Going to festivals doesn’t have to be an activity reserved only for carefree twenty-somethings with no children. Whatever your age, and whatever age your children are, there are festivals that will welcome you and provide fun and entertainment for all the family to enjoy. Here is a list of four of the best family friendly festivals to enjoy in 2019-20.
House of Common
The tagline of this family friendly music festival is ‘For the love of the common people’, and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s held on the summer bank holiday each year on Clapham Common in London, and shows its family-friendly credentials by allowing free entry to under 10s. This year, it takes place on 26 August and is headlined by 80s legends Madness, so you can expect a great day out for children of all ages – even those in their 40s.
CarFest
CarFest is a family friendly summer festival founded by Chris Evans, focused on giving visitors of all ages a great time doing great things. All funds raised are donated to UK children’s charities, and many of the activities are designed by kids, to ensure there are lots to keep the little ones entertained.
Adults will find plenty to do too, with vintage cars, grown-up activities like yoga, great food and music from performers like Rick Astley, Tom Grennan and Beverley Knight. The South festival is taking place from 23-25 August 2019, with the North one already finished at the end of July. If you’re looking for a festival in the North for 2020, keep an eye out for announcements.
Bearded Theory
If you want something for the spring, then Bearded Theory is a good option. Held from 21-24 May 2020, tickets go on sale in September, and there is plenty to discover and enjoy on top of the vast array of musical performances.
With a focus on beard culture, the children will enjoy the dedicated kids’ area, the Bearded School and the Rogues Hideout for teenagers. It’s a multi-award winning creative and performing arts festival, held in the West Midlands, and it attracts visitors from all over the UK and beyond.
For other festival ideas, try our page on Festivals in the UK.
Latitude
Of the big-name music festivals on the calendar, Latitude is the choice for families. Its gently rolling Suffolk landscape is ideal for pushchairs and toddlers, and there are all sorts of activities and performances that will please children of all ages. It takes place in mid-July, and the 2019 lineup included huge names like George Ezra, Stereophonics and Lana Del Rey. It’s a great time for all the family, however many days you go for, so if you really want to experience the best in festival life with the kids in tow, Latitude is the way to go.
Another great festival for the kids is world music festival Womad held in Wiltshire each July.
As you can see, there are plenty of fantastic family friendly festivals that go all out to accommodate families and adults who don’t fall into the twenty-something category. Of course, you may need to book a stay somewhere if you need to travel. Keeping the kids occupied is essential on road trips, so plan for some in-car games to distract them from the long drive if you are heading across the country to party.