Feature image: The Filipuzzi family from NSW Central Coast enjoying Little Splendour
Byron Bay’s annual Splendour in the Grass festival knows that families rock, and in every way welcome families to come along and enjoy the music, arts, entertainment, food and markets on offer. And they have a secret weapon up their sleeve to keep families coming back year after year … Little Splendour.
A festival within a festival. Little Splendour is a family friendly oasis within ‘Splendour in the Grass’ that offers FREE entertainment and activities as well comfortable facilities for families to use during their visit.
What is Little Splendour?
A completely fenced off mini-festival within Splendour in the Grass, Little Splendour is the work of children’s events specialists, Kidz Klub in Byron Bay. And when I say work, oh boy … they’ve worked.
A smorgasbord of family-friendly entertainment is on offer inside Little Splendour, which is completely free for Splendour in the Grass ticket holders (see more about children’s access below) between 10am and 5pm on each day of the festival.
Kids can enjoy:
- Sports and activities
- A jumping castle
- Face painting
- Giant board games
- Arts and craft
- Tie-dye workshop
- Eco-jewellery making
- Roving circus entertainers
- Dress ups and storytelling with character visits from fairies, pirates, princesses and more
- Live music from bands and DJs
- Puppet shows
- Much, much more …
Something for everyone at Little Splendour
Parents with babies and young children can access the giant Tipi retreat to feed, change and rest up from 10am to midnight on each day of the festival. This parents retreat is set up complete with baby change facilities, lounge area, tables and benches for meals, and even a microwave for bottles.
There’s a coffee shop, clean loos, shade, and even celeb spotting. That’s right, if your fave band is playing there’s a good chance you’ll see them up close and personal in Little Splendour hanging out with their own families!
Crowd favourite Bunny Racket had the kids whipped up into a mini-mosh!
Families are making it an annual pilgrimage
Two Hearts Club florist, Jacqueline and her family have been Little Splendour regulars since becoming parents.
“We love making our annual trek from Sydney to Byron Bay’s Epic Splendour in the Grass Festival with the little folk in tow because it’s a festival we can all enjoy it together. As parents we can relax knowing we have the Magic of Little Splendour. It’s our go to oasis for when the kids need some time out from the crowds,” says Jacqueline.
“Our kids can’t wait to let loose inside Little Splendour where they can run wild, unleash their creative spirits with all the fun activities and feel those magical festival vibes in a safe family friendly environment.”
You can check out #FamiliesOfSplendour on the Double J socials to see some of the stories shared by families who are making Splendour in the Grass an annual family bonding session.
Our very own Gold Coast Editor, Rebel and her girls were snapped at the Little Splendour entrance.
Taking kids to Splendour in the Grass
Families are welcome, and of course there are a few house rules to keep everyone safe. You can check out the entire Youth Policy HERE. Below are a couple of points you might want to know about getting tickets for your family:
- All minors aged 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult at the Entry gates (or they may be refused entry) and at all times whilst at the festival or campgrounds.
- Children aged 11 and under are admitted free and must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian at the Entry gates and at all times whilst at the festival or campgrounds.
- Those aged 12 or older must buy a ticket.
- A parent or guardian may accompany a maximum of 3 patrons aged 15 or under.
Getting around with the kids
Rob and Beth from Rock’n Roller Wagons have been making life easy for families at music festivals all over the country, with their super-funky, super-rockstar Festival Wagons.
And for them, Little Splendour makes Splendour in the Grass one of the best. We spoke to Beth about why they love it so much; “Little Splendour are our friendly neighbours at Splendour in the Grass, and our safe haven during the craziness of the event,”
“Rob and I are big music lovers, and have travelled the world attending music festivals and heading to gigs. Once we became parents, we knew we wanted to continue going to gigs and install a love and appreciation of live music in the kids from a young age.” Beth explains.
“Splendour in the Grass is a mammoth festival – huge line up, huge site, huge hype! Although it can get a little overwhelming for the little ones … and me, to be honest! To retreat into the calmness of Little Splendour gives us time as a family to regroup, to chill out, to grab a coffee, drop down the sides of our Festival Wagon and watch a magic show.
“The acts put on within the Little Big Top are top notch, and we get to dance along to the music the kids love (Avocado by The Vegetable Plot is on high rotation in our home!). Little Splendour, we love you!”
Big kids and little kids love the Festival Wagons, and they double as a bed for tired little rock stars once the sun goes down.
Splendour crowds are really respectful of little ones getting around, and there’s plenty of space to find a spot away from the mosh to enjoy the tunes. And if it does become too much, you can always retreat to the calm of Little Splendour to regroup.
Tips for taking to kids to Splendour in the Grass
- Definitely hire a Festival Wagon! You can arrange it before you even get there, hiring it for an hour, a day or the entire festival if you like.
- Security is tight, you can’t take in huge bags, so pack just what you need. There is a coat check available just outside the festival entrance, so pack a bag with warmer clothes for the evenings and grab it when the sun goes down.
- Speaking of sun down, it gets cold. Like freezing cold! The gorgeous Byron Bay winter sun might lull you into a false sense of summer, but once that sun goes down you’ll be quickly snapped back to reality. So pack for the sun in the day, and the ice at night.
- There is tonnes of scrummy food available. Think food trucks on steroids. The choice is huge, so no need to pack lunch or dinner, you’re bound to find something for everyone inside the gates.
