Janine GriffithsFamilies from Garforth to Sherburn in Elmet are being invited to dance, sing and celebrate this summer as Baby Band Music Festival returns to Lotherton Hall for what promises to be its biggest and boldest event yet.
Set in the sprawling grounds of the historic estate just outside East Leeds, the festival will take place on Sunday 20 July from 11am to 6pm and is shaping up to be the largest single-day event Lotherton Hall has ever hosted.
The day-long celebration will see toddlers, teens, parents and grandparents all getting involved, thanks to a lively mix of live music, street food, circus skills, artisan markets and interactive workshops for all ages.
Building on the success of last year’s sell-out event, this year’s festival will feature five crowd-pleasing bands, including headline act Apollo Soul, known for their “powerhouse vocals and serious party energy”. Also on the line-up is the Yorkshire Tea Party Band, Hyde Family Jam, the swing-filled Louis, Louis, Louis, and the folk-meets-pop chaos of Hyde Family Jam.
The event is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Peter and Charlotte Hill, co-founders of Baby Band. Charlotte said: “Our ethos is rooted in the belief that music is for everyone, regardless of age – it brings people together like nothing else. The Baby Band Music Festival is all about celebrating and sharing that joy, bringing families together to sing, dance and make precious memories. We’re so excited to welcome everyone back for what will be our biggest and best festival yet.”
In addition to the music, families can enjoy a packed programme of children’s activities including dance workshops, forest school sessions, live magician performances, drumming and circus skills.
Food stalls will offer a mouth-watering selection of treats, from Philly’s Pizza and 7 Star Flag Street Food, to Yorkshire’s best brownies, crepes and ice cream. The artisan market will showcase handmade creations from local crafters and makers.
Baby Band began in 2021 as a passion project and has since grown into a fast-expanding music movement. Peter, a Head of Performing Arts and Music in York, and Charlotte, a former primary school teacher with a background in music and playwork, now run Baby Band sessions across Garforth, Sherburn in Elmet, Horsforth, Yeadon and beyond.
Each session blends genres from jazz and Disney to 90s pop and rock and roll, all performed live with quality instruments.
With the launch of their first franchise earlier this year and national expansion on the horizon for 2026, Baby Band shows no sign of slowing down.
Tickets for the festival are available now at www.babyband.co.uk.
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