Our pick of the best family-friendly events in and around Yorkshire to keep everyone entertained throughout the summer holidays.
Kirkstall Festival | Kirkstall Abbey | 11th July
The annual volunteer-run community celebration returns to the grounds of local institution Kirkstall Abbey – free to attend, as always. This year’s festival celebrates the city’s 400th anniversary, alongside the usual programme of live music, market stalls, food, and family activities. The day begins with a parade from Hesketh Road at 11am, arriving at the Abbey around 11:45am.
G-Fest | Glebelands Playing Fields, Garforth | 18th July
St Gemma’s Hospice’s flagship fundraising festival returns for a full day of music, food, and family fun. Every penny raised supports local patients and their families. A feel-good day out with a fantastic cause behind it.
St-gemma.co.uk/events/g-fest-2026
Wild Play | TCV Skelton Grange | 21st and 22nd July
A full day of outdoor adventure in the woods for children aged eight to 12, run by The Conservation Volunteers at the award-winning eco-centre. Activities vary but have included shelter building, fire lighting, campfire cooking, bow-making, wild food walks, hammock hanging, stalking and tracking, and woodwork crafts – all led by experienced staff.
Tcv.org.uk/skeltongrange
Plant Power! | Temple Newsam House | 22nd July to 26th August
A vibrant, family-friendly summer celebrating the wonderful world of plants. From towering trees to tiny seeds, discover how plants shape our lives, our history, and our future. Enjoy an interactive plant trail, explore the house with a fun, educational trail designed for curious minds of all ages. Get stuck in with plant-themed crafting activities – perfect for little green thumbs!
Museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk
The Great Yorkshire Circus | Oulton and Woodlesford Sports and Social Club | 23rd to 26th July
A traditional circus rediscovered and restored after a remarkable barn find in North Yorkshire – original wagons, costumes, props, and equipment, all left untouched for decades, now carefully brought back to life. Thrilling acrobatics, clowning, live music, and dazzling costumes under the big top, led by ringmaster Jacob Phillips. Deliberately intimate, the show is designed so that audiences feel part of the magic rather than spectators of it.
Greatyorkshirecircus.com
Deer Shed Festival | Baldersby Park, Thirsk | 24th to 26th July
Highly rated family-friendly festival with a fantastic lineup of music, comedy, theatre, and more, with loads of fun activities for little ones. This year’s lineup includes Everything Everything, Lime Garden, Sleaford Mods, Say She She, Adam Buxton Band, Stuart Lee, and many, many others.
West Riding Small Locomotive Society Gala Weekend | Tingley | 25th to 26th July
One of the area’s best-kept secrets – a miniature railway society that has been running scale replica steam and diesel locomotives in Tingley since 1945. The annual gala weekend opens the tracks to the public, with rides throughout both days alongside a marquee, café, and displays. A genuinely special, off-the-beaten-track family day out.
