The best free festivals and carnivals this summer

It’s formally pageant season! Summer season is upon us. The solar is beaming, the SPF 50 is out, and the hats are on. Pink noses, ice cream and solar kissed pores and skin are a given in summer time. However spending cash doesn’t should be. Do you know, there are many free festivals and carnivals taking place each week throughout the nation?

We spend sufficient cash on holidays, weekends away and holding the youngsters occupied throughout the college break. Why not take your loved ones, accomplice, buddy or work colleagues to a very free pageant this yr? A very good time out by no means hurts – and it’s even higher when it doesn’t value you something!

Listed below are the highest free festivals happening in Summer season 2022.

 

LONDON

Underbelly Pageant

Underbelly is a buzzing ambiance of lights, scrumptious meals and even circus performers! Though among the occasions are paid-for, it’s free to enter the pageant space. Really feel the vibes of this free pageant throughout two areas – Cavendish Sq. close to Oxford Avenue and Earl’s Courtroom in Kensington.

The Cally Pageant

This free pageant takes place on Caledonian Highway in certainly one of London’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. Roughly 7,000 individuals come collectively yearly for this pageant to get pleasure from every thing the world has to supply. It’s primarily one large road social gathering, with music, stay performances, artwork and different actions to get pleasure from. The Cally is without doubt one of the free festivals which is open to anybody who desires to affix – completely free!

Delight in London

A house for each a part of London’s LGBT+ neighborhood, the annual Delight parade runs via the center of the town, celebrating range and individuality. Watch the parade because it passes via, or take part! Rejoice with family and friends on this significant day of affection and pleasure, and watch over 600 LGBT+ teams march. There are additionally phases positioned all through the town, the place you possibly can watch quite a lot of performances, audio system and leisure, in addition to a variety of stalls. Discover out extra here. 

Notting Hill Carnival

Brilliant colors, an unbeatable sense of pleasure and nice music, the Notting Hill Carnival is globally famend for its celebration of Caribbean tradition. It’s Europe’s largest road social gathering, jam-packed with floats, meals and pals. You could find out all it’s essential to learn about this in style free pageant on the Notting Hill Carnival website.

West Finish Stay

In case you are a lover of musicals, performs and all issues West Finish, this can be the free pageant to beat all free festivals. Take pleasure in a whopping 11 hours of stay West Finish performances over two days in London’s Trafalgar Sq.. Whether or not Mamma Mia is your favorite sing-along musical, otherwise you desire the drama of Depraved, there may be certain to be one thing for you. West End Live operates on a primary come, first served foundation, so be certain that to get there in good time.

 

NORTH OF ENGLAND

Stockton Worldwide Riverside Pageant

Rejoice among the greatest performers and artists from internationally on the Stockton International Riverside Festival. Together with gorgeous visible experiences, world-class reveals, dance performances and even circus performers, it is a completely free pageant for each single member of the household. All ages can get pleasure from this pageant.

Góbéfest

Góbéfest was established in 2017 to have fun the little-known tradition and traditions of the Székler individuals – a bunch of ethnic Hungarians dwelling in Transylvania, which is a part of Romania. With its roots firmly in Transylvania, Gobefest can even showcase the practices and folklores of different cultures from throughout Europe. Foremost stage acts promise to span each style and draw from throughout the Carpathian Basin area of Jap and Central Europe. Within the household tent you possibly can anticipate music, arts and crafts workshops for all ages.

Clarence Park Music Pageant

Yorkshire’s longest operating free music pageant is again this July. Take pleasure in over 22 bands and DJs, stalls, meals and extra. Convey alongside the little ones for a weekend of music and laughs, or get some pals collectively for some good beer and a catch up throughout the tunes. The craft stalls will maintain the youngsters entertained, while the beer tent will maintain dad and mom pleased too! Find out more.

Freedom Pageant

Head to Hull for a sunshine-filled mixture of leisure. Whether or not you fancy theatre and the humanities, music, comedy or poetry, this eclectic mixture of free enjoyable is certain to provide you recollections to cherish without end. Take pleasure in 5 entire days of enjoyable, with native, nationwide and worldwide choices celebrating all types of freedom, each previous and current. Learn extra about Freedom Pageant here.

 

SOUTH OF ENGLAND

Brighton and Hove Delight Pageant 

The Brighton Pride Parade is world famend, attracting individuals from everywhere in the world. This celebration of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood is a vibrant and inclusive place, will everybody welcome. The parade is stuffed with great floats representing all corners of the neighborhood, in addition to nice music, stay singers and extra. Not solely is the parade free, however there are various free actions out there for the entire household. You’re additionally a stone’s throw from Brighton seaside.

