Are you ready to party? Festivals up and down the country are gearing up for a summer like no other so whether you’re looking for a local London family friendly festival or wanting to go further afield for your music fix – we got you covered! Grab the kids, the wellies and the glitter it’s time to start planning your summer with our favourite picks of child friendly festivals for all budgets; from fabulous freebies to extravagantly expensive and everything in-between.
Elderflower Fields
This small family friendly festival is a perfect way to introduce little Londoners to the festival scene. You can expect friendly families, wild adventures, locally sourced food and plenty of music and art to warm the soul. The festival places an emphasis on wild living and celebrating the great outdoors so you can expect a variety of performances, activities and music to fit with this theme. Get closer to nature in the surrounding Ashdown Forest, go star gazing, try your luck at an adventure sport and enjoy the eclectic line-up.
When: 27 – 30 May 2022
Where: Pippingford park, East Sussex
How much: Adult tickets are £150 and children over 3 years of age are £75 with under 3s only paying £8 per ticket. More info and booking via their site.
City Splash Festival
City Splash is a new Festival bringing festival vibes to South London. The line-up is massive with the likes of Protoje, Barrington Levy, Mr Eazy, Kranium and lots more Reggae, Afrobeats and Dancehall artists (over 60 across 6 stages!). Expect to find the biggest names in Caribbean Street Food. Kids of all ages are welcome.
When: 29 May 2022
Where: Brockwell Park, Brixton
How much: £34.50 for adults and £19.50 for kids aged 10 and above. More info and booking here.
Wild Words Festival
Do you love a good story, books and poetry? Then Wild Words festival is the one for you. A laid back vibe where families can enjoy spoken word performances, theatre shows, crafts, author panels and workshops. For kids and younger teens our headliners are Annabelle Sami (author of the hilarious Llama out Loud series and the Agent Zaiba Investigates books) and Mitch Johnson (author of the adventure books Kick! Pop! and Spark!). Expect a families tent with a silent disco as well as cool camping and street food. The festival is on Colesdale farm which is so close to Enfield that you are barely leaving London (which is always a bonus).
When: 3 -5 June 2022
Where: Colesdale farm, Hertfordshire
How much: £120 for adults and £60 for kids more info and bookings here.
The Cambridge Club
The Cambridge Club returns in 2022 as a full weekend festival for the first time with an unparalleled line-up of Disco, Funk, Soul, Blues and R&B icons, that will bring musical magic to the Cambridgeshire countryside. The festival offers a three-day feast of music, arts and culture – featuring comedy, talks, interactive experiences, family entertainment, and delicious food and drink, as well as a leading line-up of musical artists. Line-Up includes: Diana Ross, Nile Rodgers, Gabrielle, Trevor Nelson and lots more.
When: 10 -12 June 2022
Where: Childerley, Cambridge
How much: Adult weekend tickets start at £130 kids 6-17 £66.95 each and kids under 5 are free. More info and booking here.
Great Exhibition Road Festival
Celebrate all things science, art and culture in this iconic London location. This family festival is inspired by Queen Victoria’s Great Exhibition and brings together well known London institutions such as the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Parks, Serpentine Galleries, Natural History Museum and Imperial College with a line-up of over 150 live events and activities each year that entertain, educate and delight families of all ages. Keep your eyes peeled for the line-up and get booking.
When: 18 & 19 June 2022
Where: Exhibition Road, South Kensington
How much: free more info here.
Timber Festival
Swap the files for a forest in this family friendly festival that celebrates nature, art and music in a sustainable way in the heart of the National Forest. Expect a chilled out smaller festival vibe with lots of attention to details and plenty of activities to keep the family occupied. Celebrate British folk tales, have a dance to the woodland DJs or try your hand at some of the circus and woodwork skills. There are also National School of Forestry Workshops for the whole family which sound particularly interesting.
When: 1 – 3 July 2022
Where: The National Forest
How much: £128 for adult weekend camping tickets and £42.70 for kids aged 4 and above. More info and booking here.
