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Join the party at Victorious Festival
One of the biggest events of the summer, Victorious Festival takes over the Southsea seafront from 28 to 30 August 2026, with headline sets from Richard Ashcroft, The Black Keys, and Kasabian, plus massive performances from Scissor Sisters, Bastille, The Streets, Faithless, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Basement Jaxx and Jessie J.
Aside from the music, there’s more festi fun to be had, including street food, comedy, and a kids arena.
Go wild at Marwell’s Zoofest
Join the wild party at Marwell Zoo throughout August with Zoofest, a new festival-inspired celebration from 23 July to 31 August 2026.
There will be colourful festival-themed spots around the zoo, plus daily silent discos, crafts, games, glitter tattoos, and raves with a giant dancing elephant!
Little explorers are also sure to love the brand-new Marwell Jeeps for mini safari adventures.
Have some Summer Holiday Fun at Beaulieu
Gear up for some Summer Holiday Fun at Beaulieu from 20 July to 31 August 2026 – the beloved motoring parades are back with magnificent displays of vehicles from various eras as well as appearances from some of TV and film’s most iconic cars including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Mr Toad’s Car from Wind in the Willows.
Plus, Horrible Histories continues until 31 August 2026, Disney and Pixar’s Cars are back with a brand-new 20th anniversary display featuring Lightning McQueen and friends from 29 June to 1 November 2026, and the regular Simply events are brilliant for family weekends including Beaulieu Supercar Weekend from 1 to 2 August 2026.
Visit a sunny sunflower field
Hampshire’s sunny south coast climate is great news for sunflower fans as summer here heralds several spectacular sunflower fields that pop up across the county every August.
Plan a visit to see these vibrant and lofty blooms with our guide to top sunflower patches to visit in Hampshire.
Enjoy a Big Wild Weekend at Hawk Conservancy Trust
Join the Hawk Conservancy Trust from 8 to 9 August 2026 for a Big Wild Weekend, when visitors can join in with a range of fantastic nature-focused activities.
This festival of British nature will showcase the wonderful natural world on the Hampshire doorstep with special guests from UK Conservation charities sharing their insight.
Have a Day out with Thomas on The Watercress Line
Day Out With Thomas™: Let's Rock, Let's Roll Tour is hitting the tracks at The Watercress Line from 4 to 9 August 2026.
As well as steam train rides on Thomas, there will be live shows and music, a Thomas & Friends™ character hunt, garden games and plenty of music-inspired fun. There will also be two new Rusty & Dusty outdoor entertainment shows with Sir Topham Hatt, Percy, Diesel and Toad.
Play Wild at Winchester Science Centre
Winchester Science Centre’s new outdoor play area, Play Wild, is perfect for little ones to explore this August. Play Wild features three interactive, chalk-landscape-themed zones that are included in general admission: Dino Dig where fossils can be unearthed and there’s a giant mosasaur model to climb, The Chalk Stream where children can learn about the local ecosystem in flowing water, and Dormouse Den where kids can climb, crawl, and hide in a natural woodland habitat.
Join the Summer Fun at Fort Nelson
There’s barrel-loads of children's fun to be had at Fort Nelson from 21 July to 6 September 2026, including a junior assault course challenge plus acres of ramparts and tunnels to explore, and the amazing collection of artillery and big guns to discover.
Take part in summer activities at Hurst Castle
Visit Hurst Castle throughout the summer holidays and join in the family friendly activities including two summer trails for young explorers, plus Tudor Tuesdays, Wildlife Wednesdays, Throwback Thursdays. All the summer activities are included in your castle admission from 18 July to 31 August 2026.
Summer of Play and Pokemon TCG - National Trust, Ashling Gilbert
Have a Summer of Play at the National Trust
The National Trust summer events are always a firm family favourite, and this August a Summer of Play can be enjoyed at three National Trust properties in Hampshire.
At The Vyne, from 23 July to 13 September 2026, there will be games and activities in the gardens, with six new challenges spread across the spacious grounds.
At Mottisfont, from 23 July to 6 September 2026, seven themed play zones will be set out in acres of garden including an all-new Pokémon zone where families can try out mini games inspired by their favourite Pokémon.
At Hinton Ampner, from 18 July to 6 September2026, a swashbuckling summer of fun awaits, with Hinton Ampner’s action-packed Pirate Adventures and activities spread across the gardens.
