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.


Bearded Theory

Bearded Theory : 24th - 27th May 2024, Catton Park, Walton upon Trent, Derbyshire, DE12 8LN
Read our reviews / Visit their website

Bearded Theory’s lovely inclusive festival school deservedly won a 2022 Festival Kidz award and it matches that achievement with an excellent line up, friendly atmosphere and lots on offer for children and adults. Under 8s go free!

Headliners: Interpol, Primal Scream, Pretenders, Gary Numan, Echo and the Bunnyman, Public Service Broadcasting, The Undertones, Beans on Toast, Grace Petrie
Activities: Ofsted approved festival school, arts, crafts, dance, science, library
2023 Theme: Fairytales and folklore
Tickets: Adult: £187.25, 12-16: £69.55, 8-11: £42.80, Under 8: Free


Beautiful Days

Beautiful Days : 16th - 18th August 2024, Escot Park, Nr Fairmile, Devon, EX11 1LU
Read our reviews / Visit their website

Winner of our ‘favourite family festival for teenagers’ award!

Festival Kidz Award 2022

Celebrating 20 years as a major fixture in the family festival calendar, the truly independent Beautiful Days has a host of fab activities and a stonking lineup on offer. 85% of tickets have already sold though, so you’d better get in quick!

Headliners: Suede, Primal Scream, Levellers, Johnny Marr, The Waterboys, The Proclaimers
Activities: Arts, crafts, circus skills, DJing, ukulele, bushcraft, fire school
2023 Theme: Out of this World
Tickets(from Levellers): Adult: £185, 15-17: £185, 10-14: £95, 5-9: £63, Under 5: £21


Bluedot Festival

Bluedot Festival : No festival in 2024, Jodrell Bank Observatory, SK11 9DW
Read our reviews / Visit their website

When the whole festival is set underneath a giant space telescope, you know it’s going to be a weekend that’s out of this world.

Headliners: Grace Jones, Leftfield, Roisin Murphy, Pavement (only UK show of 2023)
Activities: Lots of science workshops and experiments, silent disco, Big Fish Little Fish
Tickets: Adult: £219.25, 11-15: £104.50, 4-10: £38.50, Under 4: Free, Day tickets available


Camp Bestival Dorset

Camp Bestival (Dorset) : 25th - 28th July 2024, Lulworth Castle, Dorset
Camp Bestival (Shropshire) : 15th -18th August 2024, Weston Park, Shropshire
Read our reviews / Visit their website

Winner of our ‘favourite family festival for 5-12s’ award!

Festival Kidz Award 2022

Celebrating 15 years this summer, this mother of all family friendly festivals packs a punch both with huge headliners and family friendly music and activities for all ages. Did we mention there’s a roller disco?

Headliners: Dorset: Grace Jones, The Kooks, Shropshire: The Human League, Primal Scream
Activities: Roller disco, science tent, arts, crafts, Big Fish Little Fish, Woodland Tribe, Bigtopmania and the world’s biggest bouncy castle!
2023 Themes: (Dorset) Animal Snap, (Shropshire) Wildlife
Tickets (Dorset): Adult: £237.60, 13-17: £159.30, 10-12: £132.30, 5-9: £110.70, 2-4: £90.75, Under 2: Free
Tickets (Shropshire): Adult: £194.50, 13-17: £148.50, 10-12: £121.50, 5-9: £101.75, 2-4: £79.75, Under 2: Free


Deer Shed Festival

Deer Shed Festival : 26th - 29th July 2024, Baldersby Park, Topcliffe, N Yorks
Read our reviews / Visit their website

Get ready for a giant party for kids and adults alike at this wonderful festival. Loads of camping options including electric hook up if you want to be extra comfortable.

Headliners: The Comet is Coming, Public Service Broacasting, The Delgados, This is the Kit
Activities: Art, science, sports (incl. kayaking, skateboarding, quidditch), tree climbing, forest school
Tickets: Adult: £189, 11-15: £80.85, 6-10: £69.30, 3-5: £34.65, Under 3: Free


Elderflower Fields

Elderflower Fields : 24th - 27th May 2024, Ashdown Forest, Sussex
Read our reviews / Visit their website

Safe and spacious, Elderflower Fields gives a chance for kids to really go wild and parents to relax and enjoy locally sourced food, drink and performance in the beautiful Ashdown Forest.

Headliners: Tankus the Henge, The Jive Aces, SK Shlomo, The Beatles Dub Club
Activities: Art, science, Woodland Tribe, parkour, tree climbing, raft building, kayaking and forest schools
2023 Theme: Galactic superstars vs flora and feathers
Tickets: Adult: £159.83, 4-17: £80.51, Under 4: £9.56


Green Gathering

Green Gathering : 1st - 4th August 2024, Piercefield Park, Chepstow, NP16 6EH
Read our reviews / Visit their website

An eco-conscious, non-profit festival powered by sun and wind, Green Gathering is bursting with natural and non commercial activities for all the family. Perfect for people who want to have low environmental impact. 

