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, bouncing 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

  • Summer fun with TV's Taskmaster at Carisbrooke Castle, Newport, Isle of Wight, running throughout August Bank Holiday Weekend
    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.
  • Viking Raid at Chiltern Open Air Musuem, Chalfont 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: 116

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Summer fun with TV's Taskmaster at Osborne

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    East Cowes

    TV's Taskmaster challenge Join the Taskmaster challenge at Osborne this Summer! English Heritage has partnered with TV's Taskmaster to set challenges as you explore the historic seaside palace and gardens. 

    Fun activities Tackle silly tasks,…

    Dates

    From:
    19 July 2025to31 Aug 2025
  2. 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
  3. Don’t Rock The Boat

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Reading

    Enjoy a delicious two-course meal and tickets to enjoy the theatre show - Don't Rock the Boat at the Mill at Sonning near Reading.

    This brilliant comedy follows the story of a property tycoon Arthur Bullhead is on a mission to seal the deal of…

    Dates

    From:
    10 July 2025to6 Sept 2025
  4. Cocktails Two for One

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    Portsmouth

    Cocktails
    Two for One
    Every Monday to Thursday from 5pm
    Come down to Parson's Collar and indulge in a delicious cocktail or two. We have a choice of Passion Fruit Martini, Espresso Martini
    and Strawberry Daiquiri.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Jan 2025to1 Jan 2026Open 17:00 - 22:30
  5. 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
  6. The Labyrinth Challenge

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Horsham

    This summer, get ready for the ultimate inflatable adventure on one of the UK's largest inflatable obstacle courses! With over 34 unique obstacles spread across 5 exciting zones, the Labyrinth Challenge is a test of skill, stamina, and bravery.…

    Dates

    From:
    22 Aug 2025to25 Aug 2025Open 09:30 - 19:10
  7. Safari Pizzas @ The Cider Tap

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    Cowfold Roaf, Bolney

    Cider and Pizza Served fresh from Wednesday to Sunday

    Dates

    From:
    5 Sept 2024to29 Nov 2025Open 12:00 - 20:00
  8. Pizzas at the Cider Tap Bolney

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    Cowfold road, Bolney

    Set amongst our 200 acre farm and orchards our stunning Taproom & Pizza Kitchen is open Wednesdays - Sundays and is honestly the best place to enjoy one of our ciders in the sun alongside a tasty handmade Pizza from The Safari Pizza company!…

    Dates

    From:
    26 Sept 2024to26 Oct 2025Open 12:00 - 20:00
    From:
    27 Sept 2024to28 Sept 2025Open 12:00 - 20:00
  9. 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
  10. Magic On The Meadow

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Fareham

    Every Friday in August at 4pm on the Meadow
    Come and join us for a fantastic magic show,courtesy of Silly Scott.

    For more details, please visit
    solenthotel.co.uk/events

    Dates

    From:
    1 Aug 2025to29 Aug 2025Open 16:00 - 17:00
  11. Brogdale Cider Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Faversham

    Dates: Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th August 2025
    Open: 10am – 5pm

    Brogdale Cider Festival: Exciting new layout for 2025! Enjoy local ciders, music and family fun. Free shuttle bus to and from Faversham station.

    Savour the summer while you sample…

    Dates

    From:
    23 Aug 2025to24 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
  12. Summer Holidays at Bekonscot

    Type

    Type:

    School Holidays

    Beaconsfield

    Magic comes to Bekonscot Model Village and Railway, Buckinghamshire this summer holidays

    Venue

    Bekonscot Model Village & Railway, Buckinghamshire

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2025to28 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 17:30
  13. Eton College Heritage Tours

    Type

    Type:

    Tour

    Eton, Windsor

    Our seasonal programme of guided tours focuses on the historic heart of Eton College, featuring many of the earliest buildings and objects from the College Collections.

    Dates

    From:
    2 May 2025to19 Sept 2025Various Opening Times
  14. 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
  15. Bug, Bird, Beast

    Type

    Type:

    Free Event

    Waterperry

    BUG, BIRD, BEAST – a 'free to enter' exhibition in our gallery from 12th June to 1st September 2025.

    This summer the gallery presents an exhibition featuring exquisite works inspired by the animal kingdom. Beginning with Lizzie Wheeler's glorious…

    Dates

    From:
    12 June 2025to1 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
  16. Afternoon Tea

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    Hedge End

    Indulge in the timeless tradition of Afternoon Tea at Botleigh Grange Hotel & Spa. Savour delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and an array of handcrafted bakes, all paired with tea and coffee. For an extra…

    Dates

    From:
    2 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 12:00 - 16:00
  17. Medway Vintage, Antique & Collectables Fair at The Historic Dockyard in Chatham

    Type

    Type:

    Antiques

    Chatham

    Held in the spectacular No. 5 Slip at the Historic Dockyard Chatham, the Medway Vintage, Antiques and Collectibles Fair is fast becoming a standout event on the Kent calendar. This vast covered Victorian slipway, rich in naval heritage and…

    Dates

    From:
    23 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 15:00
  18. The Rochester High Street Ghost Tour

    Type

    Type:

    Tour

    Rochester

    Tour runs on Fridays at 8pm and Saturdays at 6pm.

    As night falls over Rochester's ancient High Street, step beyond the gas-lit charm and into the shadows, where history refuses to rest. The Rochester High Street Ghost Tour will take you on a…

    Dates

    From:
    16 May 2025to27 Sept 2025Open 20:00 - 22:30
  19. Summer of Play

    Type

    Type:

    Free Event

    Waddesdon


    Bring the whole family to enjoy the summer holidays with our range of fun activities for our Summer of Play, included with admission. Until 28 August, children get free admission to the house and grounds at Waddesdon!

    Dates

    From:
    23 July 2025to31 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
  20. 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