Things to do

Juicy lobster, succulent crab, and freshly caught mussels and oysters: it’s all on the menu!

Mark your diary for the country’s biggest and one of its most popular Pride events, in Brighton.

Welcoming writers from all genres, get stuck into the main festival and the Children's Festival, see your favourite authors and meet fellow bookworms.

Experience the magic of this multicultural city at one of the largest Diwali celebrations outside of India.

Brighten up October at the Lightpool Festival, showcasing contemporary light and fire artists in the home of Britain's most famous seaside illuminations.

Head to Canterbury for its vibrant three-week festival of music, events, talks and science in the historic heart of Kent.

Every July, Nottingham pulls on its dancing shoes for the finest rock bands, pop stars and DJs.

Delve into 10 days of creativity bursting with spoken word, poetry, literature, film and more.

Visit the opera house like no other, at country house Glyndebourne, near Lewes in East Sussex – a fixture on the summer festival scene.

Twice the size in 2025, Canterbury’s festive market transforms the city’s cobbles every winter for festive shopping, dining and merriment.

Classical music fans will adore Lake District Summer Music, a festival that’s been going for more than 35 years.

This stately home hosts the annual Glyndebourne Festival, where you get to dress up and picnic in the beautiful grounds.

Hot, hectic and hair-raising, this Northumberland tradition has wowed spectators for over 160 years…

Celebrate classical music at the South Downs Summer Music Festival in Alfriston, in the South Downs.

Head to Bognor Regis for three days of fabulous folk music at the Southdowns Music Festival.

With moonlit walks, workshops, stargazing and more, celebrate the International Dark Sky Status of the North York Moors.

Test your endurance as you swim, cycle and run along Bournemouth’s iconic seafront.

Ring in the weekend with a bang as the sky above the coastline lights up with a spectacular fireworks display in summer.

Celebrating people, arts and culture, this festival features arts activities, large scale art installations, live music, dance and DJs.

This revered folk and rock festival was established in 1980 and is still lovingly curated and hosted by the legendary Fairport Convention.

Celebrate the city’s place as a UNESCO City of Film with this film festival at the National Science and Media Museum.

There are over 750 yachts and 7,000 competitors at one of sailing’s biggest events.

Northern England's longest-running literature festival brings big names and engaging events to this 17-day extravaganza.

Award-winning novelists, writing workshops and film screenings make up just some of the schedule at this packed autumn literature festival.

A 10-mile run along Portsmouth’s seafront, taking in the city’s attractions and bringing people together in celebration.

Discover the world of words, with some of the biggest global names in literature.

Discover the sounds of days gone by, with soul-stirring historic concerts and choral ensembles.

Maybe you’ll climb the ‘Volcorno’, hit the ‘Cobstacle’ Course, or go climbing on the ‘Corn-wall’?

This annual celebration of art, music, books and dance features talents from all over the world.

Featuring a vintage fun fair, thrilling country shows and gourmet food – in the grounds of Chatsworth House.

Every August, the otherwise tranquil Catton Hall transforms into one of Britain’s biggest heavy metal festivals.

A fun-packed day with entertainment for everyone.

Enjoy classical music performances and cultural events, in venues throughout the pretty town of Corbridge.

Every summer, this two-week classical festival brings top-quality performers to the North York Moors.

Every two years, the Manchester International Festival presents a star-studded line-up.

Have fun at gin-tasting and cocktail-making workshops with some of Britain’s top distilleries.

Heavy metal fans will flock to the Damnation Festival, a two-day celebration of metal in the BEC Arena, Manchester.

Rock out for three days of live music at Leeds Festival, in Bramham Park, one of the biggest dates on the festival calendar.

Join in with the celebration at the UK’s biggest comic art festival, Thought Bubble, in Yorkshire.

Classical music fans will adore Lake District Summer Music, a festival that’s been going for more than 35 years.

Join the parade and party at Margate Pride, as the Kent coast is lit up in rainbow colours.

Celebrate local food and drink at the popular Broadstairs Food Festival, in the beautiful Kent seaside town.

One of the loveliest folk festivals in England takes place on a farm on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, with three days of fabulous fun.

Charming Broadstairs on the Kent coast comes alive to the sound of folk music every year with its popular Broadstairs Folk Festival.

For a festival with a view, head to Victorious Festival in Southsea, Portsmouth, which combines great music with a great location.

Spend the weekend with Bear Grylls having an adventure the whole family will never forget at the Gone Wild festival at Powderham Castle, South Devon.

On 5 November, the streets fill with fire – for a remarkable traditional parade and bonfire.

Calling all sleuths! This annual literature and culture fiesta celebrates the legacy of Agatha Christie.

From impromptu street music to fantastic live gigs, this is guaranteed to get your toes tapping.

Celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community with colourful street parades, epic club nights and craft markets.