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Free UK Festivals and Carnivals
Region-by-region guide to 60+ events

Festival season is back for 2022, following two years of disruptions due to the pandemic. Whether you want to listen to pop, house, rock or jazz music, or carnivals or parades are more your scene, there are free UK festivals and carnivals to suit all tastes - and most are suitable for families. We've rounded them up by area of the UK...
Alternatively, it's also possible to get into some big paid-for festivals for free, including Reading and Leeds Festival, in return for working there – see the stewarding guide below.
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London
Notting Hill Carnival
Where: Notting Hill, London (view map)
Dates: Saturday 27 August - Monday 29 August
Description: A huge community-led street festival with floats, costumed performers, music and food stalls – rooted in Caribbean culture and celebrating a diverse and vibrant London.
Totally Thames Festival
Where: Central London (view map)
Dates: Throughout September
Description: A whole month of celebration and entertainment. The 2022 line-up hasn't been announced yet, but in previous years it's included the Mayor's Thames Festival, the Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Festival and the Great River Race. Although the festival itself is free to attend, some of the activities charge a fee.
London Mela
Where: Southall Park (view map)
Dates: Sunday 4 September
Description: The festival includes urban, classical and experimental Asian music.
Turning Tides Festival
Where: The Tide, Greenwich (view map)
Dates: Saturday 10 September - Sunday 11 September
Description: A music, arts and wellness festival to celebrate the opening of London's first linear park. A weekend of music, riverside yoga and meditation.
Croydon Mela
Where: Wandle Park (view map)
Dates: TBC
Description: A day of live music from Asian cultures, plus world food and family entertainment.
Festivals that've already happened this year
These festivals have now been and gone, but we've left them here for reference as festivals often return year after year.
NOW ENDED: Urban Village Fete
Where: Greenwich Peninsula (view map)
Dates: Sunday 15 May
Description: A free one-day music and arts festival, featuring pop-ups, entertainment and market places – although there is a charge for some classes and workshops. There'll be street food vendors, debates and workshops for all ages.
NOW ENDED: West End Live
Where: Trafalgar Square (view map)
Dates: Saturday 25 June - Sunday 26 June
Description: Live performances of a variety of West End hit musicals and theatre shows.
NOW ENDED: Pride in London
Where: Central London (view map)
Dates: Saturday 2 July
Description: Celebrating London's LGBTQ+ diversity with a huge parade that runs through central London. There are also free events and workshops throughout June.
NOW ENDED: The Cally Festival
Where: Caledonian Road, London ( view map) Dates: Sunday 3 July
Description: A street festival with music, performances, art, stalls, creative workshops and food stalls.
NOW ENDED: Lambeth Country Show
Where: Brockwell Park, Herne Hill (view map)
Dates: Saturday 16 July - Sunday 17 July
Description: Wide variety of music and entertainment, arts and crafts, trade stalls, animals, steel orchestras and samba bands
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Northern Ireland
NOW ENDED: Belfast Pride Festival
Where: Belfast (view map)
Dates: Friday 22 July - Sunday 31 July
Description: Celebrating Belfast's LGBTQ+ diversity with a week-long celebration including a huge parade, debates, music, comedy and film.
NOW ENDED: Red Sails Festival
Where: Portstewart (view map)
Dates: Sunday 24 July - Saturday 30 July
Description: A family-friendly festival with free music from local bands and orchestras, a puppet theatre show, exhibitions, and a spectacular firework display to end the festivities. The festival is mostly free but some events may charge.
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Scotland
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Where: Edinburgh (view map)
Dates: Friday 5 August - Monday 29 August
Description: A huge arts festival with thousands of performances packed into hundreds of venues across the city. Many free events and shows to suit all ages.
Festivals that've already happened this year
These festivals have now been and gone, but we've left them here for reference as festivals often return year after year.
NOW ENDED: Dandelion Festival
Where: Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow (view map)
Dates: Friday 17 June - Sunday 19 June
Description: A music and arts festival celebrating sustainability. It is part of UNBOXED 2022 which is a celebration of creativity taking place across the UK, designed to reach millions and bring people together.
