UK 2026 Festivals & Events
England, Wales, and Scotland are culturally diverse countries that play host to a diverse range of events throughout the year. Many of these events have become staples of British culture and are attended by thousands yearly. So, what better way to make your roadsurfer UK road trip extra special than combining it with a UK event? Travelling with a campervan around the UK means you have the freedom to take part in these events, festivals, and shows, and then return to the comfort of your camper to continue your journey.
Sports, cultural & music events & festivals in the UK 2026
From the world’s greatest flower show to surfing campervan festivals to the summer solstice celebration at Stonehenge, there are plenty of unique festivals and events in 2026 that are perfect for a stopover on your road trip through the UK. Read on, to find out which ones you can stay overnight in your roadsurfer camper rental.
Cheltenham Festival
Experience the thrill of this prestigious horseracing event.
When: Tuesday 10 to Friday 13 March
Where: Cheltenham, England
Info: Cheltenham Festival
On site Camping: No
Country To Country (C2C)
The UK’s must-visit event for country music lovers.
When: Friday 13 to Sunday 15 March
Where: London, Glasgow & Belfast
Info: Country to Country
On site Camping: No
Boat Race
An annual sporting event that sees two of the UK’s oldest and most prestigious universities (Oxford and Cambridge) compete against each other in this historic rowing challenge.
When: Sunday 4 April
Where: London, England
Info: Boat Race
On site Camping: No
London Marathon
One of the six world marathons majors, and one of the most prestigious marathons in the world. Run for charity or come and support the thousands of runners tackling the course on the day.
When: Sunday 26 April
Where: London, England
Info: London Marathon
On site Camping: No
Highland Games
Traditional Scottish “Olympics” held across Scotland throughout the summer. The British Royal Family usually attend the Braemar Games in September.
When: May to September
Where: Locations across Scotland
Info: Highland Games
On site Camping: No
Devon County Show
This agricultural show is a celebration of rural life in Devon, and features country and livestock competitions, a grand parade, equine events, local food and drink, entertainment and crafts.
When: Thursday 21 to Saturday 23 May
Where: Devon, England
Info: Devon County Show
On site Camping: No
Manchester Craft Beer Festival
A beer festival featuring over 500 beers, as well as cocktails, spirits, wine, cider, and some of Manchester best foodie offerings to soak it all up. In true festival style, there’s plenty of music and entertainment on offer too.
When: Saturday 25 July
Where: Manchester, England
Info: Manchester Craft Beer Festival
On site Camping: No
Chelsea Flower Show
The world’s greatest flower show.
When: Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 May
Where: Chelsea, England
Info: Chelsea Flower Show
On site Camping: No
The Big Retreat Festival
One of UK’s top wellbeing and adventure festivals.
When: Friday 22 to Monday 25 May
Where: Pembrokeshire National Park
Info: The Big Retreat Festival
On Site Camping: Yes
English FA Cup Final
The oldest Football Competition in the UK.
Men’s final: Saturday 16 May
Women’s final: Saturday 31 May
Where: Wembley Stadium, London, England
Info: Women’s Final | Men’s Final
On site Camping: No
Duxford Summer Air Show
Aerobatics and spectacular sights in the air and on the ground.
When: Saturday 4 to Sunday 5 July
Where: Duxford, England
Info: Duxford Summer Air Show
On Site Camping: No
Royal Cornwall Show
Cornwall’s biggest annual event is traditionally an agricultural show! Find livestock and other animal shows, the Cornwall Cider Championships, a flower show, arts performances, and almost 1000 trade stalls to shop at. Don’t miss the food pavilion!
When: Thursday 4 to Saturday 6 June
Where: Cornwall, England
Info: Royal Cornwall Show
On Site Camping: No
Parklife Festival
An eclectic mix of music genres.
When: Saturday 20 to Sunday 21 June
Where: Heaton Park, Manchester, England
Info: Parklife Festival
On Site Camping: No
RAF Cosford Air Show
Watch historic RAF fighter planes take to the sky, discover vintage memorabilia and marvel at modern machinery.
When: Sunday 14 June
Where: Cosford, England
Info: Cosford Air Show
On Site Camping: No
Eden Festival
An independent family-friendly festival featuring 10 different stages, a kids’ arena, circus tent, drive-in cinema, comedy, cabaret, and workshops.
When: Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 June
Where: Moffat, England
Info: Eden Festival
On site Camping: Yes
Camper Marmalade VW Festival
Camper enthusiasts alongside concerts, food, and workshops.
When: Thursday 12 to Saturday 14 June
Where: Bramley Farm, East Sussex, England
Info: Camper Marmalade VW Festival
On site Camping: Yes
Download Festival
The UK’s most popular rock festival.
