Childhood favourites, CBeebies stars and lovable Care Bears bring the feelgood factor to Gloworm

CBeebies stars Maddie Moate, Nigel Clarke and Andy Day; Elmer The Patchwork Elephant, the Gruffalo, Bing and Flop, Bluey and Bingo, Care Bears, Paw Patrol, Sublime Science and Aardman Animations are just some of the family favourites set to appear at Gloworm Festival.

The 8th iteration of the family festival will take place from August 16 to 18 at Holme Pierrepont Country Park, and promises a top weekend of feel-good family fun from the biggest names in children’s entertainment.

Newly announced is CBeebies Bedtime Stories with Maddie and Nigel lined up to read to the children along with more celebrity guests — including a very famous face indeed — to be revealed.

For a childhood throwback sure to appeal to big and little kids, Mr Blobby is returning with more mayhem, there’s good vibes only from the lovely Care Bears, and Bodger and Badger will take everyone on a nostalgia trip.

The Gruffalo will also be dropping in on the Organix Big Picnic, and will carry out meet and greets throughout the day, with the organic food brand bringing along samples, stage performances, arts and crafts and face painting too.

The lovable Care Bears will be at the festival with arts, crafts, music and a chance to leave a message on their Good Vibes wall. They will also have a chill out zone for those that just need some peace and calm during the festival as Care Bears are all about supporting mental health and wellness.

Live music will feature loads of the best pop bangers and indie classics, with tribute acts playing homage to Taylor Swift, Oasis, Spice Girls and Take That, plus DJs including Mr Pat Sharp, and Fatboy Tim opening on Friday for the camping contingent.

This year will also have adrenaline-fuelled activities both on and off the water. The Mini Landrover, Mini Golf, Sky Trail, Sky Tykes, Lagoon Wipeout, Kayaking and Archery experiences will offer loads more adventure, all included in the admission price.

Gloworm is putting children’s mental health and wellbeing at the forefront of the experience for 2024 with a Wellbeing Area open to all throughout the festival, working with Caudwell Children, Positively Empowered Kids, Peaceful Possums Yoga and Gifts From Fairies.

Returning for the fourth year, Caudwell Children provide a sensory space for festival goers that need time away from the busy hustle and bustle of the festival, so they can relax and desensitise. A hub of specialist advisors will be on hand who can guide families who are struggling with the SEND Diagnosis pathway, and practitioners to give advice to families.

Positively Empowered Kids will bring arts and craft activities to help children find their own superhero powers. They work to give children the tools to be proactive in building positive mental health and wellbeing, and empowered to realise their full potential.

Peaceful Possums Yoga will be running yoga sessions while Gifts From Fairies, a charity on a mission to spread happiness to children who need it the most, will be running storytelling sessions with fancy dress play.

Gloworm event organiser Rebecca McGlone said: “At Gloworm Festival, we're committed to inclusivity, and we believe every child should have the opportunity to enjoy the full festival experience. Engaging in creative play nurtures children's development and boosts their confidence, and we hope that the workshops we have on offer in this area will support the mental health of all children.

“Not only do our wellbeing activities enhance the event for families with SEND children, but they also provide a chance for families to connect with support organisations, who can provide them with the tools needed to help their children navigate their mental health in a world that can feel a little worrying at times.”

The family festival has all bases covered with stage shows, workshops, play zones, outdoor adventure, fairground rides, a real farm and creative play, thanks to festival sponsors Playmobil, CBeebies, Care Bears, Smoby, Elmer, Organix and White Post Farm.

The dedicated VIP area has model making workshops with Aardman Animations — known for Chicken Run and Wallace and Gromit — for the chance to recreate some of their most iconic characters; spectacular science experiments and gooey slime making with Sublime Science and its own soft play.