In our family-friendly festival series we will be writing about the best family festivals in the UK for 2016- here at Holiday Tots, we love festivals as much as holidays.
Our first festival is one close to our heart as it is only a few miles from where we live: Standon Calling is held in leafy Hertfordshire and is in its eleventh year. It promises lots of fun for all the family.
This year’s theme is Legend of the Lost Seas. For families looking to get into the true festival spirit there are lots of ideas that spring to mind for costumes for parents and children alike. Most children at tot level and beyond love a bit of “ooh arrgghiing” so expect to see lots of pirates, pearls and mermaids running about. Maybe even a few Octonauts hitting the craft tents! Older children might be able to relate to a little bit of Sponge Bob or Pirates of the Caribbean. Whether you get into the spirit of dressing up or just want to enjoy what promises to be an amazing theme throughout the festival you are sure to have lots of fun!
It is also set to be one of the best years yet for family fun as the Standon Calling organisers are teaming up with Elissa Gold Events for this year’s festival. They are known for providing an amazing mix of creative and education activities for children of all ages at festivals in the UK including Wilderness and Secret Garden Party.
The family camp site is thankfully hidden away from the night time activities but family areas during the day are dotted all around the festival so you can get really involved in the atmosphere. As well as the arts, crafts, games, workshops, kids-only trapeze classes and much more there is even a swimming pool to dip into if the weather is hot.
The festival also includes the annual dog show which can be loads of fun if you are bringing your four-legged friend with you!
And then there is the line-up of music artists …
The first wave of acts have been announced and included: Suede, Jess Glynne, Kelis, The Hives, Everything Everything, Ghostpoet, Anna Calvi, Blossoms, The Thurston Moore Band plus many many more.
Jess Glynne is one of the head-line acts
What started as a small birthday party eleven years ago has really come on in bounds!
Fancy just chilling? Indie fans will not be disappointed either with artists offering a cool mix of jazz, funk reggae, futuristic soul and more.
Standon Calling is described as a ‘boutique festival with an ear for talent’ by The Guardian and so you can be sure to find something new to tantalise your ears.
We are so excited that this year we are actually getting to go- previous years have fallen when we have been away but we planned our holidays carefully this year! We are already planning our costumes and tent coverings with eager excitement.
For more details visit the Standon Calling website or connect with them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
The first tier tickets sold out quickly and they are now on the second tier so don’t delay in getting yours. Maybe we will see you there!
Standon Calling – 29th to 31st July 2016
Tickets to choose from: day, weekend, family camping, camping and you can also book bell tents etc – all subject to availability. They also offer a payment scheme whereby you pay just £60 to reserve your ticket and the balance is paid before 4th July.
Images © Standon Calling Festival
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