Top 10 Bank Holiday Weekend Events

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Stuck for ideas this Bank Holiday? Never fear – we've scoured the country for the best events and whittled them down to 10 of the finest. From bog snorkelling to fish festivals and fringe theatre, we have something to make your bank holiday go with a bang.

Notting Hill Carnival

Notting Hill Carnival, London
Get down to West London over the bank holiday weekend to groove at one of the biggest street parties in the world. The Notting Hill Carnival sets the streets on fire with sweet sounds, outrageous floats, outlandish costumes and a spicy shot of Caribbean flavour. Hear everything from traditional steel bands, Soca and Calypso to the latest dub, drum ‘n' bass, dubstep and reggae.

Read more about the Notting Hill Carnival

Music festivals, London, and Liverpool
Break out your dancing shoes and head along to Get Loaded in the Park in London or Liverpool 's free Mathew Street Festival. Get Loaded has a cracking lineup including Orbital, Roni Size, Röyksopp and Peaches while Liverpool 's free Mathew Street Festival has small acts from all over the world plus China Crisis, the Christians and a Queen tribute band.

Edinburgh Festival

Edinburgh Festival Fringe
It may not be a bank holiday in Scotland but you can be sure southerners will be taking advantage of the break to catch the last few days of the Fringe. It's the biggest arts festival in the world with comedy, dance, theatre, music and loads more. And it all ends on Bank Holiday Monday, so catch the madness while you can.

Check out our Edinburgh Festival Guide

Manchester Pride
One of the biggest celebrations of gay culture in the UK reaches its glittering climax over the bank holiday. Manchester Pride's Big Weekend has acts including, The Human League, Bananarama, Little Boots and Peter Andre as well as a market and hundreds of parties along Canal Street .

Find out more about Manchester Pride

Newlyn Fish Festival
Get down to Cornwall 's biggest fishing port for this fantastic celebration of seafood. Try Newlyn crab straight off the boat, seafood paella, fish kebabs, cockles, mussels and more. There'll also be fish cookery demonstrations and workshops. And when you've had you fill of the fish, check out live bands, sea rescue helicopters, lifeboats and local craft stalls.

Visit the Newlyn Fish Festival website

Bog snorkelling

World Bog Snorkelling Championship, Wales
Head to Llanwrtyd Wells on 31 August to witness one of Britain 's weirdest events. Competitors from all over the world will brave a stinking peat bog to snorkel for glory through the stench. Fancy dress is encouraged and there are prizes for the best times and the craziest outfits. If you fancy your chances, bring your flippers, snorkel and a taste for the bizarre.

Banksy versus Bristol Museum
It's your last chance to catch the mighty Banksy as the Bristol boy brings his unique brand of madcap street art home to the Bristol Museum . The exhibition is free and hugely popular, so get there early to avoid the queues. The last day of the show is Monday 31st.

Find out more about Bog Snorkelling

Jousting

Tudor Tournament, Hampton Court Palace
Don't miss this Tudor-style extravaganza as jousting returns to Hampton Court for the first time since the 1600s. Thundering horses, the clash of steel on steel and the sounds of clanking armour will echo around this exquisite 16th-century palace. And when the jousting's done, there's also a Beer and Jazz Festival combining two great art forms in one happy package.

For details check out the Hampton Court Palace website

Roman Baths by torchlight, Bath
As darkness falls, walk back 2,000 years to the sacred Roman Baths of Aquae Sulis. The ancient baths are impressive in the daytime, but lit by flickering torches, the steaming waters and graceful architecture come alive. The last torchlit opening of the summer is on Monday 31st so grab your toga and head on down.

Find out more about the Roman Baths by torchlight

Cardiff Harbour Festival
The Cardiff Harbour Festival is the fishy finale of the summer-long, free Cardiff Festival. Tuck into the freshest seafood, dance to sea shanties, explore the tall ships moored in the bay and cheer on the competitors in the Welsh Oyster Opening Championships. The festivities are rounded off with a thrilling parachute display by the Royal Artillery Parachute Team and high-speed lifeboat rescues in the harbour.

Visit the Cardiff Harbour Festival Website