Enjoy an early morning breakfast and visit to the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary on Isle of Wight

Sunrise Breakfast

Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Isle of Wight

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. 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
  2. Motown by Moonlight at Exbury Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Music

    Exbury, Southampton

    MOTOWN BY MOONLIGHT
    Get ready for a magical evening of Motown by Moonlight, sundown soul, and disco at dusk! Our dynamic band are the perfect combination of sensational energy, talented vocalists, and polished musicians. Put on your dancing shoes as…

    Dates

    From:
    22 Aug 2025Open 19:30 - 22:00
  3. Turner's Vision at Petworth

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibitions

    Petworth

    For the first time in 20 years, a wide range of JMW Turner's artistic studies of the extraordinary landscape at Petworth House and Park will be exhibited in the very place that inspired him. Visitors will be able to discover more about his methods,…

    Dates

    From:
    21 June 2025to16 Nov 2025Open 10:30 - 16:30
  4. Lives in Motion: Stories of migration from the 11th century to the present day

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibitions

    Canterbury

    Migration has long played a major role in Britain's national life. It is the movement of people from one place to another, nationally or internationally, permanently or temporarily.

    Lives in Motion features 51 stories dating from the 11th century…

    Dates

    From:
    28 June 2025to5 Oct 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
  5. Curious About Southampton

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Town Quay, Southampton

    Have fun (re-)discovering Southampton, spotting things you've never noticed before, with two quirky treasure hunt style heritage walks - a safe, fun and affordable way to get some fresh air, whilst discovering more about this fascinating and…

    Dates

    From:
    3 May 2025to3 May 2026
  6. Wetland Waders and Flamboyant Flamingos at Birdworld

    Type

    Type:

    Family

    Farnham

    Immerse yourself in serenity at Wetland Waders, where you can observe a stunning variety of bird species using their unique beaks to feed from shallow and deep waters, while others soar and swoop gracefully all around you, creating a truly immersive…

    Dates

    From:
    15 Feb 2025to31 Jan 2028
  7. 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
  8. MEXICAN MONDAYS

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    Portsmouth

    Every Monday | 5pm to 8pm
    Come down to Parson's Collar and enjoy large nachos and a pint of beer, lager, house wine or soft drink*
    £10 per person
    *Terms and conditions apply
    Book online at solenthotel.co.uk/food-drink/parsons-collar call 01489…

    Dates

    From:
    6 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 20:00
  9. 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
  10. Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon

    Type

    Type:

    Music

    Winchester

    Immerse yourself in the original, psychedelic, fulldome Planetarium visualisation of Pink Floyd's iconic album, The Dark Side of the Moon.
    Head off on an emotional and inspiring journey into the heart and themes of the iconic album and songs. Fly…

    Dates

    From:
    23 Aug 2025Open 17:20 - 18:50
  11. Chichester950 | Religion, Rebellion & Reformation

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibitions

    Chichester

    An exhibition sharing the story of the Christian faith in Sussex, revealed through people, events and objects, from 1075 to the present day.

    To mark our 950th anniversary, we are delighted to present Religion, Rebellion & Reformation, an exhibition…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Feb 2025to15 Nov 2025Open 09:00 - 17:00
  12. School holidays at Birdworld

    Type

    Type:

    School Holidays

    Farnham

    Opening in time for the school holidays in 2025 is a brand new, sustainably-sensitive play area.

    Dates

    From:
    23 July 2025to2 Sept 2025
  13. Curious About Windsor

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Peascod Street, Windsor

    Have fun (re-)discovering Windsor, 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 more about this royal town. Curious About…

    Dates

    From:
    3 May 2025to3 May 2026
  14. Curious About Oxford (Colleges)

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    High Street, Oxford

    Have fun (re-)discovering Oxford, 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 exploring this historic city. Curious About Oxford visits not…

    Dates

    From:
    1 July 2025to31 Mar 2026Open 09:00 - 18:00
  15. Love & Luxury Romance Package at the Roseate

    Type

    Type:

    General event

    Reading

    Enjoy a luxurious night away with that special someone. The Roseate Reading is just 25 minutes from London and is the perfect place to relax and get away from the everyday stresses of life.

    Dates

    From:
    1 June 2025to1 Oct 2025
  16. 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
  17. The Age of AI

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bletchley, Milton Keynes

    Explore the history of AI and pioneers in this technology, including Codebreakers, smart speakers & chatbots, social media & search engines at the new Bletchley Park exhibition - The Age of AI

    Dates

    From:
    10 Feb 2025to1 Jan 2026
  18. 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
  19. Forest Walkies with Wallace & Gromit

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Goudhurst

    Join Wallace and Gromit for the ultimate forest walkies!

    Bond with your pooch by taking on dog-tastic challenges together, solve crossword clues and have lots of fun along the way – with everyone's favourite dog and owner duo for company.

    This…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to2 Nov 2025Open 09:30 - 16:30
  20. Call the Midwife Official Location Tour

    Type

    Type:

    Tour

    Chatham

    If you're a fan of the hit series and you've been wondering where Call the Midwife is filmed, put yourself in the picture and explore where the real drama happens with a Call the Midwife Official Location Tour at The Historic Dockyard Chatham…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Mar 2025to31 Oct 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00