The Best Family Friendly Festivals
Ready to show the littluns a place where the thrills never end? Here are the best child-friendly festivals in 2024.
Skiddle Staff
Last updated: 8th Aug 2024
There really is nothing like a music festival. Immersing yourself in quality music, dancing any worries away, getting stuck into various activities, and wishing it would never end. If you feel it’s time to introduce the littluns to this wonderful world, great! Let us give you a hand…
From small boutique festivals tucked away in some of Britain's most enchanting locations to the award-winning favourites of the festival world, there are plenty of music festivals tailored for families. We’ve gathered some of the best family-friendly festivals to help you find the perfect one for your family.
Check out the best family festivals below, and prepare to embark on incredible adventures and make cherished memories.
Photo: Weyfest Music Festival / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 15th - Sunday 18th August 2024
Where: Rural Life Centre Tilford in Farnham, Surrey, England
2024 lineup: Kosheen, Incognito, Lightning Seeds, The Feeling, Dreadzone, Dub Pistols, and more
Winner of Skiddle's Best Small Festival Award, Weyfest is a brilliant festival, for sure. Going since 2007, the fest promises no mud, reasonable prices on fine foods, wines, ales, ciders, lagers, cocktails, and champagne, clean posh toilets, and great sound quality.
Music is spread over four stages, including The Rustic Acoustic Stage, and covers rock, pop, reggae, soul, and blues.
There'll be axe throwing, Outdoor Laser Combat, a wellness area, a small steam train for the littluns, the Kidszone, the SciFi Zone which will see appearances from Dr Who and Star Wars characters, a climbing wall, festival body paint and glitter, and more
Find tickets and more info on Weyfest - HERE
Highest Point Festival / The Big Family Day Out
Photo: Highest Point / Facebook.com
When: HP - Friday 10th - Saturday 11th May / BFDO - Sunday 12th May 2024
Where: Williamson Park in Lancaster, England
2024 lineup: Busted, Tom Odell, Cat Burns, Sam Ryder, Caity Baser, Gok Wan, Mozey, and more
Atop the highest point in Lancaster, on the scenic grounds of Williamson Park is one of the north’s best family-friendly festivals - Highest Point. With pop, indie, house, disco, drum and bass, and a sprinkle of reggae, there’s something here for every member of the family.
The festival concludes with The Big Family Day Out, where kids and adults alike are treated to a huge itinerary of entertainment including live music, Stagecoach performing arts, award-winning baby and toddler baby sensory classes, archery, aerial acrobatics and workshops, story-telling, and more.
As one of the biggest and best child-friendly festivals, this is one to keep an eye on.
Find tickets and more info on Highest Point - HERE / Find tickets and more info on The Big Family Day Out - HERE
Photo: Our House / Facebook.com
When: Sunday 26th May 2024
Where: Brighouse Town Football Club in Halifax, England
2024 lineup: Dale Castell, Marc Leaf, Rob Tissera, Mama P, John Marshall, and more
Our House brings a dog-friendly family bash to Halifax with a commercial house and club classics soundtrack. The festival promises a festival-level stage and sound production, food vendors, ice cream vans, a large outdoor bar, bouncy castles, fairground rides, Star Wars characters, and more.
Under 5s go free, littluns’ tickets are a tenner, and adults’ tickets are just under £20.
Find tickets and more info on Our House Family Festival - HERE
Photo: Knockengorroch / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 23rd - Sunday 26th May 2024
Where: Knockengorroch in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland
2024 lineup: 808 State, Mungos Hi Fi x Eva Lazarus, DJ Rap, N'famady Kouyate, Mairi Campbell, and more
Located on a beautiful mountain riverside meadow, Knockengorroch is a festival run by a family for families, full of magic and mayhem.
Knockengorroch is renowned for delivering a broad range of fantastic artists, representing a multitude of genres including world music, folk, fusion, dub, reggae, afrobeat, and DnB. As well as music, punters can enjoy workshops, storytelling, cabaret, spoken word, dance, children's activities, real ales, arts and crafts, and comedy performances.