Headliners: Not yet announced
Activities: Circus skills, crafts, games, willow weaving, yoga, aerial rig for hoop and silks
Tickets: Adult: £131.50, 16-17: £80, 11-15: £55, 6-10: £20, Under 6: Free
VISIT THE WEBSITE and then enter G11FKZ for discounted tickets!


Green Man Festival

Green Man Festival : 15th - 18th August 2024, Crickhowell, Brecon Beacons, Wales
Read our reviews / Visit their website

Sold out for 2023. Green Man has lots on offer for kids on a beautiful site in the Black Mountains. Best way to do Green Man is get a settlers pass and stay for the week – these tickets go early so sign up for their waiting list and plan for 2024.

Headliners: Goat, First Aid Kit, Spiritualized, Devo, Slowdive, The Walkmen, The Wedding Present
Activities: Science workshops, arts, crafts, paddling
Tickets: Sold out!


In It Together Festival

In It Together Festival : 24th - 26th May 2024, Newlands Farm, Water Street, Margam, Port Talbot SA13 2PB
Read our review / Visit their website

Only in its second year and it’s already the biggest music festival in Wales with a diverse lineup of iconic names are guaranteed to keep you dancing and partying throughout the day and night. Plus grandparents go free!

Headliners: The Kooks, Ann-Marie, Jake Bugg, James, The Vamps, UB40, Groove Amanda, Chase & Status
Activities: Sports academy, climbing wall, tic tac skate school, outdoor cinema, giant bouncy castle, circus skills
Tickets: Adult: £186.15, 16-17: £142.15, Family (1 adult+1 child): £197.15, Family (2 adults+2 children): £395.15, Additional child (0-15): £32.15, Day tickets available


Into the Trees

Into the Trees : 6th - 8th September 2024, Pippingford Park, Nutley, East Sussex, TN22 3HW
Read our reviews / Visit their website

Winner of our ‘favourite family festival for under 5s’ award!

Festival Kidz Award 2022

This micro festival has a focus on spending time in nature. Learn from experts about how we can create and live with trees and what benefits they bring to our health and wellbeing.

Headliners: Maia Eden, Sam Brown, Brighton Ceilidh Collective
Activities: Arts, bushcraft, staf gazing, barefoot walks, pond dipping, rope swings, archery, kite flying, raft building, mud kitchen – pack spare clothes!
Tickets: Adults: £59.53, 4-17: £32.93, Under 4: £11.78, Day tickets will be available


Just So Festival

Just So Festival : 16th - 18th August 2024, Rode Hall Estate, Scholar Green, Cheshire, ST7 3QT
Read our reviews / Visit their website

Just So is a small, weekend-long festival of creativity aimed at children, young people and their families. It’s an opportunity for families to share the most fundamental of life’s pleasures: good old-fashioned fun!

Headliners: David Gibb Big Band, Mother Pukka DJ Set, Perhaps Contraption
Activities: Storytelling, circus, bubbles, woodland workshops, yoga, meditation, silent disco
2023 Theme: Carnival of the Animals
Tickets: Adult: £187.25, Child (3-15): £64.20, Under 3: Free, Day tickets available


Maui Waui Festival

Maui Waui Festival : 23rd - 25th August 2024, Hill Farm, Dereham, Norfolk NR19 2NR
Read our review / Visit their website

Now in its 10th year. Welcoming and inclusive, this is a small festival with a real old school vibe. Under 13s go free!

Headliners: Tankus The Henge, Dub Pistols, Krafty Kuts, The Scribes
Activities: Arts, crafts, storytelling, cooking, circus, drumming, dance classes, paint fights, bouncy castle
2023 Theme:
Tickets: Adult: £156.60, 13-17: £77, Under 13: Free, Day tickets available


Shambala

Shambala : 22nd - 25th August 2024, Near Market Harborough, Northamptonshire
Read our reviews / Visit their website

Sadly, sold out long ago – this is one to get firmly planted on your family calendar for 2024. If you like things just that little bit quirky, get the kids to Shambala at least once. At the time of writing, you can still get tickets to their little sister event Starry Skies if you are quick.

Headliners: Not yet announced
Activities: Arts and crafts, Bigtopmania, Woodland Tribe, immersive theatre
2023 Theme: Part of the furniture
Tickets: Sold out!


Shindig Festival

Shindig Festival : 23rd - 26th May 2024, Dillington Park Estate near Yeovil, Somerset
Read our reviews / Visit their website

The ideal weekend for party people with families – expect lots of fun and dancing in a safe friendly environment. Under 13s go free!

