KIDS: Summer at Tapnell Farm Park, until Fri 30 August, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight

Tapnell Farm has loads of fun this August, from the Moo Mania kid’s rave (every Tuesday until 27 August) to Farm Fun and Moo-vie Nights (every Thursday, 1- 29 August). See big hitters Wonka, Trolls or join in the Encanto Singalong (don’t mention Bruno). The Tapnell Olympics are back with a tug of war, welly wanging, sack races and more. Watch falconary displays in the events paddock (Mon – Friday). And play the ultimate game of hide and seek in Tapnell Farm Park’s giant Maize Maze. (They’ll find their way out eventually).

ART: Andover Artists Summer Exhibition, on now until Sun 1 Sept, Andover Museum

Free to enter, the Andover Museum tells the story of the town and local area with the Iron Age museum next door and craft activities for the kids in the school holidays. This month, see work from local artists here as part of the Andover Artists Summer Exhibition, from still life to abstract and everything in between.

MUSIC: Acoustic Thursdays at The Briny, Thurs 1 – Thurs 29 August, Southsea

The vibe and the seafood is always great at this 2023 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Muddy Award-winning Best Restaurant. Adding to the summer feel on Thursday evenings throughout August, enjoy live soul, funk and all-time classics from musician Alex Kriche as you shlurp cocktails and delicious oysters.

MUSIC: Opera by the Test at Houghton Lodge Gardens, Friday 2 August, Houghton, Stockbridge

A lovely grown-up evening, take a musical journey through some of Opera’s most well known songs on the banks of the beautiful River Test. Relax and enjoy renditions of popular works by Rossini, Mozart, Schubert, Britten and more.

OUTDOOR THEATRE: London Touring Players present: Hay Fever, Sat 3 – Mon 26 Aug, Furzey Gardens, Minstead, New Forest

London Touring Players outdoor theatre Furzey Gardens August 2024

Live music and laughter amid the pretty Furzey gardens as the London Touring Players put on an outdoor production of Noel Coward’s hilarious comedy of bad manners featuring classic songs such as Mrs. Worthington and Mad Dogs and Englishmen. Bring a chair, blanket and picnic and prepare to be entertained.

GOLF: Art & Putt pop-up at Gunwharf Quays, Sat 2 August – Mon 2 Sept, Portsmouth

Fore! Tee off on this mini golf pop up with a difference. Each of the nine holes is themed with larger-than-life worlds of artists like Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo, David Hockney and Yayoi Kusama.

FOOD & CRAFT: Trout ‘n About, Sun 4 Aug, Stockbridge

Trout and About Stockbridge Hampshire August 2024

The free fun celebration of local produce, crafts and the famous Test Valley Trout is back. After shopping and tasting your way around the local food, drink and arts traders, check out the live music, children’s entertainment, vintage tractors and tasty local tucker from foodie pub The Peat Spade Inn, the Slinky Fox pizza and more.

THEATRE: Heathers the Musical, Tues 6 – Sat 10 August, Kings Theatre, Portsmouth

The black comedy, rock musical based on one of the greatest cult teen films of all time. Following a hit West End run the Heathers are coming to Hampshire. How very.

MUSIC: Wight Proms, Sun 9 – Sun 18 Aug, Northwood Park, near Cowes

Time for another week of top summer entertainment on the Island. This year, the varied lineup included comedy from Miriam Margolyes, the UK’s best Dolly Parton tribute and the Anthems Ibiza Orchestra. The iconic Last Wight of the Proms finishes the event, starring Classical Brit Awards Nominee soprano Faryl Smith alongside the Wight Proms Concert Orchestra.

OUTDOORS: The South Downs Show, Sat 10 – Sun 11 Aug, Queen Elizabeth Country Park, near Petersfield

Right in the middle of the South Downs National Park, this fun family festival returns with lots to see and do. Watch jousting, falconary and a dog and sheep show in the arena, meet alpacas and other animals. Try your hand at circus skills, bushcraft and other family fun, bring the pooch and head for dedicated dog zone. And of course, tuck into festi-food and drink from local makers and sellers.

FESTIVAL: New Forest Fairy Festival, Sat 10 – Sun 11 Aug, Burley

New Forest Fairy Festival What's on Hampshire 2023

The one weekend of the year when you’re absolutely guaranteed to spot fairies in the New Forest! Dress up and get stuck in with crafts, storytelling, theatre, music and parades. Kids and grownups with big imaginations will love it.

FOOD & DRINK: Jazz Sunday Lunch at The Solent Hotel, Sun 11 August, Whiteley

A special event at the Solent Hotel’s summery FYR grill restaurant, this special Sunday lunch event is set to the sounds of The Swing Rythms Trio. Nice!

OPEN AIR THEATRE: Pride and Prejudice, Tues 13 August, Beaulieu, New Forest

Jane Austen’s iconic novel in Beaulieu’s beautiful grounds. Chapterhouse’s Pride and Prejudice brings to life Austen’s greatest work with period costumes, wit, and a romantic original score. Well hello, Mr. Darcy.

FOOD & DRINK: ChalkStream Trout Tasting Menu with Hattingley Valley, Wed 14 August, Rick Stein Winchester

Like the local catch? Celebrating two top Hampshire producers, Rick Stein Winchester restaurant’s Head Chef Chris is gearing up to create special four-course tasting menu using Chalk Stream Trout, served with a glass of top English sparkling from Hattingley Valley Wines. Tasty.

