Where creativity meets connection
Good Vibrations Society
Fri 1 – Sun 3 Aug
Pippingford Park, East sussex
Set within the gorgeous Ashdown Forest, this is a nourishing weekend of music, ecology and wellbeing. It’s an open invitation to connect with others, embrace your individuality, and revel in the wonders of nature.
Dance to phenomenal live music from around the globe, wake up with refreshing wild swims, and energise your spirit with free yoga and dance workshops. Engage your mind with thought-provoking talks, let your imagination run wild in the evolving playscape, and wander the enchanting forest on guided walks. When it’s time to relax, unwind with a cold drink in the cozy onsite pub or savour a hearty meal in the bustling food court.
A big part of the festival is The Hive, a kaleidoscopic kids’ hub and evolving play-space where, together with you, we create a cauldron of fun, get silly and sandy, build friendships and blow our imaginations. There’s a rambunctious range of games and activities: scrap craft, clay creations and loose parts play for all to try. There’s a chance to build fantastical creatures from recycled wood with Seed of Play or try your hand at circus skills. As well as some showstopping performances, there are loads of freeform play ideas, face painting, ping pong patch, games, music-making and art activities.
Love Supreme Jazz Festival
Fri 4 - Sun 6 July
Glynde Place, East Sussex
Europe’s biggest greenfield jazz festival is returning to Sussex with another stellar lineup. Treats this year include Rodgers & Chic, seven-time Grammy-winner Jacob Collier, Philadelphia jam band The Roots, multi-platinum-selling neo-soul superstar Maxwell and Motown icon Smokey Robinson. And that’s just the headliners. Elsewhere across this stunning site you’ll find the finest established stars and fast-emerging talent from across jazz, soul, funk, R&B and beyond.
Additional offerings at the festival this year include a wellness and yoga area, a fabulous Kids area, the Supremium VIP area, which will offer a range of premium benefits plus the opportunity to watch exclusive artist performances, and the Jazz Lounge, which will present a range of artist interviews, talks, panel discussions, breakfast news reviews and film screenings. The festival will also see the return of an expanded Bands & Voices area, which presents cabaret, spoken word and swing dance lessons, and nestled away in the woods the Blue In Green area presents live music and DJs late into the night.
Uptown Festival
Sun 27 July
Blackheath, London
The ultimate family-friendly event, Uptown Festival is where legendary music acts meet exciting activities for kids and adults alike. It’ll feature an incredible music lineup, with iconic acts and all-time favourite performances. Relive the music of past decades and enjoy a festival experience that unites generations, with three exceptional stages. Its Main Stage will host legendary performers, while the dedicated tent will showcase a variety of iconic acts.
From interactive family-friendly entertainment to the dedicated kids area, ‘Little Town,’ featuring stage takeovers, non-stop fun, and rides, there are endless ways for your little ones to enjoy the day. Discover one of the best things to do with kids in London and create lasting memories at one of the most family-friendly festivals in the UK.
www.london.uptownfestival.co.uk
Shindig
Thurs 22 – Sun 25 May
Charlton Park, Wiltshire
Not many gatherings can best this West Country weekender. Dubbed a "pint-sized Glastonbury", Shindig has been recommended by Emily Eavis and all its directors have been involved with the Somerset mega-fest over the years. The family-friendly is attracting the finest names in funk, soul, afrobeat, house and bass music to its beautiful new site in Wiltshire for 2025. Offerings include Gilles Peterson, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 and Moonchild Sanelly, Freestylers, Asian Dub Foundation, Ibibio Sound Machine, Gentleman’s Dub Club, Dub FX, Mr Scruff, The Nextmen, A-Skillz, Krafty Kuts, Altern8, JFB and Channel One.
Dressing up is a big part of the Shindig fun, and this year’s theme is: “Love Is The Answer”- so get ready to wear your heart on your sleeve at the parade on Sat afternoon and soak up the good vibes.
There’s a dedicated Kids’ Area, packed with family-friendly fun for youngsters of all ages and their adults. You can enjoy circus skills, climbing walls, space hoppers and sandpits. Older kids can get involved in the hugely popular Graffiti Wall and attend DJ, MCing and breakdance workshops. While over in the Craft Area, you’ll discover workshops on everything from felt making to spoon whittling, woodworking and jewellery making for all the family.
Also on offer are inspiring talks, awesome art installations, secret venues amongst the arboretum and hidden playgrounds to discover. Bringing a healthy dose of foot-stomping funk and a packed programme of entertainment for all ages, Shindig Festival offers relaxation and revelry in equal measures.
