If you're looking for the best family festivals in the UK to enjoy this summer, you've come to the right place. For many new parents the idea of going to a festival with a baby or toddler might be a bit daunting, but for those who want to get back to enjoying the festival vibes with their offspring, there are some fantastic summer events for kids to book now.
Whether you’re hoping to go for the music, food, art or culture, there are plenty of festivals to choose from. There are festivals for all tastes including mainstream ones and others you might never have heard of but that are definitely worth taking a look at.
It's never been easier to take your whole family to a festival. Whether you decide to take them camping, or just for the day, there’s a huge range across the country. As long as you're prepared with family festival essentials, there's nothing to stop you from making memories that will last a lifetime for you and your littles ones. So if you've been wondering what festivals are good for children, we've found some that promise fun for all the family, whether you're looking for music, food, culture or nature.
Gone Wild Festival
Where: Holkham Hall, Norfolk and Powderham Castle, Devon
When: 8-11th August and 22-25th August
Combining live music from the likes of James, Sam Ryder and Ocean Colour Scene with outdoor adventures including archery, SUP boarding and coasteering, this is the ultimate family adventure festival (line up and activities vary). Hop in a kayak, take on an obstacle course or learn how to light a fire without matches from the Bear Grylls Survival Academy, before settling down and listening to inspiring speakers such as Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Running across two weekends at Holkham Hall, Norfolk and Powderham Castle, Devon, this family festival from Bear Grylls is ideal for mini-adventurers.
Raver Tots
Where: Various locations across England
When: March through to July
Raver Tots isn’t just a one-off festival, they have various outdoor festivals, Summer BBQs, and many indoor dates too! ‘The UK’s Biggest Ever Family Friendly Rave’ will have festivals this year in Maidstone, Cheltenham, Reading and more, and promises not just a great line-up for kids and adults alike, but also free fun fair rides, soft play, and meet and greets from some of the kids' TV favourites.
TOTfest
Where: Yorkshire, Cheshire, Suffolk, Berkshire and Hertfordshire
When: Various dates from 19th May - 21st July
TOTfest is designed for babies and pre-schoolers, and is a one-day festival which takes place in five different locations across England. The festival was created by two new mums who set up an events company while on maternity leave to create special memories with their children. The festivals are a fully immersive event, and festival-goers can expect over 50 shows, sessions and activities in the jam-packed day. There's everything from a baby rave to crazy golf and a tots race track to craft zones.
Latitude Festival, Suffolk
Where: Henham Park, Suffolk
When: 25th -28th July 2024
Latitude is a leading music and arts festival with probably one of the most grown-up line-ups you’ll find at a festival that welcomes kids. This year’s festival will play host to the likes of Kasabian, Duran Duran and Rick Astley but is also a thoroughly family-friendly festival with a dedicated camping area for families next to the Enchanted Garden - an area which will be full of activities families can enjoy together. From model making with Aardman Animations to bushcraft skills and archery, there's plenty to keep the whole family entertained. Even better for families of little ones, kids four and under are absolutely free.
Wilderness Festival
Where: Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire
When: 1st - 4th August
From food and wellbeing experiences to music and talks, Wilderness takes its cue from the surrounding natural beauty of the Cotswolds to offer a chilled and family-friendly festival over four days. Music this year comes from the likes of Faithless, Michael Kiwanuka and Jessie Ware, while there are Bedtime Tales with Rachel Rose Reid, a Kiddie Sensory Rave with Faceplant Theatre and DJ Glitter Bosher and the Nonsensical Circus show amongst many others on the line up for kids. There's a dedicated Family Field and family camping, and even a Family Zone Manager Hub with baby change mats to borrow and a kettle for hot water.
