Here are our favourites, our tried and tested. The festivals we return to year after year. These are the festivals we give our Festival Kidz recommended stamp of approval.
So what are the best family festivals for 2020, as recommended by Festival Kidz parents?
May
Wood Festival
Oxfordshire
15th-17th May 2020
Tiny in size but packed full of fabulous activities and workshops, you could easily spend a weekend at Wood without seeing any bands. It’s an extremely green-conscious festival, has lovely compost loos and loads of space for children to run around and make friends. The music is always quality and folk-leaning. It’s a truly lovely way to welcome in festival season.
See our Wood Festival factsheet
Read our reviews of Wood Festival
Visit the Wood Festival website
Bearded Theory
Derbyshire
21st-24th May 2020
Bearded Theory’s exceptional family friendly ethos is evident in all areas of the festival. It is highlighted in their unique provision of an Ofsted approved school, which runs on the Friday (a school day in most parts of the country.) This is hugely popular, but if your child doesn’t get a space, there are still plenty of opportunities for fun and learning in the Kids’ Village.
The whole festival is exciting, yet chilled – capturing the vibe of the festivals of yesteryear, a haven for those wishing to escape the mundane and the stressful realities of the modern world.
With The Flaming Lips, Patti Smith and Primal Scream on the 2020 line up.
See our Bearded Theory factsheet
Read our reviews of Bearded Theory
Visit the Bearded Theory website
Shindig Festival
Somerset
21st-24th May 2020
After relocating to Dillington Park Estate this year Festival Kidz are bubbling with excitement to see what goodies this little gem of a festival will have in store within the new surroundings. With several stages and a first class line up there is always something to dance to. There’s an excellent kids area which includes the Mayflower Project for teens, and a free climbing wall and circus skills workshops.
Included in the 2020 line up – the Cuban Brothers, Planet earth talks and Dutty Moonshine Big Band.
See our Shindig Festival factsheet
Read our reviews of Shindig Festival
Visit the Shindig festival website
Elderflower Fields
Sussex
22nd-25th May 2020
With families returning year after year you only need one visit to fall in love with the award-winning Elderflower Fields magic. A small festival bursting with free activities for kids so parents can relax and enjoy superb food and entertainment. 2020 sees two wild family weekends this May, one in Sussex and one in the Midlands.
See our Elderflower Fields factsheet
Read our reviews of Elderflower Fields
Visit the Elderflower Fields website
June
Glastonbury
Somerset
24th-28th June 2020
Glastonbury has to appear in all our recommended lists. It is the festival of festivals! The line up includes Taylor Swift, Diana Ross and Lana Del Rey but there is so much more to explore. If your family is lucky enough to have tickets!
See our Glastonbury Festival factsheet
Visit the Glastonbury Festival website
July
Timber
South Derbyshire
3rd-5th July 2020
Timber is a haven for nature lovers and families who are hoping for a slightly more peaceful, calm festival experience. Enjoy forest school, puppets shows, woodland disco along with informative talks for your adults.
2020 line up includes music by Gruff Rhys and a talk by Caroline Lucas, MP.
Cornbury
Oxfordshire
10th-12th July 2020
Cornbury is a weekend-long posh party with happy people and great food. Musical legends take to the stage and well thought out kids’ and teens’ activities mean the children have a blast. It’s safe, clean and a lovely introduction to mid-sized festivals for families. Even the loos are posh!
This year Dido, Jack Savoretti, Ronan Keating and The Waterboys are all high on the line-up.
Bluedot
Cheshire
23rd-26th July 2020
Set at Joderrell bank, this festival combines a huge educational programme with one of the best music line ups this year. If you want to get your kids interested in science this is the festival for you.
2020 line up is truly stellar (!) and features Björk, Groove Armada, Metronomy, Spiritualized, Squarepusher, Adam Buxton and the great Tim Peake.
WOMAD
Wiltshire
23rd-26th July 2020
Music and culture from around the world makes WOMAD stand out and keeps its loyal attendees returning year after year. With a focus on inclusion, kids will feel at home here. With dance and music workshops you won’t find at other festivals. The World of Children kids area is packed full of activities to entertain children and teenagers.
