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I’ve put together a list of festival weekenders that I know will blow your kids’ minds, while making sure you have the best of weekends too.
Plus, the earlier you book your tickets, the cheaper it is for you too, with many offering earlybird or Tiered prices and payment plans.
Following Covid, it has been a difficult time for the music industry and it is great to have been back at events this year, however I know with reduced capacities and tickets carried over, there have been a whole different level of challenges for festivals since reopening.
It was incredible to be back at festivals in 2022, with such a reinvigorated vibe and love of music, dancing and having fun again together. We really do hope things can be even brighter for everyone in 2023, for everyone involved – artists, contractors, organisers, security, camping, portaloo companies, stage management, etc etc, and anyone else involved in such incredible events.
The excitement is real, bring on 2023!
My own festival weekenders started back in the late 90s, and despite them being some of the most epic memories, before I took Lily to her first festival weekend, I did have massive flashbacks of Reading Festival campsites, with portaloos burning into the night.
I needn’t have worried – taking my 4-year-old to a festival weekender was just incredible and I wish we could bottle up that amazing festival buzz that we both came home with.
Yes, it had its own challenges (read my tips for taking your kids to a camping festival here), but I wouldn’t have changed it for the world – so many memories made, so many different experiences, so many new adventures… and she loved every minute!
So, here are some of my top family weekend festivals on my radar for 2023…
Please note, I’ve updated festival dates for 2023, but some information or the lineup may change.
Gloworm Festival – 11th – 13th August 2023
Any followers will know we are no stranger to shouting out our love of Gloworm Festival, which will be returning to the amazing Thoresby Park, Nottinghamshire from the 11th-13th August 2023.
Aimed at children aged 0-13 years, there is truly something for all the family, with music, activities and arts all guided towards different age-groups.
From well-known children’s artists and headline acts, through to some top toy brands, a funfair, farmyard, facilities for families, meet-and-greets with their heroes, and places to play, every corner of Gloworm Festival is an incredible adventure for all ages.
What’s more, the campsite is family-friendly too, so you don’t need to worry about those festival campsite flashbacks from the 90s, and can just enjoy a fun and safe weekend together – definitely a great place to start if you’re looking for your first family festival too!
I knew it would be awesome, but Lily’s stoke level was x10000, she was in total awe at everything, and I can’t wait to take her back in 2023.
Everything you need for all the family in one incredible weekend, and all included in your ticket price – what else could you ask for?!
For more information, check out our review of Gloworm Festival 2019 here, our review of Gloworm Festival 2021 here, 2022 review here or visit the Gloworm Festival website here.
Camp Bestival, Dorset – 27th – 30th July 2023
Another festival aimed purely at families is the family-festival-slash-family-holiday that is Camp Bestival, in the stunning grounds of Lulworth Castle, Dorset.
With a music lineup fit for every king, queen, prince or princess, this festival takes place from 27th July til 30th July 2023, giving you a summer holiday to remember.
With kids’ shows, music, entertainment, soft-play and more, along with a full arts programme for the whole festival, it truly promises to be a fantastic weekend for all the family.
Words can’t describe how much fun we had at Camp Bestival this year and last – it is more than just a festival, it is a full on immersive experience, a family holiday, a festival for all, just rolled up in one.
Check out our full review here.
For more information, visit the Camp Bestival website here.
Camp Bestival, Shropshire – 17th – 20th August 2023
As if we couldn’t be excited enough for Camp Bestival Dorset each year, the organisers have announced Camp Bestival Shropshire is returning to Weston Park from 17th-20th August 2023.
Camp Bestival Shropshire absolutely blew our minds in its first year in 2022, and with the 2023 lineup including Primal Scream, Rudimental, Groove Armada and more, next year looks to be just as immense.
What’s more, the Shropshire festival has a whole stunning area in Temple Woods, which includes wild swimming, paddleboarding, a huge adventure playground and more.
We could not be happier to have the Camp Bestival family in the Midlands and we are truly counting the days to 2023!
Check out our full review of Camp Bestival Shropshire here or visit the website here.
Elderflower Fields – 26th – 29th May 2023
Elderflower Fields is definitely a family-friendly festival not to be missed and we had a beautiful time in 2021 and 2022 at Elderflower Fields South, so we are super excited to hear they will be back from 26th – 29th May 2023!
It promises to be another action-packed weekend of festival fun with the family, with a true focus on sports, the arts, music and nature.
What we love about Elderflower Fields is the natural feel, with activities designed to help families learn to enjoy the world around us in a relaxed and fun environment.
With music, crafts, workshops, art sessions, kids yoga, sports camps and even nannies on site, this truly looks a magical weekend for all the family this year – and we can’t wait to see what the festival brings in 2023 too.