The fest was recently awarded Dark Skies status, which means the festival is located in one of the best areas in the world to see the stars. Head out on an adventure to this stunning, remote festival and unwind in the natural surroundings with your nearest and dearest.
Find tickets and more info on Knockengorroch - HERE
Photo: Equinox Festival / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 19th - Monday 23rd September 2024
Where: Chalk Farm in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England
2024 lineup: Don Letts, Dreadzone, General Levy, Mungo's Hi Fi ft. Solo Banton, DJ Hype, Nicky Blackmarket, Uncle Dugs, China Shop Bull, and more
'For the people, not the profit' - Equinox Festival is a weird and wonderful non-profit event that effortlessly made our best family festivals list. Built by a community of music and art lovers, the festival prides itself on bringing people together to celebrate, experience, and interact with a medley of magical musical performances and installations.
Held on a relaxing farm, the site features seven stages, each with crazy décor and stage shows, showcasing hundreds of bands and DJs, fire shows, crafts, and workshops throughout the extended weekend. The festival also has a dedicated children’s area with entertainment including toys, crafts, and arts.
Covering reggae, ska, punk, psy trance, drum and bass, techno, folk, and more, there's probably something to suit everyones tastes on the lineup. Oh, and you can bring your dog!
Find tickets and more info on Equinox Festival - HERE
Photo: Solfest / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 22nd - Sunday 25th August 2024
Where: North Lakes Country Park in Silloth, Cumbria, England
2024 lineup: De La Soul, The Wailers, Peter Hook & The Light, The Bluetones, N-Trance, Alabama 3, Utah Saints, The Amy Winehouse Band, and more
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Solfest unites 10,000 music fans at the Solway Coast to enjoy a lineup of rock, DnB, folk, reggae, and world music spread across ten stages.
Last year's kid's area at Solfest was brill with games, music, phone charging stations for the teens, circus performances and workshops, dance performances, outdoor workshops that teach the kiddos about nature, arts and crafts, a baby chill-out area, yoga for kids and families, and the giant sandpit.
An independent festival run by volunteers, you won't find any advertisements at Solfest, just art and décor. Overlooking the sea, nestled between The Lake District and Southern Scotland’s mountains, the festival is a fantastic shout for families.
Find tickets and more info on Solfest - HERE
Photo: GoldCoast Oceanfest / Facebook.com
When: Friday 21st - Sunday 23rd June 2024
Where: Croyde Bay in Exeter, England
2024 lineup: Example, Jax Jones, Caity Baser, Circa Waves, James Bay, The Cuban Brothers, Aswad, and more
An award-winning surf and music festival, GoldCoast brings a few genres including pop, dance, reggae, and indie to Croyde Bay in the south. 2024 will see the fest’s 25th anniversary as well as the return of the dance tent.
In between checking out music, you and your littluns can enjoy surfing showcases, beach sports, and more. Moreover, the independent festival will also feature a chill-out area, a funfair, playgrounds, and an art wall.
Find tickets and more info on GoldCoast Oceanfest - HERE
Photo: Got The Love Festival / Facebook.com
When: Saturday 25th May 2024
Where: Quex Park in Birchington, Kent, England
2024 lineup: Eve, Peter Andre, Blue, Vengaboys, Basshunter, Diversity, Ultrabeat, and more
Celebrating all things 90s and 00s, Got The Love is a brand-new festival that brings pop and dance music from yesteryear to those who love a bit of nostalgia.
Easily one of the best family-friendly festivals, Got The Love brings entertainment for all the family over a bank holiday weekend including a secret cinema, a funfair, VR gaming, gourmet street food, bars, and retro and vintage stalls.
Find tickets and more info on Got The Love Festival - HERE
Photo: In It Together / Facebook.com
When: Friday 24th - Sunday 26th May 2024
Where: Old Park Farm Margam in Port Talbot, Wales
2024 lineup: Sugababes, Rag 'n' Bone Man, Craig David, James Morrison, Joel Corry, Blue, Billy Ocean, Ewan McVicar, Wilkinson, and more
Bringing Wales the biggest bank holiday party, In It Together boasts a lineup of pop, indie, rock, pop rock, reggae, and dance including house, DnB, UKG, and more.
