We are a festival loving family of 5, our girls have grown up visiting festivals, and as such we have built a network of festival friends willing to share their views with our readers. This article doesn’t just represent our wide experience and opinions. It also represents a network of festival loving families. The UK has many family-friendly festivals with something to offer everyone. From music and comedy to food and drink, there’s something for all ages to enjoy. Today, we will share the top Family Friendly Festivals UK 2026 Voted by Parents & Dates to help you plan!
Family Friendly Festivals UK 2026
Should You Take Your Family To A Festival?
Festivals offer a unique opportunity for families to come together, bond over shared experiences, and create lasting memories. Whilst also providing exposure to different cultures and traditions, entertainment, education, and a break from the stresses of daily life. Through these shared experiences, families can deepen their connections and learn new things. Plus enjoy fun activities together, ultimately strengthening their relationships and well-being.
These Family-friendly festivals typically offer various activities, such as live performances, arts and crafts, interactive games, food and drink options, and educational workshops. These cater to all ages and interests, ensuring that there is something for everyone to enjoy. And even better this list is the festivals we know parents love as they told us. And check out our free printable family festival calendar.
Dates of Family Friendly Festivals UK 2026 from the beginning of the year to the end.
You can also find Six Top Family Friendly Festivals in Scotland here.
Family Friendly Festivals In May 2026
Elderflower Fields 2026 – Family Festivals 2026
Pippingford Park, East SussexEast Sussex, 22nd-25th May 2026
Elderflower Fields is a small, safe and friendly festival designed especially for families with younger children. They believe in the transformative power of spending time immersed in nature, letting kids be a little bit wild and free, and appreciating great food and the arts with friends.
Here’s what we thought of Elderflower Field Festival 2019 and some tips for Elderflower Fields Festival in 2026.
Weekend Tickets – www.elderflowerfields.co.uk
If you don’t fancy camping why not check out some of these local places to stay.
Shindig Festival 2026
Charlton Park, Wiltshire 21st May – 24th May 2026
The festival has been dubbed “a pint-sized version of Glastonbury”. Recommended by Emily Eavis, Glastonbury organiser, as a good alternative to those who missed out on tickets and Voted ‘Best For Family Rave’ by Festival Kidz, it’s attracting an ever-more diverse crowd.
In a nutshell there are no main stages, just a beautiful arrangement of stretch marquees and giant tipis. Plus plenty of secret venues amongst the arboretum and hidden playgrounds to discover. Bringing a healthy dose of foot-stomping funk and a packed programme of entertainment for all ages, Shindig Festival offers relaxation and revelry in equal measures.
Tickets can be bought using a payment plan, with the group offer and ambassador opportunities for avid supporters! They are available at: https://shindigfestival.co.uk/
The Big Retreat Festival 2026
Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire 22nd-26th May 2026
The Big Retreat Festival is set in the stunning Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and is taking place on 22nd-26th May 2026.
There will be over 300 feel-good experiences, along with creative and inspirational learning activities for all the family on offer (all included in your ticket), all curated by The Big Retreat Festival team to delight, restore, and recharge the festival goers. From fitness and yoga classes, bushcraft workshops, bug hunts, water slides, sports coaching, wild swimming, puppet shows, immersive storytelling and so much more …
Early Bird tickets are now available at the Big Retreat Festival
If you don’t fancy camping why not check out some of these local places to stay.
Wychwood Festival 2026
Cheltenham Racecourse, 29-30th May 2026
With its laid-back and family-friendly atmosphere, everywhere you look, kids are running around, chasing bubbles, practising circus skills and dancing to the live music—a perfect festival to enjoy live music and chill with friends. Consistently nominated as the “Best Family Festival” in the UK Festival Awards.
This family festival takes place in beautiful Gloucestershire with over 100 acts performing across four stages, the countryside, wi music, dance and art workshops, a circus school and a programme of talks, debates and comedy for all ages.
A secret pleasure for those who know their festivals.
