Here in and around the Cotswolds, we are spoilt for choice during the warmer months with so many amazing festivals going on right on our doorstep. With all of the gorgeous green, open space around it makes for an ideal setting for an awesome weekend/day away to relax, let your hair down, and enjoy some music in the sun (we hope!).

So which festival are you going to choose this year? We’ve picked some of our favorites and talked a little about what you can expect at each one below.

The Big Feastival

Over the August bank holiday weekend, 24th – 26th, the Big Feastival comes to Alex James’ farm in Kingham, Chipping Norton. This family-friendly festival is all about kicking back, listening to music, and consuming great food and drink. You can go for the weekend and go camping, glamping take a campervan, or just head over for the day. This festival welcomes children with open arms and is really well set up for little ones with easily accessible toilets for buggies and wheelchair users this year you can also pay a little more and buy a pass for the ‘When Nature Calls’ toilets which are luxury festival toilets that have warm water, showers, GHD’s and some, so if you aren’t good at the whole camping, back to basics thing you’ll love this. There are loads of street food offerings and since Jamie Oliver has roots in the festival you won’t just get your bog-standard hot dog and ketchup.

Lakefest

Set on the beautiful grounds of Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire, this family-friendly festival has to win the prize for location. Weekend tickets (9-12th August) are currently on sale and are selling out fast and day tickets are soon to be coming. A family-friendly festival packed full of fun, music, activities for the kids, food, drinks, and some chill time for you oldies. Take your own tent or splash out and go glamping, you can take your own camper van and there is also a family camping option if you are going with children or just fancy a quieter more relaxed pace for your festival experience. Amid the music and merriment you’ll find arts & crafts, yoga sessions, and BMX action, or just simply throw down a blanket and have a chill time taking in the sublime views of the castle and the beautiful surrounding countryside.

The Jazz Festival, Cheltenham

From the 2nd – the 7th of May the Jazz Festival arrives at Montpelier Park in Cheltenham bringing with it renowned musicians, some great food, and plenty of drinks. Daytime families head down to chill and listen to some of the music from the free tents and soak up the buzzing atmosphere and at night it’s usually an older crowd who head down for a night out. It’s free to come in the day and mooch about but if you want to see specific acts you buy tickets for that show. There is no camping at this one, so if you aren’t from the area you’ll need to book some accommodation (yes this means you get to do a festival in luxury and avoid camping!). This year’s lineup sees Van Morrison and Corinne Bailey Rae hit the stage amongst many other wonderfully talented musicians.

Wychwood Festival

The weekend of 1st – 3rd June sees Cheltenham racecourse host the Wychwood Festival, a family-friendly festival with fun for all ages. They have four stages, loads of music acts, some of whom you will definitely have heard of, dance, art workshops, a circus school, and comedy. There really is a bit of everything at this one and if you are coming for the weekend they have a spacious campsite too. This festival is frequently nominated for the best family festival and you’ll be sure to see why.

Common People Festival, Oxford

May 26-27th Common People festival is held at South Park in Oxford. This awesome little family-friendly festival is arranged by the wonderful people who bought us Bestival and is a great day/weekend out for all ages. You can buy weekend or day passes but be sure to get accommodation sorted as there is no camping on site, this is reflected in the excellent pricing of the tickets. There are loads of great music acts on both days, food stalls, bars, and activities for the kids so definitely bring the whole family. South Park is a beautiful setting for this fun and funky festival.

Barn on The Farm

This quirky little festival is on at the start of July, 5-8th, and is run by Over Farm in Gloucester, on their farm! Expect a folky vibe with some wonderful folk music, with three stages, a campsite so you can stay for the whole weekend, a campervan pitch and a lot of fun. This family-friendly festival has a chilled vibe with loads of people of all ages enjoying the fun from little ones to oldies. They’ll let you bring your own booze as long as it’s not in glass containers which always saves a bit of much-needed cash. You’ll have a great weekend at this quirky, fun-filled festival where you can kick back and get your folk music fix.