If your kids’ dream festival line-up includes Bluey, Baby Shark, PAW Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants, Hey Duggee, Bing and Mr Blobby, then clear your diary for August.
Returning to Thoresby Park from August 7–9, Gloworm Festival is going all out for its 10th birthday celebrations, transforming the Nottinghamshire estate into a giant playground packed with live shows, celebrity appearances, interactive zones and enough family entertainment to keep little ones busy from morning until bedtime.
Already one of the UK’s biggest family festivals, Gloworm has clearly decided that more is more this year. Alongside over 100 live performances, workshops and hands-on activities, families can expect more than 20 meet-and-greet opportunities with some of children’s TV’s biggest stars.
The headline character line-up is frankly ridiculous. Bluey, Baby Shark, Bebefinn, SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, Bing, Hey Duggee, Supertato, Zog and Mr Blobby will all be making appearances across the weekend, giving young fans plenty of chances for photos, hugs and excited screaming.
One of the biggest additions for 2026 is the new Bluey: Playdates with Friends area, an immersive space inspired by the much-loved Australian pup. Expect games, dress-up activities, toys and plenty of opportunities for little Bluey fans to jump straight into her world.
Meanwhile, Baby Shark and Bebefinn make their Gloworm debuts with an interactive stage show packed with singing, dancing and audience participation. Yes, that song will almost certainly be involved.
For PAW Patrol fans, the newly upgraded PAW Patroller is rolling into the festival following the release of PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie. Chase, Marshall, Rubble and Skye will be on hand to meet visitors, alongside interactive activities and the latest toys.
Elsewhere, SpongeBob is taking over the festival beach, complete with mermaid shows, Punch and Judy performances and a giant sandpit, while the woodland-inspired Into The Woods zone offers a slightly calmer escape with paddling streams and pond-dipping adventures.
The entertainment doesn’t stop with the characters. Popular presenters and performers including Maddie Moate, Nick Cope, Nigel Clarke and Sohan Kailey will appear across the weekend, while the ever-popular CBeebies Bedtime Stories sessions return for younger festivalgoers.
Friday’s camper-only opening party includes a nostalgic mix of Jo O’Meara’s S Club Party, Kevin & Perry Go Large, a K-Pop Hunters Party, Secret Cinema and a traditional fairground.
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Saturday’s programme features Nick Cope, Nigel Clarke, The Vengaboyz Experience, Bebefinn, PAW Patrol Pup Pup Boogie, West End Kids and a Playmobil Rave, while Sunday welcomes Maddie Moate, Pat Sharp and the Fun House Twins, Twist & Pulse, Spice World and a Pink tribute show, plus another Playmobil Rave and the festival’s much-loved fancy dress competition.
And if all that somehow isn’t enough, there’s also White Post Farm, adventure zones, circus skills, creative workshops, wellbeing activities, outdoor experiences and plenty of opportunities for kids to burn off energy while parents attempt to keep up.
Need to know
📍 Thoresby Park, Nottinghamshire
📅 August 7–9, 2026
🎟️ Day tickets: £42.50 for children, £52.50 for adults
🏕️ Limited weekend camping tickets remain available