Returning for their 19th year of unforgettable memories for all the family, with a glorious line-up of music, comedy, literature and workshops
- Texas
- Ocean Colour Scene
- Sister Sledge
- Seasick Steve
- Peter Hook & The Light
- Lightning Seeds
- The Bootleg Beatles
- The Feeling
- The Hoosiers
- Dexy’s
- Stornoway
- Stereo Mcs
- The Futureheads
- Big Country
- Plus Comedy Line-Up And Family Workshops
You can read Travel Loving Family’s review of Wychwood Festival for 2018 here and Travel Loving Families’ review of Wychwood Festival here.
If you don’t fancy camping why not check out some of these local places to stay.
Weekend Camping Tickets – . www.wychwoodfestival.com
The Great Estate Festival 2026 – 29th-31st May 2026
If something weird and wonderful takes your fancy, and perhaps you’re also looking to bring the family, then look no further than The Great Estate, a magical soirée of music, cabaret, and camaraderie. For three days, the luscious lawns and enchanting woodlands of the Scorrier Estate are whipped up into an eccentric extravaganza where human flamingos roam wild and oversized bumble bees greet guests in the gardens. With its whimsical charm and creative atmosphere, this immersive festival experience is unlike any other blending theatre, comedy, and dance.
In 2025, The Great Estate welcomed Supergrass, Happy Mondays, and Leftfield to the main stage plus the supersized silent disco, long table feast evenings, circus acts, swimming pool and sauna sessions, and thought-provoking talks. In 2026, festival goers can expect craft sessions for the little ones, a Victorian Sports Day, and all-round family-friendly vibes. Early bird weekend three-day camping tickets are currently priced at £80 (plus £4.50 booking fee).
You can read Naomi’s review of The Great Estate Festival in 2024 and her review of The Great Estate Festival in 2025 here.
Timber Festival – Sadly Timber Festivals Will No Longer Be Running
Timber Festival, we LOVED you! If you’re looking for a very relaxed vibe, a genuinely family-friendly festival where you will feel instantly relaxed, then Timber is your festival. If you’re looking for Mr Tumble, neon lights and famous bands, you’ll need to head elsewhere. Click here to read our full review of the first Timber Festival 2018.
Please look here for the memories and how Rachel got on at Timber Festival in 2019.
Family Friendly Festivals In July 2026
The Brit Fest Cheshire 2026
Ashley Hall & Showground, Altrincham, 2nd-5th July 2026
NEW for 2024 – The Brit Fest Cheshire boasts an outstanding line-up of live music from artists hailing from the shores of Great Britain, taking place from Friday 2nd to Sunday 5th July 2026 in the grounds of Ashley Hall & Showground in Altrincham. In addition to the impressive live music programme, the event will also showcase a real celebration of British culture, the arts, fashion, food and drink, and classic cars – making the festival stand-out as a unique event.
Tickets are now on sale. https://thebritfest.co.uk/
If you don’t want to stay on site why not check out some of these local places to stay.
Paradhis, Cornwall, 3rd-5th July 2026
If you’re looking for a healthy alternative festival then Paradhis is the answer. Set in the stunning grounds of Boconnoc Estate, this new wellness festival made its debut in 2024 with an empowering schedule designed to rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit. From communal gatherings to one-of-a-kind transformative experiences, Paradhis Festival is a place where daily meditation circles, cold water plunges, and human mandalas meet soul-stirring musical acts, ecstatic dance, and sound baths.
Whether attendees are seasoned wellness enthusiasts or newcomers seeking to reconnect with the natural environment, this boutique festival provides a picture-perfect setting for relaxation and personal growth. Taking place from 3rd-5th July 2026 in the heart of Cornwall’s picturesque landscape, this year’s event will be bringing the spirit of the 70s reggae movement with a headline performance from The Wailers. Weekend three-day camping tickets are currently priced at £95 (plus £4.50 booking fee).
You can read Naomi’s full review of Paradhis, Cornwall in 2024 here.
