This year is shaping up to be another stonker of a festival year, with some incredible line ups and workshops. As the sun starts to finally shine we have arrived with our 2024 recommended list!
All of these festivals have been visited and tested by our festival families. You can find reviews linked to the factsheets.
For all the family friendly festivals running this year, please go to our A-Z, Map and Calendar.
Bearded Theory’s Spring Gathering
Derbyshire
24th – 27th May 2024
Celebrating its 15th birthday this year, Bearded Theory has an excellent children’s area including a festival school and teen hangout. The 2024 lineup includes Jane’s Addiction, Future Islands, Sleaford Mods, Roni Size, Orbital and Dinosaur Jr.
See our Bearded Theory factsheet
Beautiful Days
Derbyshire
16th – 18th August 2024
Beautiful Days has a friendly 90s festival vibe, with something for every generation. You’ll be surrounded by music, theatre and fun. As always, The Levellers open and close this lovely festival. This year they also welcome Saw Doctors, Richard Ashcroft, Inspiral Carpets, The Damned (80s lineup), and festival regulars New Model Army.
See our Beautiful Days factsheet
Big Love
Monmouthshire, South Wales
18th – 22nd July 2024
Set in a beautiful South Wales greenfield site, complete with a disco barn and ancient forest, this small but mighty festival is lovingly curated by a team of friends to bring the best home grown House, D+B, Hip Hop and Disco DJs out of the clubs and into the field. The stellar line up this year has hip-hop stalwarts Arrested Development, Junior Jungle, The Allergies, Molotov Jukebox and a new Circus Big Top! The Cariad Bach kids area will be brimming with workshops, crafts and a teddy bear hunt!
Camp Bestival
Dorset
25th – 28th July 2024
Shropshire
15th – 18th August 2024
Back with a massive line up including McFly, Orbital, Paloma Faith and The Darkness, there are also tons of new kids’ activities on offer. Most exciting is the new Camp Bestival Explorers Passport designed by Josie da Bank herself! Prepare for even more adventures in the new Explorers town.
Get ready for a journey through space in July at Camp Bestival Dorset. While in Shropshire time travel is the theme so pack the Delorean and take a Quantum Leap to Weston Park this August.
See our Camp Bestival Dorset factsheet
See our Camp Bestival Shropshire factsheet
Deer Shed
North Yorkshire
26th – 29th July 2024
In the grounds of a country house in Thirsk, near Harrogate. Activities include a wrestling ring, kayaking, comedy tent, science zone, woodland activities and tree climbing. Music line up, includes The Coral, Bombay Motorcycle Club, CMAT and BC Camplight.
Eden Festival
Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
13th – 16th June 2024
This independent festival is in a beautiful location, has a loyal following and a sustainable ethos. This year’s line up includes Amadou and Mariam, Leftfield, The Zombies, LTJ Bukem and Dub Pistols.
See our Eden Festival factsheet
Elderflower Fields
Sussex
24th – 27th May 2024
Small and safe, especially designed with children in mind. Let them run wild and free! Dance the night away with 2024 headliners TC & The Groove Family and Mellomatic, then relax and unwind in the new Wild Spa.
See our Elderflower Fields factsheet
Folk by the Oak
Hertfordshire
21st July 2024
Folk by the Oak is a the only day festival on our list! This year headlined by Levellers. Other highlights include The Staves, Seckou Keita – Homeland Band, and Darlingside. All served up with real ale, street food and children’s activities and workshops.
See our Folk by the Oak factsheet
Glastonbury
Somerset
26th – 30th June 2024
Glastonbury is full of so many different acts and secret happenings there’s never a chance of being bored. Its kids’ area is a family friendly festival in itself inside the main festival site. With headliners Dua Lipa, LCD Soundsystem, PJ Harvey and Colplay. This year’s Sunday teatime legend will be Shania Twain.
Green Gathering
Monmouthshire
1st – 4th August 2024
Trailblazers of the eco friendly festival scene Green Gathering is the ideal festival to slow down, connect to your roots and explore how we impact the environment around us and ways we can reduce it. Dive into campaigns, talks, documentary screenings, a wealth of crafts and the wonderful kids and teen areas. Music lineup is always full of the best folk, funky and good time party bands.
