The Best Family Friendly Festivals
Ready to show the littluns a place where the thrills never end? Here are the best child-friendly festivals in 2024.
Last updated: 29th Apr 2026
Originally published: 1st Feb 2021
There really is nothing like a music festival. Immersing yourself in quality music, dancing any worries away, getting stuck into various activities, and wishing it would never end. If you feel it’s time to introduce the little'uns to this wonderful world, great! Let us give you a hand…
From small boutique festivals tucked away in some of Britain's most enchanting locations to the award-winning favourites of the festival world, there are plenty of music festivals tailored for families. We’ve gathered some of the best family-friendly festivals to help you find the perfect one for your family.
Check out the best family festivals below, and prepare to embark on incredible adventures and make cherished memories.
Photo: Knockengorroch / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 21st - Sunday 24th May
Where: Knockengorroch in Kirkcudbrightshire
2026 lineup: Mungos Hi Fi Sound System, The Deltones, Grace Sands, Elias Alexander
Located on a beautiful mountain riverside meadow, Knockengorroch is a festival run by a family for families, full of magic and mayhem.
Knockengorroch is renowned for delivering a broad range of fantastic artists, representing a multitude of genres including world music, folk, fusion, dub, reggae, afrobeat, and DnB. As well as music, punters can enjoy workshops, storytelling, cabaret, spoken word, dance, children's activities, real ales, arts and crafts, and comedy performances.
The festival is located in one of the best areas in the world to see the stars. Head out on an adventure to this stunning, remote festival and unwind in the natural surroundings with your nearest and dearest.
Find tickets and more info on Knockengorroch - HERE
Photo: Equinox Festival / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 17th - Sunday 20th September
Where: Scholey Park, Lincolnshire
2026 lineup: Mad Professor, The Orb, Nicky Blackmarket, Ultrasound
'For the people, not the profit' - Equinox Festival is a weird and wonderful non-profit event that effortlessly made our best family festivals list. Built by a community of music and art lovers, the festival prides itself on bringing people together to celebrate, experience, and interact with a medley of magical musical performances and installations.
Held on a relaxing farm, the site features seven stages, each with crazy décor and stage shows, showcasing hundreds of bands and DJs, fire shows, crafts, and workshops throughout the extended weekend. The festival also has a dedicated children’s area with entertainment including toys, crafts, and arts.
Covering reggae, ska, punk, psy trance, drum and bass, techno, folk, and more, there's probably something to suit everyones tastes on the lineup. Oh, and you can bring your dog!
Find tickets and more info on Equinox Festival - HERE
Photo: In It Together / Facebook.com
When: Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th May
Where: Old Park Farm Margam in Port Talbot, Wales
2026 lineup: Aitch, Madness, Snow Patrol, Scouting For Girls, Joel Corry, Professor Green
Bringing Wales the biggest bank holiday party, In It Together boasts a lineup of pop, indie, rock, pop rock, reggae, and dance including house, DnB, UKG, and more.
With plenty on, even for babies and toddlers, In It Together is perfect for the whole family. There's a dedicated baby and toddler tent with sensory play, arts and crafts, magic shows, and more. For the older little ones, there's an Aardman model making workshop, climbing walls, Dinomania and so much more for them to enjoy.
For the adults, yoga, mindfulness, wellbeing talks, or bars and music should do the trick.
Find tickets and more info on In It Together Festival - HERE
Photo: Kelburn Garden Party / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 2nd - Monday 6th July
Where: Kelburn Country Centre in Largs, Scotland
2026 lineup: Leon Vynehall, Sherelle, Emma-Jean Thackery, Pictish Trail, Snapped Ankles, Jen Cardini
Just half an hour from Glasgow, Kelburn Garden Party spans house, techno, folk, funk, disco, dub, jazz, blues, jungle, hip-hop, disco, afrobeat, and global sounds.
They have a huge programme of activities for kids including The Secret Forest Project, a duck race, pond dipping and creative workshops. And, of course, there’s the incredible DJ lineup plus the live lineup featuring underground Scottish sounds as well as legends from across the UK, Europe, and beyond.
Find tickets and more info on Kelburn Garden Party - HERE
Photo: Deva Fest / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 6th - Sunday 9th August
Where: Cholmondeley Castle Estate in Malpas, Shrewsbury, England
2026 lineup: James Morrison, Jessie J, Ronan Keating, Vengaboys, Symphonic Ibiza
Cheshire’s top-rated family-friendly music and food festival (which is also dog-friendly!) brings 80s music, pop, indie, and pop rock to the heart of Cheshire. And this year’s lineup is looking killer!
Deva Fest offers multiple stages of music and comedy, unlimited free turns on fairground rides, the Kid's Kingdom, circus workshops, watersports, and toilets with mirrors and flushes, which many attendees have donned the best festival toilets they’ve ever used.
