Nothing says summer like packing up the cooler and heading out to a festival. Although Central Oregon is famous for hosting some of the best music and special events festivals, with kids in tow, it’s a whole different ball game. Before you go, knowing what to expect and what to bring can ensure your family has the best possible experience.
To begin, choose a festival that is appropriate for families and considers the needs of kids. For example, while the Oregon Gin Festival in June may be fun for adults, it’s probably not the best choice for time with the little ones. In contrast, bluegrass music and folk festivals tend to be geared toward families, with several festivals now having dedicated “kids zone” areas that provide family-friendly entertainment, dancing, special activities and sometimes even child care.
While single day festivals tend to be easier, parents can still enjoy overnight campout-style events, too. The key here is to camp with another family with kids the same age. This creates a shared child care schedule that allows the adults to take turns having solo fun, while the kids enjoy the benefits of a never-ending playdate. This village-style model can be a real lifesaver when you run out of sunscreen or when your favorite band is playing, and you’ve been gifted an hour of kid-free concert time.
On a safety note, every family should have a security plan in place. As soon as you arrive, take your kids on a tour of the entire grounds so they are familiar with their environs and know exactly where their family’s campsite is located. Show them the security and medical tents, too, so they know where to go in case of an emergency. Talk to them about how to avoid getting lost and what to do if that happens, including finding event staff in yellow vests with walkie talkies.
These days, some festivals provide special white wristbands for children where parents write down their contact information in case the child gets lost; if not, don’t be afraid to write your phone number on your child’s arm with a marker. Also, make sure to take a photo of your child when you arrive, just in case you need help from security identifying, as well as locating them.
Often overlooked, factors like parking, walking distances to the campsite and to the music stages can make or break the family experience – especially in the summer heat. You may need to take multiple trips shuttling gear from the car to your campsite – be prepared for this. Utilize wheeled conveniences like shade wagons, strollers, bicycles and rolling suitcases to get everything from point A to B.
Lastly, be sure to talk to your children about the inevitable adult elements they may be exposed to. Have age-appropriate conversations about the possibilities of hearing foul language, smelling cigarette smoke, witnessing alcohol or drug consumption or seeing partial nudity. Parents can’t control what happens in a crowd, but they can prepare their children.
Here are our picks for some great local family
friendly festivals in Central Oregon:
USFEST
May 23-26, McKenzie River, OR
Nestled among the green moss alongside the rushing McKenzie River, lies a little slice of paradise known as Pica Flores Old Growth Sanctuary. Every Memorial Day weekend, the forest is transformed into a thriving micro festival beloved by local families who have been making the annual pilgrimage for over a decade. Featuring mainly local bands and homegrown community workshops, this intimate atmosphere also provides nature-themed kids’ crafts and children’s movie nights inside a yurt, freeing parents up for an evening of dance.
What to know: bring a tasty homemade dish for the giant potluck event on the
last night, where families and friends can break bread together and enjoy one another’s offerings.
ALPENGLOW NIGHTS
May 29-June 26, Alpenglow Park, Bend, OR
Kicking off the summer season of festivals, Alpenglow Nights is Bend’s newest community music festival, happening every Thursday evening for five weeks at Alpenglow Park in Southeast Bend.
This is a totally free event designed to bring local families together. Expect food carts, kids’ bounce houses and a full lineup of music – everything from indie rock to bluegrass to Irish folk.
Enjoy the big grassy lawn, bring chairs, a blanket and a picnic – or visit the food trucks for an easy dinner option. Adults can enjoy Worthy Brewing cocktails and beer, while the kids are sure to make a beeline to the water park. Also, the series kicks off with the Kids Glow Run on May 29. For $15, kids can participate and even receive a glow stick and snacks.
What to know: Arrive early for easy parking and first dibs on a good picnic spot on the lawn.
BIG PONDEROO MUSIC FESTIVAL
June 28-29, Sisters, OR
Located under the towering Ponderosa pine trees in the center of downtown Sisters at Village Green Park, the Big Ponderoo offers a two-night, family-friendly music and camping experience for all ages. With ample shade on the grassy lawn, the natural ambience is perfect for little ones, with children under five welcome for free.
