From Camp Bestival to Cornbury
We bring you all the latest on the family-friendly festivals taking place in 2022, offering plenty of activities for little ones to enjoy plus great music line-ups.
Camp Bestival
Family-Friendly Festivals 2022
July
OXFORDSHIRE: Cornbury
Cornbury Festival Dates: 8 – 10 July 2022
In the Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire, this luxe family-friendly festival features kids activities that include Ukulele for Kids, circus skills shows, kids yoga and a toddler disco. Young art lovers will find a host of workshops from screen printing to needle felting. There’s also a giant den, clay modelling and yoga for some outdoorsy festi-fun. Buy Cornbury tickets
DEVON: Tunes on the Sands
Tunes on the Sands Festival Dates: 8 – 10 July 2022
This new family-friendly festival arrived at Blackpool Sands beach for the first time last July. The 2022 line-up is yet to be announced, but last year’s event saw Billy Ocean perform. Little ones, meanwhile, can enjoy beach activities, kayaking, art instillations and silent discos. Parents, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s also a Tarquins gin terrace. Buy Tunes on the Sands tickets
SUFFOLK: Latitude Festival
Photo: Sarah Koury
Latitude Festival Dates: 21 – 24 July 2022
Award-winning family-friendly festival Latitude has activities for kids, teens and families spread across three areas. Think pond dipping, star gazing, pizza making, a dedicated In Betweeners area for teens and a magical Enchanted Garden with a family-friendly programme for under-13s. There’s even a dedicated schools programme to allow teachers to bring along their class for some festival fun. Last year’s line-up included Liam Gallagher, Haim and The Chemical Brothers. Buy Latitude tickets
YORKSHIRE: Deer Shed Festival
Deer Shed Festival dates: 29 – 31 July 202
Started by a group of music loving parents, dissatisfied with paying over the odds for below average music, the founders of Deer Shed know what makes a good family festival. Their success is in not regarding children as second-class citizens, but also not over compromising for that ‘family friendly’ experience. Music, spoken word, theatre, cinema and workshops are all top notch. Under-fives activities include a sensory tent and soft play. Boom Chikka Boom baby rave anyone? Buy Deer Shed Festival tickets
DORSET & SHROPSHIRE: Camp Bestival
Camp Bestival dates: 28 – 31 July and 18 – 21 August 2022
In our opinion, the very best of child-friendly festivals, Camp Bestival is a wonderland for little ones. It has been taking place in Dorset for a number of years – and this year, a second event is being added to the mix, this one in Shropshire. Not to be confused with more grown up sister-festival Bestival, Camp Bestival vetoes the beer sludge and raving all-nighters for more child-friendly pursuits like bouncy castles, go-carts, fairgrounds, face painting, sandpits and glitter – the list goes on. In fact, most of the festival is dedicated to little party people. There’s even a Breastival Mother and Baby Chill Out spot for the newest mums. Head to the Upper Kids’ Garden on the lawn behind the castle to find the world’s biggest bouncy castle and keep your eyes peeled for visits from beloved characters such as the Gruffalo and PJ Masks. There are family shows and entertainment from Mr Tumble, Mister Maker and Timmy Mallett. What’s in it for the parents? Oldies can enjoy music from the likes of Sister Sledge, Razorlight and Kool & The Gang in Dorset, and Fatboy Slim, Rag & Bone Man and Becky Hill in Shropshire. Buy Camp Bestival tickets
NORTH & SOUTH: CarFest
CarFest Festival Dates: 22 – 24 July, 26 – 28 August 2022
Previous headliners at the split-location CarFest event in aid of BBC Children in Need have included Jools Holland, The Jacksons and The Human League. There’s plenty on offer for kids, including the Vintage Village, where they can step back in time and visit the vintage market, tea rooms and sweet shops, and discover cars from the 30s through to the 70s. There’s also the Farm-Olympics, kids theatre and the Car-Nival.
HERTFORDSHIRE: Standon Calling
© Photography by Fernando Bonenfant for Here & Now, wearehereandnow.net
Standon Calling Festival Dates: 21 – 24 July 2022
Hertfordshire’s hottest boutique festival ensures a family line-up your kids will be excited about; the last festival’s highlights included Horrible Histories and Andy & the Odd Socks. There’s plenty for adults too, with Primal Scream, Bastille and Hot Chip having performed in the past. Buy Standon Calling tickets
August
HAMPSHIRE: Boomtown
Boomtown Festival Dates: 10 – 14 August 2022
Boomtown Kidzone
The only choice for the coolest kids in town; Boomtown’s annual party is always a sell-out. Little ones will love Kidztown which features a petting zoo, cinema, face painting and tattoo parlour and more. Buy Boomtown Fair tickets
WALES: Green Man Festival
Green Man Festival Dates: 18 – 21 August 2022
Jumping around in a field surrounded by the breathtaking Brecon Beacons is most people’s idea of fun. There’s a ‘Little Folk’ area for glitter-filled under-12s fun. Last year the area was transformed into The Lost City Of Atlantis, set against the backdrop of lush green mountains, where the kids could go wild in their own aquatic adventure. From craft workshops and bubbles galore, to a bit of magic or just frivolous fun; this is one of the best kids’ zones out there. Buy Green Man Festival tickets
COTSWOLDS: Big Feastival
Big Feastival Festival Dates: 26 – 28 August 2022
Held on founder and Blur star Alex James’ farm in Kingham, the Big Feastival features a host of big names in family-friendly entertainment. Last year’s line-up featured CBeebies’ Justin Fletcher and Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain Part Five, whilst adults enjoyed performances from the likes of DJ Sigala, Rag’n’Bone Man and Nile Rodgers & CHIC. Buy Big Feastival tickets
HAMPSHIRE: Park Proms Festival
Park Proms Festival Dates: 26 – 27 August 2022
Championing the best of British, Park Proms takes place on the historic Broadlands Estate (known for being home to the Mountbatten family). The world-renowned Royal Air Force display teams are all set to open the two-day family-friendly festival, where headline acts will include the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, Aled Jones, Laura Wright, Escala and the Travelling Hands. It’s not just one for classical music lovers either; British pop takes centre stage on the Saturday, when James Morrison, Pixie Lott, Scouting for Girls and Eliza & the Bear will play their chart topping hits. Buy Park Prom Tickets
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