With shuttle buses going from Chester, Ellesmere Port, Wrexham, Tarporley, Crewe, Nantwich, Shrewsbury, and Whitchurch, Deva makes it easy for you to head over and join the fun at this year’s bash.
Find tickets and more info on Deva Fest - HERE
Photo: Camp Bestival Dorset / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 30th July - Sunday 2nd August
Where: Lulworth Castle in Dorset, England
2026 lineup: Self Esteem, Bastille, Fatboy Slim, Example, Billy Ocean, De La Soul, Leftfield
Camp Bestival was created for families with small children, and with so many varied activities, it’s most definitely one of country's favourite child-friendly festivals.
Bringing huge names in music to sites in Dorset and Shropshire, both festivals have similar lineups but not exactly the same. But both cover pop, rock, house, a bit of indie, a bit of DnB, hip-hop, and dance.
Just some of the activities you can find at both festivals this year include The Allotment, a trampoline park, a taste of Taskmaster, craft workshops, family darts, a silent disco, wall climbing, and more spanning sports, learning, art, and beyond.
Find more info on Camp Bestival - HERE
Photo: Latitude Festival / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 23rd - Sunday 26th July
Where: Henham Park in Beccles, Norwich, England
2026 lineup: David Byrne, Lewis Capaldi, The Last Dinner Party, Self Esteem, Dry Cleaning, Getdown Services
Latitude is without a doubt one of the best family festivals, and it's back to treat around 40,000 lucky guests to a weekend of music performed by some of the biggest names in the industry, plus comedy, workshops, theatre productions, art installations, wellbeing activities, and even wild swimming.
Latitude has secured a fair few awards over the years including Best Family Festival, Best Family Experience, and Best Family Day Out, so you know you and the kids are in for a cracking weekend.
Find more info on Latitude - HERE
Aldershot Picnic and Pop Family Festival
Photo: Picnic and pop / Facebook.com
When: Saturday 25th - Sunday 26th July
Where: Manor Park in Aldershot, Guildford, England
2026 lineup: East 17, Scouting For Girls
Aldershot's Picnic and Pop Festival has been known to feature tributes to Beyonce, Lewis Capaldi, ABBA, Paloma Faith, and more. It is a brilliant little festival that was nominated for Best Family Festival and Best Small Festival last year. So far for 2026, they've announced Scouting For Girls and East 17
More artists are still to be announced as well as more details on this year's kids zone.
Find tickets and more info on Aldershot Picnic and Pop Family Festival - HERE
Photo credit: Lisa Valder
When: Friday 21st - Sunday 23rd August
Where: Mt Ephraim Gardens, Hernhill, Faversham
2026 lineup: Henge, Haze, Gong, Curved Air, The Mentulls
A New Day Festival is a fantastic place to explore niche genres such as prog rock, psychedelic, experimental, krautrock and more. The festival provides plenty of food and drink festivals and has a welcoming atmosphere, making it an ideal place for you to bring the family.
There are glamping options available if you'd like to sleep in style too.
Find tickets and more info on A New Day Festival - HERE
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
Image credit: Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
When: Thursday 30th July - Saturday 1st August
Where: Belladrum Estate, Inverness
2026 lineup: James, The Human League, Mika, Rizzle Kicks, Razorlight, Sigala
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival is nestled in the confides of the beautiful Belladrum Estate. The festival returns year upon year to deliver it's family-focused music and arts programme. There's dedicated family camping and the Venus Fly Trap stage is the place to go for fun, with wrestling shows, singalongs, cabaret and comedy happening.
Find tickets and more info on Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival - HERE
When: Saturday 30th May
Where: Northern Meeting park, Inverness
2026 lineup: Beluga Lagoon, Skerryvore, Torridon, Talisk, Valtos
The Gathering is a yearly celebration of Highland culture, presenting traditional and folk-based musical talents from all over Scotland and beyond. If that's not your vibe, don't worry. There's also rock, pop, and other genres on the lineup.
Taking residence at the Northern Meeting Park in Inverness, the city centre festival is packed with things to do and see. Those of age can sample some of the finest alcoholic drinks, brought to you by a host of dedicated craft makers from across the region in addition to a wide choice of highland delicacies whilst the youngsters make the most of a packed programme of children's entertainment.
Experience a proper Scottish knees-up like no other with your family this year. Bagpipes and kilts at the ready!
Find tickets and more info on The Gathering - HERE
For more festivals across the UK, check out our recommendations for the best EDM, house and techno, trance, indie, Ibiza and hip-hop festivals.
Think festivals think Skiddle.
Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.
Header: Latitude / Facebook.com