It’s formally pageant season! Summer time 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 occurring each week throughout the nation?
As pageant season approaches, many music and artwork lovers are making ready for a summer time of unforgettable experiences. However with the price of attending Britain’s largest pageant, Glastonbury, rising by 36% within the final 5 years, it may be tough to price range for the complete expertise with out breaking the financial institution.Â
We spend sufficient cash on holidays, weekends away and conserving the youngsters occupied throughout the college break. Why not take your loved ones, companion, buddy or work colleagues to a completely free pageant this 12 months? An excellent day trip by no means hurts – and it’s even higher when it doesn’t price you something!
Listed below are the highest free festivals happening in Summer time 2022.
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LONDON
Underbelly Competition
Underbelly is a buzzing ambiance of lights, scrumptious meals and even circus performers! Though a number of the occasions are paid-for, it’s free to enter the pageant space. Really feel the vibes of this free pageant throughout two places – Cavendish Sq. close to Oxford Road and Earl’s Court docket in Kensington.
The Cally Competition
This free pageant takes place on Caledonian Highway in one in every of London’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. Roughly 7,000 folks come collectively yearly for this pageant to get pleasure from every thing the world has to supply. It’s basically one large avenue social gathering, with music, stay performances, artwork and different actions to get pleasure from. The Cally is among the free festivals which is open to anybody who needs to hitch – completely free!
Delight in London
A house for each a part of London’s LGBT+ neighborhood, the annual Delight parade runs by the center of the town, celebrating variety and individuality. Watch the parade because it passes by, 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 levels positioned all through the town, the place you’ll be able to watch quite a lot of performances, audio system and leisure, in addition to a spread of stalls. Discover out extra here.Â
Notting Hill Carnival
Vivid 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 avenue social gathering, jam-packed with floats, meals and buddies. You’ll find out all you want to find out about this common free pageant on the Notting Hill Carnival website.
West Finish Stay
If you’re a lover of musicals, performs and all issues West Finish, this can be the free pageant to beat all free festivals. Get pleasure from 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’s certain to be one thing for you. West End Live operates on a primary come, first served foundation, so ensure that to get there in good time.
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NORTH OF ENGLAND
Stockton Worldwide Riverside Competition
Rejoice a number of the greatest performers and artists from the world over on the Stockton International Riverside Festival. Together with beautiful visible experiences, world-class exhibits, dance performances and even circus performers, this can be 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 a good time the little-known tradition and traditions of the Székler folks – a gaggle of ethnic Hungarians dwelling in Transylvania, which is a part of Romania. With its roots firmly in Transylvania, Gobefest may even showcase the practices and folklores of different cultures from throughout Europe. Primary 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’ll be able to anticipate music, arts and crafts workshops for all ages.
Clarence Park Music Competition
Yorkshire’s longest operating free music pageant is again this July. Get pleasure from over 22 bands and DJs, stalls, meals and extra. Carry alongside the little ones for a weekend of music and laughs, or get some buddies collectively for some good beer and a catch up throughout the tunes. The craft stalls will hold the youngsters entertained, while the beer tent will hold dad and mom comfortable too! Find out more.
Freedom Competition
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 present you reminiscences to cherish eternally. Get pleasure from 5 entire days of enjoyable, with native, nationwide and worldwide choices celebrating all types of freedom, each previous and current. Learn extra about Freedom Competition here.
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SOUTH OF ENGLAND
Brighton and Hove Delight CompetitionÂ
The Brighton Pride Parade is world famend, attracting folks from all around the world. This celebration of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood is a vibrant and inclusive place, will everybody welcome. The parade is filled with fantastic 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 lots of free actions obtainable for the entire household. You’re additionally a stone’s throw from Brighton seashore.
Burpham Wellfest
If you happen to fancy one thing slightly extra relaxed and zen this summer time, this can be one of many free festivals for you. Positioned in Surrey, this one-day wellbeing pageant provides an enormous vary of free actions to profit your thoughts, physique and wellbeing. The Burpham Wellfest provides free yoga, tai-chi and health courses, in addition to talks about therapeutic, self-care and vitamin and details about your physique and well being. Plus, it’s open to all ages, so you may get the youngsters concerned too!
Hastings Outdated 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 stunning websites and open homes. That’s not all – there’s loads of stay music, attention-grabbing historic talks, artwork exhibits and even avenue events. The festivities culminate with an enormous Grand Carnival Procession. Take a look at the Hastings Outdated City Carnival website for extra.
Studying Mela
Reading Mela in Berkshire is yet one more one of many free festivals happening this summer time. It’s an annual occasion which celebrates the fantastic music, artwork and tradition of South Asia. For the youngsters, there are nice free exhibits corresponding to magicians. There may be stay singing, good cultural performances and even a world meals nook. If you happen to do have a small amount of money to spend, there are enjoyable truthful type rides, in addition to a small procuring village.
Gravesham Riverside CompetitionÂ
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 good tribute acts. Such acts embody Elton John, Maroon 5 and Stevie Marvel tributes. Get the entire household dancing and this free, child-friendly musical pageant in Kent. Discover out extra here.