With plenty on, even for babies and toddlers, In It Together is perfect for the whole family. There's a dedicated baby and toddler tent with sensory play, arts and crafts, magic shows, and more. For the older little ones, there's a climbing wall, the Junior Jungle, the Science School, and the Skate School. Moving onto teenagers' entertainment, there's the Sports Academy, the Extreme Sports Arena, and more.
For the adults, yoga, mindfulness, wellbeing talks, or bars and music should do the trick.
Find tickets and more info on In It Together Festival - HERE
Photo: Kelburn Garden Party / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 4th - Sunday 7th July 2024
Where: Kelburn Country Centre in Largs, Scotland
2024 lineup: Erol Alkan, HAAi, DJ Marky, DJ Storm, Nubiyan Twist, James Holden, Prince Fatty & Horseman, and more
Just half an hour from Glasgow, Kelburn Garden Party spans house, techno, folk, funk, disco, dub, jazz, blues, jungle, hip-hop, disco, afrobeat, and global sounds.
Head over to The Waterfall Pool to wash away your hangover then take the littluns to see Mr Boom before checking out the Unicorn Dance Party, the Duck Race, and try walking on stilts or riding a unicycle! That’s just a fraction of what this award-winning family festival has to offer this year.
And, of course, there’s the incredible DJ lineup plus the live lineup featuring underground Scottish sounds as well as legends from across the UK, Europe, and beyond.
Find tickets and more info on Kelburn Garden Party - HERE
Photo: OAK FEST Accrington / Facebook.com
When: Saturday 27th July 2024
Where: Oak Hill Park in Accrington, England
2024 lineup: Kate Nash, Bez & Rowetta, Pip Blom, Bhangracise, Untold Orchestra present ABBA, Mr Wilson's Second Liners, and more
This celebration of music, culture, and community comes to Oak Hill Park, hence the name, bringing a lineup of rock, pop, indie, and dance.
Alongside a cracking lineup of music featuring both huge names and brilliant new artists, punters can expect the legendary OAK FEST Silent Disco, a hammock chill-out zone, a community market, and plenty of food and drink options.
Act fast and secure early bird adult tickets for under £17. Under 5s go free and there are cheaper tickets available for those 65+, those with disabilities, and students.
Find tickets and more info on OAK FEST - HERE
Photo: The Gathering Festival / Facebook.com
When: Saturday 1st June 2024
Where: Bught Park in Inverness, Scotland
2024 lineup: Skerryvore, Trail West, Valtos, Torridon, Julie Fowlis, City of Inverness Youth Pipe Band, and more + more TBA
The Gathering is a yearly celebration of Highland culture, presenting traditional and folk-based musical talents from all over Scotland and beyond. If that's not your vibe, don't worry. There's also rock, pop, and other genres on the lineup.
Taking residence at the Northern Meeting Park in Inverness, the city centre festival is packed with things to do and see. Those of age can sample some of the finest alcoholic drinks, brought to you by a host of dedicated craft makers from across the region in addition to a wide choice of highland delicacies whilst the youngsters make the most of a packed programme of children's entertainment.
Experience a proper Scottish knees-up like no other with your family this year. Bagpipes and kilts at the ready!
Find tickets and more info on The Gathering - HERE
Photo: Soul Town Festival / Facebook.com
When: Saturday 31st August - Sunday 1st September 2024
Where: Croydon Road Recreation Ground in Beckenham, London, England
2024 lineup: The Four Tops, Maxi Priest, Tavares, Earth Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay, Kenny Thomas, Atlantic Starr, The Trammps, Jocelyn Brown, and more
If soul plus Motown, disco, funk, house, and a splash of reggae is your vibe, we reckon you’ll like this one. Soul Town showcases music across two main stages, bringing music to life with immersive light, sound, and visual shows.
The Saturday is adults-only so you can take full advantage of the premium gin garden and the cocktail beach, and explore over 40 street food stalls. On the Sunday, the littluns are welcomed to enjoy fairground rides, face painting, craft stalls, hair braiding, glitter stalls, kids' mascots, and more.
