20 ideas for the bank holiday weekend

Making Waves On Broadway

The Broadway, Haywards Heath, Sunday, August 25, 11am to 10pm, £7/£12, www.itsmagic.org.uk or 01444 800045

A Total of 16 music acts will be performing at the annual Making Waves On Broadway street party.

Among the guests are tribute bands Mainly Madness, The Alter Eagles and U2 Tribe, with party music from Cylvia And The Revo and Hot Rox; folk from Bryony Brooks; pop songwriting from Tom Staniford, Half Hour Hotel and The Courtelles; classical from VoicesLive, Ensemble Reza and Sussex Central College Band, and jazz from Lucy Songi and The Dixie Strollers.

2... SUPPORT AN INTERNATIONAL CHARITY

August Bank Holiday Bonanza

The Brunswick, Holland Road, Hove, Sunday, August 25, 2pm, donations welcome, 01273 733984

Brighton-based international charity Target TB is celebrating its tenth anniversary with the launch of a new fundraising campaign this weekend.

The Brunswick is hosting an afternoon of live music to fundraise for volunteer healthworkers bringing TB treatment and care to remote regions. It is part of a drive for people to raise £340 – enough to help fund ten health workers – by World TB Day on March 24.

Acts on the bill include The Modern Exposition, Nick Williams, Lonesome Heights and Saulfingers.

3... CELEBRATE A BIRTHDAY 

Lakeland’s First Birthday

Churchill Square, Brighton, Saturday, August 24, from 10am, free, 01273 327428

Creative cookware shop Lakeland is celebrating its first year in Brighton with birthday cake, drinks, competitions, a charity raffle and demonstrations of some of their popular products throughout the day.

4... ENROL FIDO IN A DOG SHOW

Worthing Rotary Bank Holiday Carnival

Steyne Gardens, Worthing, Monday, August 26, 12.30pm to 5pm, free, www.worthing-rotary.org

Opening with the carnival procession along Marine Parade from 12.30pm, this year’s Worthing Rotary Carnival is welcoming its first ever dog show.

The event is being hosted by Southwick’s Grove Lodge Vets, with dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes able to enter for just £1 per class. Vet Marc Abraham will be judging categories such as waggiest tail and best sausage catcher from 2pm, with proceeds going to Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice.

5... TAKE TEDDY FOR TEA

Teddy Bears’ Picnic

Borde Hill Garden, Borde Hill Lane, Haywards Heath, Monday, August 26, 10am to 6pm, £8/£5, www.bordehill.co.uk
 

Teddy storytelling, a vintage ice cream van and a competition for the best-dressed bear are among the attractions at Borde Hill on Monday. Also on offer are storytelling sessions on Tuesday, August 27, and Thursday, August 29, and a nature trail.

6... COME FACE-TO-FACE WITH A MOSHI MONSTER

Katsuma Visit

Drusillas Park, near Alfriston, Saturday, August 24, 10am, £16.99/£15.99, 01323 874100

Katsuma is the last Moshi Monster to visit Drusillas this summer – and arguably the most popular of the six virtual pets who first appeared in Mind Candy’s online game.

The Moshi will be appearing in the Events Arena throughout the day. And train lovers can meet The Fat Controller, Sir Topham Hatt, on Monday, as he makes sure Thomas and Friends are running correctly to time at Tidmouth Hault, the railway line running through the park.

7... EXPERIENCE LIFE IN A MEDIEVAL CASTLE 

England’s Medieval Festival

Herstmonceux Castle, near Hailsham, Saturday, August 24, to Monday, August 26, 10am to 6pm, from £15/£6, www.englandsmedievalfestival.com

Cheer on jousting knights, see hand-to-hand combat in a tournament and watch displays of ancient artillery, falconry and Middle Ages fashion at the 21st Herstmonceux Medieval Festival.

Activities includes a medieval encampment complete with minstrels, magicians and jesters, a tavern selling award-winning ales and a four-course banquet from 6.30pm on Saturday and Sunday night.

Youngsters can also have a go at archery, medieval skittles or visit jester school at the Kids’ Kingdom.

8... SEE ATHLETES PUSH THEMSELVES TO THE LIMIT

Spartan Warriors

Pippingford Estate, Nutley, Sunday, August 25, 9.30am, parking £5, www.spartanrace.com

Henry VIII’s former hunting grounds will be bringing the pain to modern-day Spartan Warriors across a bruising 5km assault course.