Swing into a treetop adventure with 15% off at Go Ape
Stay cool this August by swinging from the shady trees and tackling the treetop adventure courses at Go Ape - Moors Valley, Go Ape - Southampton, and Go Ape - Alice Holt.
What’s even more cool is that you can get 15% off all the Go Ape activities in Hampshire with the code V-H152627 (valid 7 days a week from 1 June 2026 until 31 May 2027).
Go Ape is great summer holidays activity for the children but why let the kids have all the fun? Go Ape is running adults only sessions on Thursdays and Fridays from 5pm in August.
Sing along to the Proms
Union Jack flags at the ready, pack up a picnic and join the great British summer tradition of the Proms at the 25th Highclere Castle Battle Proms Picnic Concert on 1 August 2026 or Proms in the Park at Stansted Park on 8 August 2026 with the South Coast Symphonia orchestra.
Gear up for The British Motor Show
The British Motor Show wheels back to Farnborough International from 21 to 23 August 2026 bringing three days of incredible cars, thrilling live action, hands-on experiences, and family fun. Expect brand-new zones and features, including The Showroom, The Grid, an expanded Ride & Drive, and Festival Fields. Dive into car culture at Lowered & Loud, inspire young minds in the Discovery Garage, and marvel at dream machines in the Supercar Paddock.
Go on a musical journey at Boomtown
One of Hampshire’s biggest festivals, Boomtown is a top event on the national and international festival circuit.
Bringing a world of escapism to the outskirts of Winchester from 12 to 15 August 2026, thousands congregate at Boomtown to embark on an imaginative journey through the evolutionary districts where every musical genre is celebrated from ska, folk, gypsy, reggae, world, punk, pirate, and disco to electro-swing, jazz, blue-grass, bass, jungle, and techno.
See some Open-Air Theatre
A spot of open air theatre is a great way to spend a summer’s evening and New Forest Open Air Theatre will be performing She Stoops to Conquer, a lively countryside comedy at Furzey Gardens from 25 July to 17 August 2026.
At Hinton Ampner, Quantum Theatre presents Peter Rabbit on 13 and 28 August 2026 as well as Treasure Island on 20 August 2026.
Catch an outdoor movie at Lainston House
Catch an outdoor movie under the summer stars at Lainston House with movie nights (12+) in the kitchen garden on various dates from 6 to 29 August 2026. The woodfired oven will be cooking pizzas and screenings start at sunset, including The Greatest Showman (13 August), Notting Hill (15 August), and Thelma and Louise (27 August).
Take a sightseeing trip to The Needles
Hop aboard for a sight-sea-ing tour to The Needles on the Isle of Wight over the August bank holiday weekend with the Quay 2 Quay ferry from Lymington.
With tours taking place on 29. 30, and 31 August 2026, passengers will get to see the breathtaking beauty of The Needles, Isle of Wight, with its iconic chalk stacks and stunning coastal views from the Quay 2 Quay’s state-of-the-art catamaran, Kraken.
Enjoy a Hampshire family day out for less with the Great British Summer Savings scheme
The UK Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme means a temporary VAT cut this summer on a range of tourism and leisure activities, designed to lower the cost of family days out during the school summer holidays.
From country parks and stunning gardens to family-friendly experiences and outdoor adventures, discover where you can enjoy a memorable Hampshire day out for less this summer with our round-up of Hampshire Attractions Passing on the Summer VAT Saving.
Search for more events in Hampshire
50 things to do this summer in Hampshire
Fancy an August break? Take a look at our huge range of accommodation. Hampshire has something for all budgets including hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering properties, and cosy traditional holiday cottages.
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Related
Victorious is a family friendly festival for music lovers, a stone’s throw from the sea and takes place the 28th,29th and 30th August 2026. The festival is located on the picturesque Southsea Seafront in the city of Portsmouth and takes place over August Bank Holiday Weekend.
Marwell zoo is home to hundreds of exotic and endangered animals all within a beautiful 140-acre park. Take a stroll around the outdoor attraction and enjoy the fresh air while spotting animals such as Rothschild’s giraffe, white rhinos, Humboldt penguins, red pandas, clouded leopards, snow leopards and all three species of zebra (to name a few)!
