Families at the ready! Early bird tickets for Gloworm Festival have been released with exciting plans in place to make it an extra special birthday weekend for the 10th edition.
To the delight of the regular attendees, it will be staying at Thoresby Park after its return this year went down a storm with the festival dates confirmed for August 7-9 2026.
Glowing reviews have been flooding in all week since the festival took place this year, with many saying they felt it was the best yet and praising the organisation, entertainment, inclusivity and electric atmosphere each evening.
Richard Walpole, Festival Director, said: “We couldn’t be more excited to be celebrating Gloworm’s 10th birthday back at Thoresby Park, which has truly become our festival’s perfect home. The feedback from this year has been overwhelming, with families telling us it was our best year yet – and we’re determined to make 2026 even more magical. From toddlers meeting their favourite characters to parents reliving the 90s, Gloworm is all about creating unforgettable shared moments, and next year’s line-up and surprises will be our biggest thank you yet to the wonderful families who’ve grown with us over the past decade.”
In the post festival survey, 100 percent said they would recommend Gloworm to others, would attend again and felt safe and comfortable during the event. The majority also said it was good value for money, with families appreciating the efforts to keep costs down with all activities on site free from workshops, circus shows, meet & greets, skateboarding, laser tag, fairground rides during the day and more.
Favourite performances and acts across the weekend were Bluey, Andy and the Odd Socks, Playmobil Rave, Mr Blobby, tribute band Arctic Roll and children’s entertainer Justin Fletcher. New activities introduced for older children such as laser tag, axe throwing and the mini off rovers and all the meet and greets with beloved characters were a hit with plenty of 90s kids among the parents enjoying the chance to catch up with Mr Blobby and the House of Pain wrestling proving to be a real crowd pleaser with all ages.
Festival coordinator Amy Bennett said: “One of the standout additions this year was the Playmobil Rave with DJ Sparky, which everyone absolutely loved while Dene Michael got hundreds of Glowormers up doing the hokey cokey and the conga which was incredible to see.”
For campers, a new layout bringing them closer to the main festival site and other accommodation areas was well received. The new breakfast area was also a big hit, and the exclusive Elmer meet & greet on Saturday morning was a popular surprise for early risers!
With Friday night entertainment for campers creating a brilliant atmosphere from the outset, organisers are already looking into exciting content for next year to make sure the weekend gets off to a flying start.
Adam Jankiwskyj, Nottinghamshire County Council, attending with his family for the first time, said: “Wow! “What can I say?! Me, my wife and young daughter had a fantastic time making memories and having lots of fun at Gloworm festival.
“The vast choice of entertainment left us spoilt for choice, and we had to prioritise which things to do so we could squeeze them all in. The on stage acts and entertainment were so much fun, interactive and suitable for all ages and families. I’d highly recommend it to anyone that’s thinking about going.”
Natalie Owen came with her family and wrote in her review for Left Lion, “Speaking to fellow Glowormers throughout the day, many shared how thrilled they were to see the festival return to its original home at Thoresby Park. The layout made everything feel close-knit and convenient, with all the activities in one central space — ideal for families with young children. Many also praised it as the perfect spot for camping, where waking up to a full day of fun-filled adventures made for an unforgettable summer holiday experience. With such a fantastic atmosphere this year, we can’t wait to see what Gloworm has in store for us next time!”
Weekend and camping packages provide the full Gloworm experience, offering unbeatable value for an all-inclusive family adventure, with payment plans allowing families to spread the cost across the year.
The early bird family camping weekend pass (£450) has been kept at 2025 prices for three days of entertainment and three nights camping for 2 adults and 2 children, with single parent options, Glamping, Pitch and Power and VIP upgrades all available.
Early Bird Family Weekend without camping is £250, and Day tickets are Family £150, Adult £45, Child (2-15) £35 with under 2s free. Booking fees apply.
For more information and where to buy tickets, go to www.glowormfestival.co.uk
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Posted on 18 August 2025
