15 unmissable August bank holiday 2023 events

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Missed out on the Jubilee weekend event? Don’t despair, Malton Food Lovers Festival is back in full swing over the August bank holiday weekend. Set on the streets of Yorkshire’s foodie capital, this three-day culinary celebration is all about Yorkshire’s finest produce. Over 150 artisan stalls and street food vendors take over the village while celebrity chefs show off their skills in demo tents and live music – from buskers to brass bands – provides the soundtrack to all that eating. There are funfair rides too, but maybe go on those before you eat!

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Returning to Southsea Common this August (25 - 27) is one of the most beautifully located festivals in the UK, Victorious Festival. Friday night will see headliner Jamiroquai joined by Pete Tong and Friendly Fires, while the likes of Kasabian, Belle and Sebastian and Kaiser Chiefs take to the outdoor stages overlooking the sea on the Saturday and Sunday. It’s not all about the music though – you’ll be able to belly laugh along to your favourite comedic acts, have a tinker on the keys of the Piano Tree or test out tricks at Southsea Skate Park. There’s plenty to do for kids too, from dance troupes and mini discos to circus workshops and meet and greets with their favourite TV characters.

Day tickets are available as well as weekend camping tickets, with offsite pitching at Farlington Fields.

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Hereford River Carnival is bringing the seaside to this year’s event with its theme Make Waves. Taking place over the bank holiday weekend, the county’s biggest (and free) community event will see masses of mucking about on the river, old-fashioned games and plenty of music, myth and legend. You can expect to see costumed locals floating down the Wye on a decorated float, torchlit processions, live music, theatre, dance and storytelling. With tons of vendors dotted about, you’ll also be able to try out the region’s finest food and drink too.

If you’re in Liverpool over the August bank holiday weekend, be sure to check out the exhibitions, talks and live music by cover bands from over 20 countries at International Beatleweek. This annual festival celebrates the music of the most famous pop group in the world, in the city where it all began. Head to The Cavern Club, the Marina Yacht Club and the Philharmonic Hall to sing along to Jude, All You Need Is Love and Yellow Submarine, and lots, lots more.

Rocking rainbow-flag capes and glittery face art (biodegradable, please!), join a loud and proud celebration of LGBTQ+ people, culture and expression at Manchester Pride. Taking place over the bank holiday weekend, there’ll be a variety of events – some free, some ticketed – dedicated to queer people and their allies. Choose from the lively outdoor Gay Village Party, family-friendly festivities centred around fun, wellness and learning (no one’s ever too young to celebrate here) and a candlelit vigil to honour those who have been lost to HIV and AIDs. The highlight of the weekend though is The Parade, a colourful procession of thousands of people marching together for equality.

The streets of Notting Hill and Ladbroke Grove will come alive one more when Notting Hill Carnival returns over the August bank holiday weekend. This world-famous Caribbean party is Europe’s biggest street festival and sees elaborate floats alongside thousands of colourfully costumed performers and energetic steel bands dance, shimmy and sing their way around this pocket of west London. Jam along to Mas, Soca and Calypso music and try traditional Caribbean dishes like Jamaican jerk chicken, Trinidadian roti or Guyanese Pepper Pot from one of the tempting food stalls along the route. There’ll be live music and DJs too, and plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy.

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Reserve your spot at one of the last of this year’s performances of Kynren, an epic tale of England brought to life in a dazzling outdoor spectacular. Taking place on 26 August, you’ll get to immerse yourself in two thousand years of history, from Boudicca to the Vikings at Flatts Farm in Bishop Auckland. The spellbinding family-friendly show is full of thrilling choreography, stunts, jaw-dropping equestrianism, special effects and pyrotechnics and is sure to have you laughing, gasping and with plenty of goosebumps.

If you want to make a day of it, be sure to book a pre-show at Arches Hall. You’ll enjoy a three-course set menu (including wine for the grown-ups) paired with views of Auckland Castle.