Latitude Family Friendly Festival 2026
Suffolk, 23rd-26th July 2026
Latitude Festival 2026 will take place in the beautiful Henham Park, Suffolk.
It’s no wonder Latitude has previously won Best Family Festival and ‘Best Family Day Out’. It’s a top family-friendly festival! With activities and entertainment for kids, teens and families now spread across three exciting areas.
A proper pop festival on the beautiful grounds of Henham Park, Suffolk. Arranged around the Latitude Lake is a stunning Kids’ Area, where children are entertained with fire shows, pizza-making, traditional woodland crafts and exciting science experiments. There is also an Inbetweeners’ Teen Area. Teenagers can participate in music, media, fashion and technology workshops or learn wildlife survival skills here.
You can read our reviews of Latitude Festival in 2024 here and again Latitude Festival in 2025 here,
Weekend Standard/Family Camping Ticket: latitudefestival.com
If you don’t want to stay on site why not check out some of these places to stay.
Bluedot Family Festivals UK 2026 TBC
Jodrell Bank Cheshire
Bluedot is a music, science and culture event held annually in July since 2016 at Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire. It combines music, live science experiments, expert talks and immersive artworks – but how does that make Bludeot a Family Friendly Festival?
When a festival makes it look cool to be a scientist, when learning is celebrated, and when talks about space are as exciting as the music headliners, this sends a brilliant message to the kids.
You can read ten reasons why Bluedot is a Family Friendly Festival here. But you can also check out this fab video from the Twinkle Diaries with whom we spent the weekend.
Weekend Camping Ticket – https://www.discoverthebluedot.com/
If you don’t want to stay on site why not check out some of these places to stay.
Deer Shed Festival 2026 – Family Friendly Festivals
24th-26th July 2026 Topcliffe, North Yorkshire
It’s the people that make Deer Shed Festival so great! The success of this family-friendly festival is its ability to cater for everyone and seeing how much fun the babies, children and teens have side by side, instils the festivals aim….. Family-friendly. From wash time for babies all sitting in little wash pots overflowing with bubbles; to an abundance of art tents for children to make just about anything, to the science tent where you can be lost for days in exploring the universe with The University of York, to soldering circuit boards.
Our reviewer asked many parents what they liked most about the festival set-up, and they all said … the size. Having a short walk from your car to the campsite and onto the festival site was a huge bonus. You can pop back to your tent for lunch or children’s afternoon naps, and the music tents are all within easy striking distance.
Deer Shed 10 was a bit wet, so here are Six Top Tips for Surviving a muddy festival and our review of day
Here is what we thought of Deer Shed 9 and top tips for Deer Shed Festival 2019!
You can read reviews of Deer Shed 8 (with a toddler), Deer Shed 7 and Deer Shed 6 by clicking the links!
Full Weekend http://deershedfestival.com
If you don’t want to stay on site why not check out some of these places to stay.
Camp Bestival, Lulworth Castle Dorset – Family Friendly Festivals 2026
Dorset, 30th July – 2nd August 2026
Four nights of camping doesn’t seem like enough time. Those who have been to Camp Bestival rave about it! A fellow blogger friend of mine, Caro, at Twinkle Diaries, wrote at least five posts about it, and I’ll link to one here but do search her site for more posts on this well-known family festival.
Caro’s view is, “There are so many small boutique festivals all over the country. Family, art and food festivals — festivals that cater to all kinds of musical persuasion — whatever your taste, there will surely be a festival to suit you. But if you have children, Camp Bestival is one of — if not — the best festivals you can go to.” High praise indeed!
Here in this blog post is what we thought and how to get the most out of Camp Bestival 2022 if you decide to go!
You can also read our review of Camp Bestival Dorset 2022 here and why we decided to stay off site.
You can also read Chelsea Mamma’s review of Camp Bestival from 2021!
And why not check out our video too?
You can also read Munchies & Munchkins 5 Top Reasons to Attend Camp Bestival!
