Every year we seem to countdown the days until it's festival season. There's something magical about spending a weekend in a festival that feels like another world. Whether it's a local one that's full of our friends and local artists, or a massive festival where there is something new at every turn, we can't get enough. Year on year, festivals are realising how fantastic it is for families to get involved. And with more family festivals than ever, I wanted to compile a list of ones we think you will love this year.
Teddy Rocks Festival
4-6 May, Blandford, Dorset (Weekend tickets from £50 per adult and £20 per child)
We absolutely loved heading to Teddy Rocks Festival last year. It's local to us and fairly small compared to other family festivals, but one that I can see will grow bigger and bigger in the future. Created to raise money and support children with cancer, Teddy Rocks has a fantastic line up that will appeal to both teens and parents. The site may be small, but it's packed with activities for the kids to do throughout the day and prices are definitely on the lower end of the scale. With it being so local to us, we may pop down to see our festival favourites Feeder and Mallory Knox.
Latitude Festival
12-15 July, Henham Park, Suffolk (Weekend tickets from £197.50 for adults and £15 per child)
Latitude is a festival that has been on our radar for years, but we've never managed to get there. With a fantastic line up including Solange, Alt-J and the Killers this year, it's not just the music that is on top form. A dedicated kids area, an enchanted garden and a faraway forest, you would feel like you are almost in a festival on it's own when you take your kids. There's something to tick all boxes from comedy to theatre and even swimming. Who says you need to go abroad to go on a fantastic holiday this year?
Larmer Tree Festival
19-22 July, Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset (Weekend tickets from £179 per adult and under 10's free)
After a year off, Larmer Tree is back! It's one that we have been itching to go to as it's not too far from us. With an eclectic mix of music, theatre, comedy and poetry, there is something to please everyone. Nestled in the Larmer Tree Gardens, it's an idilic place to take part in a yoga workshop or even take part in a children's crafting session. This year there is even a spa tucked away in the heart of the woods. Sign me up as that sounds like a dream!
Deer Shed Festival
20-22 July, Baldersby Park, North Yorkshire (Weekend tickets from £145 per adult and £50 per child)
Deer Shed is a festival that has intrigued us, but is probably too far for us to attend on a whim. With a theme this year of making waves, there is a rolling tide of big name acts such as Goldfrapp, James Acaster and Big Howard Little Howard. There's a real emphasis on creative learning and thinking outside the box at Deer Shed with fantastic stage shows from Pif Paf (we saw his performance at Arts By The Sea) science and sport workshops to keep their brains and bodies active and finally a cinema to wind down and relax. If we lived closer, we would be there without a second thought.
Curious Arts Festival
20-22 July, Pylewell Park, Hampshire (Weekend tickets from £128 per adult and £23 per child)
Curious Arts is a festival that is literally around the corner from us and I've still not been! A massive mix of literary, music and kids activities, it's probably slightly more diverse than a traditional festival., but one that definitely interests me. There's a host of daily book talks with authors including Emma Healy and Matt Haig, music from artists such as John Newman and Milky Chance and a fantastic evening of music with Gareth Malone. For kids, there's workshops, cartoons, comedy and poetry for them to spark their imagination. It's really a curious festival but in all the good ways.
Jimmy's Festival
21-22 July, Jimmy's Farm, Ipswich (Day tickets from £35 per adults and £15 per child)
Jimmy opens his farm gates every July to show families the wonder of food at his annual festival. Whilst you watch top chefs including Bosh! and DJ BBQ create some fantastic food, you can also listen to top artists such as Paul Young and the Happy Mondays. Throw in kids festival favourites Dick and Dom and Andy and the Odd Socks and you are onto a winner. Not only that, but with a wildlife park, den building and even Go Ape segways, you will never want to sleep!
Camp Bestival
26-29 July, Lulworth Castle, Dorset (Weekend tickets from £197.50 per adult and £45 per child)
Probably the biggest of all the family festivals, Camp Bestival is one just for the kids and big kids. It's one that we have been to a few times and it's one of our favourites by far. With music to please the grown ups including Simple Minds and Clean Bandit, there is literally something for everyone. The children's area is host to wild and wonderful shows, big name favourites such as Mister Maker and Big Fish Little Fish, not to mention the host of wonderful workshops and activities to excite and amaze everyone. This years theme is Camp Bestival sets sail and you'll be sure to find a host of fancy dress parades that will leave you donning your sailor cap and throwing on the glitter. It's one not to be missed.
Boomtown Fair
9-12 August, Matterly Bowl, Hampshire (Weekend tickets from £243 per adult and free for kids)
Currently sold out due to popularity, Boomtown Fair is a festival that transports you to another world. With 14 fully immersive districts, each year the festival follows a storyline to to create a world within a world. Think theatre, immersive art and music and you're only part way there. Whilst the music is the main attraction for people, with artists such as Gorillaz and Limp Bizkit, there is a whole lot more to the festival. A dedicated Kidstown holds host to a forest school, interactive workshops and a big top circus. The kids are guaranteed to be entertained at this one.
17-19 August, Rode Hall, Cheshire (Weekend tickets from £140 per adult and £50 per child)
Just So Festival is yet another festival that has been on our radar for years. Being the other side of the country, it's one that we haven't yet managed to get to but is definitely on our bucket list. Pitched as having the love of stories and childhood escapes at the heart of the festival, you know you are in for a treat. It's a wonderland of music, arts, theatre and workshops that will excite everyone from small to big. This year some of the highlights are their roll up, roll up circus area, the woodland cinema and the roller flamingos. One year we will be there!
The Big Feastival
24-26 August, Alex James' Farm, Cotswolds (Weekend tickets from £179.50 per adult and £37 per child)
The Big Feastival is another festival based on the fantastic mix of food, fun and music. With a stellar line up including Craig David and Basement Jaxx, it's definitely one not to miss. There is food workshops and sessions from Marco Pierre White and Gizzi Erskine to tease your taste buds and get you feeling inspired in the kitchen. An area dedicated to cheese is a massive tick in my books, not to mention the amount of things for kids to do too! There's Paddington, tree climbing and even a feild to form project to show kids basic cooking skills.
Victorious Festival
24-26 August, Southsea Common, Portsmouth (Weekend tickets from £90 per adult and £15 per child)
Victorious is our favourite family festival. It's one that we've been to for the last 3 years and won't be stopping this year. One thing we love about it is the community feel and the fact is is truly accessible for all. Utilising the existing common, the areas are split well and have everything you might need at a festival. With music from The Prodigy and Brian Wilson this year, we can't wait to get down and boogie with all the family. Our favourite thing however is the kids section, a mini festival in itself, this area is dedicated to things that are free for the kids to do. Whether that's dance to the acts on the kids stage or play on the fairground rides. It's a fantastic relaxed atmosphere that is perfect for festival veterans and newbies alike.
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