30 Family Friendly Festivals in the UK – 2023

Family Friendly Festivals – Looking for fab family festivals in the UK?  
Have a look at our list of some of the best child friendly and family music festivals. 
If you have any you would like to add, please drop me an email to Nikki at Yorkshire Wonders.
 
 
Deer Shed Festival
Topcliffe, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire
28th-31st July 2023
The Deer Shed ethos: “If you go and watch a Pixar movie with your children, everyone has a great time. Not just your kids, EVERYBODY!!! We strive for this holy-grail every year.
We don’t have kid’s areas as such, they’re not zoo animals! The whole site is accessible to everyone and we will welcome you as though you were our house guests, which you essentially are.
But we are a cultural event too and you will be exposed to many new things. We like new things. You might be challenged by some of them, but we want every family member to leave Baldersby Park inspired, if that’s ok.
And finally, our music line-up, hitting you through extremely high fidelity PA systems will be as thrilling and contemporary as you will find at any UK festival – it’s just that you can share that thrill with your kids and feel perfectly safe at the same time.”
 

 
 
Camp Bestival
Lulworth Castle, Dorset
27th-30th July 2023
From their website:

Blow up the balloons and bring out the cake! The line-up for our 15th birthday bash at Camp Bestival 2023 is here and it’s guaranteed to make for an unforgettable four-day celebration! 


“Prepare to make some seriously strong memories at our beautiful castle by the sea from the iconic Grace Jones and party starter Craig David through to perennial faves Horrible Histories, Junior Jungle and you have to pull a cracker at East 17s Christmas Party!” – Josie & Rob da Bank

“A bohemian beacon radiating ramshackle love from the depths of the Magic Meadow, Caravanserai is Camp Bestival Dorset’s not so secret entertainment heaven. A bric-a-brac camp of vintage vehicles with a high-octane stage surrounded by restful hidey-holes overflowing with objets d’art, and a beautiful bar serving the finest cocktails, it’s the dictionary definition of the word dazzling.”
Also have a look at this post for other Dorset Festivals .
 

 
 
 
Valley Fest
Chew Valley Lake, Somerset
3rd – 6th August 2023
Valley Fest is  the best-tasting music festival in the South West . The weekend is perfect for first-time festival goers as well as families of all ages.
THAT view! The event takes place alongside the glittering Chew Valley Lake with the rolling Mendip hills in the background. It’s only 9 miles from Bristol and Bath. Showcasing Bristol’s live music scene as well as fine local food producers, you can expect everything from charcuterie to cider, street food to sit-down feasts – all with plenty of Somerset style and sizzle.
A small family-friendly festival offering a little pocket of joy overlooking the beautiful Chew Valley lake in Somerset. The UK’s only organic festival, Valley Fest actually takes place on a working organic farm. There are loads of activities for the kids to do to including meeting farm animals, fun eating competitions, silly games and even picking veg! Plus tonnes of great music, delicious feasts and a tractor load of good times.

 
Latitude
Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk
20-23 JULY 2023
From their website:
Set within the stunning surrounds of  Henham Park , Latitude has been creating unforgettable memories for over 15 years. Let your curiosity guide you through the very best in  music ,  dance ,  comedy ,  poetry ,  theatre,  literature ,  podcasts ,  family activities  and  wellness . Your summer adventure awaits.
With activities and entertainment for Kids, Teens and Families now spread across three exciting areas, it’s no wonder Latitude has previously won Best Family Festival and ‘Best Family Day Out’.
 

 
 
 
Green Man Festival
Brecon Beacons, Wales
17th – 20th August 2023

 
 

The Big Feastival
Alex James’ Farm, The Cotswolds
25 – 27 August 2023
From their website:
Roll up! Roll up! This is where the family fun really starts! Here at The Big Feastival , it’s not just about the grown-ups – we want all of our little feastival-goers to have a ball and we’ve created the Little Dude’s Den to prove it! From face painting to storytelling, dancing to jam sessions, bubbles to arts and crafts, there’ll be something to put a smile on everyone’s face.  Have a look at this great review by Birds and Lillies.
 
