Best UK Festivals for Families in 2022

Britain is officially a nation of party-goers. Between May 2018 and May 2019, over 26% of UK adults attended a festival. Things started to go downhill in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown measures and social distancing. As such, 2020 was a lot calmer.

The year 2021 is different, and we can start experiencing the best side of UK family-friendly festivals. If you fancy going to festivals with kids in 2021, here are the events, dates, location and where to buy the tickets.

Best Family Festivals in the UK

Camp Bestival

• Event date – 29th July to 1st August 2021
• Location – Lulworth Castle, Dorset

Camp Bestival is a British music festival held annually in July. Organized by BBC Radio 1 DJ Rob Da Bank, the festival is for families with small children. In 2019, the festival had a capacity of 10,000, but in 2020, they cancelled it due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The festival features several activities and entertainment. The four days are usually filled with comedy shows, workshops, and performances. There are food tents and stalls available all over the festival site where families can fill their bellies with tasty meals.

Camp Bestival also places a lot of emphasis on ensuring that the campsite experience is the best. There are several types of camping fields, each with car parks relatively close. This helps to reduce how far people can walk.

Each car park has its own set of loos, showers and recycling points. Usually, the campsites are open on Thursday, giving people an extra day to arrive early, set camp and settle in. This is before the main event on Friday morning.

Camp Bestival Main Campsites are typically located near the Magic Meadow field. To secure your space, turn up, pick your space and set up your tent. If you are unable to travel due to government COVID-19 restrictions, you have the option to roll over your tickets to 2022. This will allow you to secure places at the 2022 festival but at 2021 prices. Alternatively, you can receive a refund from the ticket provider.

Tickets start at:

• Adult Weekend – £230
• Student Weekend – £225
• Age 5 to 9 Weekend – £105
• Age 4 & Under Weekend – £85
• Age 13 to 17 Weekend – £150
• Age 10 to 12 Weekend – £125
• Babes In Arms (1 & Under) – FREE

Purchase your 2021 Camp Bestival tickets today!

The Big Feastival

• Event Date: 27th to 29th August 2021
• Location: Alex James’ Farm, Kingham, the Cotswolds

The Big Feastival is back, and the 27th to 29th August 2021 will be one unforgettable weekend. Sigala, Rag’n’Bone Man, Nile Rogers and Chic will join the party. As one of the most popular music festivals in the UK, it will have world-class entertainment, food and much more.

The Festival Main Stage is the heart of the Big Festival. This is where headliners such as Rag’n’Bone Man, Sigala, Nile and CHIC will perform. This is along with a host of other talented artists. You also have the Big Kitchen, where an array of cooking demonstrations will be available. There will be a Q&A session during the weekend where a lineup of experienced chefs will answer all your questions.

Get up close and personal with your favourite chefs at the Table Sessions. There will be tastings and Q&A talks. You and your family will learn innovative ideas and insider tips from industry geniuses. Remember, this is a free, first-come, first-served experience.

Next is the Alex James Cheese Hub. Don’t be fooled by the name. It’s not all about cheese. The Alex James Cheese Hub is a double-decker disco where Blur’s Alex Jame will throw the ultimate party. There will be a range of special guest DJs and plenty of cheese innovation.

Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park will be hosting various furry friends for you and your family to meet. You can also set up camp on the farm right in the heart of the festival action. This will allow you to maximize your experience across the bank holiday weekend. The farm offers a range of camping options that suit all budgets and setups.

Tickets are going for:

• Twilight Adult Camping Ticket – £209.50 each
• Twilight 12 and Under Camping Ticket (Max 2 per Adult) – £55.50 each
• Twilight Teen Camping Ticket (Max 2 per Adult) – £126.00 each
• Friday Day Tickets – £82
• Saturday Day Tickets – £96
• Sunday Day Tickets – £96

There is a limit of 10 tickets per person. The Big Feastival is working to make the event accessible to everyone. Free tickets will be available to carers for adult ticket holders with physical and mental difficulties.

Get your Big Feastival Tickets now!

Just So Festival

• Event Date: 20th – 22nd August 2021
• Location” Rode Hall Estate, Chesire

The Just So Festival is an annual, weekend-long festival where families can step into a wonderland of world-class arts, dance and music. This festival takes families on a unique adventure to lands full of hidden retreats, camping, top-notch food and magical feasts. As a small festival, it’s capped at 1,000 families, yet it takes place on the extensive grounds of Rode Hall.

