There is nothing worse than finding out about a cool sounding event and then not having the funds to go check it out. While you can find plenty of free events here to enjoy, we thought we’d pull together a list of great family friendly, free events that are taking place across the UK this year. That way, you can get the dates in your diary ready!
Stargazing
While you can do this in your own garden if you live somewhere rural enough, why not experience the wonders of the night sky at South Downs National Park? Their regular stargazing festival is running for two weeks throughout February and is completely free!
Visit a Science Fair
Birmingham’s NEC is playing host to Big Bang: The UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair on 14th March, the event is free to attend, you just have to register beforehand (sign up here thebigbangfair.co.uk) it’s a great way to encourage the kids to get into STEM and gives them plenty of things to get excited about without having to pay for entry.
Celebrate St Patrick
London’s Annual St Patrick’s Day Festival and Parade is a free public event taking place around Trafalgar Square and Picadilly Circus on 15th March. Starting around lunch time, the event has art, music and some incredible Irish Food to sample.
Learn more about nature
Head to Bristol in April for the Festival of Nature, which is free and is one of the largest celebrations of nature in the UK. The event includes talks, workshops and more. Find out more about the dates and what is happening where at VisitBristol.
Find out more about history
Lyme Regis’ annual fossil festival takes place around the town centre and gives you a chance to find out more from a whole host of dinosaur experts. Head along for some free, Jurassic fun!
Alternatively, in West Yorkshire in June, there is the Brighouse 1940s Festival which features living history exhibits, dressing up and dancing at no charge. Or whynot enjoy the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge in Wiltshire? The tradition dates back thousands of years and there is something very special about seeing the sunrise through the stones.
Play some games
Whether you’re into retro games or new releases, Norwich Games Festival is a celebration of video games, some of the events do have ticketed entry, but the majority of the festival is free to attend and a must for the gamers in the family. The festival runs from 25th-30th May.
Be proud
Pride events take place all over the UK, usually starting the summer, the majority of these are completely free to attend or have only certain areas of the festival that are ticketed. Head to London for the annual parade and free outdoor party or find out where your local pride is taking place and join in.
Eat Cheese
If food festivals are your thing, don’t forget to visit Caerphilly Castle for the Big Cheese Festival in July. The festival is free to get into and has a whole host of entertainment as well as cheese of course. One of the most popular aspects of the event is the Great Cheese Race, so cheese lovers will need to get this one into their diaries
Have a giggle
The Free Fringe Fest Festival in Edinburgh is one of the most popular comedy festivals in the UK and you can expect to see a whole host of top comedians, cabaret and theatre performances as well as children’s shows all for free! The full line up will be online soon, but find out more at freefestival.co.uk
Dance the day away
Nottinghill Carnival in London is one of the biggest carnivals in the country and is held over the August bank holiday. The carnival is full of bright colours and dancing and has a children’s festival on the first day.
