If you’re already mentally planning next summer’s adventures (or still finding glitter from last year), Camp Bestival has just revealed its 2026 line-up, and it’s shaping up to be another brilliant family festi-holiday. 

Returning to Lulworth Castle, Dorset from 30 July – 2 August 2026, Camp Bestival continues to be one of the UK’s most family-friendly festivals — combining big-name music with genuinely thoughtful activities for kids of all ages. 

Here’s everything you need to know before you book. 

Who’s Headlining Camp Bestival 2026? 

Camp Bestival is known for booking artists that work just as well for parents as they do for kids — and the 2026 headliners don’t disappoint. 

• Friday: Pop powerhouse Self Esteem headlines, joined by disco legend Billy Ocean 

• Saturday: Bastille make their Camp Bestival debut, with Example warming up the Castle Stage 

• Sunday: A huge finale from Fatboy Slim, hosting the first-ever Fatboy Slim & Friends All-Day Castle Stage takeover, with special guests including De La Soul 

Elsewhere across the weekend you’ll find Black Grape, Toploader, Fabio & Grooverider, DJ Fat Tony, Alison Limerick, plus rising indie acts including Brooke Coombe, Ellur and The Guest List. 

Is Camp Bestival Good for Kids? 

In short: yes — and that’s exactly why families return year after year. 

Alongside the main music programme, Camp Bestival is packed with included activities designed to keep kids entertained without parents constantly reaching for their wallets. 

Family favourites returning for 2026 include: 

• Dick & Dom’s Bungalow Rave 

• Mr Tumble 

• Blippi 

• Mister Maker 

• CBeebies Bedtime Story Tent 

There are also circus skills, comedy sessions, storytelling, sports zones and creative workshops running all day, meaning children can dip in and out at their own pace. 

We visited Camp Bestival last year with our girls, and shared an honest, parent’s-eye view of what worked, what surprised us and what we’d do differently next time. Read our full Camp Bestival 2025 review here 

What’s New for Camp Bestival 2026? 

One of the reasons Camp Bestival works so well for families is that it never stands still — and 2026 brings plenty of new things to explore. 

New additions include: 

• The Allotment, featuring a brand-new Vegetable Museum and seed-sowing sessions 

• Beekeeping workshops with local Dorset experts 

• Heritage craft workshops, including braided grain corn making 

• Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre family workshops 

• Royal Society Summer Science pop-up, with hands-on experiments 

• Taskmaster-inspired education sessions, encouraging teamwork and creativity 

• A brand-new trampoline park for burning off energy 

• New fashion and textile workshops, including shell painting and mini fashion shows 

Returning favourites include Little Town (for under 5s), Wild Tribe, Navigation Town, Silly Science, Bongo’s Bingo, circus shows and walkabout theatre. 

What’s the Theme for 2026? 

Each year Camp Bestival has a fancy dress theme that really brings the festival to life. For 2026, it’s…… At The Seaside. 

Expect classic British beach vibes — think stripes, buckets and spades, ice creams, seagulls and plenty of nostalgia. If past years are anything to go by, families go all out. 

Is It Worth Going Back? 

Our girls are already asking if we’re going back, planning which shows they want to see, what fancy dress they’ll wear and which rides they’ll head for first — as if we’re simply picking up where we left off. 

What they don’t realise yet is just how much is changing for 2026. 

With brand-new areas to explore, fresh workshops, bigger family sessions and an entirely new theme, it feels far less like a repeat visit and much more like starting again — in the best possible way. Even for families who’ve been before, Camp Bestival has a brilliant way of making everything feel new. 

That’s what keeps people coming back. You can dip in and out of headline sets, spend hours in quieter creative spaces, or slow things down entirely and treat it like a holiday rather than a schedule. 

You won’t see everything — and that’s part of the magic. Some of the best moments happen away from the main stage, in the corners where kids can create, explore and simply be themselves. 

For families looking for a festival that genuinely works for everyone, Camp Bestival 2026 is shaping up to be well worth a return. 

Tickets, Prices and On-Sale Dates 

Ticket prices (Tier 4): 

• Adults: £250.50 

• Teens (13–17): £164.50 

• Children (10–12): £136.50 

• Children (5–9): £114.50 

• Under-5s go free (for a limited time) 

All tickets include access to the general campsite, and instalment plans are available, which can make a big difference for families. 

On-sale timings: 

• 9am, Friday 23 January: PayPal presale (48 hours) 

• 9am, Sunday 25 January: General sale