The schools are out it’s time to have fun,
There’s so much to enjoy under the sun!
If you’re looking for activities to do,
This summer list was made for you!
Alice’s Day, The Story Museum
Oxford
1st July 2023
Oxford’s gigantic annual city-wide celebration of everything Alice in Wonderland returns and it’s bigger than ever! There’s non-stop fun and games all day from theatre, puppetry, crafting & trails, to dance, games, lectures and more! The theme this year is The Great Outdoors. Journey down the rabbit hole and explore the magic of Wonderland at this very special not-to-be-missed event! Start at the home of the event, The Story Museum then expanding out into the city. Find out more here.
Camp Bestival
Dorset & Shropshire
17th-30th July & 17th-20th August 2023
Camp Bestival has become one of the well-known and established family festivals. Creativity and fun truly are endless at this festival! There’s entertainment in every direction. With an impressive 100+ free things to do, like paddleboarding, poi dance workshops, Pirate school, African drumming circle, giant inflatables, yoga in The Retreat and tons of competitions! The hardest thing about this festival is fitting it all in! Buy your tickets here.
Wilderfest, Chessington
London
31st July-3rd September 2023
Family ticket from £120 with Picniq!
This explosive family festival returns to Chessington this summer! It’s guaranteed you’ll see the resort come to life with live music, entertainment, amazing food, plus a whole load of family fun! WILDERFEST is perfect for young festival-goers – so whether it’s your first one ever, or you’re an expert – don’t miss out on this special summer event! Find out more.
Walking With Our Ancestors, Cheddar Gorge
Somerset
21st July-3rd September 2023
Exclusive 5% off when you book with Picniq!
Journey through time and discover your ancestors in a fun and educational adventure that takes you back to pre-historic times. It’s a perfect activity for little ones wanting to explore the caves. Watch live demonstrations and take a tour around the caves. This event is included with general admission so enjoy all the usual fun of Cheddar Gorge plus this exciting adventure! Find out more.
Fiesta, Winchester Science Centre
Winchester
8th July-3rd September 2023
Dinosaurs in the Park
Manchester & Cardiff
2oth July-6th August & 17th August-3rd September 2023
Prepare yourself for a roar-some day out among the giants that ruled the planet before us. Travel back in time this summer with the Dinosaurs in the Park experience which includes, life-sized animatronics, dino trail, bouncy castle, giant dig, interactive fun zone, food court and lots more! Find out more.
Robin Hood Festival, Sherwood Forest
Nottinghamshire
Every weekend in August
The spectacular Robin Hood Festival returns to Sherwood Forest this summer, with four whole weekends packed with family fun! Are you ready for spectacular arena shows, an outdoor cinema, re-enactment, comedy, magic, music and much more? Sherwood Forest is the place to be this summer, it’s the perfect way to spend a beautiful day having fun in the sun with the whole family. Admission to this event is free however there is a charge for parking and some special activities require payment. Find out more here.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta
Bristol
10th-13th August 2023
This extraordinary event is Bristol’s iconic annual Balloon Fiesta. Witness the breath-taking mass ascent, first thing in the morning, where all of the balloon set off to fill up the sky. Then spend the day enjoying the fiesta activities such as, children’s entertainment, live music and ballooning activities through the day, before watching the balloons again at 6pm for the evening ascent. Admission for this event is free. Discover more here.
Thorpe Park Carnival
Surrey
21st July-29th August 2023
Family ticket £152 for 4 when you book with Picniq!
Enjoy all the usual fantastic thrills at Thorpe Park as well as this explosive carnival event! Thorpe Park Carnival is set to return this summer and it’s going to be jam-packed with family fun activities, you won’t know where to start! Featuring mind-blowing circus acts from Contortionists to Aerial Artists, fabulously tasty Carnival snacks so you can refuel with candy floss, pop-corn & hot dogs, and if you’re brave enough you can visit the Creepy Clown Maze! Book here.
Biggest Summer in History, Warwick Castle
Warwickshire
23rd July-3rd September 2023
Exclusive family ticket £95 for 4 with Picniq!
The biggest summer in history is taking place at Warwick Castle! Enjoy incredible evening events and action-packed days, it’s sure to be a summer that will go down in history! For the perfect family medieval day out this summer, fill your day with a line-up of shows and activities from The Realm of Zog to Wars of the Roses LIVE! There’s something for all ages and interests. Book here.
