UK events: August 2017
> International Beatle Week 2017
23 August 2017 to 29 Aug 2017
Liverpool
Get swept up in Beatlemania once again as fans from all over the world descend on the city where it all started.
The Cavern Club has been synonymous with the Beatles ever since 9 February 1961, when they turned up for their first of 292 gigs at what was – and still is – one of the most famous music venues in the world.
Now that same venue invites thousands of Beatles fans to Liverpool for Beatleweek every year. There are seven days of performances, musical tributes, conferences, and conventions to attend, giving you the chance to celebrate everything you ever loved about the Fab Four.
> Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival
25 to 27 August
Lancaster
The Great British R&B Festival has been voted Europe’s number one R&B festival, taking place in August each year. Hundreds of blues musicians will perform at eight different venues across Colne, around 50 miles (80 km) from Lancaster.
Some of the big names set to entertain during the festival include Tom Attah & The Bad Man Clan, Wolfpack, King King, The Kaz Hawkins Band, Jo Harman, Janiva Magness, the Steve Nummo Trio, and Jonne Shaw Taylor.
> Leicester Castle Classic cycle race
12 to 13 August 2017
Leicester
Get close to the action as some of Britain’s top professional cyclists contest the Leicester Castle Classic cycle race.
This unique course will once again include the cobbles of Castle Square, the Old Town, and Mile Straight of Leicester. The elite race will be again part of the British Cycling Grand Prix Series, attracting the leading British elite teams.
The racing will be non-stop action with riders expected to hit speeds of up to 40mph on the run into the finish. Visitors can look forward to an afternoon of drama and entertainment from a top-class field drawn from some of Britain’s major professional cycling teams.
> Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
10 to 13 August 2017
Bristol
Every year, Bristol plays host to Europe’s largest hot air balloon event, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. Launching from Ashton Court Estate’s beautiful grounds at dawn and dusk, and illuminating the skies in an extravagant evening ‘nightglow’ on selected days, the free four-day event is a fantastic spectacle.
Over 150 hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes take to the skies with beautiful Bristol providing an incredibly photogenic backdrop.
> The Robin Hood Festival
31 July to 6 August 2017
Sherwood Forest Country Park, Nottingham
Now in its 33rd year, the Robin Hood Festival is a celebration of all things medieval and associated with Robin Hood. It takes place annually within his historic home, Sherwood Forest.
Each year Nottingham’s famous legend makes his appearance at the festival, along with his band of merry men.
Explore Sherwood Forest as it transforms for a week into a medieval feast of entertainment, food, and drink.
> Notting Hill Carnival
26 August to 28 August 2017
Notting Hill, London
Notting Hill Carnival is a rich feast of colour, Caribbean food, live music, and pumping sound-systems sweeping across West London every August bank holiday.
Head to the carnival on Sunday for the family-friendly children’s day or on Monday for the bigger, busier main parade.
Join the dancers as they wind their way through the streets to an energetic soundtrack of soca, calypso, and other rhythms from the Caribbean – and beyond. Or choose a good spot from which to watch the parade pass by.
Refuel afterwards with a plate of jerk chicken – or one of the many other West Indian classics on offer. You won’t be able to resist the smell coming from the sizzling barbecues!
> Portsmouth International Kite Festival
12 to 13 August
Southsea Common, Portsmouth
Take a kite to Southsea Common and get involved in one of the world’s biggest and best kite festivals.
Portsmouth International Kite Festival brings two days of amazing kite displays to Southsea Common. Intricate and beautiful kites take to the sky to perform gravity-defying tricks and amazing routines to music.
Visitors can add to the festival feel with their own kites and displays. Bring them to Southsea Common and fly them with the pros. There will be entertainment, boutique stalls, and kites for sale throughout the weekend, so you can get in on the action.
> The Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival
August 21 to 27
Llandrindod, Wales
A 1940s weekend commemorates 70 years of the end of World War Two, followed by five days of Victorian fun. The theme this year is ‘Country Comes to Town’.
> Extreme Sailing Series
25 to 28 August
Cardiff
The world’s top sailing teams battle it out in the perfect amphitheatre of Cardiff Bay. The enclosed bay provides the ideal spot for spectators to get up-close and personal with the racing from all sides.
> Edinburgh Fringe Festival
4 to 28 August
Edinburgh
The world’s biggest celebration of the arts. The Fringe runs for three weeks with a mix of culture and art, theatre, music and dance, exhibitions, children’s shows, and other events. Thousands of performers take to hundreds of stages all over the city to present shows catering to every taste. From big names in the world of entertainment to unknown artists looking to build their careers, you can find it all here.
> Piping Live
7 to 13 August
Glasgow
Piping Live is a week-long celebration of piping culture with everything from traditional Piobaireachd to contemporary bands all lining up to represent the international world of piping.
The week culminates in the World Pipe Band Championships organised by Glasgow Life on behalf of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.
The parade will take place on Monday, 7 August. Whether you are in a band of not, come and join the ‘Piping Live! Big Band’ for your chance to take part in the festival. Joining the band will be top pipers and drummers from across the globe, and you could be part of it too!
> Underbelly Festival
Throughout August
Udderbelly theatre, South Bank, London
Two popular London festivals, Udderbelly Festival and London Wonderground have merged into one for Underbelly Festival.
The festival brings the best in live circus, comedy, cabaret, and family entertainment to the heart of London. You can enjoy international street food or after-work drinks in one of London’s largest outdoor bars and enjoy the festival atmosphere on the banks of the Thames.