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 You don’t have to run around barefoot with flowers in your hair to enjoy a good festival these days.
Surrey alone has scores of annual events providing a great selection of family-friendly fun and activities. We've picked out the main ones to give you a taste of what's on offer this summer.
You must have heard of it! This three-day music festival offers a great opportunity to enjoy live music with your children in a safe environment. It is well known for being a family-friendly festival and includes an entire section dedicated to children. The Kidzone includes VIP visits from favourite TV characters, theatre productions of famous tales, clowns, fire shows, acrobats, circus skills, art and music workshops and a fancy dress parade.
If you haven’t seen the main music line-up for this year already, it includes Olly Murs, Jools Holland, Bryan Ferry, Tulisa, Buzzcocks, The Undertones, Gary Newman, Cher Lloyd, The Wurzels, Ash, ABC, Heaven 17 and many more.
Click for GuilFest website.
A family festival promising a Kids’ Zone, children’s events, workshops and plenty of Daleks and Stormtroopers.
The music line-up this year includes Roy Wood, Mike Sanchez, Curved Air, The Wildcards, Little Johnny England and super-group Asia, featuring members of Yes, ELP and King Crimson.
Visitors can also enjoy The Rural Life Centre and its café, food stalls, a bar and camping and glamping (posh camping for those who haven’t heard of it).
Click for Weyfest website.
A music festival that promises to take you back in time with a combination of legendary artists from the '70s, '80s and '90s.
Other entertainment includes themed retro bars, pyrotechnics, games area, family fun activities and an exclusive after show party.
The line-up for 2012 includes Level 42, Jocelyn Brown, Alexander O'Neal, Billy Ocean, Soul II Soul, Modern Romance and many more.
Click for Happy Days Festival website.
Not a festival exactly, but such a big event, it is worth a mention. It attracts up to 40,000 visitors a year and features hundreds of animals from giant beef bulls to bantam hens, all in Guildford's Stoke Park. The show is a family day out, offering entertainment and fun for all ages, including displays and demonstrations in a main arena, competitions and more.
Click for Surrey County Show website.
This is a celebration of alternative arts and music and takes place in Lion Green, Haslemere. There will be live music, comedy performances, dance and poetry as well as film screenings. Children can also enjoy storytelling in a yurt, a strongman competition and craft demonstrations. There are also dedicated entertainment areas for children.
Click for tickets for Haslemere Fringe Festival.
This festival for the tastebuds takes over Castle Street in Farnham for the day and includes more than 50 stalls selling food and offering tastings.
Click for Farnham Food Festival website.
There are plenty of events for your little bookworms during this 10-day celebration of the written word. This year the visiting children's authors include Andy Briggs, Adam Stower, Natasha Narayan, Philip Ardagh, Mark Walden, Emma Dodd and Kelly Gerrard.
Click for Guildford Book Festival website.
Family-friendly music festival in Farnham including live folk, country, acoustic, jazz and Americana music as well as a kids' zone and refreshments. Another great way to enjoy live music without needing a babysitter.
Click for Lazy Bishops website.
Children can enjoy cupcake decorating, arts and crafts activities, facepainting, balloon modelling and seed planting in the festival’s Kids’ Corner. There will also be entertainment from Molly Moo Cow and an Around The World family food trail across Godalming Town Centre. The festival also includes a big food market.
Click for Godalming Food Festival family activities or festival markets.
Events on the programme for this festival include cooking workshops, a fun family day, a barbecue, activities for children and nutrition courses for nannies, au pairs and early years professionals.
Click for Haslemere Food Festival website.
This two-day festival is designed by kids for kids. Attractions include a main stage with 12 hours of live music and acts from under 16s, workshops, a talent show and refreshments. Saturday night is the big night at this event.
Click for Kidsfest website.
The Albury Music Festival combines live music with a family-friendly, laid-back atmosphere. Professional and amateur bands play throughout the afternoon and early evening at Albury Cricket Ground. Real ale, a barbecue and other refreshments add to this family-friendly event.
Click for Albury Music Festival website.
Music festival including Kids' Zone with circus tent, activities, Milkshake Bar and more. Line up on the main stage includes Kenny Jones, The Feeling and The Move.
Click for Itchycoo Park Festival website.
This is a music festival in Esher, described as being family friendly. The line-up for 2012 includes Kids in Glass Houses, Neville Staple of The Specials, Futures, The Skints and Deaf Havana.
Click for Banquet's Big Day Out website.
Also worth a look: Surrey County Council also runs a selection of literary and reading festivals, which often have individual events for children and families.
Click here for Surrey County Council website.
We'd love you to share your experiences of any of these festivals with us and other mums, so please post on chit-chat if you get a spare moment. |
