15 cheap summer festivals!

Saving and Making Money

19 June 2009 | 8 Comments

Hoping to attend a festival this year but don't think you can afford it? Check out these 15 wonderfully cheap options... most are completely free!

Festivals can be a lot of fun, but we all know they can do some serious damage to the wallet. And at a time when we're all tightening the purse-strings, finding a cheap option can be a tad tricky. So I've hunted out fifteen fabulous festivals - all of which are either free or ultra ultra cheap!

London and the South East

Rhythms of the World - Hitchin, Hertfordshire

Saturday 4 - Sunday 5 July

A great festival featuring craft and community group stalls, street art, and more than 150 acts from around the world - including Jazz Jamaica and The Jive Aces.

Adult tickets cost £7, 6-17 year olds pay £3, and kids under 6 get in for free.

I've been to this one, so I definitely recommend it!

Parklife Fest - Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes

Saturday 18 July

Live music from local bands, international food, and a children's field packed with free entertainers!

All of this is absolutely free.

Thames Festival - London

Saturday 12 - Sunday 13 September

Londoners can get together to dance, make sculptures, listen to music, watch movies, drink, eat, enjoy performances, sing, play on the beach, sail on the Thames and party in the streets.

All of this is free!

Brighton Live - Brighton, Sussex

Wednesday 30 September - Saturday 3 October

Brighton Live is packed full of live music across more than 20 venues, and there are even plans for an outdoor stage this year. The full line-up will be announced nearer the time.

All of this is free.

South West

Polperro Festival - Polperro, Cornwall

Saturday 20 - Sunday 28 June

Events include live music of all genres, street theatre and entertainment, parades, Morris Dancers, arts and crafts, drama, poetry, children's entertainment, coastal walks, a treasure hunt, a new music day, and a schools day.

Free entry.

Bristol Harbour Festival - Bristol

Friday 31 July - Sunday 2 August

A weekend full to the brim with music, dancing, and circus performances. There'll be a dedicated children's area, historical ships and boats, fireworks, market stalls and more. 

Absolutely free.

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta - Bristol

Thursday 6 - Sunday 9 August

Europe's largest hot air balloon festival includes spectacular events and a chance to take a hot air balloon ride. The Red Arrows will also make an appearance on the Saturday.

Free entry.

North West

Mathew Street Music Festival  - Liverpool, Merseyside

Sunday 30 - Monday 31 August.

Six outdoor stages will see 95 bands perform from across the world. Themes include Soul, Diva, Brit Pop, New Bands, Big Bands and Country & Western.

Free entry.

Midlands

Birmingham International Jazz Festival - Birmingham

Friday 3 - Sunday 12 July

Ten days of non-stop jazz with a wide variety of performers and bands.

Many performances are free, while other events vary in price - check the website for further details.

North East and Yorkshire

Stockton International Riverside Festival - Stockton-on-Tees

Thursday 30 July - Sunday 2 August

A fabulous street arts festival which attracts over 250,000 visitors. The line-up includes acts from a circus, comedy, music, dance, and street theatre from all over the world.

Absolutely free.

Richmond Live - Richmond, North Yorkshire

Friday 31 July - Saturday 1 August

Local and new bands strut their stuff, with some participating in a 'battle of the bands' competition.

£2 entry on the Friday, £3 on the Saturday.

Wales

Monmouth Festival 2009 - Monmouth

Friday 24 July - Saturday 1 August

The Monmouth Festival is almost entirely funded by sponsorship, advertising, fundraising events, and donations by the public. The event is packed full of a wide variety of music, including rockabilly, jive, rock, blues, classical, jazz, country, and disco.

Free entry.

Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend - Cardiff

Friday 31 July - Sunday 2 August

This fabulous outdoor festival offers three days of live music and entertainment on stage, as well as the UK's largest travelling funfair. This year's headline acts include Kids In Glass Houses, Third World, and The Zutons.

Absolutely free.

Scotland

Glasgow International Jazz Festival - Glasgow

Friday 19 - Tuesday 30 June

Takes place in venues across the city and includes a selection of top performers in a broad range of musical styles.

Acts vary in price, but many are free - check the website for more details.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival - Edinburgh

Friday 7- Monday 31 August

One of the largest arts festivals in the world, this event is overflowing with entertainment - including theatre, comedy, music, dance, exhibitions, and more.

Many of the events are free so it's worth checking the website for details.

So there you have it, fifteen fantastic festivals to attend, without breaking the bank! And if you know of any other free or cheap summer festivals, please comment below and help others in the lovemoney.com community!

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