Also Festival
Highly curated, exquisitely produced, lovingly realised; ALSO sprung from the loins of Salon London – and at its’ heart beats a cultural salon where ideas sit brazenly front and centre. An immersive escape set in divine surroundings, ALSO-land features eccentric, playful, thought-provoking programming. It’s a place to get involved, reflect, be inspired and experience ideas through creating, experiencing and experimenting. The stunning backdrop is a Capability Brown-designed landscape which rolls gently beneath your feet.
When: 8 – 10 July 2022
Where: Park Farm, Warkwickshire
How much: Adults £135 and kids £65 with family tickets (two adults and up to 4 children) at £275 more info and bookings here.
Cornbury Festival
James Blunt, The Waterboys, Ronan Keating and Brian Adams are some of the names headlining at this year’s festival. The Cornbury kids area promises to host a variety of entirely free activities, events and workshops for festival families. There are also a variety of camping options including quieter camping and glamping with posh loos.
When: 8 – 10 July 2022
Where: Oxfordshire
How much: £236 for an adult weekender and £35 for children. Day tickets available. More info and bookings here.
Latitude Festival
This beautiful Suffolk festival pulls in big names each year like Bastille, lewis Capaldi and Snow Patrol in 2021. The site is magical – arranged around the Latitude lake (home to the Kids area), and it has won the 2018 Best Festival Awards. You can expect plenty to keep the kids entertained including pizza making, circus shows, pond dipping, crafts and pizza making. Latitude is the closest grown-ups can get to a real festival experience (pre-kids) with the tiddlywinks in tow.
When: 21 – 24 July 2022
Where: Henham Park, Suffolk
How much: £226.80 for a family (two adults) more info and booking via their site here.
Standon Calling
This independent, boutique music and arts festival is the one to visit for eccentricity, dressing-up fun and glitter-loving families. As one of the only festivals that welcomes dogs you can expect a lot of tail wagging frolics for both pooches and humans. This year’s line-up features Madness, Gabrielle, The Subways, The Skints and Nadia Rose to name a few. As well as the music and food there is plenty to keep little people entertained with a kids area that is filled with activities such as circus skills, sensory play, fire camp storytelling sessions, arts, crafts and lots more including a SWIMMING POOL. Yes you read that right! Woodland Tribe are also at the event and bringing with them Tree Swings, Adventure playgrounds, a zip line and lots more Forest School inspired fun.
When: 21 – 24 July 2022
Where: Hertfordshire
How much: £179 for adults and £30 for children for weekend tickets. More info and bookings here.
Nozstock the Hidden Valley
Like the very best of festivals, Nozstock was founded by a fun-loving family, their extended relatives, friends, acquaintances and pretty much everyone who had a guitar to play or a joke to tell. Shenanigans for mini-festival goers include arts & crafts, yoga sessions, and a multitude of diversions, there’s entertainment and participation on offer, whatever your energy levels! The line-up for 2022 includes soulful R&B from Sister Sledge, drum and bass from Andy C, dub from Gentleman’s Dub Club and electronica from Submotion Orchestra as well as lots more.
When: 21 – 24 July 2022
Where: Herefordshire, West Midlands
How much: Full weekend tickets (from Thursday to Sunday) cost £171 for adults and teens with kids under 12 entering the festival for free. More info and booking via their website here.
Bluedot Festival
Combine raving with science and you get Bluedot festival. A celebration of all things science, the universe and our planet. This family extravaganza promises to inspire and entertain little people and their parents. Expect a rocking line-up as well as lots of activities for the whole family to enjoy (did someone say science experiments?!). The site itself is nestled between Manchester and Macclesfield, at the famous Jodrell Bank Deep Space Observatory and is bound to leave little people amazed. Combine science, music and culture this summer and celebrate humanity with your little humans. Full line-up to be announced soon.
When: 21 – 24 July 2022
Where: Cheshire
How much: TBC check website here.
CarFest
Created by Chris Evans, to help raise funds for children’s charities this festival takes place over two sites (at different dates) and combines cars with music, food, sports and the arts. So if you have a love of fast cars and music – this is the one for you. Alongside the usual festival fun such as Circus Schools, arts, crafts and giant games you can also take part in a variety of great adventure activities such as rock climbing, bush craft and skateboarding. The line-up includes Richard Ashcroft, Ronan Keating, Faithless Soundsystem, McFly and Nile Rodgers as well as lots more.
