Gloucestershire Family Festival 2024

The Gloucestershire Family Festival, held during October Half Term, brought the joy of storytelling, reading, and creativity to families across the county with events hosted in Dursley, Oakley, Hesters Way, Matson, and Cinderford. Over the course of the week, approximately 600 attendees enjoyed a vibrant mix of activities themed around Fairytales and Fantasy, including The Enchanted Cinema, storytelling sessions, outdoor learning, science experiments, arts and crafts, LEGO building, sensory play, face painting, and more. 

The festival aimed to bring the wonders of books, reading and imagination to all children, with a particular focus on reaching underrepresented and isolated communities. By hosting events in accessible non-library venues such as community centres, family hubs, and schools, the festival connected with families who might not typically visit a library - resulting in signing families up as library members. 

Key outcomes demonstrating the festival’s ability to reach beyond its core library audience: 

-Around 45% of attendees were families considered ‘Non-Regular Library Users'.

-Nearly 30% of attending families had at least one Non-Library Member in their party.  

Additionally, the festival served as a platform for creative consultation, with families providing valuable feedback about their interests; this input will guide future programming to ensure services remain relevant, impactful, and community-focused.

By blending creativity with literacy and offering free, inclusive opportunities, the Gloucestershire Family Festival was a success in bringing communities together and inspiring a love for learning and imagination. Planning for the second year of the Festival is now underway.