There’s something profoundly touching about spotting a toddler in full festival regalia, complete with noise-cancelling headphones, bobbing to the beats of Kinetika Bloco, while nearby, a beaming grandparent sways to the same rhythms. This snapshot captures the heart of We Out Here Festival 2025, a place where generations meet, music bridges age gaps, and family isn’t an afterthought, it’s at the core.

Family as the Fabric of the Festival

Now in its fifth year, We Out Here has quietly become one of the UK’s most authentically family-friendly festivals. Located at the scenic grounds of Wimborne St Giles, Dorset, this four-day gathering is intentionally designed for all ages and moods. From family campers bonding under the stars to those soaking in the main stage, the message is clear: music is for everyone

Thoughtful, Integrated Family Programming

Unlike many festivals that marginalise family activity, We Out Here embeds its Family Area right next to the main stage, making families a living part of the festival tapestry rather than a sidebar. With activities like disco bubbles, arts and crafts, skate sessions, soft play for under-5s, and DJ-led creative workshops, the Family Area is anything but siloed, it buzzes with vibrancy.

A fantastic new addition for 2025 was the Mortimer Nannies “Stay Up Late” Tent—a cozy, fairy-lit zone offering bedtime stories, board games, and torchlit calm, allowing parents to explore late-night music knowing their little ones are gently winding down.

That’s not all, families could enjoy Big Fish Little Fish daytime raves, DJ-led futures with Activate Performing Arts’ youth DJs, Kinetika Bloco parades and warm-up workshops, puppet shows like the whimsical Dog Ross Show, forest school “Into the Woods” sessions, lakeside wild swims, and even synth and graffiti workshops through the youth club. It truly was a festival where the entire site became a family playground.

© Photography by Rob Jones for Khroma Collective (www.instagram.com/khromacollective)

A Festival for Every Music Lover

Beyond its family charm, the festival radiated inclusivity and musical excellence. Curated by Gilles Peterson, the lineup presented a diverse spectrum, from global icons to emerging talents: Michael Kiwanuka and Rotary Connection 222 headlined alongside genre-defying offerings. The festival also had the perfect offerings for electronic music fans with DJs like Theo Parrish (in an epic eight-hour set), Ben UFO & Josey Rebelle, and jungle champions 4AM KRU bringing deep club culture vibes. The line up as a whole was eclectic including names from all over the world such as Noname, Pa Salieu, Nala Sinephro, Kokoroko, Joe Bataan, who all brought a rich flavor of jazz, Afrobeat, soul, hip-hop, and beyond.

Intergenerational Harmony in Action

We Out Here isn’t just about music, it’s about connection. Globetrender celebrated a moment that captures this ethos: “a set of twins taking an afternoon nap in their buggy, metres from iconic dance hub the Lemon Lounge, while their parents caught a relaxed set by Gladdy Wax.” Even a nine-year-old professed that rap act Dave was their “favourite at the moment.”

Local Roots, Broad Heart

Beyond music and families, the festival showcased Dorset’s community spirit. At St Giles House, local talent, from musicians and food traders to community groups like Four Acre Farm and the Dorset Art Development Company, found meaningful space in the festival narrative. Workshops, craft tents, and food options rooted in local culture strengthened the festival’s sense of place. We will definitely be back for more next year