Blog post

Family Festivals and Events in East Sussex & Kent for Summer 2018

March 3, 2018

Updated for 2019 here!

Festival Season is on the horizon! Gone are the days when festivals meant hedonistic all nighters, many are a family affair these days. A chance for parents to let their hair down whilst the kids enjoy a host of live entertainment and new activities. We are so lucky to have an huge variety of fantastic family friendly events taking place around Kent and Sussex this year. There’s so many to choose from…which will you go for?

Faerie Festival 18 – 20th May Alfriston Camping Park

This mystical weekend promises drumming, belly dancing and music galore. There will be a host of workshops to explore including yoga, drumming, foraging and instrument making. Children will love the magical circus skills, poi and art displays all set in the shadow of the South Downs.

Yoga-Camp 18 – 20th May Wowo Campsite, Sheffield Park, Uckfield

YOGACAMP is a beautiful gathering of people of all ages and abilities who love yoga, camping and good food. It is a relaxing, educational and fun weekend at the wonderful Wowo campsite in Sussex. A fantastic opportunity to get away with your family and friends for a healthy and restful weekend break, full of activities for all.

Elderflower Fields 25th28th May, Pippingford, Nutley

Elderflower Fields is an award winning three day festival, designed especially for families with children. A wild weekend adventure, packed full of music, sports, nature and the arts, all set in the heart of the beautiful Sussex countryside.

The Love Supreme Jazz Festival 29th June – 1st July Glynde Place, Near Lewes

Love Supreme is the first full weekend camping jazz festival in the UK. With 4 stages of music as well as club nights, talks, classic album playbacks, films, dance classes, kids areas, VIP experiences, camping, and fairground… it’s an immersive musical weekend which has something for everyone!

Woodlands Festival 8th – 10th June Hawkhurst, Kent

Raising funds for MacMillan Cancer Support & the Alzheimer’s Society Woodlands Festival is an intimate, independent family friendly festival set in secluded fields surrounded by woodland. Somewhere you feel you can truly relax & unwind, meet new people or reconnect with old friends… & where kids can be kids again! For the kids there will be a range of arts & craft, along with woodland activities including treasure hunts, storytelling & bush craft adventures, as well as the Fabularium Forest Disco.

Black Deer Festival 22nd24th June Eridge Park, Tunbridge Wells

Black Deer is a brand new festival celebrating Americana and Country. Featuring legendary musicians, authentic smokehouse cooking and southern hospitality, custom motorcycles, artisans plus an adventure playground with crafts and fun for the kids Black Deer will keep you busy all weekend!

Pub in the Park 6th – 8th July Dunorlan Park, Tunbridge Wells

Dreamed up by Tom Kerridge and his merry band of foodie friends Pub in the Park offers a stellar line up of world-class chefs, chart-topping music acts (including Scouting for Girls, Razorlight and Billy Ocean) and award-winning pubs and restaurants serving their most popular dishes. It has all the ingredients needed for the perfect foodie experience, so sit back, relax and let the ‘lush vibes’ kick in.

Chiddfest 27th – 29th July, Chiddingly, Near Hailsham

Returning to it original site of Nash Street, Chiddingly. Nestled in the heart of the downs this friendly festival is all about young and old coming together to enjoy a weekend of great music and a warm friendly community having fun. Headliners do far include Toploader and the Blockheads with more to be announced.

Chilled in a Field 3rd6th August Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum, Ringmer

Chilled in a Field is a family friendly-festival full of fun, where you can play all day and dance all night. Relax and unwind with a backdrop of free activities all day, excellent live music, great dance music (including their trademark silent disco in the woods!), street food, and Festival bar.

Byline 24th27th August Pippingford Park, Nutley

Described as a riot of independent journalism, ideas, music, dancing and comedy…Byline is a festival with a difference. If you love open discussion and debate as much as your music this is the event for you! Confirmed speakers already include John Cleese, High Grant, Gary Lineker with music from the Blow Monkeys.

Into the Wild Summer Festival 24th – 26th August Wilderness Farm, Near Hever, Edenbridge

Into the Wild Festivals host inspirational events throughout the year,  as a means to celebrate life and its ever changing beauty. They invite enchanting musicians, plus the very best workshops,  teachers and speakers, creating gatherings that lift the heart and spirit. Into the Wild aim to make their events affordable so that everyone is able to attend and enjoy the beauty of the wild, the splendour of ecstatic music and the joy and nurturing of a supportive community.

England’s Medieval Festival at Herstmonceaux Castle 25th –27th August

Step back in time as the Medieval Festival puts on a magical display of jousting events and full-blown castle sieges complete with entire armies of archers. Embrace the atmosphere as you stroll around Medieval shops and villages..making time for a mead in the Buxom Wench of course! The perfect opportunity to dress up and discover history together as a family.

Read our review of England’s Medieval Festival 2017 here

Into the Trees 14th – 16th September Pippingford Park, Nutley

Into the Trees returns to the heart of the Ashdown Forest offering a chance to enjoy the protected ancient woodland of Pippingford Park. Two wild days will take you into the amazing world of trees, woods and forests…and for the first time the event is offering families the chance to camp so you can enjoy the whole weekend!

Read our review of Into the Trees 2017 here

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