Tickets are budget-friendly and payment plan options are available too to help you spread the cost. Day tickets are also available and kids’ tickets are less than £30.
Find tickets and more info on Soul Town Festival - HERE
Photo: Deva Fest / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 8th - Sunday 11th August 2024
Where: Cholmondeley Castle Estate in Malpas, Shrewsbury, England
2024 lineup: The Human League, Ocean Colour Scene, The Coral, Rebecca Ferguson, Symphonic Ibiza, Utah Saints (DJ), East 17, K-Klass ft. Bobbi Depasois, and more
Cheshire’s top-rated family-friendly music and food festival (which is also dog-friendly!) brings 80s music, pop, indie, and pop rock to the heart of Cheshire. And this year’s lineup is looking killer!
Deva Fest offers five stages of music and comedy, unlimited free turns on fairground rides, the Kid's Kingdom, circus workshops, watersports, and toilets with mirrors and flushes, which many attendees have donned the best festival toilets they’ve ever used.
With shuttle buses going from Chester, Ellesmere Port, Wrexham, Tarporley, Crewe, Nantwich, Shrewsbury, and Whitchurch, plus parking costing just £1 for the day, Deva makes it easy for you to head over and join the fun at this year’s bash.
Find tickets and more info on Deva Fest - HERE
Photo: Camp Bestival Dorset / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 25th - Sunday 28th July 2024
Where: Lulworth Castle in Dorset, England / Weston Park in Shropshire, England
2024 lineup, both festivals: Paloma Faith, McFly, The Darkness, Orbital, Hak Baker. Dick & Dom, and more
Camp Bestival was created for families with small children, and with so many varied activities, it’s most definitely one of country's favourite child-friendly festivals.
Bringing huge names in music to sites in Dorset and Shropshire, both festivals have similar lineups but not exactly the same. But both cover pop, rock, house, a bit of indie, a bit of DnB, hip-hop, and dance.
Just some of the activities you can find at both festivals this year include skateboarding lessons, a silent disco, a roller disco, Rock School, parkour, the Jitterbug Circus, Football Club, and more spanning sports, learning, art, and beyond.
Find more info on Camp Bestival - HERE
Photo: Coast Fest - North Shields Music Festival / Facebook.com
When: Friday 21st - Sunday 23rd June 2024
Where: Percy Park Rugby Football Club in North Shields, England
2024 lineup: Professor Green, The Selecter, Badly Drawn Boy, Cat Ryan, Earth Farm, Criminal Holiday, Gingerella, Bear Park, Sophie Gordon, and more
Winner of Best New Festival at last year’s UK Festival Awards, Coast Fest returns to North Shields this year to continue championing new original music. The fest showcases the best live acts in the region plus national touring artists for an outdoor festival experience at the heart of the coast.
Spanning indie, rap, and ska, the fest will showcase acts including Newcastle’s Lauren Amour, James Walsh (frontman of Starsailor), Newcastle rapper Scrannabis, Geordie indie trio Bear Park, Glaswegian singer/songwriter Emilie Leslie, and more.
Tickets are a bargain with weekend tickets costing just £28 for kids and £61 for adults.
Find tickets and more info on Coast Fest - HERE
Photo: LeeStock / Facebook.com
When: Saturday 25th - Sunday 26th May 2024
Where: Kentwell Hall in Sudbury, Suffolk, England
2024 lineup: The Coral, Badly Drawn Boy, Lemar, 911, Charlie Hedges (DJ), Louisa Johnson, Sandi Thom, and more
LeeStock is the annual non-profit festival, tribute and memorial to local Suffolk musician, Lee Dunford who battled against Hodgkin’s Lymphoma until 2006.
In addition to hosting some cracking acts in Britain, festival-goers, especially the kids, can find many other forms of entertainment. From Storytelling and book reading to face painting, colouring in and playing in the sandpit, there's plenty to keep the little ones amused whilst you hit up the bar and food stalls to taste the flavours of some of the finest, locally produced goodies.
All proceeds from the festival and associated fundraising events are donated to the Willow Foundation. To date, the festival has raised over £100,000 for the charity.