The Spartan Warriors course includes 15 obstacles such as 15ft rope climbs, barbed wire mud crawls and even leaping through fire.

Time penalties are punishable by compulsory sets of 30 burpees (press-ups with star-jumps) and if the would-be warriors aren’t tired enough by the finish, they have to face musclebound Spartans with pugil sticks trying to sweep their feet away.

9... SUPPORT AN INAUGURAL COMMUNITY ARTS FESTIVAL

Summer By The Sea

Hillcrest Community Centre, Hillcrest Road, Newhaven, Friday, August 23, to Monday, August 26, 10am to 5pm, cinema tickets from £3, 01273 512376

Following a £10,000 Arts Council grant, Newhaven Arts has put together a programme of family activities.

Hillcrest Community Centre hosts Paint, Steel And Wood, an exhibition of paintings by Harold Mockford and Tom Hammick, and sculpture by Christian Funnell and Walter Bailey, alongside a photographic display by Newhaven photographer Kai Crick, and work by Hillcrest-based artists Carol Harvard, John Davies and Victor Stuart Graham.

And there will be stand-up comedy tonight from 6.30pm, film screenings tomorrow from 2.30pm (including A Grand Day Out and Belleville Rendezvous), and a community centre open day on Monday.

10... DON A ZOOT SUIT 

The New Untouchables Mod Weekender

Volks Bar And Club, Madeira Drive, and Komedia, Gardner Street, Brighton, Friday, August 23, to Sunday, August 25, Volks Sat/Sun 1pm to 5pm, free, and 9.30pm to 4am, £8, Komedia Fri to Sun from 11pm, £8, 0845 2938480

The Mods return to the beaches that provided their battlegrounds in the 1960s for their fights with leatherclad rockers, with the annual New Untouchables Mod Weekender.

The Volks is the venue for afternoon entertainment, with live bands tomorrow from 1pm, and a scooter competition and cruise up the coast from 3pm on Sunday. Both days will see open deck DJ sessions and a market selling records, vintage clothing, art and memorabilia.

Both Komedia and Volks will be hosting parties in the evening, with a closing Northern Soul all-nighter at the Gardner Street venue on Sunday.

11... HAVE A FLUTTER ON THE GEE GEES

August Bank Holiday

Goodwood, near Chichester, Friday, August 23, to Sunday, August 25, Fri gates 3.30pm, Sat/Sun gates 11.30am, from £8, 01243 755055

Goodwood is hosting a 1950s-themed three-day festival of racing for all the family.

Saturday’s book includes the Group 2 Betfair Celebration Mile, while Sunday includes pony racing. There will also be a 1950s funfair and demonstrations on how kids can programme their own Lego robots.

There will be music after each race by the Class Of ’58 rock ’n’ roll band, with live jazz in the Gordon Enclosure and the Kaleidoscope String Quartet in the Richmond Enclosure on Saturday and Sunday.

12... BE ENVIRONMENTALLY INSPIRED

The Clean Bin Movie

Brighthelm Centre, Queen’s Road, Brighton, Friday, August 23, 6pm, free but donations welcome, thecleanbinprojectmovielaunch.eventbrite.co.uk

Launching a series of Rubbish Movie Nights to raise awareness about the Waste And Materials One Planet Living City action plan, The Clean Bin Movie follows a Canadian couple who try to produce the least landfill garbage possible in a year.

Brighton-born Grant Baldwin and Jenny Rustemeyer challenge each other to swear off consumerism in a light-hearted look at a big environmental problem.

The film has already toured Canada, the US and New Zealand, picking up nine festival awards along the way. The night is being hosted by Freegle’s Cat Fletcher, The Rubbish Diet’s Karen Cannard and the two film-makers taking part in a Q&A session.

13... ROCK ’N’ ROLL THE WEEKEND AWAY

Rumble On The Beach #5

The Prince Albert, Trafalgar Street, Brighton, Saturday, August 24, 8pm, and Sunday, August 25, 7pm, £10 per night, £15 weekend, www.wegottickets.com/f/5996

Vintage rock ’n’ roll lovers can enjoy two floors of live music and classic 45s. Special guests include Knocksville, LP And His Dirty White Bucks, Pine Box Trio, Bubba J And The Moonshine Runners, and Link Gray And Dark Country.

