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

Share this with

x

  • Accommodation Search

  • Things to Do Search

  • What's On Search

  • Food & Drink Search

Accommodation Search

Arrival Date:
Add Room
Type:
Area:
Keyword:

Things to Do Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:

What's On Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:
Dates

Food & Drink Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:

Accommodation Search

Arrival Date:
Add Room
Type:
Area:
Keyword:

Things to Do Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:

What's On Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:
Dates

Food & Drink Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:

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 41 to 60.

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  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. Jane Austen 250 in Reading

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage & History

    Reading

    In 2025, come and join the celebrations in Reading marking the 250th anniversary since the birth of Jane Austen, the treasured nineteenth century writer famed for Pride & Prejudice, Emma and Persuasion.

    From April 2025, as part of the 250th…

    Dates

    From:
    5 Apr 2025to31 Oct 2025Open 11:00 - 22:00
  6. Celebrating Jane

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage & History

    Winchester

    The year 2025 marks 250 years since the birth of Jane Austen. To mark this significant anniversary, Winchester Cathedral joins local organisations to celebrate her legacy.
    This anniversary presents a significant opportunity to bring her legacy to…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Feb 2025to31 Oct 2025
  7. Summer bubble fun

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Winchester

    We're bubbling over with excitement this summer with a bubble-tastic takeover of the Science Centre.
    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!
    What is a…

    Dates

    From:
    19 July 2025to3 Sept 2025Open 09:30 - 17:00
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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 2025Open 10:30 - 17:00
  11. 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
  12. The Woods of Wonder - Kids Summer Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Haywards Heath

    Daily Kids Trail in the Woodland

    This summer, step into a world of enchantment with our Woods of Wonder story trail! Join Warren the Flower Fairy on a magical adventure through Warren Wood – travel to imaginary lands, meet otherworldly creatures,…

    Dates

    From:
    19 July 2025to7 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. Exploring Senses: The Society of Graphic Fine Art

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibitions

    Guildford

    10 July - 7 September 2025

    Exploring Senses delves into how artists interpret and evoke the world around us through the fundamental act of drawing. Featuring a compelling collection of works by members of The Society of Graphic Fine Art, this…

    Dates

    From:
    10 July 2025to7 Sept 2025
  16. Sandwich Festival 2025

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    A weekend of free entertainment in the town centre and on the Quay Green in Sandwich, Kent.

    Dates

    From:
    23 Aug 2025to25 Aug 2025
  17. Brickwrecks: Time Travellers Assemble

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Chatham

    This summer holiday, the mini-figures from Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® Bricks are ready for a brand-new adventure at The Historic Dockyard Chatham.

    Meet Deckster – a curious little LEGO® figure who has spent five whole months inside the…

    Dates

    From:
    23 July 2025to31 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
  18. Women at War: Wrens at Greenwich and Beyond

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibitions

    London

    This display in the Painted Hall presents documents and artefacts belonging to two of the thousands of Wrens who completed their training at the Royal Naval College during the war years.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Oct 2024to1 Jan 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  19. 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
  20. 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