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Looking for fun things to do in the UK in 2026? Dubbed as the 'analogue year', we’re collectively deciding to hit ‘do not disturb’ on our phones and find our flow in the real world for the next twelve months. If you're joining us for the screen-free revolution and looking for new adventures for you and your crew, or hunting for solo bucket list ideas UK wide, this is your invitation to trade scroll-time for soul-time. From the rugged Highlands to the vibrant streets of London, here's our pick of 26 of the best UK activities to help you switch off, get hands-on, and truly reconnect.
26 of the best UK activities to fill your 2026
1. Embrace ‘grandma hobbies’
Slow crafts are having a massive moment in 2026, so this year, get stuck into scrapbooking, crochet classes, or needlepoint. It’s all about the "cosy-core" vibe – finding joy in the rhythm of the needles and creating something tactile and beautiful for your home.
2. Go totally analogue
Rediscover the magic of a world without Wi-Fi! Spend an afternoon writing heartfelt letters to old friends, browsing through vinyl at a local record shop, or getting deliciously lost in a book. It’s the ultimate way to lower your cortisol levels and live in the moment.
3. Visit a blockbuster art exhibition
The UK’s art scene is buzzing this year, so if you’re an art fan, you’re going to be spoilt for choice. Catch the Frida Kahlo retrospective at Tate Modern, head to the Whitworth in Manchester for traditional and contemporary textiles, or explore the Bicentenary celebrations at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh.
4. Craft your signature scent
According to Pinterest Predicts, scent stacking is a huge trend this year – think ditching the ‘single scent’ rules and mixing your own selection of oils to create something totally unique. If you fancy getting stuck in, join a perfume making class to learn about base notes and top notes, blending a bespoke fragrance that’s uniquely yours.
5. Show love for literature
2026 is officially the year of reading – what better invitation to put the phone down, put your feet up and get lost in a different world for the afternoon? If you fancy something a bit more adventurous, head off to the iconic Hay Festival or try a bookbinding class: learning to stitch your own journals is a wonderful way to celebrate your love for the written word.
6. Celebrate the summer solstice
Whether you head to the iconic stones of Stonehenge or join a soulful Solstice sound bath in a candlelit London studio, marking the longest day of the year is a beautiful way to reset and reconnect with the seasons.
7. Lose yourself in nature
Ready to trade your screen for some greenery? 2026 is the year of rewilding your weekend! Try forest bathing, where the goal isn't to hike a certain distance, but to simply soak in the sights, scents, and sounds of the trees. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, join a guided foraging quest where you’ll learn to spot tasty edible plants hidden in plain sight.
8. Prioritise radical self-love
Nourish your soul with a self-care workshop, full of calming, joyful rituals. From hand-pouring soy candles to blending fizzing bath bombs or joining a rooftop yoga flow, these are the best UK activities for keeping your mental health in tip-top shape.
9. Catch the Solar Eclipse
August 2026 brings a rare celestial treat! While a total eclipse will only be visible in parts of Europe, the UK will see a significant partial eclipse. For the best experience, grab your safety glasses and head to the Scilly Isles for a view you'll never forget.
10. Master a traditional heritage craft
Heritage skills are the ultimate ‘phone-down’ hobby, and with more and more crafts dying out, there’s never been a better time to help keep the handmade alive. From blacksmithing and woodwork classes to pottery, weaving, stone carving, silversmithing and stained glass leadwork, there’s plenty to choose from here!
11. Go on a culinary adventure
The slow food movement is peaking in 2026! Ditch the takeaway menus, skip the fast food and join a cooking or baking class to expand your culinary skills; think tasty Italian cooking classes, spicy street food workshops or decadent chocolate making experiences. Feeling adventurous? Visit a regional foodie event like the Great British Food Festival or Abergavenny Food Festival in Wales to celebrate local, sustainable produce and get stuck into some serious taste testing!
12. Appreciate the night sky
Bit of a night owl? Visit a Dark Skies Festival in Northumberland or the Exmoor National Park to see the universe in a different light. Stargazing with an expert astronomer is a humbling experience that reminds us of the vast beauty beyond our screens.
13. Immerse yourself in a film festival
2026 is a massive year for regional cinema. If you’re looking to support the next generation of storytellers and discover indie gems that haven't hit the streamers yet, the UK’s festival circuit is where the magic happens. From the Edinburgh and Glasgow Film Festivals in Scotland to the SXSW London Screen Festival in Shoreditch, there’s something for everyone.
14. Run a ‘Great British Bake-Off’ challenge
Ready, set, bake! Host a weekend bake-off with family or friends, or simply bake along with the new series. Whether you’re mastering a technical challenge or a showstopper, it’s a delicious way to bond and fill the house with heavenly scents!
15. Enjoy the Chelsea Flower Show
May brings the world’s most famous botanical event, and it's set to be a total creative explosion. Even if you don't know your begonias from your bonsai, the incredible beauty of the show gardens is enough to spark a creative fire in anyone.