Camp Bestival, Dorset
Where: Lulworth Castle, Dorset
When: 25th - 28th July
Camp Bestival is one of the UK’s best-loved and most successful festivals. It was founded by Rob da Bank and his wife Josie specifically with young families in mind, and has a fantastic set up for those looking for a great festival atmosphere with the family. A large part of the festival is dedicated to kids with The Upper Kids’ Garden, with a separate toddlers’ area and a chilled feeding area. From Children's Animal Yoga to Silly Science Shows and a Wild Ones mud kitchen, there's something for everyone at Camp Bestival. There’s also the Soft Play Tent, dedicated to under fives, filled with ball pools, ride-on cars, trained staff to supervise and all sorts of activities involving music, dance and sensory fun.
Kendal Calling, Cumbria
Where: Lowther Deer Park, Cumbria
When: 1st - 4th August
Combining world-class acts, along with entertainment for all ages, including a dedicated children's area called Kids Calling, Kendal Calling is a perfect family-friendly festival. Kids Calling features live theatre shows to giant inflatables, and circus workshops to face painting, so there is plenty to keep the younger ones entertained! While kids will love the Ocean theme this year - which is an opportunity to dress up as a sea creature, pirate or the Little Mermaid - for grown-ups the line-up of Paolo Nutini, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds and Sugababes and Keane, is pretty tempting too.
Deer Shed Festival, North Yorkshire
Where: Baldersby Park, North Yorkshire
When: 26th - 29th July
Deer Shed has quickly developed a reputation as one of the best family-friendly festivals of the summer. That’s down in no small part to its low ticket prices, but also to its focus: it’s not just about the music here, it’s an arts, science, comedy and lots-of-other-stuff festival too. Kids are welcome everywhere, rather than being cordoned off into one area, and it’s the people without kids that get the pitying looks. Little ones are particularly well looked after.
There’s a craft tent specifically for toddlers, the soft play area is reserved for under-fives, and there’s a dedicated programme of events for this age group including messy play, sensory workshops, parent and baby yoga and dramatised lullabies. What’s more, the NCT move in during the festival, bringing with them baby-bathing facilities, nappy-changing kit, space in their dedicated tent for breastfeeding and microwaves for bottle warming. With children three and under free of charge, what are you waiting for?
Deva Fest, Cheshire
Where: Cholmondeley Castle, Cheshire
When: 8th to 11th August
From Ocean Colour Scene to East 17, The Coral to The Human League, Deva Fest's line up is a brilliantly eclectic and entertaining one. Throw in free fairground rides, parades, waterspouts and comedy, and you have one of the best family festivals around. Deva Fest might be a fairly new festival, but it’s definitely one to check out with a young family. NCT Chester volunteers are there on site throughout the weekend with their baby changing tent with free nappies, wipes and a space for breastfeeding mums and families can get reduced price Family Camping tickets.
Camp Bestival Shropshire
Where: Weston Park, Shropshire
When: 15th - 18th August
There’s not one, but TWO Camp Bestivals now! Following the first Camp Bestival Shropshire in 2022, it is returning for a third year, and like the original festival it has loads of space dedicated to children and families. Toddlers will get the chance to meet familiar TV faces and The Big Top is full of early morning kids entertainment. In addition to this, they have the world’s largest bouncy castle and the Camp Bestival Express, a one mile journey which takes 12 minutes through the scenic Temple Wood. For those with kids still in nappies the local NCT branch will be on hand with their baby changing facilities.
Green Man, Wales
Where: Brecon Beacons, Wales
When: 15th - 18th August
Green Man is the largest music, science and arts festival in Wales. Next to its dedicated family camping area is a kids area called Little Folk which caters for the youngest festival-goers up to 12 years. The area features workshops and music aimed at the younger ones and on the Sunday afternoon they have the Children’s Parade, where the kids get the chance to show off what they’ve been working on over the weekend. For children two and under it’s free, and they have several differently priced tickets for older kids.