Weekend Tickets: campbestival.net
If you don’t want to stay on site why not check out some of these places to stay.
Family Friendly Festivals In August 2026
Kendal Calling 2026 Family Friendly Festival
Lowther Deer Park, Lake District, Kendal Calling Friday 30th July 2026 – Sunday 2nd August 2026
On the website, Kendal Calling says,” The festival is safe and family-friendly. Great music and kids’ area, and carnival-themed crafts. There is a dedicated kids area (Kids Calling) with everything from a mothers and babies tent to workshops for teens and all ages. As part of the standard ticket, they have a dedicated Family Campsite.
As well as that, we recommend the Emperors Fields campsite to families as it is smaller in size and has all the facilities in one place. However, we must remind all that kids remain the responsibility of their parents & guardians and not the festival.”
There is a fab review of Kendal Calling 2019 showing why you need to head to Kendal Calling 2022, together with a brilliant video from The Twinkle Diaries.
To find out what Kendal Calling with Under 5’s is like, read this review by Alicia, who visited with 3 Under 5’s.
Potty Adventures has an excellent review of their trip to Kendal Calling with kids here and our latest review of Kendal Calling with a Baby from 2017.
Weekend Camping – www.kendalcalling.com
If you don’t want to stay on site why not check out some of these places to stay.
Valley Fest took a Fallow Year in 2026
Valley Fest is the best-tasting music festival in the South West. The weekend is perfect for first-time festival-goers and families of all ages.
THAT view! The event occurs 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 and refined 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.
Deva Fest 2026
6th-9th August 2026
Deva Fest at the beautiful Cholmondeley Castle Gardens in Cheshire.
Deva Fest is a great value family-friendly four-day extravaganza of music, comedy, camping, family entertainment, including the popular free-to-ride fairground, and fabulous handpicked food and drink stalls from local suppliers.
Ticketholders will be able to access shuttle buses from nearby towns, including Ellesmere Port, Chester, Wrexham, Rossett, Gresford, Tarporley, Tattenhall and Holt. On-site parking is offered all weekend for those travelling to the venue by car.
Find out more and book tickets today - https://devafest.co.uk/
If you don’t want to camp why not check out some of these places to stay locally.
Festival of Sport 2026
Packington Estate, 24th-27th August 2026
A weekend of family fun with sporting legends! Festival of Sport is the ultimate family sports festival, with entertainment, camping, competitions and coaching from world-class sporting legends for kids aged 5 -17, all set within the stunning grounds of the Holkham Estate in Norfolk and founded by rugby stars Will Greenwood and Austin Healey.
For more information and to book tickets, please visit www.festivalofsportuk.com
If you don’t want to camp why not check out some of these fab places to stay.
Hardwick Festival tbc 2026
Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield
Hardwick Festival is the biggest event of its kind in the Northeast and continues to support the local music scene through its commitment to showcasing the best emerging talent from across the region
Known for its family-friendly atmosphere and beautiful setting, the event organisers at Hardwick Festival offer an array of amazing experiences for all ages. Nestled within the wooded area and by the top lawn is a dedicated children’s area filled to the brim with child-friendly entertainment, including magic shows, ventriloquists, Punch & Judy, children’s workshops, interactive discos, and a fun fair. There are rides for all ages of kids from big inflatable slides and merry go rounds for the smaller kids through to dodgems and fairground thrill rides for the adults.
Over 30,000 people attended last August’s Hardwick Festival weekender where crowds took in memorable performances from the likes of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Mel C and The Kooks.
https://hardwickfestival.co.uk/
If you don’t want to camp why not check out some of these fab places to stay.
The Gloworm Festival 7th-9th August 2026
Thoresby Park, Nottinghamshire
The Gloworm Festival is a brilliant 3 day Festival that has been especially created for grown ups and their little people. They invite their festival goers to play in a warm, welcoming and creative environment, loose their inhibitions, let their hair down and have some fun. At the Gloworm Festival, they believe that Children are the most important people in the world, which is why this event is aimed at families with Children aged 0-13, with plenty for teenagers and grown ups to enjoy too.