The 2020 line up includes the Flaming Lips, Angelique Kidjo and Kate Tempest, and more global music than you can shake a stick at.
Chagstock
Devon
24th-25th July 2020
Chagstock sits high on beautiful Dartmoor offering glorious views and great music to whoever chooses to join its friendly crowd. While there are some dedicated kids activities, what Chagstock really offers is space. The littlest can run and dance in front of the main stage while parents enjoy the bands. For older kids, the uncluttered site means a taste of free-ranging without being far away.
The 2020 line up includes Scouting for Girls, Seasick Steve and Cable Street Collective.
Camp Bestival
Dorset
30th July-2nd August 2020
Even if you arrive when the gates open on Thursday you’ll struggle to get through all the fun on offer. There are fabulous shows like Mr Tumble’s, alongside huge acts from the last few decades including current chart toppers. Whether your children are more into craft, sports, music or science, you won’t fit everything in!
Liam Payne and Fat Boy Slim top the line up this year. We’re very excited about Irvine Welsh in the literary tent.
See our Camp Bestival factsheet
Read our reviews of Camp Bestival
Visit the Camp Bestival website
Green Gathering
Monmouthshire
30th July-3rd August 2020
Winner of many Green festival awards, the Green Gathering’s focus on sustaibility makes this lovely festival one of the friendliest around. There’s crafts, permaculture and woodland walks. With a focus on folk music, you can also find swing, dance, ska, reggae, rap, cabaret, comedy and poetry and talks.
The 2020 line up includes 3 Daft Monkeys, One Eyed God, Hoopy Frood and Mobius Loop.
When you book tickets make sure you use our discount code FKXGG20 to get adult tickets for just £90!
See our Green Gathering factsheet
Read our reviews of Green Gathering
Visit the Green Gathering website
Chilled in a Field
East Sussex
31st July-2nd August 2020
Chilled is for people who like their festivals small and friendly. This is particularly good for families with small children – the sandpit has a great view of the main stage! It has a woodland DJ stage with a late night silent disco, a miniature train and is surrounded by beautiful countryside. Wonderland offer lots of fun such as glitter wrestling and live hungry hippos.
See our Chilled in a Field factsheet
Read our reviews of Chilled in a Field
Visit the Chilled in a Field website
Valley Fest
Somerset
31st July-2nd August 2020
Set on a community farm, Valley Fest has a lot of activities and entertainment to choose from but keeps its relaxed small festival vibe. It has a tractor ride to take families to the campsite and farm workshops on growing and cooking. It also has two main stages and a DJ yard, and an exceptional all organic food offering.
2020 line up includes Deacon Blue and the Cuban Brothers.
Read our review of Valley Fest
August
Starry Skies
Monmouthshire
5th-9th August 2020
More of a family camping holiday with activities than a festival, this will appeal to those of us who love the festival community but don’t want all the noise and crowds. Set on a farm full of meadows and woodlands to explore there’s a real sense of getting back to nature. There are plenty of workshops such as archery, axe throwing, cooking over a fire and forest school. There’s also music and DJs and a Fancy Dress Disco.
See our Starry Skies factsheet
Read our reviews of Starry Skies
Visit the Starry Skies website
Wickham
Hampshire
6th-9th August 2020
Wickham is a fab folk festival which is set right in the village of Wickham in lovely Hampshire. It attracts a really friendly, music-loving crowd and makes a safe and fun environment for children. The bands are of a really high standard.
2020 welcomes Van Morrison, The Waterboys and The SAS Band – Spike’s All Stars – an all-star group including members of Queen, Cockney Rebel and 10cc.
The Great Wonderfest
Isle of Wight
6th-10th August 2020
Great Wonderfest had a hugely successful first year in 2019, and we’re very happy to see it return this summer.
All three fields boast endless fun for children. 2020 sees the return of Scoutfest, with an array of free or low cost fun games and activities. Great Wonderfest are also introducing a roller disco to add to the popular skate park and other sports, crafts and more.