Chidfest Music Festival
Fri 18 - Sun 20 July
Hailsham, East Sussex
From a marquee with less than 500 people to a festival for over 2.5k people, with two stages, big screen, VIP area, purpose-built bar and a kids area, Chidfest seems to be doing something right.
This three-day music festival now boasts camping and glamping, or you can just vist for the day. Music delights include Dutty Moonshine Biand, Rhythm Of The 90s, Le Freak, Just A Couple Of Mums, Happy Place Choir, The Feeling, Jazzie B, The Real Thing, Navi As Michael Jackson, 21st Century Abba Oasish
Not only does the event offer a friendly crowd and the best sounds around, you’ll also be helping support their local charity, St Wilfrid's Hospice. This is a truly family-friendly festival, so expect plenty to entertain the kids; including crafting, face painting and maximum fun.
Portsmouth International Kite Festival
Sat 26 – Sun 27 July
Southsea, Hampshire
A free event jointly organised by Portsmouth City Council and The Kite Society of Great Britain, this spectacular weekend will welcome hundreds of kite fliers from around the world. Recognised as one of the best and most popular Kite Festivals in the world, it takes over Southsea Common - an expansive public space overlooking the Solent.
The festival has stunning and colourful demonstrations of the art of kite flying and kite making, with many kites in the sky and on the ground for visitors to enjoy and admire. These include beautiful single-line kites - intricately appliquéd or painted with magnificent designs, amazing cellular kites – flying miracles of structural engineering, awe-inspiring 3D soft kites in a magical range of shapes and sizes. Teams and individuals will also be performing tricks and ballet routines to music
www.portsmouthkitefestival.org.uk
Lewes Music Festival
Fri 6 - Sun 8 June
Lewes, East Sussex
Now in its fourth year, Lewes Music Festival is showing sussex how it should be done. Grown with support from the local community and a love of great music, this modest-sized event punches well above its weight. Each year, the line-ups have been getting better, attracting our national and international artists, alongside platforming the best in local artists, bands and DJs.
This year boasts Hurly Burly, Tidal Groove, Harry Gapes, godfathers of hip-hop The Sugarhill Gang (this isn’t a joke!), Artful Dodger, Woody Cook, Gyratory All Stars, Forsylver, Phats and Small, Dusty Evenings and Sam as Elton
Camping and Glamping is available, with warm-up parties, plenty of food options to suit all tastes, a small fairground for the children, garden games and more for the adults, plenty of shopping/retail and a brand-new DJ tent. There’s also bars stocked with local cider, South Downs, a cocktail bar and the obligatory views of the stunning Sussex countryside.
https://lmf.onlineticketseller.com
Wealden Festival
Sat 21 – Sun 22 June
Tenterden, Kent
Founded in 2015 with the simple aim of providing a space where people could slow down, come together, and connect with nature, The Wealden Literary Festival has grown from a small gathering in a barn to a staple of the creative calendar.
It brings together readers, writers, and wanderers who share a love of wild places and storytelling. Amongst the ancient Kent woodland, they’ve created something unique, which isn’t about rushed book signings or crowded auditoriums. This is a festival for making genuine connections, unexpected conversations and moments of wonder.
Their participants don’t just come to speak; they stay, share meals, and engage. You might find yourself discussing poetry under an old oak tree, learning about local wildlife with your family, or sharing coffee with your favourite writer. With more than 100 acres to explore, the site provides space for children to roam freely and everyone to find their own moments of inspiration. You can take part in talks, hands-on workshops, and outdoor activities. Our camping area is in a designated Dark Sky Zone providing a breathtaking backdrop for evenings spent sharing stories under the stars.
www.wealdenliteraryfestival.co.uk
Feasty Fest
Sat 13 – Sun 14 Sept
Sutton, Surrey
Sharing the idea that food is more than nourishment, Feasty Fest aims to bring communities together.Creating it’s own scene around family and friends, this two-day bash has grown into the largest food festival in Surrey. Started in 2018 as a way to entice local families to come out and enjoy the food of local, small producers, it’s spreading the organisers’ love and appreciation for food- offering engaging and enjoyable ways to learn, understand and inspire.
Their Kidszone is packed with something for everyone, from the Tic Tac Skate School and (supervised and safety conscious) Tree Climbing sessions to Water Wars and stories with The Fairy Bookmother. There’s also archery, yoga and arts & crafts, making this the perfect space to discover new tastes and experiences.
Top image by Steve Jenkin
Mark O'Donnell
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