Burpham Wellfest

Should you fancy one thing a little bit extra relaxed and zen this summer time, this can be one of many free festivals for you. Situated in Surrey, this one-day wellbeing pageant presents an enormous vary of free actions to learn your thoughts, physique and wellbeing. The Burpham Wellfest presents free yoga, tai-chi and health courses, in addition to talks about therapeutic, self-care and diet and details about your physique and well being. Plus, it’s open to all ages, so you will get the youngsters concerned too!

Hastings Previous City Carnival Week

It is a entire week of enjoyable and thrilling occasions for all ages. For the youngsters (and us adults with youngsters inside us!) there are treasure trails and pram races. There are additionally strolling excursions which let you view lovely websites and open homes. That’s not all – there may be loads of stay music, fascinating historic talks, artwork reveals and even road events. The festivities culminate with an enormous Grand Carnival Procession. Take a look at the Hastings Previous City Carnival website for extra.

Studying Mela

Reading Mela in Berkshire is one more one of many free festivals happening this summer time. It’s an annual occasion which celebrates the great music, artwork and tradition of South Asia. For the kids, there are nice free reveals similar to magicians. There may be stay singing, sensible cultural performances and even a world meals nook. Should you do have a small amount of money to spend, there are enjoyable honest type rides, in addition to a small buying village.

Gravesham Riverside Pageant 

Are you a fan of 90’s heart-throb and singer Peter Andre? Then you’re in luck! There are different musical performances from some sensible tribute acts. Such acts embrace Elton John, Maroon 5 and Stevie Surprise tributes. Get the entire household dancing and this free, child-friendly musical pageant in Kent. Discover out extra here.

 

EAST OF ENGLAND

Out There Pageant

Your youngsters will love this circus and road arts pageant. With breath-taking spectacles, comedy reveals and extra, Out There celebrates inventive high quality, various work and progressive neighborhood engagement. There’s a nice family-friendly ambiance, and it received’t value you a single HE Reader!

Cambridge Nature Pageant

That is excellent for many who need to benefit from the easy issues in life. The world round us is stuffed with probably the most superb life and nature, and this pageant celebrates that. There are wildlife trails, boat rides, artwork exhibitions and extra to get pleasure from at this free pageant positioned within the superb Cambridge. There are additionally foraging classes, nature recognizing periods and talks on sustainability. You could find out extra on the website.

Nice Yarmouth Arts Pageant

The Great Yarmouth Arts Festival has all of it. Music, theatre, visible arts, enjoyable gala’s and a carnival. That is all rolled into one free, fabulous fest. There are a great deal of stay performances, from choir singers to musicals and even expertise reveals. Get the entire household concerned this yr – the youngsters will completely find it irresistible! There’s something right here for everybody.

 

WEST OF ENGLAND

People on the Quay

It is a completely free folks music pageant held in Poole, Dorset. The bustling quay is the proper backdrop to sunny days crammed with music from contemporary new expertise in addition to Morris, Irish and Clog dancing. For the primary time ever, Folk on the Quay can be increasing to happen over two fun-filled days.

Devon Avenue Meals Pageant

Now, the purpose of this pageant could also be to eat and purchase meals, however you don’t should spend cash while you’re there. It’s free to enter and discover, and it’s fascinating wandering around the meals stalls and seeing what’s on supply. Ask for taster samples at stalls in the event you can – many stalls can be keen to provide you a free style! Get some pals collectively and socialise with an ice-cold beverage and a picnic on the Devon Street Food Festival.

Pageant Manchester

It is a big free pageant with one thing for everybody. Whether or not you’re a music lover, meals lover or are eager to go to a enjoyable honest, this is without doubt one of the greatest free festivals going. The Children Zone features a vary of bouncy castles, face portray and a child’s stage, so you may make pleased, lifelong recollections together with your little ones. Plus, a big artifical seaside can be there in case you need a style of the seaside. There’s a high-tech gaming foyer so that you can play to your coronary heart’s content material. Mountain climbing and water zorbs can be found to your enjoyment – and they’re free to make use of! Don’t neglect the principle stage at Festival Manchester, which has a great deal of nice stay music and performances.

