The best festivals with children (0+)
Summer isn't complete without a great festival, right? That has always been the case and does not have to be different with kids. In fact, having the offspring in tow is just as much fun or even more fun. Bring the whole stuff and start swinging (and snacking). These are the best child-friendly festivals of 2020. To get tickets like crazy:
Summer starts in May with 'the sister of'. During the May holidays, Here Comes The Summer takes over our dearest Vlieland, just like the popular one Into The Great Wide Open every year in September. Those who are smart have already reserved the boat and arranged accommodation months earlier. The optimists among us opt for a tent, but we know die-hards who spent nights chattering in their sleeping bags. Anyway: this small-scale festival has two stages and there is plenty of time around the musical program to cruise across this wonderful Wadden Island (see Vlieland-galore to Bart). The most atmospheric festival setting it is.
Somehow, hell is always tropical during Ascension Day and we wake up with a factor of 50 on our pale noses. Heavens. This event on the festival grounds of Amsterdam is now in its 12th edition. In any case, there are all kinds of funny theater acts, the little ones can have fun with giant bubble blowing and there is something in the 'water fun' category. If you pack a very small mini-you, there is Babytje-lief, where you can listen to sounds out of space. And if you have suddenly chartered a babysitter or only bought an evening ticket, you can continue until about 3:00 am during the after in the Northern Lights. We are there.
Photos: Heavenly
The successor to the popular LaLaLand festival. Location still unknown. Names still unknown. But the fact that it is free and will be fantastic again is clear as day.
Photos: Happy Camper Festival
Four days of fissa at a beauty of a location: Vorden estate and castle. In previous years, Mañana Mañana could count on more than 28.000 visitors and with more than 120 acts on the various stages, this is one that should not be missing from the list. The festival is known for its space and relaxed atmosphere. There are no crush barriers, but strings to indicate the boundaries of the site. For your little party animal there is Het Speelbos, with a limo factory, swing carousel and a place where you can roast marshmallows. Families get a spot at the cozy family campsite where the party often continues for a while.
Photos: Mañana Mañana
The absolute must-go for rock 'n roll fanatics with and without children for 16 years in a row. In Openluchttheater de Goffert in Nijmegen you can spend a day enjoying bluegrass, rockabilly, rhythm 'n blues and garage punk. And in the meantime your UK is - of course - getting a quiff. As they say: an outdoor festival with balls, but friendly enough to bring your child(ren).
Photo: Stef Bulten
After a grand debut in 2016, the Children's Music Festival is now returning for the fourth year in a row at two very attractive locations. The Huize Glory estate in Bergen will be transformed into a festival site during the last weekend before the summer holidays and in Mokum this time you should not go to Ruigoord, but towards Tolhuistuin in North. Because the previous editions sold out in no time, we advise you to keep a close eye on the presales. In any case, it will be a musical mix of jazz, classical, rock and pop and a string orchestra especially for babies. For those who fancy a day full of the happiest bands and picnics in the green.
Every year, around 25.000 visitors find their way to the Belgian city of Bruges during the second or third weekend of July. Last year Triggerfinger, Nils Frahm and Mogwai performed in the beautiful Minnewaterpark. We expect that there will be a number of well-known names on the list line-up will be added this year. In the kids section, Cactus Oasis, there are all kinds of activities for the little festival troopers. Beer, hammock and life is good.
Photos: WOWEE ZOWEE
Anyone who associates this event only with 'watching mopeds' is wrong. At Zwarte Cross you will also find 32 stages filled with solid (rock) bands and theater. Fact: within half an hour of going on sale, the festival was completely sold out. Is your offspring still under 1.40 meters? Then he can enter this largest festival in the Achterhoek for free. Especially if he is crazy about motocross and spectacular stunts, this one definitely belongs on the list.
Photos: Zwarte Cross
An attractive festival village takes place every year on another fairytale-like site, the De Groene Ster recreational area near Leeuwarden. Welcome to the Village is very sustainable, extra spacious and a place where everyone feels at home. Of course there is a nice music program and surprising theater acts, but there is also a lot of attention for good food from local suppliers.
If only one goes on the wishlist for this summer, it is Latitude Festival in the UK. You need some time for it overseas, but then you have a mini holiday with the whole bunch in a beautiful corner of England. It is not without reason that this event won the award for Best Family Festival at the UK Festival Awards 2018. The entire site is designed with young families in mind and your muppet can spend the weekend making pizzas, doing crafts and climbing. Oh and of course, on your neck to the best concerts. Latitude's headliners this year are Keane, Michael Kiwanuka and Liam Gallagher and the program is packed with theatre, film and workshops. Also recommended with kids in the 'adolescent' category.
Mysteriously little is known about Landjuweel, but given the previous editions it should be on The List. And because of the location, because Ruigoord equals pleasant chaos anyway. What back in the eighties started as a camping party, has now grown into a multi-day laid-back festival. The absolute highlight will once again be the sculpture route on Saturday evening, a colorful parade across the festival grounds. During the day your little one can have fun on the Children's Field with silent disco and puppet theater and on Sunday there is the legendary children's parade. You can sleep with the little ones in your own camper or at the family campsite. Or in your own bed, like us. 😉
One of our favorite festivals for years and we have never been disappointed: The Brave. The location is again this year Fruit garden of West, the perfect setting for a relaxing day full of singer-songwriters, indie and folk. Cherry trees, campfire sessions, new bands. And children are frolicking everywhere, because they are having at least as much fun here as they are laid back parents. Sold out last year, so don't wait until the last minute to purchase your entrance. And if you have gotten a ticket, or even if you did not succeed: check the playlist on Spotify to get in the mood. Children up to 6 years old can enter for free.
Photo: The Brave
You say festival and you say Berlin and then you already know that it is going to be urban and that you want to go there. To give a little more background: Lollapalooza is a music festival that started in Chicago and will be held in the German capital for the fourth time this year. Big names have already been featured (including Hardwell, George Ezra, Billie Eilish) and this year there will undoubtedly be heroes on stage again. The little bouncy balls come along, because there is a real Kidzapalooza area where the best live acts pass by, the children's disco goes well and DJs spin the rest. We anticipate a sunny late summer in Olympiapark Berlin.
Wow, what an event this is that we definitely want to experience at least once. Shambala says it is a pioneer in the field of creative and intimate festivals, but we mainly see the crazy ones after movies and colorful snapshots. Expect more than 200 acts here, including drag queens bingo, exciting Balkans beats and the coolest DJs. On the family field of the campsite you will find absolutely everything you need for your children. There is also the Playtopia kids area where the littlest festival goers can dance, make costumes and rave during the Family Rave. And as can be read on the site, the entire festival is child-friendly, with a wild side.
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