Put quite simply WOMAD is the UK'S premier world music festival, inspired by Peter Gabrielle, WOMAD stands for World of Music, Arts and Dance, the festivals are held all over the world enabling audiences to gain an insight into other cultures through the medium of music.

It's a very friendly, safe and family orientated festival. There are seven indoor and outdoor stages and a capacity of about 20,000. There's a full programme of adult and children's workshops, a cabaret tent, DJ sessions and late live performance in Club WOMAD.

WOMAD does a great deal to aid understanding and bring into the consciousness the worth and value of living together in a multicultural society. This is a gentle, safe and highly recommended festival that just gets better every year- probably the best world music festival out there.

WOMAD is a festival that attracts a wide-ranging audience, from world music fans to people who just want to broaden their horizons and discover and experience new music and cultures.  Throughout its history WOMAD has also been at the forefront of accommodating families in an environment that is safe and secure, as well as being affordable – two children aged 13 and under can come free with each adult ticket holder.

There are plenty of children’s workshops, family workshops, and schools projects. Music making, face painting and cookery sessions. An irrepressibly gorgeous children’s procession. A vintage steam fairground that is more like a film set than a travelling fair. A dedicated children’s area complete with sandpit, reading library and just to be sure there is a 'found children tent' located close by the dedicated Family Camping site (which has a respectful, early(ish)-to-bed philosophy!)  

Of course on top of all that there is the magnificent Charlton Park itself: a rural idyll complete with arboretum, open lawns and rolling fields – the perfect place for enjoying and exploring especially at the height of British summertime.

Peter Gabriel re-affirms WOMAD’s desire to encourage families to come to the festival:

“From the outset when we started in 1980 we really wanted to include kids, so part of the aim for WOMAD was to introduce a lot of music. If we can teach them about some of the joys of the world then it’s a wonderful thing. It’s like with food, if you don’t let them eat different things, they won’t like things that are strange and foreign!”

A great festival which Safeconcerts highly recommends - if you haven't got into the whole world music vibe yet this festival would be a superb introduction - inspirational and delightful - we think you'll be hooked after one visit!