There is something on offer to entertain all ages this summer thanks to a programme of free activities and events being coordinated by Cambridge City Council.
Some of the highlights include a family fun event and community picnic at Brown's Field Community Centre on Wednesday 2 August for National Play Day; and the new Out of the Ordinary street arts festival happening in the city centre on 26 and 27 August.
In addition to the scheduled events, the council is offering ‘borrow bags’ of games – such as parachutes and skipping ropes – for people to use with family and friends, and has supported the Love Exploring app which shows augmented reality dinosaurs, fairies and a spacewalk across Cambridge’s parks. There are also the splash pads and paddling pools which are open to everyone.
Active Families activity days
Active Families events will take place every Tuesday in August, from 10am to 1pm, with a play zone, skipping ropes, space hoppers, hula hoops, rebounders, catch pads, family orienteering, table tennis, crazy golf, exercise and dance taster activities – and much more. Find out what is on offer at each location – no booking needed.
- Tuesday 1 August at Coldham’s Common and the Abbey Leisure Complex, off Whitehill Road
- Tuesday 8 August at Trumpington King George V playing fields and pavilion, Paget Road
- Tuesday 15 August at St Albans recreation ground and Meadows Community Centre, Arbury Road
- Tuesday 22 August at Storey’s Field playing fields and community centre, off Eddington Avenue
- Tuesday 29 August at Cherry Hinton recreation ground and village centre, Cherry Hinton High Street
Music in the Parks
Music in the Parks is a series of free open air concerts on Sunday afternoons, open to everyone, with no booking needed.
- 6 August, with the Haverhill Youth and Community Band on Trumpington King George V playing field, Paget Road
- 13 August, with the Rajasthani Brass Band, dance and poetry, on Jesus Green
- 20 August, with the Vocal Remix Choir and support on St Albans recreation ground, Arbury Road
- Plus additional dates during September.
Bring a picnic and enjoy free activities for the whole family
Community picnics are taking place throughout the summer. Free activities on offer at some locations include an animal petting corner, circus skills, nature crafts, and museum on a bike – no booking needed.
- Wednesday 26 July, at Storey's Field Community Centre, Eddington Avenue
- Wednesday 2 August, at Brown's Field Community Centre, off Green End Road
- Monday 7 August, at Thorpe Way play area, Dennis Road/Thorpe Way
- Wednesday 16 August, at Trumpington King George V playing fields, Paget Road
- Sunday 20 August, at Meadows Community Centre, Arbury Road
- Sunday 3 September, at Nightingale Recreation Ground, Nightingale Avenue
Free holiday activities and lunches
Holiday lunches are coordinated in partnership with Cambridge Sustainable Food for families of nursery and school-aged children who feel they would benefit from a free meal – there is no eligibility check and meals are provided on a first come first served basis. Free activities are also on offer. The lunches take place at Clay Farm Community Centre; Meadows Community Centre; Brown’s Field Community Centre; Akeman Community Centre; Arbury Road Baptist Church; and Church of the Good Shepherd. Find out what’s on when, on Cambridge Sustainable Food’s website.
Cllr Mairéad Healy, Executive Councillor for Communities, said: “Cambridge is a fantastic place to be during the summer with so much on offer to help families during the school holidays, and to enable people of all ages to spend quality time together and try new activities.
“As well as the calendar of events, there’s also support for anyone wanting to plan their own activities. Why not pick up a ‘borrow bag’ from one of our community centres to add some fun to a get together, or try the ‘Love Exploring’ app to turn a walk into an augmented reality adventure? There’s also the splash pads and paddling pools which are open to everyone and will be great especially if we get some warmer weather again!
“There’s loads to do that’s free so I’d encourage everyone to make a note of what’s on and get involved over the summer.”
