The Family Festival Guide

Beautiful Days 2023 Review

** Tickets now on sale for 2024 **

Festival Kidz have been staunch followers of Beautiful Days for many years, and have many visits under our belts. But for my family, it was our first ever experience of the festival. I’m a huge Levellers fan and Beautiful Days has been on my radar since its very first incarnation. It was hard to believe it had taken me 20 years to actually get there! Thankfully, it proved to be everything I had hoped for.

Read more…

10 Reasons Shambala is the Best Family Festival in the world!

Consistently brilliant, Shambala ticks every box as the finest festival for families – here’s why…

Read more…

Camp Bestival Shropshire 2023 Review

Fireworks at Camp Bestival


Camp Bestival veterans Adam and family were invited along to check out the 2nd edition of Camp Bestival Shropshire, the midlands-based spin off of the Grandaddy of family festivals Camp Bestival Dorset.

Set amongst the rolling tree lined hills and sparkling lakes of Weston Park, the backdrop was just as beautiful as the site dressing.

This year the site and capacity had grown somewhat since its first edition, as such the arena had moved to a new area of the park and a new activity lake was waiting to be explored.

Read more…

Stowaway 2023 Review

For those with kids, Stowaway Festival is hard to beat as a super easy, stress-free family getaway. Heaps of fun activities are included with your ticket so you can really relax and escape everyday life while enjoying a top-class line-up of entertainment.

It was our family’s first visit to Stowaway but we haven’t stopped recommending it to friends. It’s perfect for festival first-timers who want big-stage entertainment but don’t want the hassle or commercialism of some large festivals and just want to relax with their kids.

Read more…

WOMAD 2023 Review

It was our family’s first visit to WOMAD and it was easy to see why so many people return faithfully year after year. What stood out was the variety of music and workshops on offer, together with one of the best equipped kids’ fields we have seen. I found myself wishing my children were younger to enjoy the full scope of what was on offer!

For a quick preview see our video – best with the sound on for music by Femi Kuti (who performed an amazing headline set this year):

Read more…

Towersey Festival 2023 Review

Towersey is an extremely well established festival in it’s 59th year, that’s longer than Glastonbury. It has a passionate fanbase ranging over 4 generations creating a community of extended family and friends coming together annually to celebrate. We felt completely accepted and welcomed into this friendly, fun, family event.

Read more…

Bluedot Festival 2023 Review

Have you seen the photos on social media recently, about the 2023 festival that could rival the famous “Year of the Mud” at Glasto 1997? Read on to hear about how our family experienced Bluedot 2023.

muddy bluedot
Read more…

Valley Fest 2023 Review

It is a running joke in our family that food is what my kids most remember about festivals. So there was much excitement when I said we were returning to Valley Fest this year. On a stunning site overlooking a huge lake, not far from Bristol, Valley Fest bills itself as “ The Best-tasting music festival in the south west”. And they definitely deliver on that.

Read more…

Camp Bestival 2023 review

15 years of the big one and Camp Bestival pulled out all the stops for their big birthday bash. The UK’s mother of all family festivals, Camp Bestival Dorset offers a non-stop action-packed festival adventure wrapped up in a huge family camping holiday. Happy Birthday, Camp Bestival!

: Camp Bestival 2023 review Read more…

Nozstock 2023 Review

Nozstock we love you! What an absolute little gem to discover with our teenagers. A proper little party festival! Thank you, thank you thank you for the most epic of 25th birthday parties. Our first but definitely not our last Nozstock adventure! Take a flick through the gallery below.

Read more…

Your Teenager’s first festival?

glastonbury 95 with Alison
Glastonbury ’95

A parent wrote to us asking about teenager festivals:

Our 16 year old is off to their first festival this year with some friends. They are all pretty sensible but I can’t help worrying.

Any advice?

Letting our kids spread their wings and explore the world is something all parents will wrestle with at some stage.

Teenage years are tricky – everyone tells you so. We want to give them space to grow and freedom to develop, but most importantly we want to keep them safe. Read more…

Coping with mud and rain

muddy festivals … oh joy.

Of course, we all hope and pray that the sun will shine all weekend and we can bask in the glory of its soft warm glow, chilling with a cold beer, lazing on the grass, kids dancing around happily to the beats from the stage… ah bliss!

But occasionally the dreams just don’t happen and it’s a good idea to have some plans in place in case of wet weather.  It doesn’t take much rain for several thousand pairs of feet to turn a grassy field into a mud bath.

Read more…

Top Teens Festival Workshops

Our children are now teens and too old for most of the kids’ field, so we need to pick festivals with lots of additional activities.

In 2023 our family are visiting WOMAD for the first time, a festival known for its packed programme of workshops and activities – more than 80 adult, and 200 children’s workshops in science, art, musical instruments, dance, health and well being – there’s enough to keep children with any interests occupied.

Dance class at WOMAD
Read more…

The Cambridge Club 2023 review

The Cambridge Club Festival is well established as one of the UK’s most premium events but this was the first visit for the FestivalKidz team. Read on to find out what the kids thought of the hottest festival of 2023!

