🎉 About Friends Kids Festival
Community Support & Welfare Services
Baby Changing Cabin
A dedicated baby changing cabin is available at the site entrance. Please bring your own supplies.
Phone charging and left luggage services are available free of charge at the Academy of Friends Tent.
Small voluntary donations are welcome to help us cover costs and continue supporting family-friendly community events.
Limited spaces available.
Additional facilities available:
✅ Accessible toilets for people with disabilities
🚿 Hand-washing stations
🚰 Free drinking water refill points
🚗 Free parking is also available near the venue (subject to availability).
Friends Kids Festival- second edition
Oakwell Stadium, 17 Grove St, Barnsley S71 1ET
Friends Kids Festival is a family-friendly event dedicated to International Children’s Day, organised with care by the Romanian community in Barnsley and open to families of all nationalities.
After the success of the first edition, the festival returns in 2026 with two vibrant days full of colour, music and interactive activities for children and parents alike.
The festival takes place over two days, with the same programme running on both days, with one special exception highlighted below.
General programme – valid on both days (Saturday & Sunday):
🎭 Official Academy of Friends mascots Franny & Freddy
✨ Magic & illusion shows
🎪 Puppet theatre & clown performance
🎨 Face painting & balloon modeling
🚶♂️ Stilt walkers, Mirror Man, Big Steam Robot, Bush Man
🎨 Creative workshops, interactive activities and fun competitions for children and families
🐐 Educational Mini Zoo
💃 Folklore performances
🎁 Prize raffle with surprise rewards
Activities available at an additional cost:
Inflatables, carousel rides & Fun Fair area
Traditional and international food
Artists performing on both days:
Shondy Formatia Noua & Diana Visinar
DJ Floryo & DJ Alex
Special guests present on Saturday:
Colin Thackery MBE Maxuel Thorpe
In addition to the standard programme,
Johny Romano will take to the stage on Saturday for a special performance
Vali Vijelie will take to the stage on Sunday for a special performance dedicated to the festival audience.
Event details:
30–31 May 2026
Daily programme: 11:30 – 18:00
Public access from: 10:30
Location:
Grange Lane Events Arena
83 Grange Lane, Barnsley S71 5QF
Friends Kids Festival is more than an event – it is a celebration of childhood, cultural diversity and community spirit.
A safe, joyful and well-organised environment where children can express their creativity and parents can enjoy quality time with family and friends.
This event is subject to the granting of the relevant licence(s).
In the unlikely event that the licence is not granted, ticket holders will receive a full refund.
We’re excited to welcome you to Friends Kids Festival!!