 
Beautiful Days
Escot Park, Devon
18th – 2oth August, 2023
From their website:
The Children’s Area at Beautiful Days is co-ordinated by Majical Youth Theatre and has been for over a decade. There are loads of activities, hands-on workshops and entertainment all weekend long for children of all ages. We have crafts, theatre, dressing-up, circus, rides, story-telling, music and craft workshops, comedy, face painting and more.
After being shortlisted for the last five years in a row previously for family festivals, Beautiful Days won Best Family Festival at the 2011 UK Festival Awards and was shortlisted again for the same award in 2012, 2013,2014 & 2015!
 
Wilderness
Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire
3rd – 6th August 2023
From their website:
Wilderness as a whole is very family friendly. All of the daytime programming lends itself to kids and adults alike. However we do have a specific area dedicated specially to those younger ones, teeming with activities to keep your little ones (and you) entertained throughout the day; workshops, games, circus skills and lots more!
 
 
Elderflower Fields
Pippingford Park, East Sussex
26th – 29th May 2023
From their website:
Elderflower Fields is a three day, green field camping festival, designed especially for families with children. A wild weekend adventure, packed full of music, sports, nature and the arts, all set in the heart of the beautiful Sussex countryside.
 
 
Nozstock, The Hidden Valley
Herefordshire, West Midlands
From their website:
Here at Nozstock we embrace the whole family festivals experience – this means you will find great activities and entertainment for all. Our children’s space is a friendly welcoming environment for both parents and littles alike. All are welcome to get creative, be amazed by wondrous stories, sculptures and entertainment, or roll your sleeves up for some physical fun. Because we know that engaged minds and fingers mean happy kids, your little ones will leave with a whole heap of things they have made and magic moments that they will never forget. All events and activities are free of charge in the kids area, as we strongly believe families shouldn’t foot the bill for festival fun. 
Have a look at this post for a review of Nozstock Festival.
 
Curious Arts Festival
Pylewell Park, Hampshire
From their website:
There will be a massive choice of children’s activities on offer in 2017 to engross and exhaust little ones of all ages. Returning to Curious will be the Institute of Imagination with their interactive imagination pods which will complement our own magical and innovative programme of events. The children’s programme for next year already includes Breath of Life Puppetry workshops and Tales from Tall Trees events and a Jabberwocky Hunt.
Family Friendly Festivals
 
Shambala
Northamptonshire
From their website:
We are proud to be the winners of the Festival Kidz ‘Festival of the Year Award’ in 2013! This is what they said: “Quite simply, Shambala had it all. There were exciting kids’ activities throughout the site, the entertainment was amazing and the extra facilities laid on for children were fantastic – there was even a creche!”
Oh, and we won the Green Parent Festival of the year award in 2013 too!
 
Kendal Calling
Lowther Deer Park, Lake District
From their website:
There will be workshops, games, creative performance, madcap mayhem, chill out zones and carnival-themed arts and crafts – from musical instrument making to carnival masks and flashing lanterns to sewing tutus, headbands and bracelets, kazoo and other musical instrument making.
 
 
Doune the Rabbit Hole
Stirling, Scotland
From their website:
Doune the Rabbit Hole is truly family friendly. Kids under 12 can come for free(as long as they bring an adult) and in conjunction with Kidding Around Collective, throughout the weekend we offer a huge range of activities for kids of all ages from games to crafts(and the always popular Jelly Slide). We also have a special Family Camping area which is positioned away from the late night revellers so you can all get some sleep in before the inevitable early rise! We’re very proud to have been named in various publications as among the best of the family-friendly festivals in the UK.
 
 
The Good Life Experience Festival
Hawarden, Flintshire
 
Cornbury Music Festival
The Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire
 
From their website:
Lots of activities for children including: Ukulele for Kids, Disco Party & Games, Baby Bops, Toddle Bops, Punch & Judy, Pirate Puppet Pantomime, Samba Drumming Show, Kids Yoga, Instant Songs, Drop in Drum Workshop.  Have a look at this great review from Travel Loving Family.
 
