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Festivals are the new family holiday as parents swap beach trips for big beats

Brit parents are swapping beaches for beats as new report reveals festivals are fast replacing the traditional family holiday with kids, grans and VIP loos in tow

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Forget sandcastles and airport stress, music festivals are fast becoming Britains answer to the family holiday.

Ticketmasters State of Play: Festivals 2025 report has revealed that parents are ditching the traditional summer getaway in favour of tents, tunes and togetherness, with a staggering 73% saying festivals beat classic trips when it comes to exposing kids to new cultures.

It doesnt stop there as two-thirds (65%) believe festivals create stronger family memories than a package holiday, and 43% now see them as a straight-up replacement for the usual week abroad. From toddlers in ear defenders to grandparents cutting shapes by the main stage, festivals are officially going multigenerational.

Events like Camp Bestival have already clocked a boom in young families, with a 155% rise in two-to-four-year-olds camping on site. Parents say the appeal goes beyond the line-up: its about bonding over new music, creating memories that last longer than a tan, and sharing experiences that feel far from the daily grind.

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Ticketmaster shared their findings(Image: Contact the author before any usage)

The report shows over half (51%) of UK festivalgoers now attend with relatives - whether thats kids, older parents or siblings, and another 27% would like to. In other words, festivals arent just for raving teens anymore; theyre for the whole clan.

And while families dominate, other trends are reshaping the scene. Solo ravers are on the rise, with nearly a third of Brits (29%) going it alone, while over-35s now make up two-thirds of the crowd, proving festivals are no longer just a young persons game.

[Festivals]

More families are choosing festivals(Image: Jack Geddes Media)

Meanwhile, fans are demanding more sustainable, comfortable events from low-carbon travel to cleaner loos. In fact, 47% are splashing out on VIP upgrades simply for better toilets and showers.

Sarah Slater, SVP Music & Festivals at Ticketmaster UK, said: Festivals are the new family holiday, the new weekend escape, and the place people go to connect. Our State of Play report shows just how much festivals are evolving and why they matter to every generation.

So next summer, dont be surprised if your neighbours swap suitcases for sleeping bags as the new great British getaway comes with wristbands, wellies and a killer playlist.

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