When: Wednesday 10 to Sunday 14 June
Where: Donington Park, Castle Donington, Derby England
Info: Download Festival
On site Camping: Yes
Trooping The Colour / The King’s Birthday Parade
Celebrate the King’s birthday with a parade consisting of over 1400 officers with two hundred horses, over four hundred musicians from ten bands, and a corps of drums.
When: Saturday 13 June
Where: Buckingham Palace, London
Info: Trooping the Colour
On site Camping: No
Stonehenge Summer Solstice
Music, dancing, and culture near Stonehenge.
When: Sunday 21 June
Where: Wiltshire, south-west England
Info: Stonehenge Solstice
On site Camping: Yes
Royal Ascot
The most prestigious horse race in the UK.
When: Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 June
Where: Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, England
Info: Royal Ascot
On site Camping: No
Isle of Wight Festival
A music and art festival which began in 1968.
When: Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June
Where: The Isle of Wight
Info: Isle of Wight
On site Camping: Yes
Royal Highland Show
Food, farming, and rural life in Edinburgh.
When: Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
Info: Royal Highland Show
On site Camping: No
BST Hyde Park Festival
A music festival held over two weekends in London’s Hyde Park.
When:Friday 26 to Sunday 28 June and Friday 3 to Sunday 5 July
Where: Hyde Park, London, England
Info: BST Hyde Park Festival
On site Camping: No
Wales Air Show
International Airshow including the Red Arrows.
When: Saturday 25 to Sunday 26 July
Where: Swansea Bay, Wales
Info: Wales Air Show
On site Camping: Yes
Tennis Grand Slam: Wimbledon Championship
Most prestigious International Grass Court Tennis Tournament.
When: Monday 29 June to Sunday 12 July
Where: All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, London SW19, England
Info: Wimbledon
On site Camping: No
British F1 Grand Prix
International Formula One race at the esteemed Silverstone racetrack.
When: Friday 3 to Sunday 5 July
Where: Silverstone Circuit, England
Info: British F1 Grand Prix
On site Camping: Yes
Dorset Volksfest
A VW festival weekend of family fun with live music, free kids’ activities, food & drink, and a VW competition.
When: Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July
Where: The Showground, Worgret Rd, Wareham, England
Info: Dorset Volksfest
On site Camping: Yes
Goodwood Festival of Speed
An annual hill climb that includes historic race cars alongside modern.
When: Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 July
Where: West Sussex, England
Info: Goodwood Festival of Speed
On site Camping: No
Royal International Air Tattoo
The Royal International Air Tattoo is the world’s largest military air show.
When: Friday 17 to Sunday 19 July
Where: Gloucestershire, England
Info: Air Tattoo
On site Camping: Yes
Tartan Heart Festival
A music and arts festival held on the Belladrum Estate.
When: Thursday 30 July to Saturday 1 August
Where: Belladrum Estate in Kiltarlity, Inverness, Scotland
Info: Tartan Heart Festival
On site Camping: Yes
Camp Bestival in Dorset
Music festival organised by BBC Radio 1 DJ Rob Da Bank.
When: Thursday 30 July to Sunday 2 August
Where: Dorset, England
Info: Camp Bestival
On site Camping: Yes
Kendal Calling
A music and arts festival held in the heart of the Lake District National Park.
When: Thursday 31 July to Sunday 2 August
Where: Kendal, UK
Info: Kendal Calling
On site Camping: Yes
Notting Hill Carnival
London’s biggest street party paying homage to and celebrating the Caribbean diaspora in the UK.
When: 29 to 31 August
Where: Notting Hill, London, England
Info: Notting Hill Carnival
On site Camping: No
Green Man
An independent and unique festival celebrating music, science and the arts.
When: Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 August
Where: Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, Wales
Info: Green Man
On site Camping: Yes
Solfest
Cumbria’s best family music and arts festival.
When: Thursday 27 to Monday 30 August
Where: North Lakes Country Park, Silloth, Cumbria, England
Info: Solfest
On site Camping: No
CarFest
Seven festivals all raising millions for children’s charities.
When: Friday 28 to Sunday 30 August
Where: Hampshire, England
Info: CarFest
On site Camping: No
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Over 4000 shows, consisting of music, theatre and performances across the city.
When: Friday 7 to Monday 31 August
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
Info: Edinburgh Fringe Festival
On site Camping: No
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Impressive performances by the best military bands.
When: Friday 7 to Saturday 29 August
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
Info: The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
On site Camping: No
Boardmasters Festival
Surf competitions, music, art & cuisine, headlined this year by Raye and The Prodigy.
When: Wednesday 7 to Sunday 9 August
Where: Newquay, England
Info: Boardmasters Festival
On site Camping: Yes
Travel smarter with roadsurfer.
Trusted by thousands of travelers worldwide.
✓ Backed by 15,000+ Google reviews
✓ Built for families, couples & adventurers
✓ Inspiration & exclusive deals for subscribers