Shrewsbury Folk Festival
Shrewsbury, Shropshire
 
From their website:
What can we say about our Pandemonium!, our children’s festival? Kids love it (and so do the parents) and we have great fun creating an amazing weekend of music, dance, song, drama and crafts for children aged from birth to 10. Pandemonium! grows and changes every year with a different theme and new activities and workshops to enjoy.
 
 
Upton Sunshine Festival
Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire
From their website:
We’re delighted to be joined by ‘Simply The Best Events’ yet again for 2017. After 2 brilliant years we will be joined by them  in 2017 with even more fantastic equipment. With daily wristbands available it’s affordable fun for all the family.
 
 
Geronimo Festival
Arley Hall, Cheshire
From their website:
Geronimo is a family festival aimed at children under 13 and their families. The festival is focused on quality family time and imaginative play. The aim of the festival is to encourage families to play, learn and create magical memories together.  Please note that all children aged under 2 are completely free and do not require a ticket!
Here is our review of Geronimo at Arley Hall in 2018.
 
 
Stainsby Festival
Stainsby, Derbyshire
From their website:
Stainsby has everything: great folk and world music in traditional marquees, crafts stalls, childrens entertainment, music workshops of every kind, a singers competition, storytelling, theatre, poetry, film, philosophy and walkabout events throughout the weekend with camping thrown in.
 
 
Just So Festival – Kids Festival
Rode Hall, Cheshire
‘A Family Weekend Adventure Beyond Your Wildest Dreams’
From their website:
Just So is an annual, intimate, weekend-long festival – an imaginative outdoor family adventure like no other and the best family festival in the UK. With a love of stories and childhood escapades at its heart, Just So Festival enables families to step out of their day to day lives and into a wonderland of world class literature, arts, theatre, dance, music, comedy and creative pursuits together. Underpinned by the Tribal Tournament, the most bonkers competition in the land, it takes audiences (from bumps to great grandparents) on a unique expedition of mischief and mayhem, to lands full of magical midnight feasts, curious creatures, hidden retreats, top notch food, drink and boutique camping options and breathtaking beauty.
 
 
Y Not? Festival
Derbyshire
From their website:
We make a huge effort to ensure the festival is accessible and fun for people of all ages.  We have a dedicated quiet family camping area situated a few minutes walk from both the main arena and car park. There are showers and toilets in family camping.  Throughout each day there is loads happening onsite suitable for people of all ages.  We have workshops, a range of activities and performances of most types that you can imagine. Some examples from previous years are: mask and costume making, child-friendly cabaret, sports days, carnivals, hoola hooping and circus skills among many others.
 
The Great Wonderfest, Isle of Wight
 
This brand new family festival has announced an exciting line-up of live acts, DJ’s, family shows, TV stars and even magic, variety and cabaret. Kids will love live headline shows from boy band superstars Busted and The Vamps, plus performances from TV favourites Peppa Pig & George’s Summer Festival, Flawless, Rastamouse and a Robots Live Arena featuring stars of BBC Robot Wars, among many, many others. As said by hosts and kids’ TV legends Dick and Dom, “’The Great Wonderfest’ will be the ultimate family extravaganza.” If you’d like to stay longer to explore the Isle of Wight, join the 7 day Wondercamp to plot up in your camper van or pitch up your tent from Monday 29th July. Family Weekend Camping costs from £300.00, 7 day Family Weekend Camping costs from £350.00 (day tickets, weekend camping, VIP packages and glamping available).
www.greatwonderfest.com  
 
Bluedot Festival, Cheshire
 
Join an audience of thousands on the plain beneath the great white dish of the Lovell Telescope, which captured the first images of the surface of the moon when Apollo 11 touched down in 1969, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Lunar Landings. Explore the wonders of the universe at this family friendly festival, which has a stellar line-up from the worlds of music, science and cosmic culture. Family festivalgoers can discover a world of wonder in intergalactic family areas which are packed full of cool science shows, hands-on activities, amazing animations, a dazzling array of surprising tricks, science superheroes and weird brain illusions – designed for the young and young at heart! Day and night tickets cost: £65.70 for adults, £27.50 for children (6-10 years), and free for children 5 and under.

www.discoverthebluedot.com

 
Looking for Family Friendly Festivals in Yorkshire?    I have a whole post for that!
 
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