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EnergyFree festivals and events for summer 2012
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You don't have to spend a penny to enjoy music, theatre and more in the outdoors over the coming months.Summer's here (in name anyway) and that means it's time for outdoor festivals and events around the UK. While the big music festivals such as V and T In The Park cost the best part of £200 to attend for a weekend, there are loads of events around the nation that are absolutely free.
Below is our round-up of some of the best by region. And don't forget the Olympic torch relay, which will be celebrated with lots of events as it makes its way around the UK. You can find out more at the London 2012 website.
London
West End Live
London
West End Live
What: Live performances of songs from popular West End musicals.
When: 23-24 June
Where: Trafalgar Square
What: Free performances and entertainment on and along the Regent's Canal.
When: 14-22 July
Where: Across Shoreditch
What: To coincide with the Olympics, there will be free music from the likes of Tom Jones, Cast, McFly, Feeder, Paul Carrack and Norman Jay along with screenings of the games. You can apply for guaranteed entry tickets now.
When: 27 July-12 August
Where: Hyde Park/Victoria Park
What: A huge celebration of south Asian culture with nine music zones.
When: 19 August
Where: Gunnersbury Park
What: One of the world's most famous free carnivals takes over the streets of west London.
When: 26-27 August
Where: Notting Hill
Brighton Kite Festival
What: A spectacular display of kite flying.
When: 7-8 July
Where: Stanmer Park, Brighton
What: Circus, dance, music and theatre centred around the city's harbour.
When: 20-22 July
Where: Harbourside, Bristol
What: A seaside music and arts festival.
When: 27-29 July
Where: Bognor Regis Seafront
What: A festival featuring over 100 hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes.
When: 9-12 August
Where: Ashton Court, Bristol
What: A host of bands playing around the town's quay.
When: 24-26 August
Where: Wareham, Dorset
What: Music festival featuring the likes of Echo & The Bunnymen, Cast, The View and Maroon Town.
When: 29 June-1 July
Where: War Memorial Park, Coventry
What: Country music and line dancing plus a giant funfair.
When: 21-22 July
Where: East Park, Wolverhampton
What: A parade followed by a day of music and other activities.
When: 21-22 July
Where: Derby
What: Live music, a children's zone, dragon boat racing plus fireworks over the Trent.
When: 3-5 August
Where: Victoria Embankment, Nottingham
What: A celebration of the city's Afro-Caribbean culture.
When: 4 August
Where: Victoria Park, Leicester
What: Live music across the city for four days.
When: 24-27 August
Where: Worcester
What: Street entertainers, music, dance, living history and more in celebration of Caerphilly's history.
When: 27-29 July
Where: Caerphilly
What: Free music from rock to classicial to jazz to ska.
When: 17-25 August
Where: Monmouth
What: Music, exhibitions and entertainment in the shadow of the Black Mountains.
When: 25-26 August
Where: Talgarth
What: A celebration of Leeds' cultural diversity on the city's streets.
When: 16 June
Where: Briggate and Kirkgate Market, Leeds
What: A huge celebration of African music and culture:
When: 23-24 June
Where: Sefton Park, Liverpool
What: A festival celebrating traditional music.
When: 13-15 July
Where: Rothbury
What: A huge festival across Sheffield's music venues headlined by Roots Manuva, We Are Scientists and Field Music.
When: 20-22 July
Where: Sheffield
What: The UK's biggest free pop festival, starring Alexandra Burke, Tulisa and Professor Green.
When: 22 July
Where: Temple Newsam Park, Leeds
What: Giant puppets, circus and street performers roam Stockton.
When: 1-5 August
Where: Stockton-on-Tees
What: Music, theatre and fireworks in celebration of the Tyne.
When: 4-5 August
Where: Quayside, Newcastle and Gateshead
More info: www.newcastlegateshead.com/whats-on/festivals/newcastlegateshead-bridges-festival
Mathew Street Festival
Mathew Street Festival
What: Europe's largest free music festival with musicians from all over the world, including lots of Beatles tributes.
When: 26-27 August
Where: Mathew Street, Liverpool
What: Music, headlined by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, plus a market and a food stage.
When: 31 August-1 September
Where: Town Hall Square, Rochdale
What: Music and dance across three stages plus interactive arts and exotic food stalls.
When: 23-24 June
Where: Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow
What: Blues music across the city's venues.
When: 29 June-1 July
Where: Dundee
What: A free companion to the main Edinburgh Festival, with shows across the city.
When: 6-28 August
Where: Edinburgh
What: Music, theatre and music on the coast.
When: 22-28 July
Where: Portstewart
What: A celebration of history through dance, drama and music.
When: 4-11 August
Where: Derry/Londonderry
More info: www.maidencityfestival.com
You'll find loads more free festivals and events listed at the Free-events.co.uk website.
Tell us about your favourite
If you have a favourite free festival or event, add it in the Comments box below.
More stories
You'll find loads more free festivals and events listed at the Free-events.co.uk website.
Tell us about your favourite
If you have a favourite free festival or event, add it in the Comments box below.
More stories
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