Looking for something a bit different this summer? Pack up your tent and sleeping bags and head to a festival: there are some excellent events out there created specifically for families. Whether you’ve got very young ones, teenagers, or a decent age spread, these festivals are designed to be fun and thrilling for all ages.
Mixing music, good food, and activities, festivals are the place to be this summer. Just make sure you bring your wellies and your patience for queuing for the loos, and you’ll be all set for an incredible weekend you’ll all remember for years to come.
Camp Bestival (15th-18th August 2024)
Kicking off with a famous one, Camp Bestival is one of the most family-friendly festivals you can choose. Located near Lulworth Castle in Weston Park, Shropshire, it’s a jam-packed festival with incredible musical acts. This year, Paloma Faith, Rick Astley, McFly, and Faithless are already confirmed.
The festival fun continues with a ton of activities like stand-up paddleboard racing, roller rink dance classes, silent discos, skateboarding, fashion upcycling, and even a sensory tent to chill out and relax in.
The accommodation at Camp Bestival is great, too. If you like a bit of glamping, this is the one to go for. If you can’t make it to Shropshire, you can go to the earlier festival in Dorset on the 25th-28th of July.
Deer Shed Festival (26th-29th July 2024)
Set in Baldersby Park in North Yorkshire, this is an interesting festival fusing live music (this year The Coral, Bombay Bicycle Club, CMAT, and more will be there) with science.
Activities for families include making robots, Meccano, playing a giant version of Operation, making slime, and investigating a bit of forensic science. The food is excellent, and you can catch some comedy shows while you’re here, too. Kids of all ages are welcome, making it a good one to visit whether you’ve got babies and toddlers or a gaggle of teens to entertain.
Plus there’s some decent food here, including burgers, pizza, fish and chips, and some veggie/vegan options, too.
Shambala Festival (22nd-25th August 2024)
Shambala, located in the Secret Country Estate in Northamptonshire, has laid-back, hippy vibes; it’s the perfect summer getaway for some excellent music and family fun. 2024’s line-up includes some incredible musical artists, from 7-piece collective Mellowmatic to French producer and artist Crystallmess.
In terms of activities, your family can enjoy everything from free play activities to hot chocolate around a campfire every evening. Cooking, crafting, and puppetry are also on the menu, so there’s plenty to do for all ages.
It’s a family-focused festival, with a dedicated flat Family Camping Field near the car park, kid-sized toilets, wheelbarrows to help you get your stuff from the car to the tent, and people on standby to help if needed.
The Big Feastival (23rd-25th August 2024)
The Big Feastival, located in The Cotswolds and championed by Jamie Oliver, is focused on family, food, and fun. The line-up for 2024 includes Becky Hill, Snow Patrol, Ella Henderson, Ash, and Natasha Bedingfield.
In terms of activities, you’re really spoilt for choice, especially if you’re a foodie family, with delicious food to eat and workshops to enjoy. Famous chefs flock to The Big Feastival, and you can eat some incredible street food that is genuinely mouthwatering (and well worth queuing for).
CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher will be in attendance, and there will be farm animals to look at, circus skills to learn, and silly science to enjoy. They have activities for all ages here, so if you’ve got a wide age range to entertain, it’s a good choice.
You can enjoy some decent accommodation here too. You can bring your own tent, or enjoy a spot of Boutique Camping in a luxury yurt, complete with amenities like a bar, chill-out area, and even a spa (yes, really).
Featured image: Brett Sayles