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EAST OF ENGLAND
Out There Competition
Your youngsters will love this circus and avenue arts pageant. With breath-taking spectacles, comedy exhibits and extra, Out There celebrates creative high quality, numerous work and progressive neighborhood engagement. There’s a nice family-friendly ambiance, and it gained’t price you a single Casadefinance Reader!
Cambridge Nature Competition
That is excellent for individuals who wish to benefit from the easy issues in life. The world round us is filled 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 wonderful Cambridge. There are additionally foraging classes, nature recognizing periods and talks on sustainability. You’ll find out extra on the website.
Nice Yarmouth Arts Competition
The Great Yarmouth Arts Festival has all of it. Music, theatre, visible arts, enjoyable festivals 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 exhibits. Get the entire household concerned this 12 months – the youngsters will completely find it irresistible! There’s something right here for everybody.
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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 recent new expertise in addition to Morris, Irish and Clog dancing. For the primary time ever, Folk on the Quay might be increasing to happen over two fun-filled days.
Devon Road Meals Competition
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 might be keen to present you a free style! Get some buddies collectively and socialise with an ice-cold beverage and a picnic on the Devon Street Food Festival.
Competition 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 truthful, this is among 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 comfortable, lifelong reminiscences along with your little ones. Plus, a big artifical seashore might 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. Mountaineering and water zorbs can be found in 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.
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THE MIDLANDS
So CompetitionÂ
Progressive avenue theatre and stay performances and high-quality performances are all free at So Festival. Stay music from native and unsigned bands might be on all through the day too. Plus, watch unimaginable stunt performers and discover stunning artwork installations all through the positioning. There may be additionally nice leisure obtainable within the type of avenue theatre. You’re certain to have a enjoyable and attention-grabbing day trip at this free pageant.
Furthest from the Sea Competition
Ahoy there, matey! This is among the most fantastic free festivals in The Midlands. This pirate-themed pageant might be excellent for youngsters (and to be trustworthy, we predict it sounds fairly enjoyable for adults, too!) It is possible for you to to create your personal sea shanty, go to the pirate museum, use a letter press to print your personal 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 focus on their books. Let’s not neglect the one factor each enjoyable truthful wants; face portray! Plus, there might 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 completely different out of your typical music and meals pageant. That’s to not say it’s any much less enjoyable! This pageant shows stunning scorching air balloons in numerous shapes, sizes and colors. Watch them fly excessive and illuminate the darkness, in addition to the attention-grabbing balloon demonstrations. Plus there’s beautiful carnival leisure, bringing color and pleasure to your day. Picturesque Owestry can also be house to pretty farmer’s markets, so ensure you take a look at the encircling village. Discover out extra concerning the Owestry Balloon Carnival on their website.
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SCOTLAND
Youthbeatz
That is yet one more pageant that we can not imagine is free! Geared toward eight-to-25-year olds, this pageant has a spread of nice music and actions for younger folks to get pleasure from. That includes performances from well-known names corresponding to Pixie Lott, Ella Eyre and John Newman, your children may have a blast dancing and singing alongside. There are three levels internet hosting stay music all through the weekend. Actions embody a foam social gathering, impediment programs and inflatables. Your kids may have a blast at Youthbeatz.
Edinburgh Fringe Competition
This free pageant is globally famend for its vary of wonderful expertise, comedy and performances. 1000’s of performances happen in a whole lot of venues throughout the beautiful metropolis of Edinburgh, and lots of of them are free! From exploring movies corresponding to James Bond to magic exhibits, there’s something for everybody, kids and adults alike. Whether or not you’re within the temper to giggle, cry or get your mind ticking, there are such a lot of performances to select from on the Edinburgh Fringe.
Dandelion Competition Glasgow
A part of Unboxed 2023, a pageant happening throughout the UK, Dandelion Festival is a free pageant targeted 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.
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WALES
Cardiff Meals & Drink CompetitionÂ
One in all 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 avenue meals distributors supply native produce, however specialities from around the globe to tickle your tastebuds. The Farmer’s Market additionally proves to be common 12 months on 12 months.
Talgarth Competition
That is one other pageant which is ideal in your tots. Positioned within the stunning countryside, Talgarth Festival boasts free parking, entry and occasions. Devoted volunteers work exhausting to deliver you the perfect leisure potential, together with craft occasions to kids’s leisure. There may be loads of unimaginable meals obtainable to feed you up while you watch the stay music, concert events and avenue entertainers. Get pleasure from your August Financial institution Vacation weekend by making fond reminiscences with these round you.
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NORTHERN IRELAND
Purple Sails Competition
Native bands and orchestras fill the air with fantastic stay music at Red Sails Festival. There’s a fabulous firework show to finish the night time with gentle and pleasure. However earlier than that, get pleasure from attention-grabbing and distinctive exhibitions, puppet exhibits and extra. Some elements of this pageant could 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 time Band Live shows
If you’re a fan of stay music and concert events, the hold your Sundays free till September! Scarva Bandstand is host to open-air performances each weekend, bringing you a spread of fantastic music and expertise from native artists. There may be seating obtainable, however you may as well stand, or set your self down with a picnic and benefit from the sounds floating by the air. The Scarva Summer Band Concerts are free and no pre-booking is required.