When: 22 – 24 July 2022
Where: Cheshire
How much: £221 for adult weekend camping tickets and £69 for children. A variety of other ticketing options are available. Check their website for full details.
Penn Fest
Line-ups at this festival have been HUGE in previous years and we can’t wait for the announcement on 28th of January! Young Londoners visiting can have some fun in the Kids Zone run by Bigtopmania from Camp Bestival and Glastonbury. There will be a circus tent with circus skills workshops, crazy bikes, inflatables, trapeze workshops, family circus shows, big balloon disco, big bubbles (with the kids inside them), stilt walkers and clowns. Hula Hoops, diabolos, plate spinning, devil sticks, tightrope walking, toddlers play, balloon twisting, coconut shy and side show games. Perfect family fun.
When: 22 & 23 July 2022
Where: The Big Penn, Bucks.
How much: £117 for adults and kids under 12 are free – both need to pay extra for camping tickets. More info and booking via their site here.
Womad
Dubbed as the world’s festival, Womad is a great place to introduce kids to the wonderful world of travel and adventure. Cancelled in 2021, this year promises to be bigger and better than previous years as festival goers return to the fields. Experience cutting edge performances and world-class musicians from every corner of the planet. Split over six stages that boast the best in sound, choose your venue from the sunny open-air stage, to more intimate venues such as the leafy Ecotricity stage. With over 200 workshops for kids including storytelling, music, physics and cookery, there is bound to be something to excite you and your little people. For Nomad’s youngest under 5 visitors there is a dedicated World of Children to play and explore.
When: 28 – 31 July 2022
Where: Wiltshire
How much: Adult 3-day tickets from £305, teen 3-day ticket £105 children under 12 go free – but there are lots of concessions available and day tickets too. More info and books here.
Camp Bestival
This award winning family friendly festival is organised by Rod da Bank and his wife Josie and really places children (of all ages!) at the centre of everything. From wild adventurous pursuits in the Wild Tribe area (with mud-slides, child led building areas and drumming circles) through to the world’s biggest bouncy castle to get your bounce on. There is also go-karting, fairy tales and (bedtime) storytelling from Cbeebies, Cosmic Yoga and raves from Big Fish Little Fish and vintage fairground rides. The science tent will captivate and educate whilst the youngest of ravers can enjoy soft play (yes!) and sandpits or catch a spectacle from Cirque Bijou and brush up on your circus skills, learn to walk the rope or admire some late night cabaret. The theme for 2022 is ‘Desert Island Disco’ and you can expect plenty of glitter, shimmering costumes and dazzling entertainment. There is a new Disco Stage landing for 2022 and you can attempt to break a world record alongside other festival families as you do the largest disco dance! Camp Bestival always has big names headlining the show and as well as up and coming acts in the smaller tents. This year you can expect bangers from Rag & Bone Man, Rudimental, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Sister Sledge and Example. There are also a variety of camping options available including eco-camping and several glamping options available. Bring it on!
When: 28 July 2021 – 31 July 2022
Where: Lulworth Castle, Dorset
How much: Adult tickets start at £190 and there are a variety of children’s options. More info and booking via their website here.
Kendal Calling
Expect this to be the biggest part the Lake District has ever seen. With a booming line-up that includes Stereophonics, The Kooks, The Streets and Supergrass as main headliners alongside Sophie Ellis Bextor and Dj Sets that include Faithless and Andy C you can expect a banger of a weekend for the whole family. With activities for children aged 0-11, take yourself and your children to craft workshops, face-painting and story- telling as well as to learn exciting circus tricks. Parents of little ones (under the age of 3) can supervise their children whilst they play in the inflatable ball pit, from the shade of a relaxing tipi.
When: 28 July – 31 July 2022
Where: Lowther Deer park, Cumbria
How much: Weekend tickets start at £154 more info and booking via their website.
