Summer Holidays 2026: Things to Do, Family Days Out, Festivals & Live Events Across the UK
Posted on Friday 26th June 2026 at 17:45
Written by
Gigantic Tickets
Summer Holidays 2026: Things to Do, Family Days Out, Festivals & Live Events Across the UK
Updated June 2026. Looking for things to do during the summer holidays? Whether you're planning family days out, catching up with friends, making the most of annual leave or simply looking for your next live event, there's no shortage of live events, family attractions and memorable days out happening across the UK this summer.
From outdoor concerts and family-friendly festivals to immersive experiences, theatre, children's shows and major live events, we've rounded up some of the best things to see and do throughout the summer holidays.
This summer holiday guide includes:
- Family-friendly days out and immersive experiences
- Outdoor concerts and live music
- Festivals across the UK
- Children's theatre and family shows
- Ideas for families, couples, friends and summer days out
Family Days Out & Summer Holiday Experiences
If you're looking for ways to keep the family entertained over the school holidays, these events offer everything from outdoor adventures and interactive experiences to seasonal fairs and live entertainment.
GLOWORM FESTIVAL 2026
When: Friday 7th - Sunday 9th August 2026 (Thoresby Park, Newark)
Gloworm Festival transforms the outdoors into a playful world of light, imagination and hands-on adventure,, coupled with live music. Designed with younger children in mind, it's an enchanting family day out filled with interactive fun.
DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE
When: July - September 2026 (Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London)
Life-sized dinosaurs, adventurous storytelling and plenty of laughs make Dinosaur World Live a hit with young explorers, making it a lively introduction to theatre for dinosaur fans and families alike.
SUMMER AT PLOUISE
When: Saturday 18th July - Wednesday 30th September 2026 (P Louise Make Up Academy, Stockport)
Dive into the magical world of Plouise, where you can enjoy mixing, pouring, naming, and personalising your own summer-inspired Plouise product, in an Insta-worthy setting.
SUMMER FAIR
When: Saturday 18th July - Monday 31st August 2026 (The Trafford Centre, Manchester)
A huge outdoor funfair bringing the sunshine to Manchester. Featuring over 20 fairground rides, a mini beach, a children's splash zone and more, this is the perfect summer day out.
Exhibitions, Experiences & Special Events
Beyond traditional days out, these exhibitions and special events combine creativity, science and immersive entertainment, making them ideal for families, couples and groups of friends alike.
LUMINARIUM: ARBORIALIS
When: Thursday 23rd - Monday 27th July 2026 (Memorial Gardens, Staines)
Step inside a monumental inflatable sculpture where light and colour create a constantly changing landscape!
BOBBY SEAGULL'S ESCAPE FROM ANCIENT EGYPT
When: Tuesday 25th - Thursday 27th August 2026 (multiple UK dates)
The perfect event for curious minds! This interactive puzzle solving mystery will allow audiences to crack codes, find hidden messages, and much more with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
BEYOND MONET
When: Sunday 19th July - Friday 7th August 2026 (Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham)
Reimagining the iconic work of Claude Monet, this immersive experience literally lets you step into his floral, colourful world.
BEYOND VAN GOGH
When: Saturday 18th July - Thursday 6th August 2026 (Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham)
For casual art fans and Van Gogh aficionados alike, you can stroll through this projection of some of the most iconic paintings ever made.
BINKS YARD FILM CLUB
When: Wednesday 8th July - Friday 28th August 2026 (multiple UK dates)
Outdoor cinema, good food and a relaxed atmosphere make Binks Yard Film Club an easy summer favourite. Ideal for date nights, families or catching a classic film with friends.
WOLLATON TOTS SECRET GARDEN
When: Tuesday 18th - Thursday 27th August 2026 (Wollaton Hall, Nottingham)
Created especially for toddlers and preschoolers, this gentle outdoor experience encourages imaginative play and nature discovery, in the gorgeous setting of Wollaton Hall.
Family-Friendly Festivals This Summer
Festivals aren't just for music fans. Across the UK, you'll find family-friendly weekends packed with live entertainment, workshops, food, activities and camping experiences for all ages.
BELLADRUM FESTIVAL 2026
When: Thursday 30th July - Saturday 1st August 2026 (Belladrum Estate, Inverness)
Set in the rolling hills of the Scottish Highlands, Belladrum Festival welcomes James, The Human League and plenty of huge names for a weekend of quality tunes.
ROSESHIRE FESTIVAL 2026
When: Saturday 29th - Sunday 30th August 2026 (Chester House Estate, Wellingborough)
A relaxed, eclectic festival featuring electric sets from indie legends The Charlatans, pop sensations Boyzlife, and more!
