Friday 8th May 2026
By Bridlington Gold Radio Editor
Bridlington will welcome the award‑winning DadFest this spring, as the popular family festival arrives at South Cliff Holiday Park from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th May.
Run in partnership with East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Rewilding Youth, DadFest is a nationally recognised ‘Festival of Fatherhood’ designed to strengthen relationships between dads, father figures, male carers and their children. Created by The Dads’ Network CIC, the festival was named ‘Best Small Event in the UK’ by the National Outdoor Events Association in 2025.
The 2026 programme has now been released, offering a packed weekend of activities including arts and crafts, bat walks, fireside stories, beach games, star gazing and astronomy, magic shows, and a full day at The Edge Ariel Adventure.
To help make the event more accessible, Rewilding Youth is offering free camping kits for families who need them. Each kit includes a two‑person tent, sleeping mats, sleeping bags and camping chairs. Enquiries can be made by emailing Les@rewildingyouth.co.uk.
All activities and camping for the entire weekend are included in the ticket price. A limited number of half‑price tickets will also be available for low‑income families, who can enquire by emailing info@thedadsnetwork.org.
Councillor Nick Coultish, cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “I took part in DadFest with my daughter last year and had a wonderful time. I was really impressed with the wide range of events on offer — we spent all day taking part in bonding activities such as nature walks, crafting and beach games, and enjoyed the evening around the campfire. This is a fun and rewarding experience for dads and their children.”
Colin Phillips, lead youth environment educator with Rewilding Youth, added: “We had some amazing feedback from last year’s event. Many dads told us how valuable it was to spend uninterrupted one‑to‑one time with their children, away from mobile phones and tablets. Sitting around the fire, meeting other dads and watching their children make new friends created really special moments. We hope this weekend will spark a lasting connection with nature — and with each other.”
For more information and to book tickets, visit: www.eryc.link/dadfest.