Spring has sprung and families are starting to think about get-aways. With the cost of living crisis, coupled with popular South West coastal areas such as Cornwall and Devon continuing to be extremely expensive for families, a long weekend at a festival in beautiful Somerset is a great, cost effective alternative holiday idea to really switch off and spend quality time with children.
There are now between 800 and 1000 independent festivals in the UK, many of whom offer family-friendly entertainment and camping options to suit all. Festivals that were primarily all about the music are adding on or enhancing their family offering accordingly. Shindig Festival has done just that – their family offering is better than ever before.
Shindig has a loyal family of supporters – known as Shindiggers – who have grown up with the festival since it started in 2014. Nine years on and many of the festival’s regulars now have kids but they don’t want to miss their festival-of-choice.
For this very reason, Shindig has a ‘kids under 12 go free’ ticket-option with every adult ticket purchased, making a four-day trip away a much more affordable – and fun option, for the May bank holiday weekend. They also offer apay-in-installments” option until the end of March, helping festival-goers spread the cost. Kids running wild around the beautiful, tree-studded parkland of Dillington Estate, dancing together as a family, and introducing the young ones to a variety of tasty food options, is an appealing option.
The headliner at this year’s festival is a firm family favourite – the dance-pop legend, Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge, famous for such hits as We Are Family, Greatest Dancer, Lost In Music and Thinking Of You. Other well-known names include satirical news reporter (and comedy genius), Jonathan Pie, known for his a potty-mouthed, highly quotable parody of a journalist who can often be found outside Westminster; London post-punk band, Warmduscher; the original queen of reggae music who is best known for No, No No, Dawn Penn; artist, producer, remixer, DJ and founder of Phantasy, Erol Alkan; top dog in the bass heavy-atmosphere of Britain’s reggae dancehalls and BBC regular, David Rodigan; one of the most celebrated and accomplished DJs in Britain, Norman Jay MBE; and BBC 6 music’s, Huey Morgan!
Expect some awe-inspiring art installations that look like they’ve fallen from Mars, from the most visionary and trailblazing creatives of today. From giant welded artwork, interactive diversions, to fire-breathing sculptures.
There’s a Kids Kingdom with its own cinema and rolling programme of family-friendly movies; plus, workshops in drumming, breakdancing, graffiti, DJing and MCing; and not forgetting inflatables sessions, a climbing wall, puppet show, giant marble run and loads more.
This year’s fancy dress theme is Mad Hatters, so expect a parade of Shindiggery Wonderland delights with Alice, the March Hare, and a Dormouse in tow.
If you want to stay in style at Shindig, there are a selection of superior, deluxe and standard rooms in Dillington House, all with bathrooms and breakfast included. If you prefer a more authentic camping experience but with a touch of luxury then there are airstreams, bell tents and yurts for hire, plus posh toilets and showers. More seasoned festival-goers can rock up with their trusty tents and create their own little sanctuary, just a few minutes’ walk from the action.
The 2023 edition of Shindig Festival is set to be a family affair so buy your tickets now. Kids under 12 go free! For the full line-up and ticket options to suit every budget, head over to shindigfestival.co.uk.
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