Just So Festival, Cheshire
Where: Rode Hall Estate, Cheshire
When: 16th - 18th August
Voted Best Family Festival in the UK, Just So Festival is run by female-founded arts organisation Wild Rumpus, and is where you’ll find rural, hand-crafted, fairytale fun with woodland tea parties, circus tents and more storybook characters than you can shake a just-made sparkly wand at. This art, music and literature festival is curated specially for children, and the event's programming for little ones is second to none.
Peekaboo is an area dedicated to under fours and their families, with sensory storytelling sessions aimed at non-walking and new-to-walking babies, pottery classes for youngsters, early morning yoga sessions, baby massage and bubble parties. Even bumps can enjoy some mum-induced relaxation with prenatal yoga classes and pregnancy treatments. And the day-to-day necessities are made simple with a baby-feeding boudoir and bath-time sessions. When you finally run out of steam, choral lullabies at the end of the day will soothe you all to sleep. Magic! And good news, under threes are free.
The Long Road Festival, Leicestershire
Where: Stanford Hall, Leicestershire
When 23rd - 25th August
The Long Road Festival is a country music and Americana festival with a dedicated family area called Lil’ Possum County. The camp has arts and crafts, ugly cake competitions, kids' tractor racing and lots more for the younger ones. Children aged five and under are free for this three-day camping festival, with premium camping and pitch and park options available.
Big Feastival, The Cotswolds
Where: Alex James’ Farm, The Cotswolds
When: 23rd - 25th August
Combining music, food and family entertainment, Big Feastival is always popular with families. The festival is now in its 13th year and always keeps kids in mind. This year the festival will include activities from some of the best TV stars such as Justin Fletcher, Bluey and Bingo and Oti Mabuse, along with a farmyard allowing kids to meet new furry friends. The music won't disappoint either, with Coldplay, Ella Henderson, Scouting for Girls and Kate Nash on the line-up for 2024. Day tickets are free for children five and under.
Into The Trees, Sussex
Where: Pippingford Park, East Sussex
When: 6th - 8th September
Into The Trees is less of a festival and more of a weekend getting grubby and exploring nature in the woodland of the enchanting protected woodland Pippingford Park, in the heart of the Ashdown Forest. It's the perfect way to spend quality time as a family while exploring the great outdoors and learning about nature.
There's a whole range of outdoor activities, ranging from pond dipping to an art trail, wild woodland adventures to tree climbing. Archery, campfire cooking, family kayaking lessons and star gazing are just a handful of the activities on offer. Relax in the peaceful forest (or perhaps escape to the Woodland Spa) and watch your little ones run freely around the beautiful landscapes, all while enjoying delicious food.
Towersey Festival
Where: Claydon Estate, Buckinghamshire
When: August 23rd to 26th
Now in its 60th and final year, Towersey Festival is the UK’s longest-running festival. This year sees it heading to the beautiful Claydon Estate in Buckinghamshire from August 23rd to 26th and promises an abundance of family entertainment, including street theatre, unique performances, and creative experiences.
Over 40 musical acts have already been announced, including legendary folk-rock singer-songwriters Billy Bragg and Seth Lakeman, and Paul Simon’s iconic Graceland reimagined by the London African Gospel Choir. Other highlights include Jason Maverick’s One Man Circus show, filled with clowning, juggling, and mime, Angie Mack’s captivating hula hooping, and the comedic storytelling of The Extraordinary Time Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen.
Tramlines
Where: Hillsborough Park, Sheffield
When: 26 - 28th July
With a line up that includes Paolo Nutini, Snow Patrol, The Human League, Tom Grennan and Sophie Ellis-Bexter, music fans are spoilt for choice at Tramlines. This three-day festival is great for families, with discounted tickets for under-12s, and their own space at Into the Trees where a variety of activities will keep children of all ages entertained. From a Circus Workshop to a Craft Den, a Kids' Rave to Stilt Walking, there's no end to the entertainment.
Rebecca Lancaster _is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on ten years of parenting her two children to help others navigating their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, tryin_g different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.