Find tickets and more info on Leestock - HERE
Photo: Latitude Festival / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 25th - Sunday 28th July 2024
Where: Henham Park in Beccles, Norwich, England
2024 lineup: Kasabian, Duran Duran, London Grammar, Nile Rodgers & Chic, CMAT, Caity Baser, The Vaccines, Keane, and more
Latitude is without a doubt one of the best family festivals, and it's back to treat around 40,000 lucky guests to a weekend of music performed by some of the biggest names in the industry, plus comedy, workshops, theatre productions, art installations, wellbeing activities, and even wild swimming.
Latitude has secured a fair few awards over the years including Best Family Festival, Best Family Experience, and Best Family Day Out, so you know you and the kids are in for a cracking weekend.
So far on the lineup, we've got a mixed, family-friendly bag of artists including Baby Queen, Rick Astley, Rag 'n' Bone Man, Caity Baser, and more. Comedians at this year's bash include Jo Brand, Judi Love, Joanna McNally, Sara Pascoe, and a lot more who'll keep you in a never-ending belly laugh.
Find more info on Latitude - HERE
Ye Olde Camp Severn - Kids Festival
Photo: Camp Severn - Kids Festival / Facebook.com
When: Friday 3rd - Monday 6th May 2024
Where: West Mid Showground in Shrewsbury, England
Okay, now this one's a little different as it isn't a music festival but it's just too good to not include it here! Ye Olde Camp Severn is a festival packed with activities so the kids to go wild while the adults relax.
Across the weekend, there's the Super Hero Academy, Panic Family Circus including workshops, the Big Fish Little Fish family rave, face painting and festival glitter, a foam party, an inflatable zone, a crafts area, the Big Beach and Severn Beach, interactive performances, and the Stuntman Academy. All that and we've barely scratched the surface!
There's still the Harry Potter Wizard Academy, imaginative play areas, a baby sensory area, soft archery, dance, falconry interactive shows and displays, campfire stories, and more. All activities are included in the ticket price, the only thing at Camp Severn that needs paying for is food and drink.
Find more info and tickets for Ye Olde Camp Severn - Kids Festival - HERE
Photo: Woodshrop / Facebook.com
When: Friday 19th - Sunday 21st July 2024
Where: West Mid Showground in Shrewsbury, England
2024 lineup: New Jovi, ABBA Revival, Oasish, Stereotonics, The Absolute Stone Roses, Kevin Paul as Elvis, Taste of Tina, and more
Woodshrop brings the UK’s best tribute acts to perform some of the most iconic music from the 20th century. With tributes to ABBA, Tina Turner, Oasis, Stereophonics, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, The Stone Roses, Michael Jackson, and more, you’re guaranteed a weekend of all killer, no filler.
If you need a break from the madness, The Magic Teapot offers an area to chill out, complete with acoustic music all weekend plus tea and coffee.
The grounds are pushchair and wheelchair friendly, with paths and ramps into buildings, dogs on a lead can join the fun, and tickets are super affordable.
Find tickets and more info on Woodshrop'24 Festival - HERE
Aldershot Picnic and Pop Family Festival
Photo: Picnic and pop / Facebook.com
When: Saturday 27th - Sunday 28th July 2024
Where: Manor Park in Aldershot, Guildford, England
2024 lineup: Beyoncé Fierce, New Jovi, Chic to Chic, Lewish Capaldi, 21st Century ABBA, Absolute Britney, Not The Rolling Stones, Vicky Jackson as Pink, and more
Featuring tributes to Beyonce, Lewis Capaldi, ABBA, Paloma Faith, and more as well as local bands performing across two stages, Picnic and Pop is a brilliant little festival that was nominated for Best Family Festival and Best Small Festival last year.
More artists are still to be announced along with the Kids Zone info but we do know there'll be a fun fair, a circus training area, inflatable slides, zorbing, street food, and a licensed bar.
Find tickets and more info on Aldershot Picnic and Pop Family Festival - HERE
There are so many fantastic child-friendly festivals to choose from in 2024. And with such diversity, you're sure to find something that suits your family unit.
Find more incredible festivals in the UK and beyond by checking out our festival guide.
Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.
Header: Latitude / Facebook.com
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