Upcoming UK events and holiday inspiration
Day trips, festivals, car shows, theatre, music and more — across prime UK holiday destinations.
Whether you’re looking for a family day out or just an excuse to get away, we’ve trawled UK destinations for the top recommendations of upcoming events and festivals.
Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza
📍 Llandudno
Llandudno steps back in time with a grand street parade, vintage funfair, costumed performers and steam attractions along the elegant Victorian promenade.
Cost: Free
Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival Week
📍 Lyme Regis
The town's biggest fundraising event — fireworks, a carnival procession, regatta races, a fun fair and activities for all ages along the historic Cobb and seafront.
Cost: Free
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
📍 Edinburgh
The world's largest arts festival takes over Edinburgh every August with thousands of shows — comedy, theatre, cabaret and street performance in venues across the city.
Cost: Free – varies
Blackpool Illuminations
📍 Blackpool
Six miles of dazzling lights stretch along Blackpool's promenade from September to January — a much-loved free autumn spectacle that lights up the Golden Mile.
Cost: Free
Belfast Photo Festival 2026
📍 Belfast
The 12th edition of Northern Ireland's international photography festival presents exhibitions across multiple Belfast venues.
Cost: Free (most exhibitions)
Wine & Cheese Tasting Evening
📍 Pembrokeshire
A monthly wine and cheese tasting evening listed among Pembrokeshire's what's-on events.
Cost: Paid
Edinburgh University Chamber Orchestra
📍 Isle of Arran
The Edinburgh University Chamber Orchestra performs a concert at Lochranza & Catacol Village Hall on the Isle of Arran.
Cost: £10 (under 18s free)
Setting the Stage: 70 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest
📍 Bradford
A major exhibition celebrating 70 years of the Eurovision Song Contest, on show at Bradford's National Science and Media Museum through the summer.
Cost: Free
The Waverley Paddle Steamer at Porthcawl
📍 Bridgend
The world's last sea-going paddle steamer offers pleasure cruises calling at Porthcawl in the Bridgend area.
Cost: Varies by cruise
Composer in Conversation (Swaledale Festival)
📍 Richmond
A Swaledale Festival talk with a composer held at St Andrew's Church, Aysgarth, from 2-3pm.
Cost: Ticketed
Centuries of Song: from Dowland to a World Premiere (Swaledale Festival)
📍 Richmond
A Swaledale Festival vocal concert spanning Dowland to a world premiere at St Andrew's Church, Aysgarth, 3.30-5pm.
Cost: Ticketed
Rachel Parris (Swaledale Festival)
📍 Richmond
Comedian and musician Rachel Parris performs as part of the Swaledale Festival at The Garden Rooms at Tennants, Leyburn, 7.30-9.30pm.
Cost: Ticketed
Evening Echoes: Bird and Bat Safari
📍 Brownsea Island
A guided nocturnal wildlife evening on Brownsea Island using detectors to explore the secret world of bats and nightjars with expert Rangers.
Cost: Check website
Pathways to Connection: Walk with Us
📍 Brownsea Island
A calm, welcoming wellbeing walk on Brownsea Island for anyone feeling overwhelmed or in need of a reset.
Cost: Check website
Gwen John: Strange Beauties
📍 Cardiff
Major exhibition of paintings by Welsh artist Gwen John continues at National Museum Cardiff.
Cost: Free
Flat Holm Island Day Trips
📍 Cardiff
Guided boat day trips to the nature reserve island of Flat Holm in the Bristol Channel run from Cardiff Bay.
Cost: From £42
The Bodyguard (Tour 2026)
📍 Llandudno
The hit musical based on the iconic film runs at Venue Cymru, Llandudno.
Cost: From £20
Chichester Cathedral Festival of Flowers 2026: Nature's Embrace
📍 Chichester
A biennial four-day festival where more than 50,000 blooms transform Chichester Cathedral to mark its 30th anniversary.
Cost: From £21
Appleby Horse Fair 2026
📍 Cumbria - Go Lakes
One of the largest traditional Gypsy and Traveller gatherings in Europe, held annually near Appleby-in-Westmorland.
Cost: Free
Royal Northern Sinfonia - Mozart and Bacewicz
📍 Darlington
The Royal Northern Sinfonia performs works by Mozart and Bacewicz at Darlington Hippodrome.
Cost: Check website
York Festival of Ideas 2026
📍 York
A mostly free festival of talks, exhibitions, music, guided tours and family activities across York, running 30 May to 12 June 2026.
Cost: Free
Catwalk: The Art of the Fashion Show
📍 Dundee
A major V&A Dundee exhibition exploring the evolution of the catwalk from 19th-century fashion salons to today's live-stream shows.
Cost: Ticketed
Belfast Night Market at Clarendon Dock
📍 Belfast
Belfast's original night market returns to Barrow Square, Clarendon Dock with food, crafts and live entertainment.
Cost: Free entry
K-Pop All Stars Tribute
📍 Blackpool
A tribute concert celebrating K-Pop hits at the Opera House, Winter Gardens Blackpool.
Cost: Check venue
30th Arran Folk Festival
📍 Isle of Arran
A weekend of folk concerts, afternoon sessions and workshops across Brodick and other Arran venues marking the festival's 30th year.
Cost: Free afternoon sessions; concert tickets via Eventbrite
Porthcawl Green Top Market
📍 Bridgend
A market featuring independent producers, crafters and artisan makers in Porthcawl.
Cost: Free entry
Barrel of Laughs Comedy Night
📍 Bridgend
A local comedy show with Kris Davies and friends at Bang On Brewery in Bridgend.
Cost: From £10
Guided Walk: Tales from Marske - from Archbishops to Motorcycles (Swaledale Festival)
📍 Richmond
A Swaledale Festival guided walk from Marske Bridge exploring local history, 10am-2pm.
Cost: Ticketed
SEALL Presents Siobhan Miller
📍 Isle of Skye
Award-winning Scottish folk singer Siobhan Miller performs at the Skye Gathering Hall in Portree as part of the SEALL programme.
Cost: Check website
Rick Astley at Scarborough Open Air Theatre
📍 Scarborough
Pop icon Rick Astley headlines Scarborough Open Air Theatre with support from The Lottery Winners.
Cost: From £51