Adventure Cinema
Multiple Locations
Multiple Dates from July-September 2023
Experience the rare opportunity of watching your favourite films on the big screen this summer, with the luxury of feeling that summer breeze instead of being stuck in a hot, stuffy cinema! The amazing tour is travelling the country all throughout the summer and is sure to be coming to a venue near you with a film you love! With a range of films from musicals & family films to action packed ones, there will be something for everyone! Bring a picnic or some movie snacks for an amazing summer evening out with the family. Find out more.
The Great Fete by Ally Pally
Alexandra Palace, London
17th August 2023
This explosive event is set to hit Alexandra Palace this August and it’s going to be amazing! With free entry, enjoy tons of performances, activities, music, food and so much more! Spend a day having family fun in the sun at this enormous summer party. It is packed with activities for the little ones with a range of kid-friendly workshops, circus acts, performances, tours and all sorts of interesting acts. Find out more.
The Blackpool Illuminations
The Promenade, Blackpool
Switch on 1st September 2023, running until 1st January 2024
This world-famous light show covers six miles of traditional festivities and interactive features along the Promenade, it truly is the greatest free light show on Earth! Experience the magical sights as well as the usual fun of Blackpool Promenade this summer with an amazing evening at the beach with the whole family. The annual Illuminations display runs from September 1, 2023 to January 1, 2024, but don’t miss the first night as the switch on event is the best part! Find out more.
The Edinburgh Food Festival
George Square Gardens, Edinburgh
21st-30th July 2023
This gigantic celebration of all things street food is an unmissable day out for the whole family. Discover new things, challenge yourself and immerse yourself in the smells and sights of the food festival! With stalls and adventures suitable for the whole family, there will be so much for you all to explore, and you certainly won’t be leaving with empty stomachs! Find out more.
Pirate Treasure Hunt, SEA LIFE
Manchester and Blackpool
15th July-10th September 2023
Up to 46% off when you book with Picniq!
Portsmouth International Kite Festival
Southsea Common, Portsmouth
29th-30th July 2023
A spectacular event where hundreds of kite fliers travel to Portsmouth to take part in one of the best Kite Festivals in the world. The festival has stunning demonstrations of kite flying and making, with many in the sky and on the ground for visitors to enjoy. There are a range of activities for all ages including craft stalls, refreshments, free children’s kite making workshop and local amusements. The festival is always a great day out for all the family and is totally free! Find out more.
Horrible Histories: Up in the Air Adventure, Royal Air Force Museum
London & Midlands
22nd July – 3rd September 2023
Step back in time this summer and discover the history of flight in this amazing interactive experience for the whole family! With six different zones and challenges to solve, can you crack the case in 2 hours? This event is taking place both at the London and Midlands museums so get ready for take off! Find out more.
Meet Paw Patrol, Howletts Wildlife Park
Canterbury, Kent
Wednesday’s from 2nd-30th August 2023
Exclusive up to 30% off when you book with Picniq!
The PAW Patrol crew will be at Howletts Wildlife Park on the 2nd of August waiting to meet everybody! But don’t worry if you can’t make that one because every Wednesday throughout August a beloved TV character will be meeting young fans on Howletts’ open grasslands. Others include Peppa Pig and family, PJ Masks, Hey Duggee and Bluey and Bingo! Tickets to meet your favourites are included with general admission, so you can explore all the amazing wildlife at Howletts while you’re there. Book Here.
Blackpool Airshow
Blackpool Promenade, Blackpool
12th-13th August 2023
This event is the perfect family entertainment show, with exciting flying displays designed to appeal to all ages. Watch the iconic Blackpool seafront be transported into a performance from some of the world’s finest military and civilian aircraft in this action packed weekend. Enjoy the displays or wander around the food stalls and various entertainment in the sun! Find out more.
The Wizard of Oz, Leeds Castle
Maidstone, Kent
4th-5th August 2023
Enjoy this magical family show where you will join Dorothy on her quest with the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and the Tin Man. But watch out for the Wicked Witch of the West! This immersive performance features fun audience participation, stunning costumes and plenty of laughter, making it the perfect event to attend with the whole family. You’ll be shouting, clapping and singing along to a host of songs all evening! Find out more.
