Free festivals and events for summer 2012

by Simon Ward on 23 July 2012  |  2 comments
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You don't have to spend a penny to enjoy music, theatre and more in the outdoors over the coming months.

Summer’s here and that means it’s time for outdoor festivals and events around the UK. While the big music festivals such as V and T In The Park cost the best part of £200 to attend for a weekend, there are loads of events around the nation that are absolutely free.

Below is our round-up of some of the best by region. And don't forget the Olympic torch relay, which will be celebrated with lots of events as it makes its way around the UK. You can find out more at the London 2012 website.

London

BT London Live
What: To coincide with the Olympics, there will be free music from the likes of Tom Jones, Cast, McFly, Feeder, Paul Carrack and Norman Jay along with screenings of the games. You can apply for guaranteed entry tickets now.
When: 27 July-12 August
Where: Hyde Park/Victoria Park
More info: www.btlondonlive.com

London Mela
What: A huge celebration of south Asian culture with nine music zones.
When: 19 August
Where: Gunnersbury Park
More info: www.londonmela.org

Notting Hill Carnival
What: One of the world’s most famous free carnivals takes over the streets of west London.
When: 26-27 August
Where: Notting Hill
More info: www.thenottinghillcarnival.com/

Southern England

Rox Festival
What: A seaside music and arts festival.
When: 27-29 July
Where: Bognor Regis Seafront
More info: www.the-rox.org/festival.asp

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
What: A festival featuring over 100 hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes.
When: 9-12 August
Where: Ashton Court, Bristol
More info: www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk/

Wareham Music Festival
What: A host of bands playing around the town’s quay.
When: 24-26 August
Where: Wareham, Dorset
More info: www.wareham-music.org.uk

Central England

Nottingham Riverside Festival
What: Live music, a children’s zone, dragon boat racing plus fireworks over the Trent.
When: 3-5 August
Where: Victoria Embankment, Nottingham
More info: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=14480

Leicester Caribbean Carnival
What: A celebration of the city’s Afro-Caribbean culture.
When: 4 August
Where: Victoria Park, Leicester
More info: leicestercarnival.com

Worcester Music Festival
What: Live music across the city for four days.
When: 24-27 August
Where: Worcester
More info: www.worcestermusicfestival.co.uk

Wales

The Big Cheese Festival
What: Street entertainers, music, dance, living history and more in celebration of Caerphilly’s history.
When: 27-29 July
Where: Caerphilly
More info: www.caerphilly.gov.uk/bigcheese/english/index.htm

Monmouth Festival
What: Free music from rock to classicial to jazz to ska.
When: 17-25 August
Where: Monmouth
More info: www.monmouthfestival.co.uk/index.htm

Talgarth Festival
What: Music, exhibitions and entertainment in the shadow of the Black Mountains.
When: 25-26 August
Where: Talgarth
More info: www.talgarthfestival.org.uk

Northern England

SIRF
What: Giant puppets, circus and street performers roam Stockton.
When: 1-5 August
Where: Stockton-on-Tees
More info: www.sirf.co.uk

NewcastleGateshead Bridges Festival
What: Music, theatre and fireworks in celebration of the Tyne.
When: 4-5 August
Where: Quayside, Newcastle and Gateshead
More info: www.newcastlegateshead.com/whats-on/festivals/newcastlegateshead-bridges-festival

Mathew Street Festival
What: Europe’s largest free music festival with musicians from all over the world, including lots of Beatles tributes.
When: 26-27 August
Where: Mathew Street, Liverpool
More info: www.mathewstreetfestival.org

Rochdale Feel Good Festival
What: Music, headlined by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, plus a market and a food stage.
When: 31 August-1 September
Where: Town Hall Square, Rochdale
More info: facebook.com/feelgoodfestival

Scotland

Arbroath Sea Festival
What: A celebration of the town's maritime history.
When: 4-5 August
Where: Abroath seafront
More info: www.arbroathseafest.co.uk

PBH’s Free Fringe
What: A free companion to the main Edinburgh Festival, with shows across the city.
When: 6-28 August
Where: Edinburgh
More info: freefringe.org.uk

Northern Ireland

Red Sails Festival
What: Music, theatre and music on the coast.
When: 22-28 July
Where: Portstewart
More info: www.redsails.co.uk

Maiden City Festival
What: A celebration of history through dance, drama and music.
When: 4-11 August
Where: Derry/Londonderry
More info: www.maidencityfestival.com

You'll find loads more free festivals and events listed at the Free-events.co.uk website.

This article has been updated

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