SHOPPING: The Furlong Summer Garden Party, Sat 17 August, The Furlong, Ringwood

A day of fun at Ringwood’s brilliant Furlong shopping centre. Like to boogie? Listen to live music and watch dance performances from Jitterbug Jive – including have-a-go lessons. Also on, there’s a pop-up courtyard bar, afternoon tea at Boston Tea Party, free face painting and summer savings from many of the Furlong stores.

ART: Hampshire Open Studios, Sat 17 – Mon 26 Aug, various locations, Hampshire

Ceramics, canvas, jewellery and loads more. Take a peek at works by the local artistic talent in your ‘hood in the Hampshire Open Studios annual art trail. Over 290 studios, galleries, artists and art groups will open their doors to exhibit original works.

FOOD & DRINK: The New Forest Food Festival, Sat 17 – Mon 26 Aug, Hinton Admiral Estate, New Forest

A new festival in the New Forest! Try and buy lovely local produce from artisan foodies and makers, eat festi-food and watch demos from top local chefs including Alistair Craig, Executive Chef at The Montagu Arms Hotel, Chocolate by Miss Witt and Callum Jellicoe of Balmer Lawn Hotel. And when you’re done, shop your way around 100+ traders. Children can learn circus skills and more fun in the dedicated Kids Zone and there’s classic fairground stalls including a coconut shy.

FOOD & DRINK: The Isle of Wight Garlic Festival, Sat 17 – Sun 18 August, Newchurch

Isle of Wight Garlic Festival August 2023

The Island’s biggest and brilliantly quirky summer show just outside of Newchurch, head for the Isle of Wight Garlic Festival for chef demos, local produce and festi-food, musicians, live music, a dog show and children’s activities, including littlies A-Lister, Bluey. Plus (of course) lots of garlic and infused products from the Garlic Farm. Mints at the ready.

FOOD & DRINK: Sausage and Cider Festival, Sat 17 Aug, Winchester

Well, this one looks like a right banger! A day-long knees-up at the North Walls Recreation Grounds, find over 50m of bars at the annual festival serving up craft cider from around the UK along with cocktails and beers. To go with there’s live bands and tribute acts, DJs, a new children’s stage and face painting, more than twelve kinds of sausage and other tasty street food.

KIDS: The Brick People bring LEGO® bricks to the Museum, Wed 21 – Thurs 22 August, The Brickworks Museum, Swanwick

Calling all LEGO® lovers! The Brick People return to the Brickworks with a mini-figure anagram trail around the museum, open build areas, master build displays, mosaic building using LEGO® dots, a speed build challenge and a LEGO® Duplo® area for the younger builders. Also here, kids can enjoy the The Brickworks Museum’s interactive displays, two play areas and a working vintage arcade.

OUTDOOR CINEMA: Screen on the Lawn, Sat 24 – Sun 25 August, Aviator, Farnborough

Screen on the Lawn at Aviator, Farnborough open air cinema Hampshire Top Gun

With private jets landing and taking off just behind the screen, the luxury aviation-themed Aviator hotel beside Farnborough Airfield has to be the ultimate location to see the classic Top Gun (4pm) and Top Gun: Maverick (8pm, Sat 24 Aug). It’s followed on Sunday by feel-good film The Greatest Showman (2pm, 25 Aug).

MUSIC: Woodfired Lunch with The Spitfire Sisters, Sun 25 August, Lainston House, Winchester

Lainston House hotel Winchester Hampshire exterior

Now here’s a summer Sunday afternoon treat. Enjoy soulful, vintage-inspired melodies from The Spitfire Sisters on Lainston’s beautiful lawn along with freshly cooked, seasonal wood-fired dishes from the 5-star hotel’s well-rated Woodfired restaurant.

FESTIVAL: CarFest, Fri 23 – Sun 25 Aug, Laverstoke Park Farm, near Basingstoke

CarFest South Chris Evans Hampshire Festivals 2024

Chris Evans’ bumper seven-festivals-in-one CarFest festival of family fun is back for the August Bank Holiday at Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire. A full-on seven-festivals-in-one family weekend extravaganza, find AdventureFest, FoodFest, KidsFest, RetroFest, StarFest and the wellness special SpaFest all alongside the original CarFest. Hosted by auto-nut Chris Evans, you can still ogle over fancy cars and even take a spin in some. Then, sing and dance your heart out with the likes of Olly Murs, UB40, Sam Ryder and Deacon Blue.

FESTIVAL: Victorious, Fri 23 – Sun 25 Aug, Southsea Common

Victorious Festival Southsea Portsmouth Hampshire what's on August

Did you know that Victorious actually started out as a vintage event in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard? Fast-forward a few years and it’s now one of the highlights on the Hampshire and UK festival calendar. Dance the August Bank Holiday away on Southsea seafront with great tunes and a beautiful view of the Solent. This year, see Fatboy Slim, Snow Patrol, Biffy Clyro, The Pixies, Sugababes and loads more.

SHOW: Wolverton Manor Garden Fair, Sat 31 Aug – Sun 1 Sept, Shorwell, Isle of Wight

Wolverton Manor Garden Fair Isle of Wight August September

So much more than plants and pots (though you’ll find plenty of them). The Island’s largest Garden Fair has live shows, Elizabethan dancing, re-enactments, children’s activities, magic shows, cooking shows, live music, furry and feathered VIPs from the Isle of Wight donkey sanctuary, West Wight alpacas and Haven Falconry and kayaking around the moat. Brilliant.

Awesome August! What’s on in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

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