Gloworm Festival returns to Thoresby Park this weekend

Gloworm Festival is returning to Thoresby Park this weekend, promising its biggest celebration yet with plenty of entertainment.

This year, more than 20,000 people are expected to descend on the estate for three full days of family fun, music, characters and creativity.

Running from Friday, (8 August) to Sunday (August 10), the award-winning festival is the UK’s largest dedicated family festival.

Now in its ninth year, Gloworm offers a packed programme of live shows, immersive experiences, arts, crafts, activities, and interactive zones designed to bring children and grown-ups together through imaginative play and entertainment.

This year’s line-up is the most ambitious to date, with a full schedule of performances, appearances and activities across the main stage and festival grounds.

Families will be able to meet beloved characters including Bluey, Supertato, Duggee, Mr Blobby, Zippy and George, Bing, Elmer, Chase and Rubble from Paw Patrol, and Ladybug and Cat Noir.

Some characters appear both days, while others are programmed for specific times, so organisers recommend checking the full schedule in advance to avoid disappointment.

The action kicks off on Saturday morning when Supertato takes to the main stage at 10.30am, followed by storytelling with Mama G, science fun with Sublime Science, dance and theatre performances from the West End Kids, and appearances from Justin Fletcher, Goodies Storytelling, Star Kidz and Pup Pup Boogie.

Evening entertainment includes a high-energy set from tribute act The Killerz, live performances from Rozallia and Nathan Hadley, and a Playmobil Rave hosted by guest DJ Sparky.

On Sunday, the main stage will host Sohan Kailey, Pixiebelles, TV Party Tonight and the ever-popular Hey Duggee with a live performance of The Stick Song.

Andy and the Odd Socks are also set to return, closing the children’s programme before another evening of music with a Dua Lipa tribute act, Arctic Roll, Black Lace’s Dene Michael and a second Playmobil Rave to end the festival in style.

Alongside the headline stage shows, the festival promises a wide variety of entertainment zones and experiences to explore.

Families can enjoy live puppet theatre with Punch and Judy, sword fights and action from The Sherwood Outlaws, pirate performances, wrestling from Hop Wrestling, circus skills and aerial stunts, and a unique Dragon-themed live show.

Children are encouraged to join in as audiences or participants, with events aimed at boosting confidence and connection through fun.

Younger festivalgoers will also be able to enjoy stories read by familiar faces as part of the CBeebies Bedtime Stories programme, hosted by TV presenter Nigel Clarke. On Saturday at 11am, Clarke will join Hey Duggee to kick off a run of magical story sessions. Blue Peter’s Abby Cook, Gladiator Comet and Reverend and the Makers frontman Jon McClure are also part of the storytelling line-up, with surprise guests teased for throughout the weekend.

In keeping with Gloworm tradition, Sunday will also see families invited to dress up for this year’s fancy dress theme: Under the Sea.

Organisers are expecting a colourful parade of mermaids, sea creatures, pirates and ocean explorers to take over the festival site.

Beyond the stages, children can get stuck into dozens of hands-on activities across the site.

From forest school sessions offering clay boggart making, bug hunting, den building and pond dipping, to circus workshops, graffiti tutorials, drumming classes and the high-energy Wizard of Skate zone, there are activities on offer for every interest.

Children can also try their hand at wrestling with the House of Pain team or head to the Actual Reality Arcade to play physical versions of retro video games.

The beach zone, complete with real sand and appearances from mermaids, is set to be a popular stop again this year, while the White Post Farm animal experience, hay maze, mini Land Rovers, climbing wall and face painting promise plenty of hands-on fun.

Families will also find a full Playmobil Village to explore, a Smoby play zone featuring slides and interactive water games, and the Organix Big Picnic with arts, crafts and creative stations.

Organix will also offer face painting and hands-on play across the weekend.

This year’s food and drink offer has also been expanded, with dozens of traders on site serving fresh handmade pizza, pasta, burgers, hotdogs, toasties, loaded fries, Greek dishes, pancakes, churros, doughnuts and Yorkshire pudding wraps.

A wide selection of vegan and vegetarian food will be available from stalls such as the Greedy Vegan Van, with plenty of sweet treats and allergy-friendly options.

For weekend visitors, camping opens from 12pm on Friday, with upgraded facilities including hard-standing paths, additional showers and closer camping pitches — with the furthest tents now only a five-minute walk from the festival arena.

Families arriving early can join an exclusive Friday night programme from 5pm featuring a Sabrina Carpenter tribute, Blur2 and a special Chucklevision DJ set by Paul Chuckle.

The Gourmet Kitchen campsite café will also be open throughout the weekend offering hot breakfasts, with opening hours on Friday from 12pm to 4pm, and from 7am to 10am on Saturday and Sunday.

For day visitors, the festival site opens from 10am with general parking just five minutes from the main entrance.

Tickets are still available for both Saturday and Sunday, with adult day passes from £60 and children’s passes (aged two and over) from £50. Children under two go free.

Parking is priced at £3.30 per day or £5.50 for the weekend.

Visitors are advised to use the postcode NG22 9EP for their SatNav and follow signage through the main Thoresby Park entrance, avoiding private roads nearby.