August bank holiday 2016: When is it and what is going on around the UK?

Britons will be treated to a three-day weekend as the August bank holiday falls on Monday 29 August 2016. It is more than tempting to spend the extra day off lounging on the sofa, but with so much going on around the UK there is no excuse to stay inside.

From food and drink festivals to live music and comedy, there is something for everyone. Here is our pick of the best festivals around Britain:

Notting Hill Carnival

Hundreds of thousands of visitors will head to west London for the annual Notting Hill Carnival, the biggest street festival in Europe and the second-largest carnival in the world after Rio de Janeiro. The August bank-holiday event will kick off with a Caribbean atmosphere and costumed performers, calypso music, steel bands and delicious food. The carnival starts on Sunday 28 August, which is Children's Day, and concludes on Monday 29 August.

Festival of Love

Taking place at London's Southbank, the Festival of Love continues with a packed programme of music, art, dance and performance – half of which is completely free. It will finish on Monday 29 August. See here for a list of free events.

Leeds and Reading Festivals

Biffy Clyro, Foals and Red Hot Chili Peppers will headline the Leeds and Reading Festivals over the August bank holiday at Bramham Park and Richfield Avenue respectively. Currently, the weather is set to be fine with some showers.

Manchester Pride's Big Weekend

The huge celebration of LGBT+ pride will take place from Friday 26 to Monday 29 August, with performances from MNEK, Katy B, Heather Smalls and more. There will also be bars, markets and food stalls in addition to the main event – the parade itself. Prices start from £16 and can be purchased from Ticketmaster.

Lichfield Food Festival

The food festival will take place on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 August with food and drink stalls with local produce, free cookery demos, live music, locally brewed beer and a bake off. Best of all, the festival is free to enter.

Edinburgh Fringe

For the last few weeks, thousands of performers have taken to stages around Edinburgh for the Fringe festival. The festival showcases the biggest names and performances in comedy, theatre, opera, circus and more, as well as small gigs by those building their careers. It finishes on Monday 29 August, so catch a weekend show if you can – but be aware that train fares and hotel prices will be high over the bank holiday weekend.

Cambridge Cocktail Weekend

You can enjoy cocktails from some of Cambridge's best bars for three days over the bank holiday weekend, as well as live music, DJs, competitions, masterclasses in mixology and food. The event will take place at the Cambridge Corn Exchange from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 August.