NOW ENDED: Pride Glasgow
Where: Glasgow Green (view map)
Dates: Saturday 25 June
Description: A celebration of Scotland's LGBTQ+ diversity. It includes a huge parade going through the city centre, with thousands of people taking part. Entry to the musical festival charges a fee.
NOW ENDED: Youth Beatz
Where: Dumfries (view map)
Dates: Saturday 25 June - Sunday 26 June
Description: Aimed at young people aged 12-25 and featuring celebrities as well as local bands. Register for a chance to get free tickets via the link above. Acts this year include Ella Eyre, Pixie Lott and Jonas Blue.
NOW ENDED: Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
Where: Edinburgh (view map)
Dates: Friday 15 July - Sunday 24 July
Description: Established in 1978, the Edinburgh Jazz Festival is a mixture of free and ticketed events spread over a week in July.
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North East England
South Tyneside Summer Festival
Where: South Shields (view map)
Dates: June/July/August
Description: Live music, brass bands, parades, parties and open-air concerts throughout June, July and August. Sunday concerts taking place on 10, 17, 24 and 31 July. Most events are free but some charge a small fee.
Stockton International Riverside Festival
Where: Stockton (view map)
Dates: Thursday 4 August - Sunday 7 August
Description: Lots of free family events, including street theatre, a mobile football stadium, circus acts, dance shows, music and a community carnival.
Festivals that've already happened this year
These festivals have now been and gone, but we've left them here for reference as festivals often return year after year.
NOW ENDED: Rothbury Traditional Music Festival
Where: Rothbury, Northumberland (view map)
Dates: Friday 15 July - Sunday 17 July
Description: The festival offers traditional outdoor music, Highland dancing, craft stalls, competitions and workshops. Some events are ticketed and charge a fee, but in previous years, the 'final fling' dance and sing-a-long on the Sunday has been free.
NOW ENDED: Northern Pride Festival
Where: Town Moor and Exhibition Park, Newcastle (view map)
Dates: Friday 22 July - Sunday 24 July
Description: Northern Pride Festival (formerly Newcastle Pride) is a two-day festival across two locations in Newcastle. The free festival line-up is yet to be announced, so keep an eye on the website for updates.
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Wales
Big Cheese Festival
Where: TBC
Dates: TBC
Description: A festival including street food stalls, live lounge bar area, food halls and live cookery demonstrations.
Update: Caerphilly Castle is undergoing development work and it is therefore not feasible for The Big Cheese to take place in its usual format in 2022. Alternative options for 2022 are being investigated and updates will be posted as soon as possible.
Talgarth Festival
Where: Talgarth, near Brecon (view map)
Dates: TBC (usually August Bank Holiday weekend)
Description: Includes live music, stalls, a dog show, bouncy castle and kids' activities.
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East England
Aldeburgh Carnival
Where: Aldeburgh, Suffolk (view map)
Dates: Saturday 13 August - Monday 15 August
Description: A seaside street festival with floats, swimming races, food stalls and fireworks.
Out There Festival
Where: Great Yarmouth (view map)
Dates: Friday 16 September - Sunday 18 September
Description: A circus and street arts festival the whole family will enjoy.
Festivals that've already happened this year
These festivals have now been and gone, but we've left them here for reference as festivals often return year after year.
NOW ENDED: Stowfiesta
Where: Stowmarket (view map)
Dates: Saturday 4 June - Sunday 5 June
Description: Two-day music festival showcasing some of the best talent from East Anglia and further afield.
NOW ENDED: Strawberry Fair
Where: Cambridge (view map)
Dates: Saturday 11 June
Description: A one day music and arts festival that is run by the community and for the community of Cambridge. Expect to see plenty of performances, as well as craft and food stalls.
NOW ENDED Festival Too
Where: King's Lynn (view map)
Dates: Saturday 25 June - Sunday 26 June, Friday 1 July - Saturday 2 July and Friday 8 July to Saturday 9 July
Description: Music and entertainment festival. Previous acts have included The Vamps, Scouting For Girls, Pixie Lott and The Darkness.
