Five Years of TotFest: A Farewell to Our Favourite Family Festival

Making memories at TotFest 2025.

For the past five years, the start of summer for our family has been marked by one thing: a trip to TotFest. It’s been our tradition since my eldest was just two years old. Newmarket has been its home for most of the years we've been attending, and we’ve collected a lifetime of memories in those spectacular grounds, watching my eldest grow from a toddling little girl into the fiercely funny seven-year-old she is today, with her little sister joining the adventure along the way.

But after our visit this year, there was a quiet understanding between us that this was likely our last one. It wasn't because of any single thing, but more a collection of small feelings, a sense that we, as a family, are beginning to outgrow the magic we once found so captivating.

Magical Meetings & Evolving Faces

The character encounters have always been a cornerstone of our TotFest experience. This year, we had our annual chat with the wonderful performers from Emmabelle's Princess Parties. In all our previous years visiting, my eldest has been completely enchanted by the princesses they bring. It was a noticeable change this year, as they were there as beautiful 'Rainbow Fairies' instead.

Apparently, this was a deliberate change from the festival to build its own brand, which I understand. And while we did miss the familiar excitement of meeting a princess, the Rainbow Fairies were absolutely lovely, with their colourful outfits and sparkling smiles. My youngest was captivated, though I could tell my eldest, at seven, was quietly wondering where Cinderella or Belle had gone. It was another small sign that the festival we knew was evolving.

Of course, it was a joy to see Spot the Dog, a true classic who feels like part of the TotFest furniture now!

The wonderful new 'World of Eric Carle' zone.

The Thrills: This Year vs. Years Gone By

The "wow" factor this year came from the incredible, life-sized animatronic dinosaurs. Coming face-to-face with a magnificent Triceratops was breathtaking, and both girls were mesmerized.

The brand-new World of Eric Carle, created in partnership with edxeducation, was a triumph. This immersive, creative space was a highlight, and seeing both my daughters dress as The Very Hungry Caterpillar was a core memory. The classic fairground rides, like the beautiful traditional carousel and the dizzying chair-swings, also remained a constant, happy feature.

Our Final Verdict: A Loving Goodbye

Looking back, TotFest has given us so much. It's been the perfect 'first festival' experience. But as our children grow, their needs change. For all its wonderful new additions, the core of the festival remains firmly rooted in the "tot" and pre-school age group, as it should.

So, this isn't a complaint, but rather a fond farewell. It's a love letter to the festival that has defined our summers for five years. I'd still urge any parent with a toddler to go and make their own memories. But for us, it's time to seek out new adventures, bigger rides, and different kinds of magic.

Thank you, TotFest, for being such a special part of our story.

Key Information & Links
Event	TotFest Festivals
Location	The National Horseracing Museum, Newmarket
Our View	A fantastic festival for toddlers and pre-schoolers (ages 1-5). The new Eric Carle feature is a triumph. Families with kids 6+ might find they are starting to age out of the core attractions.