Updated April 2020
In need of some fresh travel ideas for the coming year? Lots of cities and towns have festivals to attract people in their low season or feature some of their best local attributes.
They can be great events to anchor a weekend getaway with (or without) the kids, or even a weeklong family vacation.
Here is a family friendly festival for every month of the year. If you have a specific destination in mind check their Tourism Bureau website for a calendar of special events for a festival to anchor your visit.
Finally, be sure to book a place to stay well ahead of time. After all, the point of these special events is to fill hotel rooms and restaurants.
12 Top Festivals for Families Across the U.S.
Table of contents
January’s Festival
Where: Aspen CO
What: Wintersköl
Aspen makes the most of winter with figure-skating exhibitions, snow-sport competitions, children’s story hour and other activities, special museum events, movie showings and musical performances.
Check out serious skiing competitions and just-for-fun-activities like broomball. This is definitely a festival with something to please everyone in the family — with fabulous skiing on hand besides.
Stay: *The Inn at Aspen
(Book it or check rates on other Aspen hotels.)
February’s Festival
Where: Seattle, WA
What: Museum Month
All month long visitors to the city can stay at over 50 participating downtown hotels and receive a Seattle Museum Month pass that provides half-price admission to more than 40 museums.
It’s a great low-risk way to sample some new museums with the kids or teens.
Stay: Fairmont Olympic Seattle
(Book it! or check rates for additional Seattle hotels.)
March’s Festival
Where: Orlando, FL
What: The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Epcot goes green with character-shaped topiary and temporary gardens, tours, clases and play areas.
Kitchens move outdoors to provide special foods and drinks. And Epcot hosts special weekly concerts.
This is one of those Disney events that’s fun with the kids, but don’t hesitate to drop them at the kids club and spend some couple time, too.
Stay: Disney’s Beach Club Hotel
(Book it! or Check out other Disney World hotels)
You might want to read our other Disney posts.
April’s Festival
Where: Clearwater Beach, FL
What: The Sugar Sand Festival
What could be more family friendly than a festival built around sand castles — and what sand castles! Watch professional sand artists carve enormous and elaborate sand sculptures with Clearwater’s famous soft sand.
Beyond that, enjoy a kids’ sand carving space, buskers, movies and concerts on the beach and special food and drinks.
Stay: Wyndham Grand
(Book it! Or check rates on additional Clearwater hotels).
Read more about the great aquariums in Clearwater and nearby Tampa.
May’s Festival
Where: New Orleans, LA
What: The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
The fest has evolved into an eclectic gathering of big-name performers (from Sting to Aretha Franklin to the Preservation Hall Jazz Band).
This surprisingly kid-friendly festival also features cooking demonstrations, African and Louisiana craft markets, a folk-life village and cultural exchange pavilion. Get tickets well in advance.
Stay: Homewood Suites New Orleans French Quarter
(Book it! Or check rates for additional New Orleans hotels)
June’s Festival
Where: Denver, CO
What: Denver Pride Festival
This multi-day celebration, known for being one of the biggest and most family friendly Pride events in the country, culminates with a weekend block party and Sunday parade.
The event takes over the area around the Denver Civit Center. Look for teen alley, where LGBTQ young people can hang out, have fun and find community support.
A family area has face painting, magic shows and drag queen story hours. Local family museums often have booths and activities.
Look for dogs-in-drag and other family friendly activities outside of the family area. Just keep in mind the event includes the full range of the gay community, from suburban families to outrageous drag queens.
Stay: Hyatt House Denver Downtown
(Book it! Or check rates for Denver hotels.)
July’s Festival
Where: Watkins Glen, NY
What: The Finger Lakes Wine Festival
The Finger Lakes is a dispersed wine region so being able to taste its many wines in one place —along with wines from other parts of the state—is a handy treat. Some 90 wineries participate.
The festival also features a beer garden, crafts and jewelry vendors, local foods, live music and pace car rides around the historic Watkins Glen racetrack. It’s a quirky festival but definitely kid friendly, as is the region’s wine and beer scene in general.
Stay: The Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel (Read our review)
(Explore more Finger Lakes hotels)
(You Might Also Like 12 Things To Do With Kids in the Finger Lakes.
August’s Festival
Where: Huntington Beach, CA
What: Surfing US Open
Here’s a festival for the teen in your life: The world’s largest surf competition and festival has the best surfers competing for one of the largest prize purses in the industry.
Also catch skateboarding and BMX competitions, live music, movie premieres, fashion shows, and product demos from brands like Vans, GoPro and Jeep. If you act cool enough, they’ll let you hang out with them.
Stay: Pasea Hotel & Spa
(Book it! Or explore more Huntington Beach hotels)
September’s Festival
Where: Jekyll Island, GA
What: The Jeckyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival
An entire Festival built around my favorite Low Country dish on family friendly Jeckyll Island. Learn how many different ways it can be made and sample them all.
There’s also entertainment and music, an artists’ market, a kids’ zone, food, and a craft brew fest to accompany all that good food.
Stay: The Jeckyll Ocean Club
(Book it! Or find great deals on Jeckyll Island hotels.)
You might also want to explore nearby Savannah.
October
Where: Gettysburg, PA
What: National Apple Harvest Festival
This made-for-kids festival, which takes place a few miles outside of town, offers six stages for music and entertainment such as chainsaw carving, live birds of prey and Native American dancing.
Sample Apple butter hot from the kettle, applesauce, apple fritters, candy apples and more while taking in Pennsylvanias fall foliage.
Stay: The 1863 Inn at Gettysburg
(Book it! Or check out more Gettysburg hotels)
You can also read about more things to do in Gettysburg, including our review of the 1863 Hotel.)
November
Where: Charlottesville, VA
What: Virginia Film Festival
This eclectic four-day festival offers a wide array of movies for kids, teens and adults including both new releases and modern classics.
Aim for family day to enjoy free movies, arts-inspired workshops led by UVA faculty and students, and an afternoon arts festival with crafts, performances, music, and food trucks.
Stay: Cavalier Inn at the University of Virginia
(Book it! Or explore more Charlottesville hotels)
December
Where: San Francisco, CA
What: The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
Cow Palace is transformed into Charles Dickens’ 19th century London with three acres the author’s characters plus carolers, street vendors, food and more.
The fair is a holiday season treat even for those too young to know who Tiny Tim is. For the adults it’s a great opportunity to find some truly unique holiday gifts.
Stay: The Westin St. Francis
(Book it! Or check out additional San Francisco Hotels.)
You might want to know about these great Bay Area playgrounds. And consider a Weekend in Sonoma With Kids.
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*Photos courtesy of the respective festival organizations.