There is plenty of space for everyone to explore and spread out. The Just So Festival can adjust its plans to run the festival with social distancing if required. All the Covid-19 safety measures are in place. They include additional cleaning of showers, toilets and other hygiene facilities. Just So can also adjust the space and layout in each area if required.

Wild Rumpus are the organizers of the Just So Festival. They are working collaboratively with Outdoor Arts to ensure COVID-19 safe practices are in place. If the Just So Festival gets postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions, ticket holders can roll over tickets to 2022 or request a refund. If you’re concerned about not attending, opt for Booking Protect at the ticket checkout process.

Speaking of tickets, Just So Festival 2021 tickets are on sale now!

• Phase 3 Weekend Adult with camping – £160.50
• Phase 3 Weekend Adult with camping (£150) – 4 part instalment V2 – £48.00
• Phase 3 Weekend Child with camping – £53.50
• Phase 3 Saturday Adult – £53.50
• Phase 3 Saturday Child – £21.40
• Phase 3 Sunday Adult – £53.50
• Phase 3 Sunday Child – £21.40

Vehicle tickets are already sold out. Just So Festival is now offering a ticket payment plan. This means you can purchase weekend tickets and split the cost over four instalments.

Get your 2021 Just So Festival Tickets today!

Y Not Festival

• Event Date: 30th July to 1st August 2021
• Location: Pikehall, Derbyshire

Join one of the biggest parties in the Peak District. The Y Not Festival started life as a house party back in 2005. For over 14 years, families have enjoyed carefree fun, fantastic music and great food at the heart of the beautiful Peak District.

Each year, the Y Not Festival hosts some of the biggest names in the music industry. They include artists such as Snoop Dogg to Noel Gallagher. It’s not just the music. The festival has countless things that families can do. You’ve paint fights, comedy, carnivals and much more.

There is a top-secret venue and an in-house cinema too. All you need is to bring your family, dress well and have a strong appreciation of colour. The Y Not Festival has multiple themed bars alongside locally brewed ales at the Watchtower.

At the festival, there is 24/7 security and stewards for your protection. There are sniffer dogs on site all weekend long. Their purpose is to keep the festival safe and allow everyone to enjoy the festival. Site fencing is in place to keep unauthorized persons out. Do not tamper with the site fence.

At the campsite, personal campfires are always prohibited. To protect the safety of everyone at the Y Not Festival, the staff will extinguish any personal campfire. Also, due to safety reasons, disposable BBQs and personal campsites are also not permitted.

Persons over 18 can bring alcohol for themselves but not for other people. Anyone under 18 with alcohol will have it taken away. Tier 4 Weekend camping tickets are already sold out. But you can buy Tier 5 Weekend Camping Tickets going for £119.50 inclusive of booking fee and postage.

Extras include:

• Parking – £20
• Thursday Upgrade – £30
• VIP Upgrade – £70
• Live-in Vehicle – £70
• Live-in Vehicle Power – £60

Book your 2021 Y Not Festival Tickets!

Timber Festival

• Event Date: 2nd – 4th July 2021
• Location: Enterprise Glade

Enjoy 3 days of art, music, ideas, and the forest at the Timber Festival. Held in the National Forest, the weekend includes celebration as you rethink your relationship with trees.

Activists, artists, musicians and writers will join you in a joyous celebration of nature. In 2021, the Timber Festival is partnering with Red Fox Cycling to bring the audience to the festival by bicycle – from Birmingham to Timber. This is an excellent chance for families to extend their festival experience and stay fit.

All you need to do is book your place on the Red Fox Cycling Guided Ride. Turn up at the start point with your camping equipment, bags and bike. Red Fox will guide the participants on a relaxing cycle ride through the beautiful countryside.

En route, Red Fox will serve tasty snacks. Over the weekend, your bike is securely stored on the Timber site. All cyclists will get a £42.50 discount on Timber Festival weekend camping tickets. If you want the Red Fox team to bring you and your bike home, you only need to pay £27 for your return coach ticket.

For your weekend at the Timber Festival, you can book a bell tent. Each tent measures 5m and sleeps four people comfortably. It can sleep five people but adding an extra person will reduce the space required for personal belongings.

When camping, members of the Tinker’s team will be on hand to offer any help and advice throughout the weekend. You ought to know that the boutique camping prices do not include festival tickets. To experience boutique camping, book Weekend Camping tickets.

