Updated August 2026. Bank Holiday Monday falls on 31st August this year, giving families a final long weekend before the school term restarts. Whether you’re after music, medieval history, hot air balloons or a proper street carnival, we’ve pulled together 11 of the best family-friendly days out for August Bank Holiday 2026. Book ahead — the good ones sell out. Prefer to browse by region? Check our Places To Go directory for family days out near you.
Hive Family Festival 2026, Southampton
Saturday 8th August 2026 — Fairthorne Manor, Hampshire
A one-day family festival with live music, performing arts, and a dedicated Family Fun Area featuring circus workshops, dance, bubble performances and character meet & greets (Bluey is confirmed). The 2026 line-up includes tribute performances of Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo and ABBA Fever, plus DJ Stop-Start, family yoga and stilt performers. Suitable for all ages, from toddlers to teens. A cracking way to warm up for August Bank Holiday 2026.
Buy tickets for Hive Family Festival 2026 → — save 15% with code SUMMER26 at checkout.
Monster Truck Motorfest, Suffolk
Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th August 2026 — Euston Park, Ipswich
Live monster truck action, stunt shows and family entertainment across the full Bank Holiday weekend at Euston Park. Big hit with 4-12 year olds who like their day out loud, dusty and full of engines. Book ahead for the best pricing.
Buy tickets for Monster Truck Motorfest Suffolk →
Truckfest South West 2026, Shepton Mallet
Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th August 2026 — Royal Bath & West Showground
Trucks, monster trucks, stunt shows and family entertainment across the Bank Holiday weekend. The Royal Bath & West Showground has proper facilities (parking, food, indoor cover if it rains) which makes it a stress-free day out for families. Solid pick for the West Country.
Buy tickets for Truckfest South West 2026 →
Teach Rex LIVE, Cardiff
Saturday 29th August 2026 — The Depot, Cardiff
Educational live dinosaur experience featuring realistic full-size T-Rex, Velociraptors and other prehistoric creatures. Runs all day (10am–5pm), suitable for dinosaur-mad under-10s. Genuinely one of the best-value indoor family events in Cardiff over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Buy tickets for Teach Rex LIVE Cardiff →
Inflatable Theme Park, Leighton Buzzard
Tuesday 25th – Thursday 27th August 2026 — Vandyke School Field, Bedfordshire
Giant inflatable slides, obstacle courses and bouncy castles across three days. All-day access (approximately 8am–7:30pm), so parents can pace the day out. Not on the Bank Holiday weekend itself but perfect for the school-holiday run-up.
Buy tickets for Inflatable Theme Park Leighton Buzzard →
Cowes Week, Isle of Wight
1st – 7th August 2026 — Cowes, Isle of Wight
The world’s most famous sailing regatta transforms the town of Cowes into a week-long buzz of activity. You don’t need to be a sailor to enjoy it — the waterfront is packed with hundreds of boats, live music at Cowes Regatta Village, food stalls and shops. Kids will love watching the boat racing, and boat trips are available for spectators who want a closer view from the water. Family-friendly, mostly free to spectate.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
7th – 9th August 2026 — Ashton Court Estate, Bristol
Three days of hot air balloon magic at Ashton Court. Watch sunrise mass ascents (hundreds of balloons filling the sky at once), plus fairground rides, live music and food stalls throughout the day. The evening Night Glow — where balloons light up in time to music — is the standout family moment. Free entry, family-friendly, kids love it.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
New Forest Food Festival
15th – 16th August 2026 — New Forest National Park, Hampshire
Two days of local artisan food, cheeses, bakes, ales and gins set against the ancient woodland of the New Forest. Family-friendly with plenty for kids to see and eat, plus the chance to spot the famous wild New Forest ponies. Good option if you’re combining a family outing with a foodie day.
Maldon Smoke & Fire Festival
15th – 16th August 2026 — Maldon, Essex
Two days of family fun in Essex built around BBQ, live-fire cooking, live music and kids’ activities. Butcher wars, food demos and a proper carnival atmosphere. Genuinely family-focused rather than adult foodie — good pick for younger kids.
Berkeley Castle Joust — August Bank Holiday 2026, Gloucestershire
24th & 25th August 2026 — Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire
One of England’s most stunning 11th-century castles transforms into a jousting arena for the late August Bank Holiday. The Knights of Nottingham put on a full-day show of horsemanship, lance clashes and sword battles, complete with medieval jester Sir Frederick keeping kids in stitches between rounds. Ticket includes castle and gardens access — 900 years of history including King Edward II’s cell. Big hit with 5-12 year olds.
Notting Hill Carnival Family Day, London
Sunday 30th August 2026 (Family Day) — Notting Hill, London
Europe’s biggest street carnival, celebrating British Caribbean culture since the 1950s. Sunday is Family Day — the calmer, more child-friendly of the two carnival days, with the main children’s parade, family workshops and a range of Caribbean food stalls. Head to Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park for the family-focused activities. Free to attend, though busy — bring a pushchair strap and agree a meeting point.
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
7th – 29th August 2026 — Edinburgh Castle Esplanade
A nightly spectacle on the esplanade outside Edinburgh Castle. Around 800 performers each evening including Massed Pipes and Drums, international military bands, precision drill teams and cultural dancers. Kids from about age 6+ tend to love the pageantry, drums and light show. Book well in advance — sells out.
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Robin Hood Festival, Sherwood Forest
Late August 2026 — Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre, Nottinghamshire
Medieval jousting, archery demos, storytelling, sword fights and Robin Hood re-enactors across Sherwood Forest. A firm annual favourite with families — kids get properly involved with the archery workshops and storytelling. Check dates on the RSPB Sherwood site closer to the weekend.
Visit Sherwood — Robin Hood Festival
National Trust “Summer of Play”
Throughout August 2026 — Nationwide
National Trust properties across the UK run their Summer of Play programme during the school holidays — outdoor adventure trails, den building, natural crafts and family activities at hundreds of historic houses and gardens. Free with National Trust membership or standard entry. Ideal fallback if you want a low-cost, low-planning day out.
Gulliver’s Theme Parks — Bank Holiday Weekend
29th – 31st August 2026 — Milton Keynes, Warrington, Matlock Bath & Rother Valley
All four Gulliver’s parks run extended Bank Holiday programmes with rides suited to under-13s (unlike bigger UK theme parks which lean older). Genuine sweet spot for families with 3-12 year olds who find Alton Towers or Thorpe Park too intense. Book ahead for weekend rates.
Brick Festival, Torquay
Late August 2026 — Riviera International Centre, Torquay
LEGO-themed indoor festival with life-size builds, giant free-build zones, LEGO-themed workshops and merchandise. Perfect wet-weather option for the Bank Holiday if the forecast turns. Absolute hit with LEGO-obsessed 5-11 year olds.
Booking tip: Bank Holiday weekend tickets get snapped up fast. Book direct with venues where possible, and for last-minute festival availability, check Skiddle.
Planning further ahead? See our events listings for family days out across the UK all year round.
