1. SummerFest – Milwaukee, WI. This self-proclaimed “world’s largest music festival” held annually in Milwaukee boasts more than 800 acts over eleven days. From Stevie Wonder to Keith Urban, the 2015 Summerfest lineup is diverse and the crowds are big with nearly 1 million fans expected to enjoy music, food and yes, family activities. The Kohl’s Captivation Station offers educational and music experiences for kids and families with live theater, hands-on art projects, science experiments and a design lab, hosted by local organizations including the Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World, and the Zoological Society of Milwaukee. Little ones will also enjoy the Northwestern Mutual Children’s Theater & Playzone with performances from magicians, dance groups, jugglers, and puppets, and featuring a large outdoor playground.
Dates: June 24-28, June 30 – 5, 2015
Price: Kids 10 & under $7; infants 2 & under free.
2. Lollapalooza – Chicago, IL. Since Chicago became the home for this long weekend festival in 2005, it’s become one of the fastest sellout festivals on the planet, with tickets going in just minutes. And it’s not just the headline acts and celebrity cache like 2015 headliners Paul McCartney and Metallica that make it so popular. Lolla appeals to everyone from college kids to parents with kids. In fact, the family area has become so popular, it has it own name – Kidzapalooza. This fest within a festival is set in its own enclosed area of Grant Park and offers parents and kids the opportunity to catch family-friendly music on its very own stage, including acts such as School of Rock AllStars and Mista Cookie Jar and the Chocolate Chips. Plus, kids get hands-on music immersion with activities like creating their own music, and arts and crafts.
Dates: July 31 – August 2, 2015
Price: Ages 10 & under free.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lollapalooza
3. Austin City Limits Music Fest – Austin, TX. There’s no better place for a music festival than in the ‘live music capital of the world’, and the ACL Music Fest never disappoints. Similar to Lolla, this major music event has it own kids fest called Austin Kiddie Limits, with a live music stage, creative music-inspired activities and great family necessities such as baby changing stations. This year’s lineup includes Foo Fighters, Drake, Florence + the Machine, Chance the Rapper, Hozier, Deadmau5 and many more.
Dates: October 2-4 and 9-11, 2015
Price: Ages 10 & under free.
Photo Credit: Greg Noire
4. Bumbershoot – Seattle, WA. Labor Day weekend travelers headed to the Pacific Northwest can swing by this Seattle favorite, now in its 45th year, for a full cultural experience including music, theater, comedy, dance, film and visual arts. Families can visit the “Youngershoot” Kids Zone, geared for children ages ten and under, and curated by the Seattle Children’s Museum, for interactive programming, and arts-based activities including painting stations, building and architectural activities, and collaborative recycled art. This year, festival organizers are also creating a list of programming – that while not specifically directed at children – will be exciting and appropriatefor the entire family to enjoy.
Dates: September 5-7, 2015
Price: Kids 5 & Under admission free; ages 6 & up, same cost as adult tickets.
Photo Credit: Gregory Alan Isakov
5. FloydFest – Floyd, VA. This 5-day festival in late July features big name acts like Grace Potter and Drive-by Truckers, but isn’t just about the music. From the festival you can hop a 45-minute shuttle ride and enjoy a 3-hour trip paddling down the Little River. According to FloydFest, “kids are never an afterthought – they’re a centerpiece,” with a Children’s Universe covering several acres where kids can engage in everything from a Taekwondo class, tetherball match or debut their own act during kids’ Open Mic. The children’s area also features a toddler playground, family-sized sandbox, rock stacking, a huge wooden play arc, and a “mother tent” complete with areas for changing diapers and feeding little ones. And for the slightly older set, FloydFest has a Teen Scene Lounge that includes mixed media workshops and painting parties, ukelele and drumming workshops, jam sessions, chill zones with couches and snacks, and meditation to start the day off right.
Dates: July 22-26, 2105
Price: Ages 6-12 $30 for all five days; under 6 free.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of FloydFest