• Adult Weekend Camping Phase 2 – £127.20
• Adult Weekend No Camping Phase 2 – £90.10
• Cyclist Adult Weekend Phase 2 – £82.15
• Child (3-15) Weekend Camping Phase 2 – £42.40
• Child (3-15) Weekend No Camping Phase 2 – £31.80
• Birmingham to Timber – Red Fox Cycling Guided Ride (outward only) – £45.05
• Birmingham to Timber – Red Fox Cycling Guided Ride (return journey) – £74.20

The car park pass goes for £5.50.

Get your 2021 Timber Festival Tickets!

Victorious Festival

• Event Date: 27th – 29th August 2021
• Location: Portsmouth

The Victorious Festival is a three-day music festival held on Castle Field and The Common in Southsea, Portsmouth. The Lottery Winners from Lancashire will bring their brand of indie-pop on Friday.

On Saturday, punk-folk songwriter and singer Frank Turner will take to the stage with his eight album catalogue. It’s filled with eclectic songs. You don’t want to miss the chance to raise your cup in the air on Friday and Saturday to their catchy songs.

Dj Annie Mac will take the special afternoon slot on Sunday and transform the event into Ibiza. Another exciting addition to Sunday is Ella Eyre, the MOBO award winner. Her stunning vocals are currently featured on several hits, including collaborations with Sigalas.

Besides the music, you can explore Market Way, a pathway between Castle Stage and the Common. It’s full of quirky market stalls filled with handmade goods, arts, crafts, good food, thrift stores and much more.

If you’re at the Victorious Festival for a special occasion, buy yourself a Premium Upgrade Bolt On ticket. It will give you access to the Premium Enclosure, its posh loos, bar and viewing platform.

There is also a kids arena that’s completely free to festival-goers.

• Weekend Camping – Standard Zone – 18yrs & over only (Tier 2) – £140.00
• Weekend Camping – Family Zone – 18yrs & over (Tier 2) – £140.00
• Weekend Camping – Family Zone – 13yrs-17yrs (Tier 2) – £125.00
• Weekend Camping – Family Zone – 5yrs-12yrs – £34.00
• Weekend Camping – Family Zone – Under 5s – £4.00

The ticket prices above are not inclusive of booking fees.

Get your 2021 Victorious Festival Tickets!

Kendal Calling

• Event Date: 29th July – 1st August 2021
• Location: Lowther Deer Park, The Beautiful Lake District

Back in 2006, a group of music lovers held a two-day party at the Abbot Hall Park in Kendal. The group landed music giants Sea Power and Pendulum, who rocked the countryside. That is how Kendal Calling was born.

In 2021, Kendal Calling festival will take place at the Lowther Deer Park in the Lake District. This is after the 2020 festival got cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kendal Calling revealed its lineup that includes huge names. Headlining the festival will be Supergrass, Stereophonics, The Streets, Dizzee Rascal, etc.

Ticket holders can bask in the glorious surroundings looking out over the stunning lakes. The Main Stage at the Kendal Calling has hosted the likes of Blondie, Dizzee Rascal, Snoop Dogg, Calvin Harris and hundreds more.

Besides the Main Stage, you’ve the Glow. This is the home of dance music at the festival. Previous headliners include Grandmaster Flash, 2manydjs, Shy FX and many more. If you want to see the next big thing in music, head to the Calling Out. In 2021, Kendal Calling announced it will double the capacity. As such, they will be showcasing bigger bands than ever.

All customers must have one ticket to enter the festival site. The festival tickets go for:

• Release One Adult Weekend ticket – £144
• Children age 6 to 10 years – £22
• Teen age 11 to 15 years – £88.25

Sadly, tickets are already sold out at the time of writing this post. But you can order for secure storage, phone charging points, car parking and their extras. In the event the festival does not take place, ticket holders can roll their tickets over or request a refund of the ticket’s face value.

Kendal Calling will require ticket holders to follow all guidance from the government.

Final Thoughts

There you have it. The best family-friendly festivals happening in 2021. Sadly, several organizers had to cancel their 2021 festivals. They include Deer Shed, Bluedot, and Chilled in a Field Festival. Tickets will roll over to the 2022 event.

If you want to experience a new place and better understand local life and culture, we recommend attending the other festivals. They include the Kendal Calling, Victorious Festival, Timber Festival, Y Not Festival and Just So Festival.

These festivities bring families and communities together. Don’t miss out on all the fun.