Electric Picnic
Annual, typically early September
Season: September – September
Laois Arboretum
About
Electric Picnic is Ireland's premier music and arts festival that has evolved into a wonderfully family-friendly experience with its dedicated family camping area and Kids' Area featuring workshops, performances, and activities. While known for its stellar music lineup, the festival offers a magical woodland setting where children can enjoy circus performances, storytelling, craft workshops, and interactive installations alongside the music. It's a gentle introduction to festival culture for families, blending world-class entertainment with a safe, welcoming atmosphere for little ones.
What to Expect
Families will find a dedicated Kids' Area (Podge & Rodge's Forest) with age-appropriate entertainment including puppet shows, face painting, craft workshops, and interactive theater. The festival spans across beautiful woodland grounds with multiple stages, art installations, comedy tents, and spoken word areas. The family camping area provides a quieter zone away from late-night music stages, and the overall atmosphere is relaxed and inclusive. Expect a bohemian, creative vibe with costumed performers, colorful decorations, and a mix of families, young adults, and music lovers creating a diverse but welcoming community feel.
Highlights for Kids
- Podge & Rodge's Forest - a dedicated kids' area with puppet shows, theater performances, and interactive storytelling
- Circus performances and street theater roaming throughout the festival grounds
- Hands-on craft workshops where children can create festival art, masks, and take-home projects
- The Trailer Park stage featuring family-friendly music and entertainment in a quirky setting
- Exploring the beautiful Stradbally Estate grounds with art installations and creative spaces
Pro Tips for Families
- Book family camping in advance as it sells out quickly - this area has earlier quiet hours and is positioned away from main stages for better sleep
- Bring wagons instead of strollers for easier navigation on grass and uneven terrain, plus they're perfect for hauling gear and tired kids
- Pack ear defenders for younger children as music can be loud even in family areas, and bring glow sticks or LED bracelets for visibility in the evening
- Download the festival app before arriving to plan your day around kids' performances and workshops, and establish a meeting point in case anyone gets separated
Best Time to Visit
Arrive Friday afternoon when the festival opens for the most relaxed setup and to secure good camping spots in the family area. Saturday daytime (10am-6pm) offers the best concentration of kids' activities and workshops with a calmer atmosphere before evening crowds. Plan to attend main kids' entertainment in the mornings and early afternoons, then let children rest during the hottest part of the day. Sunday morning offers a gentler wind-down with family-friendly performances before the festival closes Monday.
Food & Drinks
The festival features dozens of food vendors offering everything from Irish favorites to international cuisine, with vegetarian and vegan options widely available. Expect to find child-friendly options like pizza, burgers, chips, crepes, and ice cream, though prices are festival-premium (€8-15 per meal). You can bring your own food into the camping area and prepare simple meals, which many families do for breakfast and snacks. Reusable water bottles can be filled at free water stations throughout the site. Consider packing snacks, fruit, and lunch items to save money and ensure picky eaters have familiar options.
Parking & Access
Located in Stradbally, County Laois, approximately 1 hour from Dublin by car (80km southwest). Parking is included with tickets but involves walking 15-20 minutes to the festival entrance across fields - bring wagons or carts for gear. Public transport options include special festival buses from Dublin and other Irish cities (book in advance). The site is not stroller-friendly due to grass, uneven terrain, and crowds, so baby carriers or wagons work better. International visitors should consider renting a car in Dublin or booking organized festival transport packages. Allow extra time for traffic on arrival and departure days as rural roads become congested.
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