SHREWSBURY FOLK FESTIVAL 2026
When: Thursday 27th - Monday 31st August 2026 (West Midlands Showground, Shrewsbury)
One of the UK's best-loved folk festivals, this is set to be a weekend packed of fantastic blends of traditional and contemporary music with dance, workshops and family activities.
APP-FEST 2026
When: Thursday 30th July - Sunday 2nd August 2026 (Thoresby Park, Newark)
This grassroots festival marries the community atmosphere with a massive line-up - perfect for a fun-filled summer weekend.
REPLAY FESTIVAL 2026
When: Saturday 15th - Sunday 16th August 2026 (South Inch Park, Perth)
Make memories to last in Perth with Replay Festival, celebrating the best music of the 80s, 90s, and 00s with Natalie Imbruglia, Blue, Altered Images, and many more!.
Outdoor Concerts This Summer
Summer and outdoor concerts go hand in hand. Whether you're seeing pop legends, indie favourites or dance acts under the open sky, these are some of the biggest outdoor shows taking place during the school holidays.
SCISSOR SISTERS
When: Sunday 26th July - Sunday 30th August 2026 (multiple UK dates)
Chart-topping disco-pop icons Scissor Sisters are bringing their extravagant live performances, electric atmosphere and pure queer joy to sunny destinations across the UK!
HOLLY JOHNSON
When: Friday 14th & Saturday 15th August 2026 (Scarborough Open Air Theatre & The Piece Hall, Halifax)
One of the most distinguishable voices of the 80s, Holly Johnson will be taking his charismatic stage presence and era-defining tunes to Scarborough and Halifax.
JESSIE J
When: Saturday 15th August 2026 (Newbury Racecourse)
Combining powerhouse vocals with an energetic stage presence, Jessie J will be performing Live After Racing for an evening of pop classics and excellent vibes!
RICHARD ASHCROFT
When: Thursday 16th July - Sunday 30th August 2026 (multiple UK dates)
A must-see for any Britpop fan, Richard Ashcroft will be bringing his soaring solo work as well as the timeless hits from The Verve underneath the summer skies!
Family Theatre & Children's Shows
Looking for something the whole family can enjoy? These productions bring favourite stories, much-loved characters and spectacular stage shows to theatres across the UK throughout the summer holidays.
BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL
When: June 2026 - April 2027 (Prince Edward Theatre, London)
For fans of musical theatre and beyond, Beetlejuice The Musical brings gothic comedy, amazing staging and plenty of spectacle to the stage, making it a perfect show for the family to enjoy!
THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT AND BENJAMIN BUNNY
When: Wednesday 29th July 2026 (St Paul's Church, Covent Garden, London)
Beatrix Potter's much loved rabbit comes to life in this charming stage adventure in London, making it a perfect introduction for little ones at the theatre!
HORRIBLE HISTORIES: BARMY BRITAIN - THE BEST BITS
When: July - August 2026 (Apollo Theatre, London)
History has never been this entertaining! Horrible Histories brings outrageous facts, songs and comedy, this family show makes learning fun!
THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE
When: July - August 2026 (Lyric Hammersmith, London)
Roald Dahl's mischievous crocodile takes centre stage in London for a romp fit for the whole family!
Explore More Summer Events
Explore more concerts, festivals, family events and experiences happening across the UK this summer.
Summer holidays: your questions answered
What are some of the best family events during the summer holidays?
From family festivals and outdoor concerts to theatre, immersive experiences and children's shows, there are plenty of events taking place across the UK throughout the school holidays.
Are there outdoor concerts happening during the summer holidays?
Yes. Many artists tour throughout July and August, with parks, stately homes and outdoor venues hosting concerts across the UK. This summer's outdoor highlights include Scissor Sisters, Holly Johnson, Jessie J, Richard Ashcroft, Sigma, Alex James, Bowling for Soup & Frank Turner, and Nile Rodgers. Check individual event pages for set times, age guidance and what to bring.
Which festivals are suitable for families?
Many festivals feature dedicated family areas, children's entertainment, workshops and activities alongside their live music line-ups. This summer's family-friendly festival options include Belladrum, Rosedshire Festival, Shrewsbury Folk Festival, App-Fest, Replay Festival, Foolhardy Folk Festival, Found Festival and Mudbillys. Always check the individual event page before booking to confirm what's included and whether it's right for your group.
What theatre shows are suitable for children?
Productions including Peter Rabbit, The Enormous Crocodile, Dog Man, The Lion King and My Neighbour Totoro are among the family shows taking place this summer.
How can I stay up to date with summer events?
Browse the latest events on Gigantic Tickets or subscribe to our newsletter for new announcements, ticket releases and seasonal event guides.