NOW ENDED: Norwich Pride
Where: Norwich city centre (view map)
Dates: Saturday 30 July
Description: Norwich's Gay Pride festival with a parade, live bands, stalls and arts and crafts
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South West England
Courtyard Social at Propyard
Where: Bristol (view map)
Dates: Various weekends over summer
Description: Offering a huge bill of live music from some of Bristol’s best DJs, the weekly outdoor events will take place every Thursday and Friday (as well as the occasional Saturday) from 6-11pm in the venue’s courtyard. Alongside the live music, you can enjoy craft beers, cocktails and street food.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
Where: Bristol (view map)
Dates: Thursday 11 August - Sunday 14 August
Description: A huge hot-air balloon event with over 130 hot-air balloons, fairground rides, trade stands and entertainment.
eat:Portishead
Where: Portishead, Bristol (view map)
Dates: Saturday 13 August
Description: A celebration of local and fresh produce, with street entertainment.
eat:Wellington
Where: Wellington, Somerset (view map)
Dates: Saturday 3 September
Description: A celebration of local and fresh produce, with a cookery school, demo stage and more.
B-side multimedia festival
Where: Portland (view map)
Dates: Thursday 8 September - Sunday 11 September
Description: A showcase of contemporary art, including workshops, talks, cinema and more. Some events will charge a fee.
eat:Burnham
Where: Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset (view map)
Dates: Saturday 22 October
Description: A celebration of local and fresh produce, as well as a face painter, balloon modeller, cookery school, demos, competitions, music, buskers and more.
Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival
Where: Bridgwater, Somerset (view map)
Dates: Saturday 5 November
Description: An evening procession of illuminated floats through the streets of Somerset town.
Festivals that've already happened this year
These festivals have now been and gone, but we've left them here for reference as festivals often return year after year.
NOW ENDED: Devizes International Street Festival
Where: Devizes (view map)
Dates: Sunday 30 April - Monday 1 May
Description: Two days of events and celebration, including a street festival, circus acts, street performers, musicians, dancers and craft stalls.
NOW ENDED: eat:Burnham
Where: Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset (view map)
Dates: Saturday 28 May and Saturday 22 October
Description: A celebration of local and fresh produce, as well as a face painter, balloon modeller, cookery school, demos, competitions, music, buskers and more.
NOW ENDED: Upfest
Where: Bristol (view map)
Dates: Saturday 28 May - Sunday 29 May
Description: A huge street art festival with music and live painting across the weekend.
NOW ENDED: Gloucester Tall Ships
Where: Gloucester (view map)
Dates: Friday 3 June - Sunday 5 June
Description: Over the Jubilee weekend, this family-friendly event will see Gloucester Docks filled with huge ships. Discover maritime history, watch skirmishes take place, see jet-pack displays and tall ships from across the world.
NOW ENDED: Wessex Folk Festival
Where: Wessex (view map)
Dates: Friday 3 June - Sunday 5 June
Description: Free folk festival featuring live music, a ceilidh, workshops and Morris dancing on the quayside and in a host of local pubs
NOW ENDED: English Riviera Air Show
Where: Torbay (view map)
Dates: Saturday 4 June - Sunday 5 June
Description: The annual English Riviera Air Show will return to Devon over the Jubilee weekend with breathtaking air displays over the bay’s stunning natural amphitheatre. Expect world-class food, family-friendly activities and a two-day programme of stunts, displays and flypasts.
NOW ENDED: Weston Air Festival
Where: Weston-super-Mare (view map)
Dates: Saturday 25 June - Sunday 26 June
Description: This family festival brings spectacular air displays and flights to Weston’s bay as well as some good old-fashioned seaside fun and activities.
NOW ENDED: Tewkesbury Medieval Festival
Where: Tewkesbury (view map)
Dates: Saturday 9 July - Sunday 10 July
Description: Free Medieval festival featuring crafts, music, entertainers a battle re-enactment, historical displays, markets and a parade on Sunday through the town.
NOW ENDED: Bristol Harbour Festival
Where: Bristol (view map)
Dates: Friday 15 July - Sunday 17 July
Description: A showcase of international & local artists, plus street theatre talent and a display of ships, boats and fireworks.
NOW ENDED: Stompin' on the Quomps
Where: Christchurch (view map)
Dates: Saturday 6 August
Description: Christchurch Quay will host an afternoon and evening of smooth jazz and big band music.
