However, it can be difficult to attend these crowded, open-air festivities with small children in tow. Luckily, we've found a list of great music festivals that cater specifically to your little ones! These family-friendly events make it easy to combine the best things about summer--the warm weather and sunshine, live music and fun, and spending time with the entire family.
1. The Houston Children's Festival (3/31/2012 - 4/1/2012) in Houston, Texas
Proudly billed as the largest children's festival in the United States, The Houston Children's Festival is not to be missed. The most recent installment gathered over 50,000 families, friends, volunteers and sponsor partners in downtown Houston for days of live music, face painting, inflatable bounce houses, sporting events, refreshments, etc. The music came from Radio Disney, Nickelodeon and independent performers--and there was no shortage of special performances and celebrity appearances! While the 2012 event has already passed, don't worry--the next one is already in the works. It is scheduled to take place April 6-7, 2013--and it will be the 25th anniversary of the festival!
2. The Austin Family Music Festival (4/21/2012) in Austin, Texas
Also in Texas, at North Austin's Pioneer Farms, is the annual Austin Family Music Festival. The lively event combines children's music and activities on the farm to raise funds for Pioneer Farms and the Biscuit Brothers Television Project (both non-profit organizations in the area.) A major highlight is always the Musical Hayride events, led by the festival's star: Tiny Scarecrow.
3. The Kids Corner Music Festival (3/10/2012) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
This new event was first founded in 2011, when organizers of Philadelphia's Kids Corner (with support from The Franklin Institute) saw a need for better family entertainment in the area. They launched the first Kids Corner Music Festival at the city's World Cafe Live--and the response was overwhelming! The festival completely sold out, prompting the organizers to beginning planning the next festival immediately. The second event attracted over 800 people, and there is no doubt that the festival will continue to grow. Stay tuned as the 2012 Kids Corner Music Festival series promises to establish a long-running tradition.
4. Fiddlekids (6/23/2012) in San Francisco, California
Now over a decade old, fiddlekids is actually a unique summer music camp for children ages 7-13. During the two-week-long camp, young musicians are introduced to a variety of traditional fiddling styles: bluegrass, American old-time, Appalachian, Celtic, jazz, swing, Klezmer, and more. The camp combines these fiddling lessons with song, dance and art workshops to provide a wonderfully creative, interactive and fun experience. The culmination is an annual violin concert that allows fiddlekids campers to show off their new-found skills. Of course, due to the nature of the concert, children are welcome to attend--and who knows? It just may inspire your own little one to participate the following year!
5. Jiggle Jam Family Fest (5/26/2012 - 5/27/2012) in Kansas City, Missouri
Jiggle Jam, the nation's largest independent family music festival, takes place every year over Memorial Day weekend. Its purpose is (taken from the festival's official website) to bring "generations and communities together to experience live music and educational activities in a fun and positive atmosphere that the entire family can enjoy." The "jiggle" in the event's name refers to the dancing and the "jam" refers to the three stages of live music--you can expect to enjoy the sounds of over two dozen local, regional and national bands. On top of all that, the festival also includes a gigantic Children's Area filled with activities and workshops to keep your little ones entertained all weekend long.
If you've got kids, put one of these Festivals on your calendar for 2013. Can't make any of these festivals? Don't worry--you can always attend the HillTop Records Online Music Festival for Songwriters! The event is free to virtually "attend" and participate in online, from anywhere in the world and at any time of day!
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