With the festival going child-free for 2024, party-going parents are scrambling for family friendly Boomtown alternatives.
Here are seven events, each with a distinctive blend of music art and fun, offering a more kid-friendly milieu:
1. Anthropos Festival (Hertfordshire, England)
Scheduled from 23rd to 27th May 2024, the Anthropos Festival is a “transformational gathering” located near London, showcasing an expansive round-the-clock programme with incredible psychedelic music, over 100 workshops & lectures, and an extensive art gallery. Attendees can immerse themselves in live painting sessions and teaching workshops, while youngsters are entertained by a dedicated children’s programme.
The festival’s eco-conscious ethos is reflected in its 100% vegan food offerings, solar power utilization, and a tree planting initiative for every attendee. The ethos of community, human connection, and learning is at the heart of the Anthropos Festival experience. Tickets are available for £133, while children under 15 go free. See our review here.
2. Glastonbury Festival (Somerset, England)
Descend into a whimsical realm from 26th – 30th June 2024 at Glastonbury. While getting tickets for the UK’s biggest festival is often a bit of a nightmare, the titanic event embraces the spirit of the International Rights of the Child, allowing kids under 12 to attend for free.
While some parents worry about the scale of the event, at child-centric zones like Kidzfield and Green Kids, young ones can revel in a whole host of creative activities, including circus antics, melody-making, and puppetry marvels while watched over by the festival’s crew. The Theatre & Circus fields further enliven the atmosphere with quirky walkabouts and riveting performances catering to all ages. Adults can partake in this iconic festival for £355 plus a £5 booking fee. Secure your tickets here.
3. WOMAD Festival (Malmesbury, England)
Embark on a global musical voyage at WOMAD Festival 2024 from 25th to 28th July, nestled in the picturesque Charlton Park in Malmesbury. Celebrating the World of Music, Arts, and Dance, WOMAD is a nexus of cultural exploration and musical diversity. The festival is a family affair, offering an extensive range of activities for children at the World of Kids, where they can partake in circus skills, crafts, and a vibrant parade embodying the festival’s inclusivity and celebration spirit.
The eclectic lineup showcases artists from around the globe, reverberating with rhythms that transcend geographical boundaries. In 2023, adult weekend tickets were priced at approximately £225, while the festival also offered a plethora of family-centric ticket options, making it a viable choice for a family getaway. Grab your tickets and delve into our review of the festival’s previous edition, exploring the global music scene through the lens of WOMAD 2023.
4. Shambala Festival (Northamptonshire, England)
Envisaged for August 2024 (exact dates TBC), Shambala unfolds as a playground of imagination for kids. The festival grounds brim with youthful zest as children hula hoop, race on whimsical bike tracks, bounce on trampolines, master circus skills, revel in free face painting, and much more. The family yurt transforms into a cosy storytelling haven with bedtime tales and warm cocoa. Tickets are available here.
5. Maui Waui (Suffolk, England)
Set to enchant festival-goers in August 2024 at Peak Hill Farm, Leiston, Maui Waui is a 3-day spectacle of international music, performance, and arts. This festival is a canvas of creativity with genres spanning DNB, techno, psy, reggae, dub, ska, punk, rock, and folk, offering a bit of something for everyone.
The atmosphere is electric yet family-friendly, with a plethora of activities for kids: From circus skills workshops to engaging storytelling sessions, the young ones are in for a treat. The visual arts and crafts areas provide a playground for imaginative minds, while the various stages echo with the rhythm of diverse music. It’s a smaller-scale festival but brimming with the authentic vibe that music and art enthusiasts cherish. Check out the tickets and read our review.
6. Tropical Pressure (Cornwall, England)
The melodic voyage of Tropical Pressure is set to unfold from 12th – 14th July 2024, enveloping attendees in a global theme that celebrates the rich tapestry of music, dance, and food from three tropical continents. The festival is nestled on the North Cornish coast at Porthtowan’s Mount Pleasant Eco Park, a World Heritage site and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, providing an exquisite backdrop for a weekend of cultural exploration.
The weekend brims with fun activities for everyone, especially kids who can delve into crafty sessions such as floral headdress-making and flower-pressing sessions. There’s a dedicated activity area where children can play with homemade instruments, partake in engaging workshops, and immerse themselves in learning about diverse cultures.
The festival’s mission to celebrate the cultures of Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa resonates through its vibrant ambience, making it feel like a tropical retreat barely set in England. In 2023, the weekend camping was priced at £125 for adults, £80 for ‘young adults’, and £40 for children, offering a reasonable estimate for the 2024 event. Book your tickets and read our review here if TP sounds like it would resonate with your family.
7. Landed Festival (Powys, Wales)
Nestled in the serene Doldowlod Estate near Rhayader, Landed Festival is a celebration that resonates with an old-school punk party vibe coupled with bonkers visual art. Awarded Best Welsh Festival in 2019, and known drinks at pub prices and affordable food, which makes it a pocket-friendly option for families.
On top of its funk music, the festival showcased a whole bunch of child-friendly activities, and camping in a beautiful valley has a great allure, making it a weekend of rustic charm and musical enchantment. In 2023, the full weekend ticket was priced at £120 online, providing a reference for 2024 pricing. You can reserve your spot here and check out our review here.
8. Equinox Festival (Lincolnshire, England)
The rhythm-laden haven of Equinox Festival beckons families in September 2024 near Grimsby, Lincolnshire. The festival is hailed as the best end-of-season party in the Universe, featuring three live music venues and two dance tents reverberating with Psydub/Tech and Jungle/DnB tunes. The Children’s Area is a hub of joy for the little ones, filled with engaging activities amidst fire shows, workshops, and heritage crafts. Walkabout entertainers and chill-out areas add to the allure, making it a wholesome family experience.
Get your tickets and read our review here.
9. Nozstock: The Hidden Valley (Herefordshire, England)
Nozstock is a whimsical odyssey set amid the rolling hills of Herefordshire, come July. The festival is a family-run affair, born from a backyard barbecue, it now features 11 stages of eclectic entertainment. For the young festival-goers, Nozstock offers a variety of creative outlets including craft workshops from Spare Room Arts, Renegade beatbox, kids poetry, family fun dance workshops, and yoga. Not to mention, the unique opportunity to craft your own Dino Tail.
Check out the tickets and have a glance at our review here.
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