 

THE MIDLANDS

So Pageant 

Modern road theatre and stay performances and high-quality performances are all free at So Festival. Stay music from native and unsigned bands can be on all through the day too. Plus, watch unimaginable stunt performers and discover lovely artwork installations all through the positioning. There may be additionally nice leisure out there within the type of road theatre. You’re certain to have a enjoyable and fascinating time out at this free pageant.

Furthest from the Sea Pageant

Ahoy there, matey! This is without doubt one of the most great free festivals in The Midlands. This pirate-themed pageant can be excellent for youngsters (and to be sincere, we predict it sounds fairly enjoyable for adults, too!) It is possible for you to to create your individual sea shanty, go to the pirate museum, use a letter press to print your individual pirate poster, discover your environment on a treasure hunt and extra! There’ll even be a studying nook the place native authors and illustrators will learn and talk about their books. Let’s not neglect the one factor each enjoyable honest wants; face portray! Plus, there can be circus performers and real-life pirates. The Furthest from the Seaorganisers closely encourage fancy costume. Why not dress up, adorn your pirate hat and take the entire household?

Owestry Balloon Carnival

 This free pageant is a bit totally different out of your typical music and meals pageant. That’s to not say it’s any much less enjoyable! This pageant shows lovely scorching air balloons in numerous shapes, sizes and hues. Watch them fly excessive and illuminate the darkness, in addition to the fascinating balloon demonstrations. Plus there may be gorgeous carnival leisure, bringing color and pleasure to your day. Picturesque Owestry can also be house to pretty farmer’s markets, so be sure you take a look at the encompassing village. Discover out extra in regards to the Owestry Balloon Carnival on their website.

 

SCOTLAND

Youthbeatz

That is one more pageant that we can’t consider is free! Geared toward eight-to-25-year olds, this pageant has a variety of nice music and actions for younger individuals to get pleasure from. That includes performances from well-known names similar to Pixie Lott, Ella Eyre and John Newman, your children may have a blast dancing and singing alongside. There are three phases internet hosting stay music all through the weekend. Actions embrace a foam social gathering, impediment programs and inflatables. Your kids may have a blast at Youthbeatz.

Edinburgh Fringe Pageant

This free pageant is globally famend for its vary of wonderful expertise, comedy and performances. Hundreds of performances happen in a whole bunch of venues throughout the beautiful metropolis of Edinburgh, and lots of of them are free! From exploring movies similar to James Bond to magic reveals, there’s something for everybody, kids and adults alike. Whether or not you’re within the temper to snicker, cry or get your mind ticking, there are such a lot of performances to select from on the Edinburgh Fringe.

Dandelion Pageant Glasgow

A part of Unboxed 2023, a pageant happening throughout the UK, Dandelion Festival is a free pageant centered on sustainability. The three-day occasion is jam-packed filled with stay music, performances, talks, workshops and meals that’s open to everybody. It’s all a part of a singular pageant that dares to reimagine our relationship with meals and the planet.

 

WALES

Cardiff Meals & Drink Pageant 

One among Wales’ most interesting free festivals, Cardiff Food & Drink Festival is a agency favorite within the metropolis. There’s a full programme of music and stay leisure all through the period of the pageant and naturally, loads of food and drinks stalls. Not solely do these road meals distributors supply native produce, however specialities from around the globe to tickle your tastebuds. The Farmer’s Market additionally proves to be in style yr on yr.

Talgarth Pageant

That is one other pageant which is ideal to your tots. Situated within the lovely countryside, Talgarth Festival boasts free parking, entry and occasions. Devoted volunteers work exhausting to convey you the very best leisure potential, together with craft occasions to kids’s leisure. There may be loads of unimaginable meals out there to feed you up while you watch the stay music, live shows and road entertainers. Take pleasure in your August Financial institution Vacation weekend by making fond recollections with these round you.

 

NORTHERN IRELAND

Purple Sails Pageant

Native bands and orchestras fill the air with great stay music at Red Sails Festival. There’s a fabulous firework show to finish the evening with gentle and pleasure. However earlier than that, get pleasure from fascinating and distinctive exhibitions, puppet reveals and extra. Some facets of this pageant might cost a small payment, however most of it’s free. Plus, cash can’t purchase the ambiance of a pageant filled with music, laughter and nice meals.

Scarva Summer season Band Concert events

In case you are a fan of stay music and live shows, the maintain your Sundays free till September! Scarva Bandstand is host to open-air performances each weekend, bringing you a variety of great music and expertise from native artists. There may be seating out there, however you can too stand, or set your self down with a picnic and benefit from the sounds floating via the air. The Scarva Summer Band Concerts are free and no pre-booking is required.