The best music, theatre, art and comedy this summer – for under a tenner

As an adult it can be all too tempting to pine for the days of the gaping six-week break in the middle of the year – until, I imagine, you have children. Then that six-week break becomes a cavernous void that, unless filled to the brim with entertainment, becomes a living nightmare in which your house is taken over by crayons and crumbs. Or so my parent friends tell me. Add to that the fact that the cost of living has skyrocketed and you’re looking at a very expensive descent into insanity. 

Fear not. We have collated a selection of the best cultural events across the UK, where there will be something for everyone whether or not you have children, but will also sate the attention spans of any youngers in your midst – all for under £10 a ticket.

Events span the country and cover music, theatre, art, film, food and nature. Many of them are free. If you’re lucky, they might even spark a new hobby that’ll keep your little treasures entertained for a whole week.

Adventure Cinema

Adventure Cinema (Provided by [email protected])

Settle down for the night in an outdoor venue with the joy of a classic film – and a touch of the immersive. Adventure Cinema operates in 57 castles and stately homes from Falkirk to Salisbury, and shows films for grown-ups and little ones alike, from Bridget Jones’s Diary and Pretty Woman to Moana and Shrek. There are plenty of singalongs, too – and you can add optional extras like popcorn and blankets. Not all venues run all summer – check the website. All over the country. Tickets from £9.50. On now; end date venue-dependent. https://www.adventurecinema.co.uk/venues

Buxton International Festival  

The beautiful Peak District town of Buxton hosts a spectacular festival every year with events ranging from history walks, author talks, classical concerts, theatre, jazz and opera. The kids might not like being dragged to an evening with Jeremy Hunt (Friday), but they might well enjoy an introduction to the violin via Braimah Kanneh-Mason (Saturday). History walks around the town tend to be cheaper, or concession tickets for many events are available for £10 for under-35s via Friends of BIF. Buxton, Derbyshire. Free drop-in friends’ day on 23 July, some events under £10. To 27 July https://buxtonfestival.co.uk/whats-on

Eastbourne Bandstand 

Whether you’re a local or just visiting the Sussex coast, it’s worth exploring the programme at the bandstand, whose Wednesday 1812 events are a series of two-hour concerts presenting classical music and popular film scores by local bands and music groups, with fireworks thrown in for fun. Plus, Tuesdays are kids’ party nights – a weekly disco for age 5-12. Eastbourne, East Sussex. Wednesday 1812 tickets £10 in advance; kids disco £7. To 2 September. https://purchase.eastbournebandstand.co.uk/Events

The Globe  

Romeo and Juliet at Shakespeare’s Globe (Photo: Tristram Kenton)

Could this be the summer you introduce the whole family to the delights of the Bard? £5 standing tickets for London’s wonderful 16th-century-style theatre go on sale every Friday at 11am – and being in amongst it at the front is surely the truly authentic way to experience the Globe. Romeo and Juliet runs until 2 August; if the ending sounds a bit much for the youngsters, try The Merry Wives of Windsor (to 20 September), or Twelfth Night from 8 August. London. Standing tickets from £5; seated from £25. https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on/  

Gromit Unleashed 3  

Bristol Gromit Unleashed City Trail (Photo: Barbara Evripidou/First Avenue Photography)

If the release of the new Wallace & Gromit film, Vengeance Most Fowl, over Christmas wasn’t enough to sate your Aardman appetite, the third instalment of the spectacular Wallace & Gromit trail, Gromit Unleashed, might help. Walk, cycle or get the bus around Bristol city centre to follow the trail and find all the spectacular sculptures (which include our two main guys but also the villainous penguin Feathers McGraw, and Norbot the gnome). The sculptures will be shown together in an exhibition at Cribbs Causeway in September – but it’ll be all the more fun to see them in the wild. Bristol. Free, unticketed. To 31 August. https://www.grandappeal.org.uk/gromit-unleashed/trails/gromit-unleashed-3/

Manchester International Festival  

The MIF returns after two years with a typically impressive selection of culture – art, music, dance, film, comedy, poetry and everything in between. Many events are free – but throughout the festival, to 20 July, is Festival Square at Aviva Studios, on the banks of the River Irwell, where you can sit, eat and drink and be entertained by brilliant new acts while you’re there. Hurry, this is the final weekend, although plenty of listed exhibitions continue longer. Manchester. To 20 July. Full programme, filter by free/family https://factoryinternational.org/whats-on/