If you’re feeling nostalgic for the olden days when ticket fees didn’t cost the same as a car payment and festivals felt simpler and more accessible, then look no further. This intimate, small-scale experience consciously aspires to bring world-class music to small-town charm, free from the corporate music monopoly that has hijacked the festival scene as of late. Here, you and your family can bring your own lawn chair and enjoy outstanding bluegrass and Americana music right in the comfort of downtown Sisters.
What to know: The festival focuses on sustainability,
so bring your own reusable cups and water bottles. They
also encourage carless transportation and offer a free bike
valet service.
BEND SUMMER FESTIVAL
July 11-13, Downtown Bend, OR
Bend Summer Festival is a must-see and do event, with free access to three days of great music, art, food and more. Every July, traffic stops in downtown Bend and the area is transformed into a vibrant celebration of the arts, culture and community as live bands perform throughout the day and countless unique vendors showcase hundreds of handmade goods and local flavors.
The Family Play Zone offers kids incredible fun with multiple bounce houses, child-specific vendors and the Kids Summer Sprint race on Saturday at noon.
What to know: Due to the popularity of this event, parking can fill quickly. Arrive early and take advantage of the free parking at the Deschutes County Administration building. You can also buy bounce house tickets online in advance to save yourself the line.
FAIRWELL FESTIVAL
July 18-19, Deschutes County Fairgrounds, Redmond, OR
Country music fans will delight in this two-day festival located at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond. Grab your cowboy hat and your best pair of cowgirl boots to show up in style for the plethora of music options spanning folk, blues, country, rock and soul. You can camp in the fairgrounds parking lot or utilize one of the many nearby hotels if you prefer a more private lodging experience.
The festival is open to all ages, with kids eight and under free with an adult ticket. The Family Services Tent provides a safe, private space where nursing mothers can breastfeed or pump, and parents can change a diaper, apply sunscreen or otherwise tend to their children’s needs.
What to know: Visit guest services right away, where parents can register their children and receive a special “Tag-A-Kid” wristband to help quickly reunite a lost child with their guardian.
CASCADE EQUINOX FESTIVAL
September 19-21, Deschutes County Fairgrounds, Redmond, OR
Round out the summer with an overnight camping event at the Cascade Equinox Festival, located at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond.
This immersive arts and entertainment experience offers an incredible variety of food, music, vendors and interactive live art displays that will have your kiddos gasping in awe. Nestled in between the music stages is a healing garden offering acupuncture, yoga and massage, while on-site tent camping in the parking lot creates a pop-up micro-city vibe as everyone open-air grills pancakes in the mornings and makes friends with their neighbors.
Festival organizers have cleverly fenced off an entire family area known as the Orbit Stage, where kid-friendly dance parties happen alongside face painters, hair braiders, craft corners and a big bounce house. Parents can feel relaxed knowing their children are safe inside the Orbit gates, with accessible indoor bathrooms located nearby and plenty of festival volunteers working to ensure little ones have fun.
What to know: The weather at this time of year can be unpredictable, with hot sunny days and cold windy nights, so pack accordingly with all the necessary gear. The large crowds may also be overwhelming for little ones, so keep young kids close and don’t let them wander outside the Orbit stage zone.
SISTERS FOLK FESTIVAL
September 26-28, Sisters, OR
Yet another offering from our favorite old-West style mountain town, the Sisters Folk Festival makes “all the town a stage” by showcasing musical artists in expansive canvas tents, restaurant courtyards, a local grocery and even an old historic church. There is plenty of family-friendly music to go around, with children aged five and under entering for free and discounted youth tickets for children ages six to 17. Expect some very top-notch folk musicians as well as some young up-and-coming performers.
What to know: Some stages are smaller and have a maximum crowd capacity of 300 people, whereas other stages are larger and can accommodate 1,300 folks. Be sure to plan your trip accordingly and arrive early for the smaller shows or the ones you don’t want to miss.
This article appears in Bend Nest Summer 2025.
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