Exmouth Festival
Exmouth, Devon
28th-31st July 2023
The biggest free art festival in the south west is back! Exmouth festival is the place to be this July with so much going on from live music, theatre, circus & dance, to workshops and lots of tasty food and drink! There will be something for everyone to enjoy so bring the whole family down for a fun-filled day of creativity! Don’t miss the special events for this year including a screening of Jurassic Park, parade, and family silent disco! Find out more.
Meet Your Favourite TV Characters, Woburn Safari Park
Bedford, Bedfordshire
23rd July – 13th August 2023
This summer the little ones can meet some of their favourite TV characters at Woburn Safari Park! Starting with Peppa Pig herself on the 23rd of July, then Bluey on the 30th of July, and finally the Minions are making their debut here on the 13th of August! Tickets to meet and take a photo with the characters are included with general admission so you can enjoy the safari park before heading to the meeting point at the specified time. Check the Woburn Safari Park website for details. Find out more.
Birmingham Festival 23
Centenary Square, Birmingham
23rd July – 6th August 2023
Birmingham Festival 23 is a free entry, 10-day event that’s taking over Centenary Square with live music, performance, creative activities and big-screen content. This is to celebrate the shared experiences, magic and memories of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. It will be a joyous, fun and heartfelt celebration of sport and culture, and showcases Birmingham’s talent, character and reputation. The festival is ideal for families as there are lots of activities going on for the entire 10 days. Find out more.
Starlight Cinema, Winchester Science Centre
Winchester
23rd July – 20th August 2023
Patricroft Carnival
Patricroft Conservative Club, Manchester
18th-20th August 2023
Head down to Patricroft Community Centre for an action packed weekend of food, dancing, music and sun. This huge celebration centres around an explosive carnival as well as fairground rides and live entertainment. Entry is free so this is not to be missed! Find out more.
Free Open Air Cinema at QPA
Queens Park Arena, Glasgow
3rd-21st July 2023
This completely free event is set to hit the beautiful Queens Park Arena in Glasgow this summer where the whole family can enjoy the warm air whilst watching their favourite films of the big screen! The theme is “Cult Classics” so it’s not to be missed! There are plenty of family friendly films that the little ones will enjoy such as The Lion King, Matilda, Frozen, Jumanji, and much more! Bring a picnic and make yourself comfortable while you immerse yourself in the magic of the big screen. Find out more.
Bristol Harbour Festival
Bristol
14th-16th July 2023
Head to Bristol this July for the biggest summer party ever! The Festival will be turning the Harbour into an explosion of colour and music with live performances of music, theater, and circus acts, as well as a whole load of activities for people of every age, why not put your circus skills to the test or even have a game of crazy golf? There is so much to see and to do so embrace the magic of Bristol and don’t miss this spectacular event! Find out more.
Bournemouth Air Festival
Bournemouth Seafront, Bournemouth
31tst August-3rd September 2023
Britain’s biggest free air festival is returning to Bournemouth seafront and it’s set to be an explosive celebration! The event will feature an incredible four days of performances from the RAF Red Arrows, Typhoon and Battle of Britain planes and many more! The family friendly event includes performances and entertainment on land all the way along the beach. Take a walk from pier-to-pier where you’ll have the perfect view of all the air demonstrations, and check out all the amazing entertainment, activities, stalls and delicious food along the way. Find out more.
British Firework Championships
Plymouth Hoe, Plymouth
16th-17th August 2023
This exciting event will transform Plymouth into a giant explosion of light and colour! It is a great evening out for all the family with the thrilling displays and much more entertainment and things to do on the night. With multiple viewing areas around the site, you can choose where to watch from, plus the entertainment on Plymouth Hoe runs on both nights and includes a fun fair, live music and refreshments around the site. Find out more.
Stompin’ on the Quomps
Christchurch Harbour, Dorset
5th August 2023
This exciting event will transform Plymouth into a giant explosion of light and colour! It is a great evening out for all the family with the thrilling displays and entertainment going on right through the night. With multiple viewing areas around the site, you can choose where to watch from, plus the entertainment at Plymouth Hoe runs on both nights. It includes a fun fair, live music and refreshments around the site! Find out more.
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