Gloworm Festival made its vibrant return from 8–10 August at its beloved home, Thoresby Park! Our very own Natalie took her family along to dive into the fun and experience all the magical moments the weekend had to offer…
This year’s festival was packed with excitement, offering everything from beach fun, circus acts, and farm adventures to fairground thrills, the Actual Reality Arcade, live wrestling, laser tag, axe throwing, skateboarding, and so much more.
For those who fancied camping, this year’s new site offered more convenient facilities, with the furthest pitches just a five-minute walk from the main festival arena. Hard-standing paths made it easier for buggies and pushchairs, and campers enjoyed access to the main site until 10pm.
This year’s theme, Under the Sea, truly inspired the creativity of Glowormers – and they did not disappoint! It wasn’t just the little ones getting into character; mums, dads, and even grandparents embraced the fun, donning everything from dazzling mermaid tails to giant octopus costumes. The effort and enthusiasm from families across the festival made it one of the most colourful and imaginative years yet.
The festival stage was buzzing with energy all weekend, delivering an unforgettable weekend of family-friendly entertainment and high-energy performances.
On Saturday, the main stage kicked off at 10:30am with Supertato, setting the tone for a jam-packed day. Families were treated to a variety of performances including Mama G Stories, Sublime Science, West End Kids, Justin Fletcher, Goodies Storytelling, Star Kidz, Pup Pup Boogie, Sohan Kailey, and the lively Superhero vs Princess Show. The evening brought an electric atmosphere with the Playmobil Rave hosted by special guest DJ Sparky, followed by live music from The Killerz, Rozallia, and Nathan Hadley, who kept the crowd dancing well into the night.
Sunday kept the momentum going, starting once again at 10:30am with Sohan Kailey, followed by enchanting performances from the Pixiebelles, Hey Duggee performing The Stick Song, TV Party Tonight, and Andy and The Oddsocks, making it another day full of family fun. As the sun set, the energy cranked up with an evening lineup featuring a Dua Lipa Tribute, Black Lace’s Dene Michael, and the crowd-pleasing tribute band Arctic Roll. DJ Sparky returned to host the final Playmobil Rave of the weekend at 6pm, closing out the festival in style.
As always, Gloworm took safety seriously, with every child receiving a wristband on entry in case they became separated from their grown-ups. Upon arriving on Sunday, we headed straight to one of the first must-see attractions: the dragon meet-and-greet in the Mythical Creature Zone — a top pick from our two-year-old, Silvia, which captivated nearby children as well. Just a short walk away, the Sherwood Outlaws were bringing history to life in the medieval area, where we enjoyed lunch while watching knights clash swords in an exciting display of medieval combat.
After recharging with a quick break — sun hats on and sun cream at the ready for what was a scorcher of a day — we made our way to one of Gloworm’s most popular attractions: the free-entry funfair. With a wide variety of rides perfectly suited for little ones, many were able to enjoy the fun solo, from the charming train ride to the thrilling flying airplane ride. Timeless favourites like the classic carousel and hook a duck added to the magic, creating smiles all around.
Some of our standout moments as a family on Sunday included escaping the heat in the tented areas to catch the CBeebies Bedtime Stories live — a magical experience, especially during the special guest slot featuring Rio from Andy and the Odd Socks. Watching all the children dancing as Rio rocked out to Footloose was a truly joyful moment. We also made sure to stop by The Organix Big Picnic, where the team handed out free goodies for the kids — perfect snacks to keep little ones going throughout the day. Another highlight was the circus area, which offered hands-on fun with circus skills workshops in one tent, and breathtaking performances from clowns to trapeze artists in another — the perfect chance to take a break and soak up the spectacle.
House of Pain Wrestling brought high-energy entertainment to the festival, delivering a fun and family-friendly take on the classic wrestling match. With dramatic entrances, playful banter, and light-hearted takedowns, the wrestlers had the crowd cheering, laughing, and fully engaged from start to finish. It was the perfect mix of action and comedy — thrilling enough to excite the kids, yet entertaining and humorous for the adults too. A real crowd-pleaser and a fantastic addition to the weekend lineup!
White Post Farm was also a fantastic addition to the festival, set up in a lovely shaded area — perfect for taking a break from the sun while still keeping little ones entertained. The farm offered a hands-on experience that encouraged children to get up close with a wide range of animals, from fluffy rabbits and guinea pigs to fascinating creepy crawlies. It was a gentle and engaging way for kids to learn about animals, with plenty of opportunities to pet, observe, and ask questions. The calm, interactive environment made it a firm favourite for families looking for a quieter, more educational moment in the midst of all the excitement.
There truly seemed to be something for everyone, with endless activities to keep little ones entertained throughout the day. The Paw Patrol area was a big hit, where children could complete fun challenges to earn prizes and even meet their favourite characters like Chase. Creative minds were also well catered for, with dedicated tents offering hands-on crafting activities where kids could make and take home their own creations — a perfect mix of adventure and imagination.
We wrapped up our day with a high-energy performance from Andy and the Odd Socks — a firm favourite of Silvia’s. Their playful nod to Freddie Mercury’s iconic stage presence had both kids and adults laughing and joining in, with the whole crowd swept up in the fun. It was the perfect way to end a magical day of music and memories.
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!
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?