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If you like your dumplings with a side of nostalgic 90s pop music, then Oxfordshire’s Foodies Festival is the one for you this August bank holiday weekend. Dig into delicious drinks and tasty street food from around the world, sample wines, champagnes and cocktails and catch a glimpse of MasterChef champions and Michelin-starred legends cooking up signature summer recipes. There’ll be appearances from celebrity cooks and you’ll get a chance to meet Master Chef stars too. If you fancy learning how to make show-stopping sweet treats, head to The Cake & Bake Theatre, or simply find a spot to sit and enjoy performances from Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Scouting for Girls.

Celebrating the history, landscapes, architecture and people of Ramsgate, the Ramsgate Festival of Sound is a highlight of the seaside town’s summertime calendar. Taking place at the end of August (exact dates tbc), the festival will feature an array of talks, workshops, discos, plays and musical theatre alongside its signature Sonic Trail, a route around town that will showcase a stellar line-up of art and sound installations in stunning Ramsgate locations.

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Fancy starting your day with stand-up paddleboarding and ending it singing along to noughties bands? Then you’ll love Exeter’s Gone Wild Festival from 24 to 27 August 2023. Held at Powderham Castle, this family-oriented festival is brought to you by Bear Grylls, so expect heaps of adventure. Fight for your honour in the Nerf combat arena, race your mates through an obstacle course or learn a range of survival skills like fire lighting and shelter building – all of which are made even better when you know that they’re included in the ticket price. On top of all of that, there are silent discos (to hopefully tire the little ones out), yoga classes for the adults and live music from the likes of  Sugar Babes and Feeder. The question is, will you be able to channel your inner Bear Grylls by munching on mealworms and scorpions at the Gross Eat Station?

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All About Dogs, landing at Norfolk Showground on 27 and 28 August, is full of fun for both cuddly canines and their humans. Catch exciting arena displays, get some expert doggy advice, do some shopping for your pooch and even enter your furry family member into one of almost 50 classes of fun dog shows for a chance to win a rosette. The real fun, though, is the myriad of activities designed purely for the pooches, including lure racing, flyball, hurdles and dock diving (just to warn you, they will get wet!).

The event also has dog-friendly camping facilities, so you don’t have to worry yourself over the thought of a long journey.

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Take the kids to see a huge variety of London musicals, plays, comedies and children’s shows during Kid’s Week, running from 17 to 31 August – for free! A child aged 17 or under can go to any show for free (where tickets are available) as long as they’re accompanied by a full paying adult. You can also buy up to two extra children’s tickets at half price and what’s more, there are no booking fees. With shows including the award-winning Jersey Boys, Wicked, Grease, Mrs Doubtfire: The Musical and The Wizard of Oz, all your family have to do is choose which one – or even three – they want to see. 

Throughout August, you can enjoy the magic of live music for free across Kirklees’ many beautiful parks. As part of the Kirklees Year of Music celebration, the programme runs until 28 August, with over 30 concerts taking place across Kirklees. Whether you live for brass bands or jazz and blues, pack a picnic and your folding chairs to join a friendly local community for these free concerts. 

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With new TV show Percy Jackson and the Olympians coming to Disney+ next year, it’s never too late for you or too early for budding mythology fans to explore the lives, loves and legacy of the Ancient Greek and Roman gods, and how they shaped everyday life. The exhibition features a stunning collection of over 100 sculptures and objects never displayed together before, that will immerse you in the ancient world and the heroes of the time. And with adult tickets costing just £8 and kids under 17 getting in for free, why not make it a family occasion? Running until 25 February 2024.

Forget rugby and cricket – England is taking on Australia in a medieval-style jousting tournament for honour and trophies (and international bragging rights, naturally) this August bank holiday weekend. Your free ticket also includes entry to national museum of arms and armour, but make sure to pre-book due to limited capacity. Running from 26 to 28 August.