Events
What's on, with the kids
Upcoming days a dad and child can actually go to, in the big cities. Refreshed every Monday, and the moment one passes it drops off, so this is only ever what is coming up.
Fresh every Monday. We list upcoming events in big cities and they drop off the moment they pass, so you never see yesterday's. Each carries an honest editorial Dad Score, not user reviews.
Pints & Ponytails by The Secret Life of Dads
The Lounges and pubs nationwide, Touring the UK
The Secret Life of Dads runs Pints & Ponytails, a relaxed pub evening where fathers gather over a pint to learn how to plait, braid and style their daughters' hair, and to talk through the bigger stuff like periods and growing up. It began at the Lucky Saint in London in early 2026, went viral and was covered by the BBC, and is now touring Lounges across the UK through the summer.
Griffith Observatory Public Star Party
Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles
On one Saturday each month, volunteer astronomers set up dozens of telescopes on the lawns of Griffith Observatory for the public to look at the Moon, planets and the Sun. The next confirmed session is Saturday 22 August 2026, 2:00pm–9:45pm. Admission to the grounds and the telescopes is free.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Venues across Edinburgh, Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the largest arts festival in the world, with thousands of shows across comedy, theatre, circus, music and a dedicated children's strand. The Royal Mile turns into a non stop parade of jugglers, magicians and street performers. You can spend a fortune or nothing at all.
Chicago Air and Water Show
North Avenue Beach, lakefront, Chicago
One of the largest free air shows in the country fills the Chicago lakefront with military jets, aerobatic teams and water rescue demonstrations across a summer weekend. The Blue Angels and other headline acts perform daily from late morning into the afternoon. North Avenue Beach is the main viewing spot.
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
Victoria Square and New Street, Birmingham
Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market is the largest authentic German market outside Germany or Austria, filling Victoria Square and New Street with wooden stalls. There are traditional gifts, carousels for younger children, bratwurst, hot chocolate and a real festive glow. It runs daily through the run up to Christmas.
Christmas at Kew
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London
Christmas at Kew is the UK's original festive light trail, winding through the Royal Botanic Gardens after dark. Expect huge illuminated installations, glowing colour tunnels, music, a fairground and a visit from Father Christmas. Entry is timed in the evening and tickets sell fast.
Lord Mayor's Show
City of London, London
The Lord Mayor's Show is one of the oldest civic processions in the world, dating back more than 800 years. Thousands of participants, marching bands, military units, historic carriages and gold coaches make their way through the City of London. The procession runs in the late morning and is completely free to watch.
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
Bronx Zoo, New York
On select evenings the Bronx Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland with millions of lights and more than 400 illuminated wildlife lanterns spread across themed trails. There are seasonal treats, a snow tube slide and festive photo spots. The festival returns each holiday season.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Central Park West to Herald Square, New York
America's most famous parade marches 2.5 miles from the Upper West Side down to Macy's at Herald Square on Thanksgiving morning. Giant character balloons, marching bands, floats and the arrival of Santa fill the route. 2026 marks the landmark 100th edition.
Edinburgh's Hogmanay Torchlight Procession
The Meadows to the Old Town, Edinburgh
The Torchlight Procession opens Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations, with thousands of people carrying flaming torches from the Meadows through the historic Old Town. Pipe bands, drummers and fire performers lead the way to a finale. It is a ticketed walk for those carrying torches, with plenty to watch from the route too.
Goodwood Festival of Speed
Goodwood House, West Sussex, Chichester
The Festival of Speed is the biggest celebration of motorsport and car culture in the world, with historic and modern racing cars charging up the hillclimb through the grounds of Goodwood House. There are aerobatic displays, a rally stage in the woods and paddocks you can wander. Confirmed dates for 2027 are 15–18 July.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
Ashton Court Estate, Bristol
Europe's largest hot air balloon event fills the skies above Bristol with more than a hundred balloons during mass ascents at dawn and dusk. There is a fun fair, food stalls and the famous Nightglow, where tethered balloons light up to music after dark. Entry to Ashton Court is free. Dates are usually mid-August.
The Big Feastival
Alex James's farm, Cotswolds, Kingham
The Big Feastival mixes live music, street food from celebrated chefs and a packed family programme on Alex James of Blur's Cotswolds farm. Expect cookery demos, a funfair, animal encounters and a dedicated kids field with crafts and shows. It lands on the August bank holiday weekend.