** Save £20 per adult ticket with our affinity code: G13FKD **
See our Green Gathering factsheet
Just So
Cheshire
16th – 18th August 2024
A magical, creative and imaginative festival for young families. Filled with food fights, anarchic play, mischief and mayhem. 2024 brings a blancmange battle, high wire spectacular, wacky races and ancient giant puppetry. It’s all about art, incredible experiences and competing in the most hilarious & ridiculous games all in the name of your animal team.
Maui Waui
Norfolk
23rd – 25th August 2024
This year’s lineup is brimming with festival big hitters such a Dutty Moonshine, Henge, Dub Pistols and The Old Time Sailors. Make sure not to miss the living art show, Foolhardy Circus and a plethora of cabaret shows that will delight the whole family.
Nozstock
Herefordshire
18th – 21st July 2024
Bring the tissues for the last chance saloon and a fond farewell to Nozstock as we know it. Fun, adventure and mayhem set on a real working farm packed to the stable rafters with crazy antics for all the family with a wild west theme. A big line-up of pop, ska, folk, soul, indie, house and a whole heap of heavy bass… Yeehaa!!
Shambala
Northamptonshire
22nd – 25th August 2024
Shambala’s theme is Wild & Free and this bank holiday adventure in utopia promises an unforgettable family escape. Explore hidden venues and woodland wonder plus a fantastic array of music and theatre. Exciting new venues for 2024 include Amniotheque, a smoke-filled techno cave, and the great Rimski’s Yard. Line up is not fully announced but already includes Ozric Tentacles, The Future Shape of Sound, Puuluup, Flamingods, Henge and The Congos.
Shindig
Somerset
23rd – 26th May 2024
We have just found out that this will sadly be the last year of this wonderful festival. So best get your tickets now! Line up includes Groove Armada, Brand New Heavies, Kurupt FM, Congo Natty – the emphasis is on drum n bass and dance music. The relaxed vibe, short distances and well equipped kids field makes this an ideal festival for parents who want something family friendly but also want a decent party. This year’s fancy dress theme is Magical Creatures.
Starry Village
Herefordshire
25th – 28th July 2024
A community of 350 families gather in the Black Mountains for Starry Village (formerly Starry Skies) brought to you by the award-winning Shambala team to play, learn, create and enjoy music. Kids of all ages can enjoy forest school and bushcraft sessions and even the legendary giant water slide plus dressing up for this year’s theme ‘When I Grow Up’.
See our Starry Village factsheet
Stowaway
Buckinghamshire
16th – 18th August 2024
A beautiful boutique family weekend featuring 2024 headliners Groove Armada, Maribou State and Leftfield. Laze out on the lake side manicured lawns or jetty dance space with activities for kids including fun fair rides, fort building, roller discos and water sports all included in the price.
Timber
Leicestershire
5th – 7th July 2024
Perfectly curated festival in the heart of the National Forest. Dave Haslam, the legendary Hacienda DJ will be getting the crowds dancing, alongside more peaceful activities including craftivism, breath work, woodland play and talks from both experts in sustainability alongside young people.
Valley Fest
Somerset
1st – 4th August 2024
Set on a beautiful community farm with excellent growing and cooking workshops. Music headliners for this year are The Feeling, Tinie Tempah and Sister Sledge. The incredible Alchemist’s playground is set to return. Bringing hands-on kids activities by day and a spectacular party once the sun goes down.
WOMAD
Wiltshire
25th – 28th July 2024
A feast of culture with cooking, dance and instrument workshops from all over the world. 2024’s lineup includes Young Fathers, Amadou & Mariam, Gogol Bordello, Sampa the Great, Alison Goldfrapp and Baaba Maal.
See our 2023 video for a glimpse of how much fun we had last year:
Wychwood
Gloucestershire
31st May – 2nd June 2024
Featuring a big-name line up in a small festival, Wychwood has plenty for kids to do too. This year Wychwood are going huge with their incredible midsummer festival vibe of the 90’s. Sister Sledge, Texas, Ocean Colour Scene, Seasick Steve, The Coral, an awesome lineup.