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West Midlands
Worcester Music Festival
Where: Worcester (view map)
Dates: Friday 16 September - Sunday 18 September
Description: Live, local and original music staged in pubs, clubs, cafes, and historic buildings around or near the city centre.
Festivals that've already happened this year
These festivals have now been and gone, but we've left them here for reference as festivals often return year after year.
NOW ENDED: Upton Blues Festival
Where: Worcester (view map)
Dates: Friday 15 July - Sunday 17 July
Description: Set in and around the pubs and streets of Upton upon Severn, Worcester, this music festival features everything from blues rock to bluegrass, country blues to New Orleans, acoustic to soul and gospel. This is a free festival, but there is a charge to buy camping tickets.
NOW ENDED: Birmingham, Solihull & Sandwell Jazz Festival
Where: Birmingham (view map)
Dates: Friday 15 July - Sunday 24 July
Description: Jazz & blues artists from across the world alongside the best from the UK.
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East Midlands
So Festival
Where: Skegness and Mablethorpe (view map)
Dates: TBC
Description: A festival with lots of free events, including participatory art, music from unsigned and local bands, stunts, street theatre and installations.
NOW ENDED: Nottinghamshire Pride
Where: Nottingham (view map)
Dates: Saturday 30 July
Description: Stage acts, drag queen competition and community parade, starting at Lace Market Square, to celebrate LGBTQ+ diversity.
NOW ENDED: Nottingham Riverside Festival
Where: Nottingham (view map)
Dates: Friday 5 August - Sunday 7 August
Description: Bustling street fair with vibrant mix of live music and performances from national and international artists, river-based activities, kids' zone and fun fair.
NOW ENDED: Leicester Caribbean Carnival
Where: Leicester (view map)
Dates: Saturday 6 August
Description: Parade celebrating Leicester's Caribbean heritage, including music, dance, floats and costumes.
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Yorkshire and Humber
Freedom Festival
Where: Hull (view map)
Dates: Friday 26 August - Sunday 4 September
Description: An eclectic, family-friendly, and largely free, three-day extravaganza of music, dance, theatre, poetry, visual arts and comedy that celebrates Hull's independent spirit and contribution to the cause of freedom.
Saltaire Festival
Where: Bradford (view map)
Dates: Friday 9 September - Sunday 18 September
Description: Annual event celebrating the heritage of Saltaire Victorian model village through the arts.
Festivals that've already happened this year
These festivals have now been and gone, but we've left them here for reference as festivals often return year after year.
NOW ENDED: Pontefract Liquorice Festival
Where: Pontefract, West Yorks (view map)
Dates: Saturday 9 July - Sunday 10 July
Description: Family celebration of the town's links with the growing and production of liquorice confectionery.
NOW ENDED: Clarence Park Music Festival
Where: Wakefield (view map)
Dates: Saturday 30 July - Sunday 31 July
Description: Features a host of local and national bands. There's also a beer tent, food stalls, and craft stalls.
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North West England
Festivals that've already happened this year
These festivals have now been and gone, but we've left them here for reference as festivals often return year after year.
NOW ENDED: Africa Oye Festival
Where: Sefton Park, Liverpool (view map)
Dates: Saturday 18 Jun - Sunday 19 Jun
Description: Africa Oye showcases an eclectic mix of African and Caribbean music and culture in the UK, including afrobeats, dancehall, reggae and hip hop.
NOW ENDED: GobeFest
Where: Cathedral Gardens in Manchester (view map)
Dates: Friday 24 June - Sunday 26 June
Description: This festival celebrates the practices and folklores of other cultures from across Europe. Expect music, arts and crafts workshops.
NOW ENDED: Festival Manchester
Where: Wythenshawe Park, Manchester (view map)
Dates: Friday 1 July - Sunday 3 July
Description: A festival for the whole family, featuring fairgrounds, extreme sports, family fun zone, a main stage with live music acts performing throughout the three days, as well as a Christian message of hope.
NOW ENDED: Keswick Convention
Where: Keswick, Cumbria (view map)
Dates: Saturday 16 July - Friday 5 August
Description: Bible teaching, music and fellowship, with separate kids' and youth programmes.