Miracle Theatre 

Touring multiple outdoor venues across the South West are Cornwall-based company Miracle Theatre, which has run since 1979. This year, they’re doing Twelfth Night – seeing Shakespeare in the open air is a wonderful experience – and the escalating comedy and twin-based tangles of this play are the perfect introduction for (older) kids. Various locations. To 31 August. Tickets from £8.25 https://miracletheatre.co.uk/tour-dates/?show_id=10993

Summer of Creativity at Kelmscott Manor 

Kelmscott Manor

The beautiful Tudor-era Kelmscott Manor – former home of Victorian designer William Morris – will always be a good day out if only to walk around the gardens. But even better that this year’s “summer of creativity” has a whole host of activities for everyone to participate in, no matter your age or level of artistic prowess. Experiment with the Albion printing press, make your own ink and paper, design a bookmark – all inspired by the “William Morris and the book” exhibition, which looks at Morris’s literary collection and runs all summer. Kelmscott, Gloucestershire. Events free; family entry to house and grounds £36 (2 adults, 2 children). Exhibition to October; individual event dates on website https://kelmscottmanor.org.uk/explore/events/?event-display=upcoming

Norwich History Festival  

The Norwich History Festival runs from today until 25 July, with events from the serious to the self-professedly silly – there are tours and talks aplenty, but also performances from the “Silly History Boys” to take you through rebel characters from the past (with plenty of sword fights). For little ones, book storytelling workshops or drop into crafting activities at Waterstones; older kids might enjoy the “Her Story Walk”, hearing about local women who campaigned for equality. Norwich. Many events free, some ticketed. To 25 July https://norwichhistoryfestival.co.uk/tickets

Ventnor Fringe 

Daniel the 10-foot puppet is part of a walkabout show called ‘The Walk of the Dandelion’ at Ventnor Fringe (Photo: Vicki Couchman)

Is the Isle of Wight’s Ventnor Fringe festival the UK’s best-kept secret? For a week in July, starting today, the whole of the southernmost town of the island transforms into a haven for the arts, with stages and events on every corner. Art, comedy, music, theatre – you’ll find something for everyone. Ventnor, Isle of Wight. Events ticketed individually, many free. 18-27 July https://vfringe.co.uk/

Birmingham Mela  

With the highest South Asian population of all the major UK cities, where better than Birmingham to attend a festival that celebrates South Asian food and culture? For just £3 a day you get access to the UK’s biggest mela, with musical performances, crafts workshops and mouth-watering food stalls. Sandwell Valley Country Park, Birmingham. £3. 19-20 July https://www.birminghammela.com/

Summer of Invention at Techniquest 

Bring Wallace and Gromit to life with this interactive exhibition at Cardiff’s Techniquest, where you can follow a 3D alternate reality trail to get to know your favourite characters even better. For an extra cost you can see a live science show where an eccentric inventor tests out some risky contraptions, and take part in clay modelling workshop (this weekend led by an Aardman modeller). Techniquest, Cardiff. Exhibition free with museum entry; last two hours of opening time offers discount tickets: £10 adults, £8.50 kids (under 3s free). 19 July-31 August https://www.techniquest.org/events/summer-of-invention/

Durham Fringe Festival  

Durham Fringe

Of all the arts festivals across the country, Durham Fringe is very new – only set up in 2021, after the pandemic, it’s a grassroots initiative that has grown enormously in just four years. It’s got nine venues across Durham City Centre with shows ranging from circus and magic to entertain the kids and literature and cabaret for the grown-ups. Durham. Events individually ticketed, most £10. 23-29 July https://durhamfringe.co.uk/

BBC Proms: CBeebies Wildlife Jamboree  

This lovely Prom at the Glasshouse in Newcastle is perfect for little ones – just over an hour of a jumble of music from recognisable CBeebies theme tunes to classical repertoire – like “Winter” from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons – celebrating the natural world. CBeebies’ Chantelle Lindsay and Puja Panchkoty are presenting, with all music played by the resident Royal Northern Sinfonia. The Glasshouse, Newcastle. Promming tickets (on soft floor) £8; seated from £16.50. 27 July https://theglasshouseicm.org/whats-on/bbc-proms-cbeebies-wildlife-jamboree/

