Finding the Magic in the Middle

I’ve been wanting to go to Shambala for years. It ticks every single one of my festival boxes: independent, sustainable, family-friendly, creative, with a great range of music and artistic flair – and just the right amount of crazy. We were lucky enough to visit Shambala for its 25th anniversary with our tweens, held at its secret location in Northamptonshire, and wow, what a weekend.

It’s hard watching your little ones grow up – summer holidays get trickier at 8 and 12. I feel like my summers are numbered, and I just want them to have fun while we still spend time together as a family. Festivals are perfect for that, because there are so few activities where both kids – at different ages – are equally included. At Shambala, neither of mine ever felt left out, and we all got to make memories together.

Flamboyant Friday & The Big Green Wedding

We had so much fun planning our outfits for Flamboyant Friday. My son went camo-style with charity shop finds and his beloved snake. Wilba pieced together green treasures from her wardrobe, including her brother’s old Vandal Kids top, plus a splash of green hair. I wore a preloved green dress with an Olipops headpiece. Andy went all in with a green suit, and I made him a feather top hat for the proceedings.

Then there was the Big Fat Green Wedding – off-the-scale costumes, a fantastically heart-warming service about community and love, and yes… we even got to marry ourselves. Moments like this – playful, poignant, and inclusive – are sprinkled throughout the weekend, making Shambala truly unforgettable.

Tween Adventures & Freedom to Explore

For my two, Shambala was a playground of creativity.

• Wilba (8) adored the endless craft workshops – puppet-making, monster discos, and the playful chaos of Playtopia (where the Super Pirates made sure everyone was included). She flourished in the artistic energy.
• The Boy (12) loved being allowed to stay up late. We had some wonderful mother-and-son time at the Data Mine and danced to some of the best DnB sets I’ve witnessed at the Next Stage, while immersing ourselves in electronic sounds in the Enchanted Woods. He felt thrilled to be part of the ‘real’ festival.

And then there was the Shambolympics – brilliantly bonkers and perfect for tweens. Teams threw themselves into disco dodgeball, battled it out in mass musical benches, and paraded each other around the ring in a game inspired by Crufts. The kids joined in, laughed until their sides hurt, and even got on the microphone – my son delivered a very niche joke that somehow landed perfectly.

Even better? Shambala thinks of everything. They had a regulation station staffed by caring volunteers in the Playtopia woodland area where kids could take a breather and regulate themselves before heading back into the fun. Small touches like this make a huge difference for families.

Creativity Everywhere

Saturday’s Pun Carnival blew us away. The effort festival-goers put into costumes was mind-blowing – we saw a Couch Potato on an electric chair, a chick magnet, and groups painting the town red. The kids are already planning next year’s outfits as honestly ours were a bit tame – I know, I’m as shocked as you.

Shambala’s hidden venues and visual delights make a difference in how long tweens stay engaged. Every corner holds something magical: immersive theatre, secret woodland raves, mini playgrounds, gaming caravans and art installations. Even after the huge firework finale on Sunday night, we were still discovering new areas.

Music They’ll Actually Dance To

The festival’s music mix is perfect for families and tweens:

• Solasta Stage: Fat Dog, Digable Planets, Queen Omega & The Royal Souls, Asian Dub Foundation, Too Many T’s
• Other venues: Next Stage, Talu, Revel Soul, Phantom Laundry, Roots Corner, Swingamajig, Data Mine, People’s Front Room

My son loved staying up late at the Data Mine, soaking up DnB and electronic sets, while Wilba thrived in quieter creative spaces or setting up her own festival stall. Both explored the Enchanted Woods by day and danced under the lights by night.

Food, Sustainability & Values That Matter

Food at Shambala is a feast – all vegetarian, with affordable kids’ options, and globally inspired dishes. My two devoured churros one day and veggie burgers the next, feeling grown-up rather than eating “kiddy food.”

Shambala’s ethos is equally impressive: fully sustainable, circular, regenerative, net positive, and earth-and-life respecting. The site remained spotless, and the camping fields were pristine, a brilliant example for kids.

There’s no corporate sponsorship at Shambala – tweens see independent makers, artists, and small businesses in action, learning about creativity, community, and self-expression.

Why Tweens Flourish at Shambala

Tweens at Shambala can explore, connect, and create their own little communities. They make friends in workshops, share silly jokes in the Shambolympics, and dress up for carnival together. They feel independent but remain within a safe, supportive environment.

As a parent, I got to enjoy the festival too – confident that both kids weren’t just entertained, but truly thriving. Shambala isn’t just family-friendly – it’s tween-friendly, which is a rare and magical sweet spot.

Final Thoughts

We honestly didn’t want to leave. Shambala is a place where tweens can be their wonderfully weird, growing selves – one moment painting puppets, the next raving under the stars. Families come together to make lasting memories – sparking creativity, encouraging independence, and building a strong sense of community.

For us, Shambala has become more than just a festival – it’s a family core memory, one we’ll carry with us long after the glitter’s gone.