Cambridge Folk Festival
Cambridge Folk Festival is one of the longest running folk festivals in the world. Held each year since 1965 it attracts around fourteen thousand people, many of whom return year after year. Headliers for 2022 include Gipsy Kings, Suzanne Vega and Passenger. As well as music there is a great selection of activities and workshops on offer. From instrument making, willow sculpture, knitting, songwriting, drawing, storytelling, clog dancing, juggling, paddling, den building, tai-chi and artist-led music making – there’s plenty to get involved.
When: 28 -31 July 2022
Where: Cherry Hinton Hall, Cambridge
How much: £159 for the whole festival with cheaper options for day tickets. More info and bookings here.
Farm Fest
A more intimate affair set in the heart of an organic farm deep in the Somerset countryside. 2022 is set to have a packed programme for kids. If previous events are to go by, you can expect make-and-take sessions, musical puppet sing-alongs, classic story based interactive workshops, magic shows, discos and loads more. The Kids’ Kingdom is next door to the campsite so little ones don’t have to venture too far to get involved in some interactive theatre, hat making competition or a dance off. This year they have confirmed Elder Island, BCUC and Sincane amongst others. Full line-up here.
When: 29 & 30 July 2022
Where: Somerset
How much: £85 per adult with a special group offer where you get 6 tickets for the price of 5 and children under 12 are going free. More info and bookings here.
Chilled In A Field
A safe and affordable, magic little festival surrounded by woodlands and wheat fields. Get back to nature and chill in a field whilst little ones enjoy the mini steam train, soft play and sand pit or get involved in the many family friendly activities and workshops throughout the weekend. Chilled in a Field is a not-for-profit, environmentally conscious social gathering, put together by a talented team of volunteers, where adults and children can make new friends, discover new experiences, and enjoy nature, as well as having a whole lot of silly fun! The 2021 edition was cancelled so expect bigger and better for 2022 (although details yet to be announced!)
When: TBC
Where: Bentley Estate, East Sussex
How much: £119 for adults and £35 for kids between 4-12 years. More info and booking here.
Deer Shed
Rather than having kids zones (‘they’re not zoo animals!’), the festival is completely accessible by everyone, of all ages and at all times. Sport, Literature, theatre, arts and crafts, workshops and science are all themes you and your family can enjoy. To top off this, the line-up includes Nadine Shah, Django Django and John Grant – with more to be announced in due course.
When: 29 July – 31 July 2022
Where: Topcliffe, North Yorkshire
How much: Adult tickets: £150, Child tickets: £30- £70, infants: Free more info and booking here.
Wilderness
Wonderful and weird this year’s festival line-up is yet to be confirmed but you can expect the usual array of theatre and arts, live music, food and drink, well-being, children’s games, storytelling, body painting and more. There is also normally a nanny service available so the kids can be entertained whilst you sip on cocktails and get your festival on.
When: 4– 7 August 2022
Where: Cornbury park, Oxfordshire
How much: Tickets available from £198 more info and booking here.
Boomtown
Boomtown is an epic festival – a whole city dedicated to partying in Hampshire with an epic line-up that gets better every year. Plus there’s heaps of entertainment and fun zones for the whole family. Rave with your offspring to Big Fish Little Fish, Junior Jungle and Fun DMC to whatever your music fix may be from ragga-jungle to hip-hop and club classics. The Kid’s field is a must for families as during the day interactive stories transport you to Boomtown’s version of Narnia. There’s treasure hunts and baby yurts (where you can chill out with the youngest festival goers), science tent to get your education dose or if you prefer to catch a show there’s theatre and performances for toddlers and adults alike, circus acts and loads of crafts and arts.
When: 10 August til 14 August 2022
Where: Hampshire
How much: Tickets have sold-out for 2022 although there is the possibly of grabbing re-sale tickets. More info here.
Glow Worm Festival
It’s the fifth birthday of this joyful family friendly festival in the heart of Nottinghamshire. There will be a lot of playing, dancing and enjoying the great outdoors at this smaller family event. As well as a fairground and various themed zones including an animal area, a CBEEBIES area, Playmobil and lots more.