Check out our full review here
Find out more about Elderflower Fields here.
Into the Trees festival – 8th – 10th September 2023
The sister festival of the amazing Elderflower Fields is Into the Trees Festival, also returning to Pippingford Park next summer.
We loved Elderflower Fields so much that we really do hope to head to Into the Trees someday, with earlybird tickets currently just £55 for adults and £3- for children for the weekend (as of November 2022).
Missing from our lives more than anything is time spent outdoors in nature… Into The Trees takes you on a fascinating journey through one of the South East’s most unique landscapes. A chance to relax and explore our natural surroundings with your family, connect with nature and camp out under the stars.
With activities for all the family throughout the weekend including archery, raft building a woodland spa, arts, crafts, music and more, you’ll be sure to enjoy everything there is to learn and have fun in nature at Into the Trees.
Find out more about the festival here.
Black Deer Festival – 16th – 18th June 2023
I know a whole weekend entirely of family-specific entertainment isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, so if you’re looking for something a bit more relaxing for all the family, but still has plenty for the kids to do, the Black Deer Festival in Kent will be a very special place to head.
Black Deer Festival is an Americana and country-music festival that will run from 16th – 18th June 2023, bringing you a welcoming, relaxed and inspirational festival filled with music, food, arts and more.
They have a dedicated area for children of all areas called Young Folks, where younger visitors can enjoy arts, crafts, exploring the outdoors and more.
With activities for families such as den-building, creative workshops, and music lessons through to forest school and cowboy classes, there promises to be so much for children to immerse themselves in again this year, while learning about arts, culture and history.
What’s more, there is a full festival programme with some incredible artists, food and activities to make sure every generation experiences a weekend to remember.
Find out more about Young Folks at Black Deer Festival here.
Gone Wild Festival – 24th-27th August 2023
Returning to Powderham Castle in Devon over the August Bank Holiday Weekend, Gone Wild Festival looks an incredible way to celebrate everything outdoors with the family.
With an epic music lineup alongside family-friendly activities for all ages, the Nature Valley Gone Wild Festival with Bear Grylls is already sending tingles down our spines with excitement.
“Gone Wild is about families and friends getting outdoors, and spending quality time together. Where else can you push your mum down a 50m mud slide, learn new survival skills then dance the night away?? This year is going to be even better, with more music, adventures and inspiring people. I’ll see you there!” – Bear Grylls
Activities included in your ticket include kayaking, nerf battles, SUP Yoga, circus workshops, gross eating, tree-climbing, adventure art and more, all set in the beautiful grounds of Powderham Castle – it really sounds like an adventure to remember.
Find out more about the festival here.
Camp Severn Kids Festival – 28th April – 1st May 2023
Camp Severn Kids Festival at Wild West Mid Showground in Shrewsbury is dedicated to giving families a weekend to remember, with everything included in the ticket price.
With activities including dinosaur invasion shows, BMX shows, circus skills, forest school, foam party, craft areas, dressing up, camp fire stories and more, there really is something for everyone to enjoy throughout the weekend.
Find out more here
Timber festival – 7th – 9th July 2023
In the heart of the National Forest you’ll find the incredible Timber Festival from 7th – 9th July 2023.
Timber is an International Forest Festival, celebrating everything to do with forests, with music, arts, lectures and more across the weekend.
The festival is eco-friendly, even providing free biodegradable nappies for babies, while educating, enjoying and sharing the incredible forests around you.
Immerse yourself in a truly magical weekend in the forest with the family and you can even enjoy discounted tickets if you travel there by bike from Birmingham with their guide.
Find out more about Timber Festival here
The Big Feastival – 25th – 27th August 2023
Another festival aimed at all the family and boasting plenty of fun for the kids is the Big Feastival in the Cotswolds from 25th-27th August 2023.
Alongside all the fantastic food and music lined up for the weekend, there are areas designed specifically to keep the kids happy too!
There’s a Big Top to enjoy plenty of family-friendly music and dancing, a Little Top for some chill-out time, a craft tent, circus and more.
There’s even a family feeding area and an Up All Hours area with a team to ensure everything from nappy-changes to feeding (bottle-warmers included!) are as easy as possible at a festival.
For more information, visit their website here.
Related Links
Check out our review of Hey Campers here – heading to a family festival in a motorhome!
Park Up & Party – reasons to head to a festival in a motorhome – check it out now!
For our 15 family festival camping essentials, click here
For more information on camping at festivals with the family, click my link here.
For a family camping checklist, check out our blog post here.
For our top family staycation ideas, check out our latest post!
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