Brilliant music festivals in Hertfordshire in 2026
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2026 Hertfordshire music festivals
Summer is fast approaching and with it comes an ever-increasing selection of music festivals. We’re fortunate here in Hertfordshire to have a really good range of open air concerts, ranging from intimate affairs to big multiple-stage events. Some music festivals in Hertfordshire have famous names and up and coming artists, or those from our youth, while other festivals focus on tribute acts. All of them offer a pretty good range of food and drink.
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Family friendly music festivals in Hertfordshire
There are some very family friendly music festivals in Hertfordshire. Some of them really go the extra mile to offer lots of kid-friendly activities and attractions – fairground rides, face painting, discos, craft and more.
If you’re bringing the kids along, remember that some of the extra entertainment – bouncy castles and so forth – often isn’t included in your ticket price so budget accordingly!
Music festivals near London
If you want to get out of the capital for a long weekend, heading north to a music festival in Hertfordshire is an easy trip. All of the Hertfordshire music festivals listed here are either within walking distance of a train station with direct links to London or they’re a short taxi ride away. A lot of the multi-day festivals offer glamping so you don’t need to lug all your camping gear on the train.
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Find about more about Stone Valley Festival South
The Great Fete 2026 – new Hertfordshire festival
This new two day festival at Hatfield Park will feature a range of genres from dance to rock. There’s going to be a kids’ zone with games and entertainment
- Vibe: high energy, dance and Britpop
- Family friendly? Yes – dedicated entertainment area for kids
- Camping: no
- Where: Hatfield Park
- Public transport? 10 minute walk from Hatfield rail station
- When: 18th July 2026
Find out more about Great Fete
WoolyFest 2026, Woolmer Green, near Knebworth
This small one-day family-friendly festival celebrates local Hertfordshire musicians. There are fairground rides for kids, two stages for the bands plus a DJ stage. Profits from the festival support local charities.
- Vibe: small village festival with two stages, highlighting local Herts artists
- Family friendly? Yes – fairground rides and inflatables
- Camping: no
- Where: Woolmer Green, near Knebworth
- Public transport? 20 minute walk from Knebworth railway station
- When: 18th July 2026
Find out more about WoolyFest 2026
Chilfest, Tring music festival
This medium size festival will appeal to children of the 80s – headliners over the years have included Human League and UB40.
- Vibe: 80s tributes on the Friday, artists from the 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond on the Saturday including Fun Lovin’ Criminals and Toploader.
- Family friendly? Children welcome
- Camping: no
- Where: Cow Lane, Tring, HP23 5NS
- Public transport? One mile from Tring railway station
- When: 3-4th July 2026
Find out more about Chilfest 2026
Slam Dunk Festival South 2026, Hatfield Park
Slam Dunk features established and up and coming artists with a mix of genres including pop-punk, ska and metal.
There are two Slam Dunk festivals over the May bank holiday weekend – the northern one in Leeds on Sunday 24th and the southern one at Hatfield Park the day before on Saturday 23rd May. Artists perform at both sites. If you’re keen, there is a coach and hotel package which allows festival goers to visit both locations over the course of the weekend.
- Vibe: punk/emo/metal and ska music
- Family friendly? Children welcome but there is nothing specifically laid on for them.
- Camping: no
- Where: Hatfield Park, AL9 5PG
- Public transport? pedestrian entrance is opposite Hatfield railway station
- When: Saturday 23rd (Hatfield) and Sunday 24th (Leeds) May 2026
Find out more about Slam Dunk Festival South 2026
Try Fest music festival in Letchworth
Billed as a family-friendly festival, Try Fest is a good one to take the kids to – there is dedicated kids entertainment and a fun fair. The music – there are plenty of tributes and as well as DJs – is a mix of RnB, funk, soul, house, garage and Britpop.
- Vibe: 80s and 90s artists, tribute bands and famous DJs
- Family friendly? yes – kids entertainment and fun fair
- Camping: no
- Where: Letchworth Rugby Club, Letchworth, Hertfordshire, SG6 2EN
- Public transport? Baldock and Letchworth rail stations are both approximately 1.5 miles from the venue.