14... CELEBRATE LIFE ON THE RIVER 

Shoreham Riverfest

Across Shoreham, Friday, August 23, to Monday, August 26, various times and prices, www.shorehamriverfest.co.uk

From beer and cider festivals at East Street’s Beach House and the Duke Of Wellington in Brighton Road, to taster sessions of canoeing, sailing and paddle-boarding at Adur Outdoor Activities Centre, Shoreham is offering a range of family activities this weekend.

Highlights include the Great Swan Race in aid of Chestnut Tree House on Sunday, August 25, from The Harbour Club at 10am, street musicians and strolling minstrels in the town centre, and a funfair on Adur Recreation Ground.

15... COMPETE FOR FROZEN YOGHURT

Frozen Yoghurt Party and Pop-Up Shop

Tutti Frutti, Kensington Gardens, Brighton, Saturday, August 24, 3pm to 10pm, free, www.mayamada.com

Gamers can battle to beat the high score on Fruit Ninja from 6pm to 9pm with the top three winning prizes donated by Namco Bandai and Gardner Street sweetshop Cybercandy. Anyone who beats the high score will win a free frozen yoghurt, while the first 40 people down to the shop will receive free cupcakes.

There will also be a pop-up shop selling anime-inspired T-shirts, accessories and comics, and there will be a chance to play vintage video games throughout the afternoon.

16... ENJOY THE CRAIC

Crawley Irish Festival

The Hawth Grounds, Hawth Avenue, Crawley, Sunday, August 25, noon, free, 01293 533636

Now in its 18th year, Crawley’s Celtic And Irish Cultural Society’s flagship event is joining forces with The Hawth for the first time.

The best Irish music and dancing talent from across the UK is convening to create Crawley’s answer to the Fleadh Cheoil – as seen in Derry earlier this month.

On the main stage are Reel Strings, the Davitt Country Band, Mustang, The Real Deal and Emerald Element, while the traditional stage includes the best in traditional and folk acts from across the UK.

There will also be Irish dance displays, a children’s area, and the chance to see the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship on the big screen.

17... EXPERIENCE A CARNIVAL VIBE ON THE SEAFRONT

Alternative Notting Hill All-Dayer

Concorde 2, Madeira Drive, Brighton, Monday, August 26, 3pm to 9pm, free, 01273 673311

Rather than face the London crowds, enjoy the Notting Hill vibe on the beach, with special guests including top producer Prince Fatty, Samasara, Voodoo Love Orchestra, Hot-Tip Hi Fi, Three Against Four, Unity Hi-Fi and Pillars Of Dub.

The music is accompanied by a Jamaican barbecue, hosted by Preston Circus takeaway Cummin Up.

18... GORGE ON ITALIAN FOOD

A Taste Of Italy

Brighton Marina, Saturday, August 24, to Monday, August 26, Sat from 10am, Sun/Mon from 11am, free, www.brightonmarina.co.uk

London's Medfood Italian market comes to the Marina, offering the best in Mediterranean delicacies. Expect stalls selling Parmigiano Reggiano, salami, cannoli, ciabatta, nuts, pasta, olives and oils.

19... VISIT A CITY PARK 

PrestFest 2013

Between the Rotunda Cafe and children’s playground, Preston Park, Brighton, Saturday, August 24, 11am to 5pm, free, www.friendsofprestonpark.org

The third summer festival in the park celebrating local talent, business and community organisations.

Among the attractions are free entry to Preston Manor, a chance to buy plants and cuttings from the gardens, demonstrations of weaving and spinning, and cooking showcases.

There are also extensive food and drink stalls, selling everything from candy floss to Sussex ales, a circus skills workshop, bouncy castle and British Military Fitness assault course for kids.

20... CHECK OUT SOME DEATH-DEFYING STUNTS

The Extreme Stunt Show

The Oval, Falaise Road, Hastings, Tuesday, August 27

Princes Park, Royal Parade, Eastbourne, Wednesday, August 28

Racecourse, Freshfield Road, Brighton, Thursday, August 29, 7.30pm, £12/£6, 08444 771000 or www.extremestuntshow.com

It may fall just outside the bank holiday weekend, but The Extreme Stunt Show is full of thrills and spills for all the family – from 2,000-plus horsepower monster trucks to mad motocross riders.

Also on the bill are pro BMX trial, mountain bike, quad and buggie riders, with death-defying airbourne stunts, fiery jumps and displays of balance and control to take the breath away.