Family friendly North West festivals this Summer

One of my favourite things about summer is that there are lots of opportunities to take the boys to see live music. Last year we managed to take them to Festwich and Headlander Festival, as well as kids festival Lollibop.

This year I’m hoping to take them back to the places we enjoyed and also to find some new events we haven’t been to before. I’ve been scouting around on t’interweb and I’ve narrowed it down to ten festivals I’d love to take the children to. I don’t expect we’ll get to them all but I do love to plan ahead, so there’s always next summer!

1. Geronimo Festival

As I’ve mentioned before we are very proud ambassadors for Geronimo Festival. There’s going to be so much to do on the day and we’re really excited about spending the day being wowed by the circus acts, the bubble show and the BMX show. We’re going to get cuddles in pets corner, ride on a donkey (well, the kids will – I’d break the poor thing) and get crafty in the Creation Station. Most of all I’m looking forward to taking the boys to Monkey Do, to do some big tree climbing and to make a den. There’s so much – I’m just worried we won’t fit it all in!

Prices: £75 for a family of four (Day Pass)

2. Headlander Festival

This is a little bit different to Geronimo in that it’s aimed at the entire family. Headlander is a wonderful mixture of live music, family entertainment and activities for everyone. We went last year and we really, thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. This year we’re going to attend both days so we can fit it all in because last year there just wasn’t enough time. There is an option to camp at Headlander too, so hopefully the weather will be kind to us and we can stay on-site all weekend. We’re most looking forward to the bouncy castles, face painting and (for me, anyway) the Rock Zone. I’m not sure about the stilt walkers though – they make me nervous!

Prices: £25 adults £12.50 Children (Day Pass)

3. The Great British Food Festival

Now I know it may not seem an obvious choice, but having looked at the plans for GBFF this year I think we’re really going to enjoy it. It certainly isn’t what its name suggests because as well as more delicious food than you can shake a stick at, the Great British Food Festival is also offering a range of entertainment too! There will be cookery classes for children, workshops for circus skills and craft, Men (and women, I expect) Vs. Food challenges, taste marquees and even a cake off. Something we’re really looking forward to though is the foraging walk. Maybe we’ll end up with enough to make something lovely when we get home.

Price: £20 per family (Day Pass)

4. Boltfest/Festwich/RockPrest

Whatever name it goes by, if you like rock music you REALLY need to get yourself down to one of these FREE (yes, free) festivals. We’ve been to Festwich every year since it started three years ago, but this year we’re changing location and heading to Boltfest. Live music, funfair, market stalls, awesome street food and a really relaxed, laid back atmosphere. There’s plenty of room to chill out and – at Festwich at least – there’s a children’s play area and bouncy castles too. Check out our review here.

Price: FREE (just pay booking fee)

5. Cloudspotting Festival

This one is a festival I’ve just come across online. Based in Gisburn Forest in Lancashire it’s a small festival for just a few hundred people. Their website looks as though it’s waiting to be updated with this year’s information but their facebook page is all up to date and full of the latest news. I think this would be a great option for a more relaxed weekend of live music and generally getting away from the hustle and bustle of life.

Prices: £99 per adult, £10 per child (full weekend)

Are you attending any festivals this year? I’d love to know which ones and where!