Headliners: Sister Sledge, Warmduscher, Dawn Penn, Altern 8, Stanton Warriors, Plump DJs, Dutty Moonshine Big Band, Beans on Toast, OMG! It’s The Church
Activities: Crafts, Junkfish, climbing wall, aerial circus, drumming, graffiti, breakdancing, MCing, inflatables
2023 Theme: Mad hatters
Tickets: Adult: £187.25, 13-17: £80.25, Under 13: Free


Starry Skies : ERROR: Festival Starry Skies not found!, ERROR: Festival Starry Skies not found!
Read our reviews / Visit their website

Only a few tickets left so be quick if you want your kids to run free at Starry Skies, the festival-shaped family holiday. Ideal for families who want to reconnect with nature but still have fantastic workshops and entertainment on offer throughout the day and evenings.

Headliners: Henge, more announcements to follow.
Activities: Woodland Tribe, star gazing, forest school, monkey nets, arts, crafts, sports, sand pit, giant waterslide
Tickets: Adult: £202.95, 3-17: £60, Under 3: Free


Stowaway Festival

Stowaway Festival : 16th - 18th August 2024, Stowe, Buckinghamshire, MK18 5LJ
Our first visit – check back for review! / Visit their website

A new one for Festival Kidz this year and one of those we know we are going to regret sharing! Heaps of free activities for the kids, a fantastic lineup, reasonable ticket prices and a stunning lakeside location. Hope to see you there… Just don’t tell everyone!

Headliners: Roy Ayers, Dan Shake, Little Dragon, Crazy P Soundsystem, Eats Everything, Irvine Welsh
Activities: Immersive theatre, tree climbing, roller disco, bushcraft, canoeing, circus workshops
Tickets: Adult: £144, 2-17: £55, Under 2: Free


Timber Festival

Timber Festival : 5th - 7th July 2024, Feanedock, The National Forest, DE12 6DQ
Read our reviews / Visit their website

Timber is a small but perfectly formed festival that celebrates the joys of nature.

Headliners: The Destroyers, Simon Armitage, Lady Nade
Activities: Sauna and ice pool, bat walk, dance and circus workshops, woodland playground, ceilidh
Tickets: Adult: £168.85, 3-15: £58.85, Under 3: Free


Valley Fest

Valley Fest : 1st - 4th August 2024, Denny Lane, Chew Magna, Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, BS40 8SZ
Read our reviews / Visit their website

Valley Fest combines great food and entertainment with a chilled-out vibe. Perfect for families of all ages, even when the Arcadia afterburner stage fires up for the party people.

Headliners: The Kooks, Bananarama, Scouting For Girls, Norman Jay
Activities: The Woodland Tribe, DJ lessons, welding, feasts, arts and crafts.
Tickets (Three day): Adult: £189 , 13-17: £86.40, 4-12: £32.40, Under 4: Free, Four day tickets available, Day tickets available


Victorious

Victorious : 23rd - 25th August 2024, Southsea, Portsmouth PO5 3PA
Read our reviews / Visit their website

With the English Channel as a backdrop this is a festival with a difference, as you can watch the boats go by or even go to the beach! The line up has some impressive names for a small festival, and the campsite is accessed via a shuttle bus away from all the noise and bustle.

Headliners: Kasabian, Jamiroquai, Alt-J, Mumford and Sons, Friendly Fires, The Charlatans, Pete Tong, Ellie Goulding, Kaiser Chiefs, Belle & Sebastian, The Divine Comedy
Activities: Arts, crafts, Skate school, lil mudder, ‘potholing’ bus, crazy golf, drumming, circus, beach
Tickets: Adult: £194.40, 13-17: £178.20, 5-12: £37.40, Under 5: £4.40


WOMAD Festival

WOMAD Festival : 25th - 28th July 2024, Charlton Park, Malmsbury, Wiltshire
Read our reviews / Visit their website

WOMAD is packed full of music, dance and performance from around the world to broaden your children’s horizons. It is also packed full of activities so it is also easy to keep them occupied. Under 14s go free!

Headliners: Femi Kuti and the Positive Force, Bombay Bicycle Club, Kate Rusby, Mariza, The Comet is Coming
Activities: Singing, dance, musical instruments, circus, aerial circus, physics lab, cooking, crafts
Tickets: Adult (4 day): £273. Adult (3 day): £220.50, 14-17 (4 day): £147, 14-17 (3 day): £105, Under 14: Free


Wychwood Festival

Wychwood Festival : 31st May - 2nd June 2024, Cheltenham Racecourse
Read our reviews / Visit their website

Being a relatively small and compact festival it is safe and perfect for first time family festival. A fun 90s-revival line up will be great for parents too. Under 10s go free!

Headliners: Sam Ryder, Happy Mondays, Travis, Ash, The Proclaimers, Sleeper
Activities: Circus skills, junk drumming, interactive story telling, arts and crafts
Tickets: Adult : £147.50, 10-15 : £75.06, Under 10: Free, Day tickets available


What are we missing from this list? What festivals are you going to this year? Have you found any bargains? Please do comment below!


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