JULY

Knockan Stockan, Co Wicklow: The annual lakeside music festival in Blessington kicks off this coming weekend. Along with acts like Cathy Davey, there’s a dance-packed Sing Along Social, plus a dedicated Knockan’Sprogs are with storytelling and open mic events. Plus kids under twelve go free once they attend with a fully paid-up adult.

Cost: Under 12s go free. Adult tickets start at €150. When: July 27th – 29th. Find out more here.

AUGUST

Beatyard, Co Dublin: Those who dismay at the thought of camping will love Beatyard in Dún Laoghaire, with all goings-on taking place either in the large car park area or indoors. You’ll find all the good parts of a festival (music, food, a funfair and a kids’ area)… with an excellent public transport link home.

Cost: Adults €59 p/day, kids €5 p/day. When: August 3rd – 5th. Find out more here. 

All Together Now, Co Waterford: The most talked about new festival of the summer kicks off this August Bank Holiday at the Curraghmore Estate (that’s Lord Waterford’s back garden, FYI). The Kids Together area will feature the Arcadia Spectacular kids’ rave, a scavenger hunt and even a graffiti workshop.

Cost: Family camping €179.50, for one adult and up to two kids under-12. When: August 3rd – 5th. Find out more here.

Dungarvan Summer Music Festival, Co Waterford: This annual festival centres around three gigs, one each day of the festival, from trad acts like Lúnasa, Antarctica and Buile Shuibhne. Sunday’s Buile Shuibhne gig is an afternoon one, and there’s plenty happening on the fringes too.

Cost: €20 – €25 per gig or €50 for all three. When: August 3rd – 5th. Find out more here.

Electric Picnic, Co Laois: Electric Picnic has long had a dedicated Family Campsite – though only under-12s or over 18s are permitted to attend. There’s no mention yet if the Soul Kids area will return this year, but Body and Soul will have plenty of colour for curious young eyes, and the lake at Stradbally is open for swimming again this year, with family-only slots each day.

Cost: As always, the festival sold out early on, so this is one for the pre-planners. When: Aug 31st – Sept 2nd. Find out more here.

Help! Am I being unreasonable? We’re looking for parenting dilemmas from our readers for our Am I Being A Bad Parent? feature. Drop us a line with your reader dilemma on family@thejournal.ie.

Plus, we’re have a two-night family break at Fota Island Resort to give away to one lucky Family Magazine reader. Enter here!