BURSTING at the seams with family fun events, there's so much going on in Hampshire this weekend.
It's heaven for foodies with two major food and drink festivals. From a celebration of Indian culture in Southampton's stunning parks to steam trains making their way along the Watercress Line, here's our pick of the five top places to go for some family fun in the sun.
Southampton Mela, Hoglands Park, Saturday
Thousands of people are expected to flock to Hoglands Park for Southampton Mela this weekend.
The major festival celebrating South Asian culture is back after Covid cancellations in 2020 and 2021.
The favourite summer highlight will feature performances by world-class musicians and dancers and is organised by Art Asia.
This year, the foundation is celebrating 40 years of promoting South Asian culture across the South and say the Mela will be bigger and better than ever.
Festival-goers will get to see performances by renowned performers including Navin Kundra, Pandit Sanju Sahai, The Hussain Brothers, Vidya Thirunarayan, Pooja Angra, and Karan Rana along with many more.
The event will run from 12am until 9pm and crowds can look forward to engaging sideshows including juggling, storytelling, kid-friendly craft projects, and even a flash mob performance.
Lymington Seafood Festival, Bath Road Park, Lymington, Friday to Sunday
Top chefs, live music and delicious seafood, what more could you want?!
Welcome to the 6th Lymington Seafood Festival, a little boutique festival that brings together the region's best food and drink producers, then drizzles a lip-smacking dollop of great live music to get the town rocking.
The festival welcomes the UK’s number 1 Queen Tribute Band UK QUEEN, alongside blues, soul and Celtic folk bands.
Also expect bonkers street performers dazzling with death-defying stunts, feats of bravery and magic.
Details from lymingtonseafoodfestival.co.uk
Diesel Gala, Watercress Line, Friday to Sunday
Enjoy the sights and sounds of a host of heritage diesel traction over the steeply-graded Watercress Line this weekend.
The Diesel Gala will see the railway operated by visiting diesel engines as well as the home fleet of diesel locomotives, showcasing the varied types of diesel locomotives produced from the 1960’s until the present day.
The Barn Owl, the real ale and cider train, will also return on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Winchester - Foodies Festival, North Walls Recreation Ground, Friday to Sunday
A festival dubbed “Gastro-Glasto” will return to Winchester with a star-studded line-up of celebrity chefs and chart-topping music stars.
The biggest touring gourmet food festival in the UK invites MasterChef champions, stars of the Great British Bake Off and Michelin starred chefs to cook in live theatres over three days of foodie fun in the North Walls Recreation Ground.
As well as talents of the cooking world, the Winchester festival will host live music with famous performers such as singer-songwriter, Gabrielle and Lee Ryan and Simon Webbe from the boy band Blue.
Visit foodiesfestival.com/events/winchester/
Curdridge County Show, Saturday
The 63rd Curdridge Country Show and Barn Dance will include a huge variety of trade stands for you to peruse to buy that unique gift or treat yourself to some delicious local produce.
Attractions on the show ground include inflatables, rides, vintage cars, birds of prey and much more to keep everyone entertained, plus the popular horticultural show.
Finish off the day with the barn dance.
The Show and Barn Dance is the main fundraising event of the year for the registered charity that runs the local village hall, The Curdridge Reading Rooms and Recreation Ground.
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