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 21 to 40.

  1. Viking Raid

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage & History

    Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles

    The Vikings have arrived and taken over a Saxon settlement at the museum!

    Explore the Viking and Saxon living history camps and watch as the clash between the two forces unfolds before your eyes.
    Get involved in games, music, storytelling and fun…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Aug 2025to25 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
  2. Milestones Summer of Sport

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Churchill Way West, Basingstoke

    Throughout the summer holidays, breathe in the fresh air and soak up the sunshine on our vintage sports green. See generations come together as Milestones invites you to experience the spirit of sporting history in a relaxed, welcoming setting -…

    Dates

    From:
    23 July 2025to2 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 16:50
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Summer of Creativity at Kelmscot Manor

    Type

    Type:

    Literature

    Lechlade

    Award-winning poet Robert Seater and acclaimed visual artist Jessica Palmer will bring the fascinating stories and compelling atmosphere of Kelmscot Manor to life as part of the Manor’s programme of learning and public engagement alongside an…

    Dates

    From:
    5 June 2025to25 Oct 2025
  6. 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
  7. Curious About Reading

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Blake's Lock, Reading

    Have fun (re-)discovering Reading, 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 Reading. Curious About Reading visits…

    Dates

    From:
    31 Mar 2025to31 Mar 2026Various Opening Times
  8. Sculpture at Beaulieu

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibitions

    New Forest

    Sculpture at Beaulieu returns for 2025, featuring the works from acclaimed sculptors from 13th June – 14th September.

    Following the success of Sculpture at Beaulieu in 2019, 2021 and 2023, the event returns for a fourth year! This year's display…

    Dates

    From:
    13 June 2025to7 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 18:00
  9. Rye International Jazz & Blues Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Rye

    Exceptional artists hit the heart of Rye for the International Jazz and Blues Festival.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Aug 2025to25 Aug 2025
  10. Cowdray's Maize Maze

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Midhurst

    Cowdray's Maize Maze is Back – With a Wild West Twist!


    Looking for a brilliant day out with the kids this summer? Cowdray's Maize Maze is returning this August - and it's bigger, better, and more exciting than ever, with a brand-new Wild West…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Aug 2025to31 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
  11. 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
  12. Summer Fun at Fort Nelson

    Type

    Type:

    Family

    Fareham

    An action-packed summer of fun awaits visitors to Fort Nelson.

    Dates

    From:
    22 July 2025to2 Sept 2025Open 10:30 - 16:30
  13. 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
  14. Ceramics - Make a Mug

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Fawley, Henley-on-Thames

    Welcome to our beginner-friendly make a mug workshop, set in the serene and inspiring surroundings of Oaken Grove Vineyard.

    In this exciting pottery workshop, you'll learn how to hand build a mug and make a delightful biscuit bowl or tea bag…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Aug 2025Open 13:00 - 16:00
  15. 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
  16. Curious About Canterbury

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Sun Street, Canterbury

    Have fun (re-)discovering Canterbury, 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. Curious About Canterbury visits not just the obvious places, but…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Mar 2025to31 Mar 2026Open 09:00 - 16:00
  17. Big Summer of Games

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Ashford

    This summer holidays, we're going BIG, and we mean giant! Join us for family-friendly fun with oversized versions of your favourite games, including Giant Noughts and Crosses, Giant Jenga, and Guess Moo (Guess Who with cows!).
    Additionally,…

    Dates

    From:
    23 July 2025to31 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
  18. 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
  19. Summer fun with TV's Taskmaster at Carisbrooke Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Carisbrooke, Newport

    TV's Taskmaster challenge Join the Taskmaster challenge at Carisbrooke Castle this Summer! English Heritage has partnered with TV's Taskmaster to set challenges as you explore the historic castle. 

    Fun activities Tackle silly tasks, hunt…

    Dates

    From:
    19 July 2025to31 Aug 2025
  20. 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