at the heart of the town and the festival, peacock lawn is the place to be for children and families!
It’s a safe, secure and welcoming area where you can enjoy free daytime events and activities. Bring a picnic and stay for the day, or dip in and out of your favourite sessions. Expect music, theatre, dance, crafting, tried-and-tested favourites, and a sprinkling of magical surprises.
Tickets for Under 11s are FREE!
Whether you’re visiting for the day or here for the whole week, we’ve got you and your family covered. Check out our Families Guide for more hints & tips.
The full programme will be out in June with more details coming in early 2026. In the meantime, here are some highlights to get you excited about summertime at the seaside.
If you love performing, we’ve got plenty on offer. Budding musicians can join the Stompers Ceilidh Band or The Minims, and warm up their vocal cords with the Sidmouth Mini Singers (with Jackie Oates) or the Sidmouth SongSwell Choir (with Bryony Griffith).
For dancers, look forward to border and rapper workshops, Mini Morris, and even Tiny Morris for the very youngest festival-goers.
The ever-popular Craft Carousel returns with endless things to make and do. And if theatre or music is your passion, don’t miss the evening performances, each night featuring some of the best storytellers, musicians and performers from across the country.
For young folkies under 4, The Rainbow Tent is a calm, colourful space with picture books and toys, perfect for feeding, changing, or taking a little quiet time.
And of course, it wouldn’t be Sidmouth without the Torchlight Procession. Throughout the week you can make a magical lantern to carry in the Friday night parade.
However you choose to spend your time, we hope you and your family have a fantastic Sidmouth experience.
Daytime Fun – Suitable for All the Family
All daytime activities and events are free of charge, though donations are welcome. Every penny helps us create a wonderful Children’s Festival each year.
Mornings at the Maypole
Start your day with a family maypole dance workshop
Young Performers Showcases
Hear some of the brightest young talent on the UK folk scene. Bring your lunch and a blanket and enjoy.
Happy Bubbles Devon
Fun for all ages—from 0 to 100! Enjoy watching and making giant bubbles.
Family Song & Tune Session
A relaxed, child- and baby-friendly session with Erin Brown & Barry Watson.
Children’s Festival Showcase
Celebrating the talent and achievements from the Children’s Festival workshops.
Lots more coming soon!
Evening Family Fun
After a busy day, settle in as a family for brilliant evening theatre, music, storytelling or dance.
Evening shows are ticketed and season ticket families have priority. Child season tickets (0–11) are free. Tickets will be sold on the door where space allows. Children must be accompanied by ticket-holding adults.
More details coming soon.
Thursday 6 August:
A Stomping Ceilidh Featuring the music of the Sidmouth Seaside Stompers.
Friday 7 August:
Lantern Parade
Meet at Peacock Lawn from 8.45pm. Then head to Glen Road for the start of the Torchlight Procession at 10pm, the magical finale of the Festival, leading along the Esplanade and onto the beach for the traditional firework display.
Call out for young performers!
We’re looking for talented young people to showcase at the 2026 Festival. If you are a singer, musician, band, dancer or performer aged 21 or under, you could be part of the Young Performers Showcase on the Star Stage at Peacock Lawn. Full details on how to apply will be available in the spring.
Thank you
We would like to acknowledge our generous funders that helped keep the Children’s Festival free in 2025:
Keith Owen Fund, administered through the Sid Vale Association & Arts & Culture East Devon.
If you’d like to support the Free Children’s Festival in 2026, please get in touch (Email Andy Griffiths, Local Sponsorship Co-ordinator)