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South East England
Herne Bay Festival
Where: Herne Bay, Kent (view map)
Dates: Sunday 31 July - Saturday 27 August
Description: Live music, street theatre, performances, workshops, demonstrations and more.
Ryde Carnival
Where: Ryde, Isle of Wight (view map)
Dates: Saturday 27 August - Saturday 3 September
Description: Dating back to 1887, Ryde Carvinal is a joyous parade of colour and light marking the end of summer. There's a children's carnival on Wed 28 Aug.
Reading Pride
Where: Reading (view map)
Dates: Saturday 3 September
Description: Music and dance festival to promote equality and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
Faversham Hop Festival
Where: Faversham (view map)
Dates: Saturday 3 September - Sunday 4 September
Description: Traditional, fun festival set in the picturesque medieval town's square and surrounding streets, celebrating the days of hop picking in Kent. It offers live music across five stages, dance, circus acts, magic shows and more.
Festivals that've already happened this year
These festivals have now been and gone, but we've left them here for reference as festivals often return year after year.
NOW ENDED: Folk on the Quay
Where: Poole (view map)
Dates: Saturday 25 June - Sunday 26 June
Description: Free folk festival featuring live music, a ceilidh and Morris dancing around the quay and in a host of local pubs
NOW ENDED FollyFest
Where: Faringdon Town Centre, Oxfordshire (view map)
Dates: Friday 8 July - Sunday 10 July
Description: A family-friendly music and community arts festival in the heart of Faringdon.
NOW ENDED: Lammas Festival
Where: Eastbourne (view map)
Dates: Saturday 23 July - Sunday 24 July
Description: Folk music, morris dancing, traditional giants, carnival and live bands
NOW ENDED: Hastings Old Town Carnival Week
Where: Hastings (view map)
Dates: Friday 29 July - Sunday 7 August
Description: Carnival, music, performances, guided walks, a pram race and more.
NOW ENDED: Gravesham Riverside Festival
Where: Gravesham, Kent (view map)
Dates: Saturday 30 July
Description: Riverside festival including music, with entertainment, a market and games, as well as sporting challenges and giant inflatables. 2019's headline act is Peter Andre.
Have we missed any? If you know of any great free festivals in your area that we've not included, we'd love to hear about them. Let us know in our Forum or via Twitter @MSE_Deals.
You can also view all UK festivals & carnivals on this larger map.
As well as the free UK festivals listed above, there are a few ways to get into sold-out festivals for nothing.
Volunteering through charities
Some big charities like the Samaritans and Oxfam look for volunteers to help at big festivals. Don't volunteer if you're in it just for the free ticket – approach a charity you really believe in and do the work properly.
- Festival Samaritans provides volunteers for big festivals such as Glastonbury, Leeds and Reading. It recruits every January, and anyone is welcome to apply, whether or not they have been a member of the Samaritans before. You can register your interest now for next year's festivals.
- Oxfam provides stewards and campaigners who have to work between three and five shifts over the duration of big festivals. Head to the application page to sign up. Includes many paid-for festivals such as Glastonbury, Reading, Leeds and Download .
Odd jobs like litter-picking & car park attending
It's not easy to make a festival run smoothly, and extra help is always required with anything from car park assistance and tent pitching to litter-picking. Organisers usually use firms which provide staff specifically for festivals.
- DC Services provide safety stewards, traffic marshals, recycling and litter teams to the likes of Leeds and Latitude (check its events calendar). Apply online to work as volunteer staff.
- Seed Staff - You can volunteer for various festivals, including Y Not?, Download, BBC Proms, Reading and Leeds. You can apply online, with volunteer jobs including wristbanding and picking up litter.
- Hotbox provides volunteers for anything from assisting festivalgoers with directions to helping them pitch their tents. If your application is successful, you'll have to work up to three shifts over the duration of the festival.
- Festaff supplies volunteers for stewarding, wristbanding, bar work and other general duties at festivals including Bestival, Isle of Wight, Rewind, and Creamfields. You can apply online, plus you may be required to attend training.
Volunteering for festivals independently
Another option is to check with festival organisers directly to see if they're looking for volunteers. They usually have a dedicated area on their website for this.
Not what you want? Other related guides...
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