16. Celebrate Pride across the country
From the legendary streets of Brighton to the vibrant events in London, Pride 2026 is all about community, love, and colourful celebration. It’s a must for any 2026 bucket list, wherever you are in the UK!
17. Reconnect with your crew
Bonding with your favourite people is at the top of the 2026 bucket list for many of us. This year, it's all about trading a standard night at the pub for high-energy, shared experiences that actually leave you with a memory (and maybe a masterpiece) to take home. Think life drawing classes, pottery painting workshops and cooking experiences to bring everyone together once a week – beats another pub quiz any day!
18. Catch the year's must-see films
2026 is shaping up to be a legendary year for cinema, headlined by the dark romanticism of Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights, the moving Shakespearean tragedy Hamnet, and the high-octane Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. As if that wasn't enough, we're also treated to Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride!, The Devil Wears Prada 2, and Christopher Nolan’s sprawling epic The Odyssey.
19. Celebrate the Southbank Centre’s 75th anniversary
London’s cultural heart is turning 75, and the party is going to be massive! To mark three-quarters of a century, the Southbank Centre is launching a year-long programme that’s all about looking forward while celebrating the youth culture that shaped the UK. It’s a total must for any 2026 bucket list.
20. Host your own ‘craft-off’
Channel your inner TV star! Gather your mates for your own version of The Great Pottery Throwdown, Sewing Bee, or Portrait Artist of the Year. It’s a hilarious and high-energy way to test your skills while enjoying a bit of friendly competition in your own living room. Not great at crafts? We’ve got plenty of pottery classes, beginner sewing workshops and painting sessions to equip you with some new skills!
21. Learn a new language
Open up a whole new world by learning a second (or third!) tongue. Whether you join a local evening class or a conversational group at a café, it’s one of the best UK activities for keeping your brain sharp and preparing for your next travel adventure.
22. Celebrate the Lunar New Year
Paint the town red! Head to the massive celebrations in London’s Chinatown, or check out the vibrant parades, markets and firecrackers in Liverpool or Manchester. It’s a wonderful way to experience rich cultural traditions and amazing food.
23. Visit a newly-opened museum
2026 is a huge year for museum lovers. Be sure to check out the long-awaited V&A East, the brand-new London Museum at Smithfield, the Hull Maritime Museum, or the Artistic Museum of Contemporary Art in Cardiff. These long-awaited fresh spaces are going to be full of cool stuff to do in England and Wales.
24. Connect with your local community
Find your gang by getting involved locally – the secret to creating a tight-knit local group is finding some common ground. Join a community garden, start a local book group, or participate in a community beach clean. It’s a lovely way to meet neighbours and make a positive impact where you live.
25. Learn how to ‘grow your own’
Green thumbs are the ultimate 2026 accessory! With the RHS launching its year-long Bringing Nature Home campaign, there’s never been a better time to get stuck into doing your bit for biodiversity and the planet. No gardening skills? No worries! Take a class that teaches you how to grow veg, care for plants or even build a glass terrarium – every little helps!
26. Dive into a music festival
From the magic of Glastonbury and Green Man to the eclectic vibes of Latitude or TRNSMT, 2026 festivals are about more than just the stage. Most now feature incredible creative areas where you can try your hand at everything from wood-carving to screen-printing between sets!
The ClassBento Staff 2026 bucket list activities
At ClassBento, we’re firm believers that the best memories aren't made behind a screen – they’re made when you’re elbow-deep in clay, tasting something you’ve just cooked for the first time, or sharing a laugh with friends over a new skill. As we look ahead into 2026, our team has curated a personal ‘digital detox’ wishlist that celebrates the very best culture, community, and creativity. We hope they inspire you to put down your phone, pick up a new hobby, and make 2026 your most hands-on year yet!
This year I’d like to make a mug at a wheel throwing class. I've done a few different pottery workshops now and made trinkets, but I want to make something I can use daily. Something that feels useful, not just aesthetic! Robbie, Business Development Manager
This year I'm hoping to get stuck into jewellery making as I've never tried it before. I'd love to make my own rings – there's something so special about wearing something you've actually made! Amy, Content Writer
I'd like to try linoprinting again, but this time I want to make some prints for my flat. I’m currently attempting a gallery wall, and I have a lot of space to fill – I love how abstract linoprints can be. Phoebe, UK Content Manager
I’m going to try calligraphy this year – I drew handmade cards for all my family this Christmas, and I want to improve my terrible handwriting! Dan, Content Writer
This year I’ll be mostly continuing my upcycling projects, or as my husband refers to it.....filling the house with tat! I’ve bought a butlers table to practice a design for a large cabinet – and I'm also going to take a kintsugi class to salvage the hundreds of vases and plates that the Grandchildren managed to demolish this Christmas! Paula, Business Development Manager
I’m going to try some leather crafting soon and make a belt. I’ve been wanting to do it for ages, so I’m finally getting stuck in! Charlie, Content Marketing Associate