When: 12 – 14 August 2022
Where: Thoresby Park, Nottinghamshire
How much: £71 for adult weekend tickets and £49.50 for kids aged 2 and above. More info and bookings here.
Camp Bestival Shropshire
Following hot on the heels of the pioneering Dorset-based jamboree which will take place next July, Camp Bestival Shropshire will be bringing all the unique and essential elements of the original Camp Bestival to the heart of England. As this is curated by married duo, Rob Da Bank and Josie, behind big brother Camp Bestival in Dorset, you can expect the same joy, colour and brilliant music as the award winning counterpart. This year the line-up features, Rag & Bone Man, Rudimental, Fatboy Slim and Example as well as lots more. Let’s make it a good one – who’s coming?
When: 18 – 21 August 2022
Where: Weston Park, Shropshire
How much: Adults £180 for the weekend and kids start at £72.50 – more info and bookings here.
Just So Festival
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. Just So takes audiences to lands full of magical midnight feasts, curious creatures, hidden retreats, top notch food, drink and boutique camping options and breathtaking beauty. Learn to paddle board, watch a woodland opera and take part in a colour fight. Peekaboo- the area for tiny children sees baby massage, baby yoga and pregnancy yoga whilst the rest of the festival caters to ensure visitors of all ages are able to pursue fun. This is an outdoor adventure and creative space for all involved, placing a focus on art over music!
When: 19, 20 & 21 August 2022
Where: Rode Hall, Cheshire
How much: From £165 for adults and £58 for kids for the weekend with camping. More info via their website.
Camp Kindling
A relatively new kid on the block, Camp Kindling in Sevenoaks promises adventure by day and party by night and it certainly seems to deliver. The day-time schedule is packed with wholesome family activities such as beekeeping, raft building, aerial circus acts, quad biking, clay shooting, cocktail making, trampolining, rafting and so much more. The line-up for 2022 is yet to be announced but you can expect an eclectic mix of pop, disco, garage and funk (to name but a few of the genres involved). As well as general camping you can have a little luxury in the boutique camping option – should this be your first camping experience.
When: 19 – 22 August 2022
Where: Sevenoaks
How much: £245 more info and bookings here.
The Big Feastival
Blur Bassist Alex James, runs this foodie festival in the heart of the Cotswolds. Kids are just as much welcome here as adults and the famous faces your children will undoubtedly recognise are proof of this (Peppa Pig, Justin Fletcher to name a few). So get your senses ready for a feast. This is one for the future foodies out there (and their accompanying adults). The Big Feastival combines crucial ingredients of great food with and A-list music line-up with headliners such as Sigala, Rag n Bone Man, Nile Rogers and Chic as well as many more for a great festival recipe. Expect a vintage funfair, Jitterbug circus, giant puppets, village green games, tree climbing, games and lots more.
When: 26 – 28 August 2022
Where: Oxfordshire
How much: Weekend tickets start at £177 for adults, £109 for teens and £38 for kids under 12. More info and booking via their website here.
Hampton Court Palace Food Festival
Historic Royal Palaces certainly know how to put on a good foodie festival for the whole family. Young Londoners can explore the palace, enjoy the grounds and take part in the live entertainment from regular festival favourites, all with social distancing and safety measures in place. The hand-picked selection of artisan producers, street food and boutique drinks companies will quench your thirst and supply you with a variety of foodie delights. More to be announced in due course so keep your eyes peeled on their website.
When: 27 – 29 August 2022
Where: Hampton Court Palace
How much: TBC
Greenwich and Docklands International Festival
This cultural gem is London’s leading festival for theatre and performing arts and takes place in various locations across Greenwich, Docklands and East London. Expect lots of groundbreaking outdoor performances that share diverse local and global stories, art installations and loads more. More info and full programme here.
When: Exact dates TBC but expect it to take place late August to September 2022
Where: Throughout Greenwich and Docklands
How much: free
**All ticket prices listed here are based on information at the time of publication and refer to basic camping prices which are are subject to availability. Do check with the individual providers for more information.