Children’s festivals
Festival season means fun for all the family if you know where to look. Below are some great ideas for you and your children.
The Bath Festival of Children’s Literature
Bath, 18-27 September
The Bath Festival of Children’s Literature is a 10-day celebration of children’s books and reading, and will feature some of the biggest and most creative names from the world of children’s publishing. In previous years writers have included Jaqueline Wilson, Eion Colfer, Anthony Horowitz, Lauren Child, Tony Ross and many more.
More about Bath Festival of Children's Literature
Liverpool Children’s Festival
Liverpool, August tbc
This is an arts and cultural event for children and young people that's planned by children and young people. It features workshops, activities, sports, performances and exhibitions and is free and accessible to everyone in the city.
More about Liverpool Childrens' Festival
Wychwood
Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire 29-31 May
Not essentially a children's festival (Wychwood has been described as a small-scale Glastonbury), but this music festival has won the best family festival award three years since its inception in 2005. In addition to the four music stages there is a children's literature festival, comedy and hundreds of workshops.
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The Spark – Children’s Arts Festival
Leicestershire, 25 May-7 June
The 2009 festival runs from 25th May-7th June, presenting a broad mix of theatre, dance, storytelling, puppetry, music and visual arts events from national and international artists and companies. The programme is created for children aged 0-13 and is presented in theatres, schools, libraries, village halls and parks all over Leicester and Leicestershire.
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International Children's Theatre Festival
Nottingham, 5-21 June
Nottingham's Lakeside Arts Centre, by the lake on the university campus, puts on a special festival for children every year in June, with storytelling, theatre, music and dance performances.
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Kids Fun Ideas Show
Manchester Central GMEX, 27-28 June
The Kids Fun Ideas Show 2009 is being held again, after the great success of its first show in July 2008. It is a two day event, which provides a great day out and gives children, parents and families thousands of ideas for activities and hobbies to do in the summer school holidays.
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Old Leigh Regatta
Old Leigh, Essex, 19-20 September
There is live music for all tastes (Various bands playing all weekend on different stages). Morris dancing, banana eating, cracker eating and cockle eating competitions, for both children and adults. Also Climbing the Greasy Pole and Bowsprit pillow fighting. There are also water based events including Dinghy Tug of War, Dinghy Sculling Races and the Sailing Races.
More about Old Leigh Regatta
Other festivals in England
