcoming bank holiday is the last one before Christmas and is a great opportunity to spend time with family and friends outdoors before the winter months start to draw in again.  

August Bank Holiday Events Near Me

You can find hundreds more events and things to do this August bank holiday 2025 in our events guide below, we cover those in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Dorset including the August Bank Holiday Monday.

If you are travelling to a part of South East England for a short break or day trip, use the 'map view' button to find something local.

Number of results:

Number of results: 130

, currently showing 21 to 40.

  1. Scented Visions: Smell in Art 1850-1915

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Compton, Guildford

    Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Pre-Raphaelite art through the evocative power of scent at Watts Gallery. Engage your sense of smell and gain a new appreciation for the artists' intentions and the cultural context in which they created…

    Dates

    From:
    15 May 2025to9 Nov 2025
  2. Go Ape x Summer Adventures 2025 - Boring Ends Here

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Titmus Drive, Crawley

    Based in the heart of Tilgate Park, just two miles from the centre of Crawley,
    adventure awaits. Whether you're a thrill-seeker looking for a unique activity or simply
    after some quality time with friends and family, Go Ape have you covered.…

    Dates

    From:
    1 June 2025to31 Aug 2025Open 10:30 - 16:00
  3. Cinderella – IKP Events

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Waterperry

    From the company who brought you The Little Mermaid, Hercules, Beauty and the Beast and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the classic fairytale of magic, true love and custom-made shoes is brought to life in this brand new show for all ages.

    Embark on…

    Dates

    From:
    23 Aug 2025Open 17:00 - 18:00
  4. Icons of Formula 1

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibitions

    New Forest

    Experience the thrill of speed at Beaulieu as special display Icons of Formula 1 takes to the National Motor Museum stage.

    From 24th May to 2nd November, a new special display in the National Motor Museum will mark 75 years since the inaugural…

    Dates

    From:
    24 May 2025to2 Nov 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
  5. Instant Radiance Spa Package

    Type

    Type:

    Participatory Event

    Little Horwood, Milton Keynes

    Designed to pamper you from head to toe, come and experience the Instant Radiance Spa Day at Horwood House Hotel

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
  6. Victorious Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Portsmouth

    Victorious Festival returns for 2025 - bringing some of the biggest bands and artists to Southsea Common.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Aug 2025to24 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 23:00
  7. Ryde Children's Carnival Day

    Type

    Type:

    Carnival

    RYDE

    Join Ryde Carnival for some free family fun as we celebrate Children's Carnival Day. Lots of activities and entertainment will take place in different locations around Ryde town centre. Activities will include story time, junk modelling competition,…

    Dates

    From:
    23 Aug 2025Open 11:00 - 15:00
  8. Fairytale Festival 2025

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Chipping Norton

    Let the magic begin…

    Fairytale Festival returns this summer!
    Fairytale Farm | ️23rd July – 1st September | ⏰10am–5pm daily


    Join us for a magical summer of storytelling, animal encounters, games, and brand new attractions including:

    Mad…

    Dates

    From:
    23 July 2025to1 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
  9. Stick Man Fun Day

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Bedgebury Road, Goudhurst

    Come along to meet Stick Man himself at our fun day!
    Stick Man will be appearing at various times throughout the day and there will be lots of Stick Man-themed activities on offer at Bedgebury.

    Appearance times: Watch our Forestry England…

    Dates

    From:
    23 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
  10. Reading Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Reading

    One of the biggest musical festivals in the world, every year over 90,000 people flock to the Richfield Avenue site to experience the iconic event.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Aug 2025to24 Aug 2025
  11. 50th Island Steam Fair @ Isle of Wight Steam Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage & History

    HAVENSTREET

    The family friendly Bank Holiday event of 2025! The Island Steam Show celebrates 50 glorious years.

    Enjoy a vast collection of vintage transport, traditional fairground, live entertainment, plus majestic steam trains running along the line.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Aug 2025to25 Aug 2025
  12. Earth Photo 2025

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Bedgebury Road, Goudhurst

    Established in 2018 by Forestry England, the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and Parker Harris, Earth Photo is a world-leading international programme dedicated to engaging with still and moving image makers.

    It's main objective is to reveal…

    Dates

    From:
    17 June 2025to3 Sept 2025Open 08:00 - 20:00
  13. GLOBALLS Date Night Package

    Type

    Type:

    Special Events

    Brighton Marina, Brighton

    Looking for a unique and budget-friendly Valentine's Day date?
    Glow crazy in love with the GLOBALLS Date Night Package! ️‍♀️ Choose from any of our stunning UV light mini golf courses or Carnival games for a night full of fun and unforgettable…

    Dates

    From:
    15 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 12:00 - 22:00
  14. Denbies Gallery Restaurant Cellar Wine Tasting & Lunch

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    Dorking

    A relaxed tour, tasting and lunch is the perfect way to immerse yourself in a complete winery experience at Denbies Vineyard in Dorking.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Aug 2025to28 Nov 2025Various Opening Times
  15. Rana Begum: No.1367 Mesh

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibitions

    Chichester

    Acclaimed visual artist Rana Begum RA transforms our historic staircase with No.1367 Mesh, her iconic suspended, colourful mesh clusters, creating a vibrant blend of history and contemporary art.

    Dates

    From:
    20 July 2024to1 July 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  16. Curious About Henley on Thames

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Hart Street, Henley on Thames

    Have fun (re-)discovering Henley on Thames, spotting things you've never noticed before, with two quirky treasure hunt style heritage walks - a fun and affordable way to get some fresh air, whilst finding out about this lovely Thames town. Curious…

    Dates

    From:
    1 July 2025to31 Mar 2026Open 09:00 - 18:00
  17. The Sussex Guild Contemporary Craft Show at Pashley Manor Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Nr Wadhurst

    The Sussex Guild is exhibiting over the August Bank Holiday weekend at Pashley Manor Gardens, described as one of the finest gardens in England.

    Guild designers will be showing their work in a large marquee in front of the Grade I listed oak…

    Dates

    From:
    23 Aug 2025to25 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
  18. Cosmic Adventures

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Aylesbury

    This summer holiday, blast off into a world of space, science, and sci-fi fun for the whole family.
    Join us for themed crafts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, explore the incredible Beyond the Stars exhibition, Space Descent VR – narrated by Tim…

    Dates

    From:
    23 July 2025to3 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
  19. Titsey Place Open Days

    Type

    Type:

    Tour

    Titsey, Oxted

    Step back in time with a visit to Titsey Place and Gardens, located in the Surrey North Downs, a short drive from Limpsfield High Street.

    Still occupied as a family home, this beautiful house is only open for selected days during the year from…

    Dates

    From:
    14 May 2025to24 Sept 2025Various Opening Times
  20. Curious About Portsmouth

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    The Hard, Portsmouth

    Have fun (re-)discovering Portsmouth, spotting things you've never noticed before, with two quirky treasure hunt style heritage walks - a fun and affordable way to get some fresh air, whilst finding out about this fascinating port. Curious About…

    Dates

    From:
    3 May 2025to3 May 2026