Read more…

Wychwood Festival 2023 Review

Vibrant and inclusive, Wychwood festival catered to the needs and interests of all family members. It was a friendly community and a weekend filled with laughter, music and excitement. Blessed with sunshine, groups and families gathered to enjoy a weekend of pure joy together. Wychwood was a family hit.

Girl with festival flag
Read more…

Festival Trolley and Wagon Guide

So you want a festival trolley but you’re not sure which to go for? Whether you want to buy a ready made one or make one yourself, here’s all the information you need!

Space Rocket Festival Trolley
Read more…

Festival Transport Hire

Festival Kidz was contacted by Bike Trailer Hire, a company that hires equipment such as bike trailers, strollers and child carriers. We thought this was a great idea to save families money while helping the environment by reusing items.

But how does it all work? Sarah from Bike Trailer Hire has written a useful guide below to answer all your questions.

Read more…

Carting Kids Round Festivals

Pushchairs, Wagons, Slings, Carriers and Buggies

I once read on the old Glastonbury advice page that parents should get a cheap £20 stroller from Argos and throw it away after the festival. WOW – I was so unimpressed by this comment!

Leaving aside the obvious environmental issues with that approach, for parents taking babies, a good buggy can make or break your festival experience.  Can you imagine trying to get a cheap stroller through 6 inches of mud???!!

Surely we all want our festival experience to be easy and enjoyable?

Read more…

Best Family Friendly Festivals 2023

All the info on one page!

These are our top picks for 2023, with the ticket prices, headliners and some of the activities on offer to help you choose.

We have also added the themes to help you get to work on your costumes now!

Festivals are listed in alphabetical order.

All prices quoted are for weekend tickets with camping (including booking fee) unless stated otherwise, and are correct at time of publishing. Many festivals offer tickets in increasing Tiers, so check the festival’s website for current prices.

Check out our map, calendar and A-Z list for full details of 2023 festivals.

Read more…

Lifetime Achievement Award 2022

This year for our Festival Kidz Awards, we asked you to vote for your favourite festivals, but also also to vote for the often overlooked side of our family friendly festival experience. Those people who entertain and look after our children. The names you look for in the kids’ field festival line up.

But one stalwart of the festival circuit was not eligible to enter. Because last year, a quiet announcement on a crew page marked the end of Angel Gardens, a kids’ area that was a big part of the festival scene for a long time. Although they may continue to attend some events, they have decided they will no longer run the kids’ field at festivals. 

So we would like to give the very first Festival Kidz Lifetime Achievement Award to Angel Gardens.

angel gardens
Read more…

Beautiful Days 2023 Review

** Tickets now on sale for 2024 **

Festival Kidz have been staunch followers of Beautiful Days for many years, and have many visits under our belts. But for my family, it was our first ever experience of the festival. I’m a huge Levellers fan and Beautiful Days has been on my radar since its very first incarnation. It was hard to believe it had taken me 20 years to actually get there! Thankfully, it proved to be everything I had hoped for.

Read more…

Camp Bestival Shropshire 2023 Review

Fireworks at Camp Bestival


Camp Bestival veterans Adam and family were invited along to check out the 2nd edition of Camp Bestival Shropshire, the midlands-based spin off of the Grandaddy of family festivals Camp Bestival Dorset.

Set amongst the rolling tree lined hills and sparkling lakes of Weston Park, the backdrop was just as beautiful as the site dressing.

This year the site and capacity had grown somewhat since its first edition, as such the arena had moved to a new area of the park and a new activity lake was waiting to be explored.

Read more…

WOMAD 2023 Review

It was our family’s first visit to WOMAD and it was easy to see why so many people return faithfully year after year. What stood out was the variety of music and workshops on offer, together with one of the best equipped kids’ fields we have seen. I found myself wishing my children were younger to enjoy the full scope of what was on offer!

For a quick preview see our video – best with the sound on for music by Femi Kuti (who performed an amazing headline set this year):

Read more…

Bluedot Festival 2023 Review

Have you seen the photos on social media recently, about the 2023 festival that could rival the famous “Year of the Mud” at Glasto 1997? Read on to hear about how our family experienced Bluedot 2023.

muddy bluedot
Read more…

Camp Bestival 2023 review

15 years of the big one and Camp Bestival pulled out all the stops for their big birthday bash. The UK’s mother of all family festivals, Camp Bestival Dorset offers a non-stop action-packed festival adventure wrapped up in a huge family camping holiday. Happy Birthday, Camp Bestival!

: Camp Bestival 2023 review Read more…

Your Teenager’s first festival?

glastonbury 95 with Alison
Glastonbury ’95

A parent wrote to us asking about teenager festivals:

Our 16 year old is off to their first festival this year with some friends. They are all pretty sensible but I can’t help worrying.

Any advice?

Letting our kids spread their wings and explore the world is something all parents will wrestle with at some stage.

Teenage years are tricky – everyone tells you so. We want to give them space to grow and freedom to develop, but most importantly we want to keep them safe. Read more…

Top Teens Festival Workshops

Our children are now teens and too old for most of the kids’ field, so we need to pick festivals with lots of additional activities.

