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If the summer holidays have you pondering (or panicking) about what to do to keep the children entertained, fear not! We’ve done the summer research for you and pulled together our top family things to do this summer holidays in Hampshire.
From outdoor theatre to summer trails, there’s a whole host of summer events happening in Hampshire with plenty of things to do to fill that summer calendar.
Family-friendly festivals this summer holidays in Hampshire
Tune into a summer of outdoor music and fun with family-friendly festivals throughout the summer hols.
Victorious Festival hits the Southsea seafront again 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 plenty of family fun to be had, including the buzzing Skatepark with taster sessions and roller discos, and The Kids’ Arena with heaps of activities plus it’s own stage and beach.
From 29 to 31 August 2026, SkyFest transforms Sky Park Farm in the South Downs into a vibrant countryside festival packed with family entertainment, adventure and feel-good summer atmosphere.
Fairy favourite, and the largest event of its kind, The New Forest Fairy Festival sprinkles some magic at Burley Park from 8 to 9 August 2026 in an enchanting festival bringing together fairy fans from around the world in the New Forest National park.
Up at Wellington Country Park, Welly Park's Big Weekender is new for 2026, with entertainment magic, singing, dancing and enchanting storytelling for the whole family from 14 to 16 August 2026.
And family favourite the Wickham Festival will be held this year from 30 July to 2 August 2026, with live music on four stages plus a host of other entertainment.
Find out more about summer music events in Hampshire
Family theatre this summer holidays in Hampshire
Head to a family show at one of Hampshire’s fantastic theatres, or pack your picnic and roll out your blanket for a summer’s evening of al fresco entertainment with some seasonal outdoor theatre suitable for all ages.
Quantum Theatre presents Peter Rabbit at Hinton Ampner on 13 and 28 August 2026 as well as Treasure Island on 30 July and 20 August 2026, and Mottisfont is showing Sherlock Holmes & The Hound of the Baskervilles on 23 July 2026 and The Jungle Book on 29 July 2026.
New Forest Open Air Theatre presents She Stoops to Conquer, a lively countryside comedy at Furzey Gardens from 25 July to 17 August 2026.
Back indoors, Toto the Ninja Cat is showing at Mayflower Theatre in Southampton from 23 to 25 July 2026, and at Theatre Royal Winchester, there’s K-POP LIVE on 26 July 2026 and The Dinosaur That Pooped on 4 August 2026.
Family trails this summer holidays in Hampshire
Burn off some of the children’s energy and learn a few things along the way – a summer trail makes for a great day outdoors.
From 20 July to 31 August 2026, experience the Vile Victorians like you've never seen them before in the Horrible Histories® trail at Beaulieu.
The Summer Superpower Trail at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens lets little ones learn how to hide, dazzle, protect, and survive the impossible as Nature Detectives on a quest to uncover secret superpowers in the gardens from 23 July to 31 August 2026.
From 22 July to 6 September 2026, Timothy's Summer Nature Trail at Gilbert White's House & Gardens features nature-inspired activities designed to encourage children and adults alike to slow down, look closely, and connect with the natural world.
National Trust Images, Rebecca Hughes
A Summer of Play at the National Trust
The National Trust summer events are always a firm family favourite, and this year the much-loved Summer of Play returns.
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.
Play Wild at Winchester Science Centre
Just in time for the summer holidays, Winchester Science Centre is launching Play Wild from 18 July 2026, an exciting new outdoor play area featuring 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.
Ride into the summer hols at Paultons Park
Valgard: Realm of the Vikings – the thrilling new land at Paultons Park is a must-visit this summer holidays, with exhilarating new rides, including the intertwined rollercoasters of Drakon and Raven, and the UK’s first epic ‘Vild Swing’ ride.
Little ones will squeal with delight at Peppa Pig World (where there’s a chance to meet Peppa’s new baby sister Evie) and bigger kids will love hair-raising rollercoasters like the spinning Storm Chaser and leg-dangling Flight of the Pterosaur, all ready to be enjoyed this summer at the UK’s Number 1 Family Theme Park.
Zoofest at Marwell Zoo
There’s a wild party planned at Marwell Zoo throughout the summer holidays 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.
Summer Holiday Fun at Beaulieu
A day out at Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum is always an action-packed motor-themed experience, and during the summer holidays this terrific New Forest attraction goes up a gear with things to see and do.
Summer Holiday Fun at Beaulieu from 20 July to 31 August 2026 will include motoring parades 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.
Horrible Histories continues at Beaulieu until 31 August 2026, with children sure to devilishly delight in the terrible trail packed with disgusting details, motoring madness, and fabulously fatal fashion and foods.
Disney and Pixar’s Cars are back to Beaulieu in 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.
Days 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 this summer holidays 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.
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Summer Fun at Fort Nelson
Summer fun at Fort Nelson is back from 21 July to 6 September 2026 where kids can explore the 19-acre site and try the junior assault course challenge.
Fort Nelson is a great place for a free day out during the summer holidays, with acres of ramparts and tunnels to explore, plus the amazing collection of artillery and big guns to discover.
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Swing into a treetop adventure with 15% off at Go Ape
Stay cool throughout the summer holidays 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) – perfect for a summer holidays activity for kids of all ages!
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.
Discover more summer holiday events in Hampshire.
Ideas for free days out in Hampshire.
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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.
Self-guided family trail Learn how to hide, dazzle, protect, and survive the impossible as you become Nature Detectives on a quest to uncover secret superpowers in the Gardens.
From 23 May to 31 August follow Rattus, the cheeky rat from Horrible Histories, on a trail around the attraction packed with dreadful discoveries, delightfully disgusting details and plenty of interactive fun. In partnership with Scholastic who publish the books written by Terry Deary and illustrated by Martin Brown, this is the Vile Victorians like you've never seen them before…
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.
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.
Visit Paultons Park to make memories to last a lifetime. Home to 5 incredible themed lands including Tornado Springs and Peppa Pig World and with more than 70 exciting rides and attractions on over 140 acres of beautiful grounds, guests of all ages are guaranteed a fun-filled family day out!
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!
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.
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.
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.