Get set for a summer filled with thrilling adventures and treasured memories at Beaulieu! This summer from the 20 July – 31 August, experience the Vile Victorians like you've never seen them before in our Horrible Histories® trail, some very special guests have returned to Beaulieu, plus you can meet living history, enjoy magical extras, and magnificent motoring parades are BACK!
Calling all minibeast detectives, plant enthusiasts and nature lovers of all ages – the Hawk Conservancy Trust are going wild!
All Aboard for a Rockin' Good Time! Day Out With Thomas™: Let's Rock, Let's Roll Tour is hitting the tracks and bringing the beat to The Watercress Line. Hop on board a train ride with Thomas, a REAL steam engine, watch the exciting live shows with Sodor Station Sweepers Rusty & Dusty (that'll have the whole family dancing), join in the Thomas & Friends™ character hunt, have fun with the garden games and keep the beat going at the Music Corner packed with music-inspired fun, plus so much more! Book tickets for your train ride adventure today to enjoy a whole day out, with all the family.
Are you ready for an action-packed family adventure? Set off on an exciting journey through the world of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) at Winchester Science Centre.
Fort Nelson is home to the Royal Armouries national collection of artillery and historic cannon – the big guns – and is a great day out for all the family. Step back in time and explore a fully restored Victorian fort with its high ramparts, original fortifications, massive parade ground and underground tunnels, plus a national museum housing over 700 pieces of artillery from across the world and spanning 600 years of history – each with their own story to tell.
Situated on the south coast, in the New Forest, Hurst Castle offers a fascinating day out. With plenty of open spaces for children to explore and fantastic views of the Isle of Wight, it is a must for visitors to Hampshire.
The Vyne is a warm, red-bricked Tudor mansion built in the 16th Century for Lord Sandys, Henry VIII's Lord Chamberlain. It later passed into the hands of the Chute family, who cared for the house and estate for over 300 years. The Vyne was remodelled to its present configuration in the mid-17th Century with the addition of a classical portico and summerhouse, firsts of their kind in England.
Located 10 miles north of Bournemouth and 5 miles west of Ringwood, you can find us in Moors Valley Country Park. We're just off Horton Road - near to Ashley Heath and the New Forest. Go Ape Moors Valley hosts five action-packed adventures. Explore the forest on two wheels with our all-terrain Segways or test your nerve amongst the trees on one of three high ropes courses.
Northwest of Southampton, close to Eastleigh, you can find us in the heart of Itchen Valley Country Park. Our Hampshire location plays host to two of our high ropes experiences plus axe throwing. We're just off Allington Lane - close to Southampton airport. Whether you're looking for things to do nearby with the kids or a day out with friends we have adventure covered. Treetop Adventure is a one-hour experience aimed at kids and young families. Treetop Challenge is for those over 1.4 metres tall and is 2-3 hours of high wire obstacles, Tarzan Swings and ziplines. Go Ape Southampton also boasts Axe Throwing - a gripping new experience. If you're looking for action packed fun on the south coast, we're one of the best attractions around.
Just 4 miles south of Farnham, and close to Guildford, you can find us in Alice Holt Forest, Surrey. We're just off the A325 - at a place called Bucks Horn Oak. Go Ape at Alice Holt boasts three high ropes experiences. Whether you're looking for things to do nearby with the kids or a day out with friends we have adventure covered. Treetop Adventure and Treetop Adventure Plus are both a one-hour experience aimed at kids and young families. They're popular for birthday parties if you're after a unique celebration.
The Greatest Show on Wheels is back, bigger and more exciting than ever! The British Motor Show 2026 held at Farnborough International, 21st -23rd August brings you an incredible mix of jaw-dropping cars, thrilling live action, hands-on experiences, and family fun from start to finish. Expect brand-new zones and features, including The Showroom, The Grid, an expanded Ride & Drive, and Festival Fields. Dive into car culture at Lowered & Loud, inspire young minds in the Discovery Garage, and marvel at dream machines in the Supercar Paddock. Save 20% by booking advanced tickets today! PLUS an all new layout and *under 17's go free with a paying adult making The British Motor Show a great value day out!
Quay 2 Quay, with its state-of-the-art catamaran Kraken, is a passenger-only ferry service operating between Lymington Town Quay – Lymington Harbour Masters Pontoon – Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. With regular crossings between the mainland and Isle of Wight 7 days a week, Quay 2 Quay provides an easy and affordable travel option for all passenger types.