In 2023 our family are visiting WOMAD for the first time, a festival known for its packed programme of workshops and activities – more than 80 adult, and 200 children’s workshops in science, art, musical instruments, dance, health and well being – there’s enough to keep children with any interests occupied.

Dance class at WOMAD
Read more…

Wychwood Festival 2023 Review

Vibrant and inclusive, Wychwood festival catered to the needs and interests of all family members. It was a friendly community and a weekend filled with laughter, music and excitement. Blessed with sunshine, groups and families gathered to enjoy a weekend of pure joy together. Wychwood was a family hit.

Girl with festival flag
Read more…

Festival Transport Hire

Festival Kidz was contacted by Bike Trailer Hire, a company that hires equipment such as bike trailers, strollers and child carriers. We thought this was a great idea to save families money while helping the environment by reusing items.

But how does it all work? Sarah from Bike Trailer Hire has written a useful guide below to answer all your questions.

Read more…

Best Family Friendly Festivals 2023

All the info on one page!

These are our top picks for 2023, with the ticket prices, headliners and some of the activities on offer to help you choose.

We have also added the themes to help you get to work on your costumes now!

Festivals are listed in alphabetical order.

All prices quoted are for weekend tickets with camping (including booking fee) unless stated otherwise, and are correct at time of publishing. Many festivals offer tickets in increasing Tiers, so check the festival’s website for current prices.

Check out our map, calendar and A-Z list for full details of 2023 festivals.

Read more…

10 Reasons Shambala is the Best Family Festival in the world!

Consistently brilliant, Shambala ticks every box as the finest festival for families – here’s why…

Read more…

Stowaway 2023 Review

For those with kids, Stowaway Festival is hard to beat as a super easy, stress-free family getaway. Heaps of fun activities are included with your ticket so you can really relax and escape everyday life while enjoying a top-class line-up of entertainment.

It was our family’s first visit to Stowaway but we haven’t stopped recommending it to friends. It’s perfect for festival first-timers who want big-stage entertainment but don’t want the hassle or commercialism of some large festivals and just want to relax with their kids.

Read more…

Towersey Festival 2023 Review

Towersey is an extremely well established festival in it’s 59th year, that’s longer than Glastonbury. It has a passionate fanbase ranging over 4 generations creating a community of extended family and friends coming together annually to celebrate. We felt completely accepted and welcomed into this friendly, fun, family event.

Read more…

Valley Fest 2023 Review

It is a running joke in our family that food is what my kids most remember about festivals. So there was much excitement when I said we were returning to Valley Fest this year. On a stunning site overlooking a huge lake, not far from Bristol, Valley Fest bills itself as “ The Best-tasting music festival in the south west”. And they definitely deliver on that.

Read more…

Nozstock 2023 Review

Nozstock we love you! What an absolute little gem to discover with our teenagers. A proper little party festival! Thank you, thank you thank you for the most epic of 25th birthday parties. Our first but definitely not our last Nozstock adventure! Take a flick through the gallery below.

Read more…

Coping with mud and rain

muddy festivals … oh joy.

Of course, we all hope and pray that the sun will shine all weekend and we can bask in the glory of its soft warm glow, chilling with a cold beer, lazing on the grass, kids dancing around happily to the beats from the stage… ah bliss!

But occasionally the dreams just don’t happen and it’s a good idea to have some plans in place in case of wet weather.  It doesn’t take much rain for several thousand pairs of feet to turn a grassy field into a mud bath.

Read more…

The Cambridge Club 2023 review

The Cambridge Club Festival is well established as one of the UK’s most premium events but this was the first visit for the FestivalKidz team. Read on to find out what the kids thought of the hottest festival of 2023!

Read more…

Festival Trolley and Wagon Guide

So you want a festival trolley but you’re not sure which to go for? Whether you want to buy a ready made one or make one yourself, here’s all the information you need!

Space Rocket Festival Trolley
Read more…

Carting Kids Round Festivals

Pushchairs, Wagons, Slings, Carriers and Buggies

I once read on the old Glastonbury advice page that parents should get a cheap £20 stroller from Argos and throw it away after the festival. WOW – I was so unimpressed by this comment!

Leaving aside the obvious environmental issues with that approach, for parents taking babies, a good buggy can make or break your festival experience.  Can you imagine trying to get a cheap stroller through 6 inches of mud???!!

Surely we all want our festival experience to be easy and enjoyable?

Read more…

Lifetime Achievement Award 2022

This year for our Festival Kidz Awards, we asked you to vote for your favourite festivals, but also also to vote for the often overlooked side of our family friendly festival experience. Those people who entertain and look after our children. The names you look for in the kids’ field festival line up.

But one stalwart of the festival circuit was not eligible to enter. Because last year, a quiet announcement on a crew page marked the end of Angel Gardens, a kids’ area that was a big part of the festival scene for a long time. Although they may continue to attend some events, they have decided they will no longer run the kids’ field at festivals. 

So we would like to give the very first Festival Kidz Lifetime Achievement Award to Angel Gardens.

angel gardens
Read more…

And thanks to the following festivals for their support in the past