The main stage offers performances from local young performers Starlight Dance, Basil Brush and Hey Duggee, whilst headliners include Ella Eyre.
See our Great Wonderfest factsheet
Read our review of Great Wonderfest
Visit the Great Wonderfest website
Boomtown
Hampshire
12th-16th August 2020
Boomtown is like a city where music and culture collides and everyone can be whoever they want. From the imagination and creativity of The Maze, to the almost overwhelming amount of entertainment and music on offer, Boomtown is unique and in a class of its own.
In 2020, Kidztown and Whistler’s Green combine into a new area called The Forgotten Valley. Kidztown has its own interactive story, music stage and even a radio station.
This year’s line up includes Wu Tang Clan, Underworld, Kano, The Libertines, Squarepusher, Orbital, De La Soul, Caravan Palace, Akala…
Read our guide to the Boomtown Maze
Green Man
Wales
20th-23rd August 2020
Green Man is one of those festivals that simply ticks all the boxes. It has a brilliant line up and entertainment offering, covering music, theatre, comedy and performance with ease. The kids’ offering isn’t small either – it has a huge kids field and an entire area just for science. Set on a beautiful park full of trees it even has a stream to paddle in.
The 2020 music line up includes Goldfrapp, Caribou and Little Dragon.
Beautiful Days
Devon
21st-23rd August 2020
No gimmicks, no pomp – just fun and friendly. The number of punters along with musical and theatre acts that return year after year speaks volumes. It is extremely well organised and yet completely relaxed. Majical Youth provide an implausible amount of activities and entertainment for children of all ages, with Mayflower catering for teens and inbetweeners perfectly. The DJ lessons are particularly popular.
2020 line up includes Travis, Gary Numan and New Model Army (and of course the Levellers)
See our Beautiful Days factsheet
Read our reviews of Beautiful Days
Visit the Beautiful Days website
Just So Festival
Cheshire
21st-23rd August 2020
Just So is a weekend of fantasy and wonder. It’s an opportunity to step out of the real world and let your imagination run riot. The perfect festival for children, it is jam-packed with the most fanciful, creative pursuits. Your only problem will be deciding which activities to choose, as there are so many and they are all SO good.
This year, you can try paddle boarding, watch a woodland opera and take part in the Great Just So Colour Fight.
Shambala
Northamptonshire
27th-30th August 2020
20 years of adventures in utopia. It’s no surprise that this mother of all independent festival sold out in record time. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of a weekend at Shambala you’re likely to agree it’s the loveliest bunch of human beings you could possibly find in a field together.
It has a huge amount on offer in the kids field where all activities are free. There are also tons of dance, singing, performance, permaculture and healing workshops at this festival where the emphasis is always on joining in. Shambala leads on sustainability initiatives and offers a huge choice of vegetarian only food. Don’t miss the legendary Sunday afternoon costume parade.
2020 line up is yet to be announced but expect the usual eclectic mix of music and performance.
Victorious
Portsmouth
28th-30th August 2020
For a festival that always boasts such a stellar line up, it’s amazing how brilliant it also is for young families. The children’s stage always includes big names from CBeebies followed by meet and greets. The circus is amazing. There are countless opportunities for children to try out new sports, crafts and to learn and play. There are stages for every music taste, with the world music area being a mini festival in itself.
2020 line up includes Ian Brown, The Streets, Nike Rodgers and Rag n Bone Man.
Read our reviews of Victorious
September
Into the Trees
Sussex
11th-13th September 2020
Into The Trees offers a a completely stripped back wild experience. The focus is on connecting with nature and your family. Heaps of sports, art and nature activities are dotted around the woodland site with low key fireside evening entertainment. No crowds, no fuss, just back to basics camping fun to end the festival season.
See our Into the Trees factsheet
Read our reviews of Into the Trees
Visit the Into the Trees website
Which new or untried festivals are our reviewers visiting this year?
If you want to see what festivals our children recommend, you can find that here!