Get ready for a summer packed with excitement in Basingstoke! From outdoor adventures to captivating performances, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Festival fun

A joyful day of outdoor fun for all ages, The Good Festival at Dummer Down Farm on Sunday 15 June will blend nature, adventure, and creativity. From alpaca walks and bushcraft to bubble football, circus skills, and crocodile encounters, there’s something for every explorer. Kids can enjoy interactive shows and party games with Sharky and George, while adults relax with live music, food, and shopping. Even dogs can join the fun with a family dog show. All in support of the Hampshire Medical Fund, helping local NHS hospitals.

Basingstoke Festival kicks off on Friday 20 June, and continues over three weekends. Now in its 14th year, Basingstoke Festival is back and bursting with joy, colour, and creativity! Expect dazzling street theatre, dance, circus acts, live music, and outdoor spectacles that will amaze and inspire. Whether you're a regular or a first-timer, this summer celebration promises wonder for all ages. This year, the festival welcomes NoFit State Circus and their show SABOTAGE which will be in War Memorial Park throughout the festival.

Can’t make it to Glastonbury? Head to Kingsclere Music Festival on Saturday 28 June for a day of live music and community fun! Enjoy a free afternoon of outdoor entertainment, food, and local talent from 12 noon to 6pm, followed by a ticketed evening session (£10) indoors from 7pm featuring headline acts like The Drop Beats, Phoebe Willo and Sundaughter. Proceeds support local summer play projects.

Enjoy a fun weekend of arts and crafts workshops, live music, storytelling, dance, drama, music workshops and family theatre at Whitchurch Children’s Festival on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July.

Basingstoke Pride will take place in War Memorial Park on Saturday 16 August. There will be a variety of stalls, all day entertainment and of course a Pride Parade.

The UK's largest family fundraising festival, CarFest, will be back at Laverstoke Park Farm for an unforgettable weekend from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 August. You can expect performances from artists, bands and DJs, food demonstrations, the chance to have a go at new experiences along with sports and art for kids.

Celebrating Jane

2025 marks 250 years since the birth of Jane Austen, one of the borough’s most beloved literary figures. To honour her legacy, Basingstoke and Deane is hosting a year-long celebration, and the summer is brimming with Austen-inspired events, performances, and experiences for all ages so fans can immerse themselves in Regency life.

At The Vyne, explore Regency Revisited, an exhibition running until November that delves into Jane Austen’s connections to the estate, complete with first editions, period costumes, and guided tours revealing her ties to the Chute family.

Over in Whitchurch, the ‘From Ribbons to Riches’ exhibition at the Silk Mill (until Sunday 20 July) showcases exquisite silk ribbons created in collaboration with Jane Austen’s House, alongside insights into the endangered craft of ribbon weaving. Step back in time with a Regency-inspired afternoon at Whitchurch Silk Mill on Saturday 28 June. Enjoy a picnic, live silhouette portraits, rare crafts, and an exclusive look at ‘Bridgerton’-inspired silk ribbons. Period dress encouraged! Pre-booking is essential.

In Steventon, Austen’s birthplace, don’t miss the Jane Austen Country Fair on Sunday 6 July, or the Jane Austen in North Hampshire historical exhibition across two weekends in July at the village hall, perfect for stepping into the world that shaped one of literature’s most enduring voices.

Sporty fun

Get ready for a high-energy day of extreme sports, live music, and family fun on Saturday 26 July. Watch jaw-dropping stunts, join the Skatepark Jam, meet local sports clubs, and unwind with wellness activities. With tasty food, music, and good vibes all around, Limitless is the ultimate summer celebration for all ages.

Milestones Museum is bringing sport to life with a summer of activity, exploration and hands-on fun for all ages. Inside the museum, discover the stories behind some of the county's most popular sports through interactive exhibits and playful challenges then step outside onto the green to have a go.

Outdoor cinema, theatre and music

Celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday and Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra’s 95th season with a special open-air concert at The Vyne on Summer Solstice. Enjoy Carl Davis’ Pride and Prejudice theme in a stunning historic setting.

Enjoy outdoor theatre and cinema at The Vyne during June, July and August. They will have Sense and Sensibility, Macbeth and Pride and Prejudice on stage and screenings of Dirty Dancing, Bridget Jones’ s Diary, Queen Spectacular and Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. Grab your pals and pack up a picnic to enjoy these!

Pack a picnic, grab a blanket, and settle in for a delightful afternoon of free music as part of the summer bands programme. Enjoy live bands performing on various Sundays throughout July, August, and September in Eastrop or War Memorial Parks.

Foodie fun

The Taste of Caribbean Food Festival is coming to Basingstoke! This family-friendly event is a foodie fiesta celebrating the vibrant flavours and traditions of the Caribbean islands. Taking place on Saturday 30 August, expect cookery demonstrations, live music, kids activities and lots mouthwatering treats!

Summer holiday fun for the kids

If you are wondering what there is to do for the kids this summer, the answer is.... plenty. Here are just some of the many things you can enjoy.

We’ll be back with free summer fun for the kids! This year find us with August Adventures in Basingstoke town centre, Popley, Brighton Hill, Russell Howard Park, Tadley and Penwood. From science to super heroes, we’re sure you’ll find something to entertain the kids.

At the Willis Museum, step into the imaginative world of Michael Rosen in a vibrant exhibition celebrating 50 years of his beloved books. Discover original artwork, sketches, and illustrations by talents like Quentin Blake, Helen Oxenbury and Chris Riddell, and see how Rosen’s words come to life through art.

Pack up your sleeping bag, your torch and your welly boots, and follow Pip and her Dad to the ‘Great Outdoors, for a hilarious, theatrical and interactive camping adventure…just don’t forget the tent pegs! The much-loved Scratch Built x Proteus Summer Show returns for 2025 with Let’s go Camping. Find them at Proteus Creation Space with performances running from Saturday 26 July to Sunday 3 August.

And don't forget!

Basingstoke boasts a wealth of fantastic experiences and attractions for all ages. Experience the thrill of indoor skydiving at iFLY, explore the rich history and culture at The Vyne and Whitchurch Silk Mill, or simply soak up the sunshine in one of our beautiful parks like Eastrop Park and War Memorial Park.

We can't wait to welcome you to Basingstoke for a summer to remember!

Please note the inclusion of any business within this listing should not be seen as an endorsement of their services. Whilst the information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.

June 2025