Discover a summer of dragonfly-themed events at Slimbridge Wetland Centre at its first Dragonfly Festival, from Saturday 21 June to Monday 22 September 2025.
With all-new wetland experiences to entice families, visitors have the chance to delve into the world of dragonflies with up-close nature encounters, creative workshops and hands-on activities, from pond dipping to interactive outdoor games.
Start your adventure at the festival hub to find out what's on during your visit and collect your dragonfly challenge sheets. Don't forget to pick up a dragonfly headband for the perfect photo opportunity!
Go on a dragonfly safari by water or road, with canoe and 4x4 experiences to track down the iridescent insects that reside in Slimbridge's wetlands.
Creative kids can make dragonfly-inspired art at the Art Hub, from wing mosaics to wetland watercolours, before stretching their wings on the adventure playground or making a splash at Slimbridge's water-based play area.
There's also a brand-new activity trail, charting the journey of the dragonfly from prehistoric underwater predator to elegant aerial acrobat. Follow its lifespan from egg to nymph to adult and learn more about its hidden superpowers along the way.
During the summer holidays, each weekend brings a new Dragonfly Festival headliner, starting with Slimbridge's Circus Spectacular on Saturday 26 to Sunday 27 July, where you can snap selfies with dragonfly stilt walkers and practice your own circus skills.
Wellbeing Weekend follows on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August, with mindful nature walks, family yoga sessions and relaxing head, neck, shoulder and foot massages up for grabs.
Then Dragonfly Discovery on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August is a must for aspiring scientists, who can peer through the microscope at dragonfly nymphs and create their own dragonfly habitats.
Keep an eye out for other themed weekends, with arts and crafts, theatre and storytelling and music and dance activities all on the bill, too.
Visit wwt.org.uk/slimbridge/dragonfly-festival for the full lineup and to get tickets — you can save 10 per cent by booking ahead.