2026 will see the festival return for its 10th year.
What makes this festival extra special is all the entertainment is included in the ticket cost so there are no hidden extras, apart from the fairground which is free until 5pm daily.
You can buy tickets to Gloworm Festival here.
If you don’t want to camp why not check out some of these fab places to stay.
The Just So Festival 21st-23rd August 2026
An annual, intimate, weekend-long camping festival for children and their families, the Just So Festival provides an imaginative outdoor adventure like no other, showcasing the best art, music, literature, comedy and theatre for families in a wondrous landscape of woodland clearings, rolling parkland, arboreal amphitheatres and lakeside spots in the Rode Hall Estate, Cheshire.
Just So was awarded Best Festival in 2015 (You can read our review here!) and our reviews of 2015 and 2016 (yes, we love it!) and is the only combined arts festival dedicated solely to families in the UK.
You can also read another review by Actually Mummy and find 9 Foodie Experiences from Just-So Festival by Tin Box Traveller.
Here are our Top Tips for Just So Festival here!
If you don’t want to camp why not check out some of these places to stay.
Camp Kindling 2026 – Summer Camp or Festival?
Sevenoaks, Kent 21st-24th August 2026
Camp Kindling– billed as a Summer camp for families, is an activity camp by day and a festival by night.
Every family member needs a ticket, and there are age-group tickets for kids. Babies are free of charge as most activities are unsuitable for them. However, there is a creche, nanny service and soft play, a sand pit and a mud kitchen for the tiny ones.
I would say most activities are suitable for 5+, although to experience all activities fully, I think 6-10 is the perfect age range for the festival. You enrol for activities before the weekend starts. Not all activities need to be paid for by your credits: many activities are free and run on a drop-in basis. The events run on a timetable from 8 am to 5 pm, with music/comedy/talks/story-time starting from 5 pm on a drop-in basis.
You can find out more in our full review of Camp Kindling here.
If you don’t want to camp why not check out some of these places to stay.
The Long Road Festival – Family Friendly Festivals 2026
Stanford Hall, Leicestershire 2025 28th-30th August
The Long Road Festival is a fabulous fusion of good time country music, sensational food, great entertainment and community spirit! One of the best family festivals we have been to and one I would happily return to year on year with or without the kids.
The Long Road Festival turns Stanford Hall in Leicestershire into a Nashville- inspired haven for music lovers and families. Imagine fun filled days where the kids are entertained with American camp style games and crafting and evenings are spent under the stars, around open camp fires , listening to country music and drinking moonshine cocktails.
You can read our full review of The Long Road Festival in 2023 here.
If you don’t want to camp why not check out some of these places to stay.
22. The Found Festival 2026
28th-30th August 2026, Claydon Estate, Buckingham
This was one of the longest-running independent music festivals in the UK (54 years) but has rebranded as the Found Festival – we aren’t sure how family friendly this festival will yet be.
If you don’t want to camp why not check out some of these places to stay.
23. The Big Feastival 2026 – Family Friendly Festivals 2026
Cotswolds, Big Feastival 28-30 August 2026, Cotswolds
It started with the food, but the Big Festival is now more than that. It’s held on ex-Blur bassist Alex James’s Cotswold farm and is always a mixture of fabulous food and high-end celebrity spotting.
There is much for the smaller people to do with cookery classes and a Little Dudes’ Den, which includes face painting, jam sessions and giant haystacks—a perfect family-friendly festival for foodies.
If you don’t want to camp why not check out some of these places to stay.
24. Carfest 2026
Silverstone 28th-30th August 2026
CarFest is an annual family-friendly festival held in the United Kingdom that combines live music, cars, and food. It was created by Chris Evans. The event features car displays, track events, live performances from various musicians, food stalls, and family entertainment.
