I love festivals, an opportunity to see live those acts I enjoy. So how wonderful that the CBBC have provided the same for children with the CBBC Summer Social. Now kids can meet their favourite acts and performers from CBBC and CBeebies at Croxteth Hall and Country Park in Liverpool.
CBBC Summer Social 2018
The CBBC Summer Social was organised in partnership with Liverpool City Council and formed part of Liverpool 2018: A year of projects marking a decade since Liverpool was European Capital of Culture. It took place at the historic backdrop of the Grade II listed Croxteth Hall and Country Park between Friday 3rd – Sunday 5th August 2018. It was the BBC’s biggest ever kids event, and the only festival to give 6-12year old’s and their families a unique lineup of CBBC favourites.
Acts at CBBC Summer Social 2018
The CBBC Summer Social was split into three main stages: The Summer Stage, The Social Stage and The CBeebies stage. There were a host of international music acts including Union J, Johnny Orlando, Matt Terry and Mackenzie Ziegler. Also in the impressive line-up of incredible artists were Max and Harvey, Bars & Melody, Sophia Grace, KIDS BOP, Merseygirls, Mr Tumble, Andy and the Odd Socks, Hey Duggee, Cook and Line, Sam and Mark, Ryan Russell, Dr Ranj, pop trio New Hope Club (Reece Bibbly, Blake Richardson and George Smith) and Shrek the Musical.
Other Entertainment at CBBC Summer Social 2018
There was the very best of CBBC programming including immersive activity zones, theatre shows, interactive and inspiring art workshops, top class musical experiences, cool outdoor and sporting activates, junior discos, themed treasure hunts, gaming areas, character walkabouts, vlogger meet and greets, live appearances from the most popular children’s authors (such as Kate Thistleton, Michelle Robinson, David Solomon and John Mayhew to name a few) and book signings. Not to mention bedtime stories in the CBeebies village.
Our Experience of CBBC Summer Social 2018
We headed to the CBBC Summer Social on the final day (Sunday 5th August 2018) with our 3 boys ages 9, 10 and 15 years old. We found at Croxteth Hall and Country Park with ease and parked with no problems at all. Entry was straight forward and all the employees were very friendly and helpful. I loved how the lanyard fastened the programme together in such a way that you could rearrange it to how you wanted it. For me that meant putting the map at the top and the acts from Friday and Saturday at the bottom.
I did struggle with the map a little as it didn’t really say where things were (such as where to book places as not all were at the booking ticket desk) and workshops/meet and greets etc were on a first come first served type of basis). I did also find someone wasn’t at a particular stage I was expecting them to be at. The only other negative that I noticed was that some people were also not happy at the extra cost for some of the fair attractions – but this is the norm at festivals.
Verdict of CBBC Summer Social 2018
All in all this was a wonderful festival for children – getting to see their favourite acts in front of their very eyes. I loved how friendly everyone was and there was no pushing/shoving/rudeness and children got to see the stage (and big screens) with no-one cramping on top of one another. There were plenty of portaloos and water taps too – with little to no queue. We really enjoyed The Meet and Greets, Live shows, Horrible Histories and The Clangers Garden. I definitely think this is a must visit festival for CBBC and CBeebies fans.
We were invited to the CBBC Summer Social, all opinions are honest and my own.