Belfast TradFest 

Belfast TradFest (Photo: Claire Loughran)

The annual Belfast TradFest takes over the city to celebrate traditional Irish music and all things folk – céilís and concerts abound, but there are also lots of workshops where you can dive into the art of trad music as a complete beginner. There’s so much to choose from, it’s difficult to know where to start – but with kids try Eimear Magee’s free afternoon céilí classes from 28 to 31 July, or for something a little stronger take the Dunville’s Irish Whiskey Session Trail on Sunday 27 July, hearing the music in traditional listening sessions at pubs and bars around the city. Belfast. Events individually ticketed, many free. 27-31 August https://www.belfasttraditionalmusic.com/

Fringe by the Sea 

We all know about the Edinburgh Fringe – but just up the road in North Berwick is its not-so-humble cousin Fringe by the Sea, where comedy, literature, music and theatre come to a beautiful clifftop. There are some big names like Ruby Wax, Joe Wicks and Ezra Collective, but plenty of more wallet-friendly options, too – craft workshops, film screenings, and a “family rave” curated by Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh. North Berwick, East Lothian. Many events under £10. 1-10 August https://www.fringebythesea.com/

Pittenweem Arts Festival  

Over the water from North Berwick, in Pittenweem, is this brilliant festival focusing on visual art and storytelling, with plenty of local lore at its heart. An interactive art exhibit celebrates the ocean while other children’s events explore mythical Scottish selkies and tell folk tales in Pittenweem’s cave. For adults there are writing workshops, artist talks and loads of art itself – among its 50+ events you’re sure to find something. Pittenweem, Fife. Many events free. 2-9 August https://www.pittenweemartsfestival.co.uk/events/

Margate Carnival 

Margate has been an artistic hub of the south-east coast for many years – recently not least because of the Turner Contemporary gallery and its associations with Tracey Emin, who was brought up there. Where better, then, than to go to the carnival, which showcases the diversity of creatives and cultures from all over the local area. Margate, Kent. Free. 3 August https://www.visitthanet.co.uk/events/margate-carnival-2025-16242/

National Youth Orchestra of Scotland at Saffron Hall 

If your children are aged seven and above and musically inclined, this concert from the NYOS might just inspire them to spend the rest of the holidays practising their instrument – they could be this good in just a few years. The orchestra will play two contemporary pieces as well as the Berlioz classic Symphonie Fantastique. “Youth” needn’t come into it; expect high standards. Saffron Walden, Essex. Tickets from £5, under 25s go free. 3 August https://www.saffronhall.com/whats-on/view/national-youth-orchestra-of-scotland#visit

Multi-Story Orchestra – Love in Many Forms 

London’s Multi-Story Orchestra has been pushing the boundaries of classical performance for years, holding performances in the very unlikely settings that are multi-storey car parks and encouraging its audiences to think differently about what music has to be like. In August they’re putting on a new work, Love in Many Forms, by Lewis Daniel and Dupri McKoy, for orchestra and choir, exploring the different kinds of love that shape our lives. Perfect for teenagers thinking outside the box. Bold Tendencies, Peckham, London. Tickets from £8. 7-8 August https://multi-story.org.uk/upcomingevents

BBC Proms: Relaxed Prom – The Planets 

London’s Royal Albert Hall (Photo: Rudy Sulgan/Getty Images)

Hear the highlights of a Prom with a celestial theme in a more relaxed environment, perfect for introducing kids – and adults not usually inclined – to the delights of classical music. John Williams’s Star Wars suite and a select number of movements from Holst’s Planets suite are bound to thrill everyone – and the 11am start time, higher tolerance for noise and ability to leave the auditorium whenever you need should ease anxieties of any stressed parents. Royal Albert Hall, London. Promming tickets £8, seated tickets from £10. 10 August https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/proms/bbc-proms-2025/relaxed-prom-the-planets

Caerphilly Cheese Festival  

No, cheese isn’t technically culture (insert joke about the fermentation process here) – but this festival is more than just a dairy-lover’s paradise. The annual Caerphilly Cheese Race is bound to be great fun, but this convivial community event also has plenty of music to enjoy across three different stages in the town centre. Stay to explore the beautiful surrounds of south Wales. Caerphilly, Wales. Free. 30-31 August https://www.caerphillycheesefestival.co.uk/