Notting Hill Carnival
Notting Hill, West London, London
Notting Hill Carnival is a vast celebration of Caribbean culture that fills West London with sound systems, steel bands, dancers and incredible costumes over the August bank holiday. The Sunday is Children's Day, with a family parade and a calmer atmosphere that suits younger ones best. It is free and very busy.
Bournemouth Air Festival
Bournemouth seafront, Bournemouth
Bournemouth Air Festival brings four days of free flying displays over the bay, with fast jets, the Red Arrows, wing walkers and a night air display with pyrotechnics. The whole seafront becomes the viewing gallery, with funfair rides and food along the prom. Dates are usually early September.
Blackpool Illuminations
The Promenade, Blackpool
The Blackpool Illuminations are a six-mile display of lights, lasers and illuminated tableaux strung along the Promenade, switched on each autumn and running into the new year. You can stroll the prom, ride a vintage tram through them or do the famous slow drive. It is completely free to view.
Diwali on the Golden Mile, Leicester
Belgrave Road, Leicester
Leicester's Golden Mile hosts one of the largest Diwali celebrations in the world, with thousands gathering on Belgrave Road for the lights switch-on, music, dance, food stalls and a fireworks display. The street glows with decorations and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming to all. The main night is usually in late October or November.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park, London
London's biggest Christmas event turns Hyde Park into a festive playground with fairground rides, an outdoor ice rink, a big wheel, circus shows, a Bavarian village and a Santa Land for younger children. Entry is free, with pay-as-you-go rides and attractions inside. It runs from late November to early January.
York Christmas Market, St Nicholas Fair
York city centre, York
York's St Nicholas Fair fills the historic streets with alpine-style wooden chalets selling crafts, gifts and seasonal food, set against the backdrop of the Minster and the Shambles. There are carousels, festive music and plenty of treats. It runs daily through the weeks before Christmas.
London New Year's Day Parade
Piccadilly to Parliament Square, London
The London New Year's Day Parade sends thousands of performers, marching bands from across the USA, cheerleaders, classic vehicles and giant inflatables along a route from Piccadilly to Parliament Square. It begins around midday and is free to watch from the pavements. A bright, upbeat way to kick off the year.
Minnesota State Fair
Minnesota State Fairgrounds, Saint Paul
One of the largest state fairs in the country runs for twelve days up to Labor Day, packed with a giant midway of rides, livestock barns, agricultural displays, live music and famously inventive fair food. It is a classic slice of American summer. The fair ends on Labor Day each year.
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Balloon Fiesta Park, Albuquerque
The largest hot air balloon festival on earth lifts more than five hundred balloons into the New Mexico sky during mass ascensions at dawn across nine days. There are special-shape balloons, evening glows and fireworks. The high desert light makes it unforgettable. It runs in early October.
Village Halloween Parade
Sixth Avenue, Greenwich Village, New York
New York's Village Halloween Parade is the largest of its kind, with tens of thousands of costumed marchers, giant puppets, bands and dancers moving up Sixth Avenue on Halloween night. Spectators can watch for free, and in true New York style you can even join the march in costume. It steps off in the evening.
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
Rockefeller Center, New York
Each year a towering Norway spruce is raised at Rockefeller Center and lit with tens of thousands of bulbs in a televised ceremony with live performances. The tree then shines through the holiday season above the famous ice rink. The lighting night itself is hugely popular and packed. Date usually falls in early December.
Tournament of Roses, Rose Parade
Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena
The Rose Parade rolls down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena every New Year's Day, with spectacular floats decorated entirely in flowers and seeds, marching bands and equestrian units. Crowds line the route from early morning, many camping out overnight. It is free to watch from the kerb.
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
NRG Park, Houston
The world's largest livestock show and rodeo runs for about three weeks in Houston, combining championship rodeo events, a huge carnival midway, agricultural exhibits, a petting zoo and big-name concerts each night. There is a dedicated area where children can meet farm animals. Dates fall in late winter.
San Francisco Lunar New Year Parade
Downtown to Chinatown, San Francisco
One of the largest Lunar New Year celebrations outside Asia, the San Francisco parade fills the streets with elaborate floats, costumed dancers, marching bands, firecrackers and a spectacular golden dragon carried by a team of runners. It takes place in the evening and is free to watch. The date follows the lunar calendar.
National Cherry Blossom Festival
Tidal Basin and the National Mall, Washington
Washington's National Cherry Blossom Festival marks the gift of cherry trees from Japan, with around four weeks of events as the blossoms bloom around the Tidal Basin. Highlights include a family-friendly kite festival on the National Mall, a big parade and cultural performances. Walking among the trees is free. Peak bloom varies year to year.