At KidsFest, children can delight at live performances on the Pudsey’s Spot stage, where they will have the chance to meet their favourite characters from CBeebies and CBBC – including Basil Brush, Postman Pat and the Teletubbies. But that’s not all! From burning energy on the sports field, to unleashing their creativity at the Art Club, there is no shortage of fun.
Across at AdventureFest, thrill-seekers can take part in a variety of exhilarating activities, from getting close to creepy crawlies, to learning essential life skills at workshops hosted by world explorers. There will also be plenty of opportunities to enjoy all things outdoors, such as archery, donkey derby and rock climbing.
If you don’t want to camp why not check out some of these places to stay.
25. Victorious Portsmouth Festival 2026 – Family Friendly Festivals 2026
Portsmouth, 28th-30th August 2026
Victorious Festival is the UK’s Biggest Metropolitan festival combining three days of family fun with unique artists to give you an incredible weekend of fun.
You can read a more comprehensive review of Victorious Festival here, but a quote from it sums it up for families here.
“Victorious Festival is reasonable. £35 for a day ticket is just amazing. Considering how much you are getting for your money, it is such a bargain. I did feel like Victorious Festival gave the most for its money of all the festivals I have been to with the kids, with things like children’s fairground rides being free! That’s just unheard of usually, and it’s so nice to say yes, kids fill your boots without worrying about the hole burning through your purse.”
Note: There is no camping on-site at Victorious Festival; allocated camping sites nearby provide a shuttle bus service. Parking is available on-site at a charge and does require pre-booking. Why not check out these local places to stay.
https://www.victoriousfestival.co.uk/
26. Gone Wild with Bear Grylls Festival 2026 tbc
Powderham Castle, Devon, tbc
One of the UK’s fastest growing family festivals – Gone Wild Festival 2026 with Bear Grylls!
Adventure Activities: Dive in to family-friendly activities & shows which will keep you entertained throughout the 4 days all included in the ticket price! This year there will be more activities, with more capacity and a new format with additional premium experiences available too.
Get up close and personal with global explorers, athletes, and conservationists. Gain insights from their experiences and ignite your passion for adventure and environmental conservation.
Camping Included: Included in the ticket price is 4 days camping so you don’t have to worry about extra costs for pitching up.
You could also stay off site at one of the many Caravan Parks In Devon.
A festival surrounded by breath-taking landscapes, exciting challenges, and the wisdom of Bear Grylls himself. From survival workshops to inspiring talks, this festival is your gateway to a world of wild possibilities.
Book Now: https://www.gonewildfestival.com/tickets/ Embrace the Wild!
If you don’t want to camp why not check out some of these places to stay.
27. Into the Trees Festival 2026
6-8th September 2026
Now only taking part at the Elderflower Festival in May
Run by the team behind the award winning Elderflower Fields festival, and set in the same beautiful location of Pippingford Park in East Sussex. Into the Trees aims to bring balance into the busy lives of children, parents and grandparents. A chance to spend precious time together in nature and try a host of outdoor activities. Take part in art, nature and sport, enjoy new experiences with the family, or simply slow down and relax in the beautiful wild Sussex playground.
We had Mini Travellers visit in 2019 so do read their review of Into the Trees to find out what they thought.
There is no camping on site so why not check out some of these places to stay.
What Sort Of Activities Would You Expect To Find At A Family Festival?
Family-friendly festivals have it all; many activities usually cater to all ages and interests. Live performances are a common feature, ranging from music concerts and dance shows to theatrical productions and storytelling sessions.
Plus, arts and crafts are also popular, with workshops where families can create art pieces using various materials and techniques. Interactive games, such as giant inflatables, carnival games, and obstacle courses, provide entertainment for children and adults alike.
Food and drink options are plentiful! Various vendors offer everything from gourmet cuisine to classic festival snacks. Additionally, educational workshops may be available, covering topics such as sustainability, cultural awareness, and science experiments. With so many diverse activities, family-friendly festivals provide an ideal opportunity for families to spend quality time together and create lasting memories.