- When: Friday 5th and Saturday 6th June 2026
Find out more about Try Fest 2026
Todd in the Hole music festival near Stevenage
This three-day event is described as “more than a music festival, it’s a family friendly, food and drink extravaganza”, there’s plenty to see and do at this little festival near Stevenage. There is music from emerging and established artists over a range of genres including rock, indie, folk, and pop.
- Vibe: a family weekend of entertainment with a range of music styles
- Family friendly? yes, various kid-friendly activities and stalls
- Camping: yes, and glamping
- Where: Todd’s Green, SG1 2JE
- Public transport? free shuttle services to and from Stevenage train station leisure park and Hitchin St Mary’s Square
- When: 3rd-5th July 2026
- Find out more about Todd in the Hole 2026 music festival near Stevenage
Hamptons Jazz Fest, Hertfordshire Showground, near Harpenden
If you’re after something slightly different to the other festivals listed here, Hamptons Jazz Fest offers one of the few opportunities to enjoy live jazz in an open air setting.
Named after its founder Debbie Hamptons, the Hamptons Jazz Fest describes itself as a celebration of friends, family, culture, music, and life.
- Vibe: jazz and food
- Family friendly? children welcome
- Camping: no
- Where: the Showground, Dunstable Road, Redbourn, AL3 7PT
- Public transport? 4 miles from Harpenden rail station
- When: 26-28th June 2026
- Find out more about Hamptons Jazz Festival
Folk by the Oak, Hatfield
This is probably the most wide-ranging and family friendly festival in Hertfordshire with activities as diverse as rock climbing, morris dancing and digeridoo workshops. There’s a dedicated family area as well as a traditional fairground.
- Vibe: folk, roots and acoustic music – village fete meets music festival
- Family friendly? yes – wide range of activities including storytelling, singing workshops and archery
- Camping: no
- Where: Hatfield Park, AL9 5PG
- Public transport? Hatfield rail station 10 minute walk
- When: Sunday 19th July 2026
Find out more about Folk by the Oak 2026 music festival in Hatfield
Goatfest music festival near Codicote
What started over 15 years ago as a small festival at the village pub (the Goat) is now a three day music extravaganza held over the August bank holiday weekend. Headliners over the years have ranged from Tony Christie to Showaddywaddy.
- Vibe: emerging and established artists, with a range of music genres including rock, R&B and pop
- Family friendly? yes – activities include kids’ cinema and a dance club
- Camping: yes, and glamping
- Where: Bury Lane, Codicote, SG4 8XY
- Public transport? 5 miles from Stevenage rail station
- When: 28-30th August 2026
Bushfest, tribute music festival near Watford
This all-tribute festival is guaranteed to have you singing and dancing along. It features covers of top bands and artists. Although aimed at adults, there are a few child-friendly stalls.
- Vibe: one day tribute music festival
- Family friendly? Yes, this festival finishes at a civilised 9pm although there are limited stalls for kids
- Camping: no
- Where: Metropolitan Bushey, Aldenham Road, Bushey WD23 2TR
- Public transport? Just over a mile from Bushey rail station
- When: Sunday 30th August 2026
- Find out more about Bushfest
Croxfest music festival near Rickmansworth
This free music festival is another good option for families. There’s music by youth artists and plenty of stalls for kids to enjoy. Expect a mix of genres from metal to pop with cover band and emerging acts.
- Vibe: family friendly, diverse range of music
- Family friendly? yes – fun fair and child-friendly stalls and activities
- Camping: no
- Where: The Green in Croxley Green, WD3 3HY
- Public transport?
- When: Saturday 5th September 2026
- Find out more about Croxfest
Campo Sancho, Walkern, near Stevenage
One for 90s house music fans, this festival in Walkern is a family-friendly woodland weekend organised by Sacho Panza. As well as an impressive line up of DJs, there’s also gospel music and a range of family-friendly activities.
- Vibe: intimate house music festival
- Family friendly? yes – circus skills, kids’ disco and more
- Camping: yes
- Where: Walkern Hall, Walkern, Stevenage SG2 7JA
- Public transport? 6 miles from Stevenage rail station
- When: 23rd-26th July 2026
Find out more about Campo Sancho
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Have you been to any of these Hertfordshire music festivals? Let me know in the comments below.
