The New Forest Thrive festival returns to Ringwood celebrating connections to the National Park with interactive displays, activities, and performances inspiring all ages.
The free-to-attend family event takes place at Carvers Recreation Ground on Saturday 4 July from 10am to 3pm and follows last years’ event that saw 500 people attend.
Led by the New Forest National Park Authority, the festival promises a range of stalls, shows, and hands-on workshops celebrating communities in and around the National Park, its wildlife, and the future.
There will be performances from the Bee Circus with animatronic bee puppets and acrobatic dance duet Jolie Vyann with “Life’s a Beach” as well as bike and scooter marking with the police.
PEDALL – New Forest Inclusive Cycling is inviting young people to add to its 10,000km for £10k fundraising challenge by riding a fun go kart cycle loop.
African Activities will bring its crowd-favourite Nightjar Project, with West African drumming, interactive storytelling, and the creation of recycled milk bottle “belonging birds”.
The New Forest Youth Board, The Parks Foundation, New Forest Aquaponics, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC), Greening Ringwood, and Ringwood Actions for Climate Emergency (RACE) are among other attendees, plus a choice of local food and drink vendors offering tasty refreshments.
New Forest National Park Authority head of environment and rural economy, Paul Walton, said:
‘The communities that call the New Forest and local area home are hugely important for the National Park today and in the future.
‘New Forest Thrive festival, as part of the YouCAN scheme, is an opportunity to empower young people who are tomorrow’s custodians of the Forest to care for and enjoy the nature and heritage on their doorsteps.
‘It’s a chance to share important messages and connect families, young people, and groups to join in tackling the climate and nature emergencies so we can all make a difference.’
New Forest National Park Authority Youth Development Officer, Claire Pearce, said:
‘New Forest Thrive festival is a fantastic way to celebrate the work done by young people, empowering their voices to be heard – and all while having a fun day out with the family.
‘The New Forest has strong connections with its nearby communities so involving local groups and working together means more people can get involved caring for the National Park’s special wildlife and landscapes.’
New Forest Youth Board member, Eva Wilcock, said:
‘The New Forest Youth Board will be at New Forest Thrive festival again meeting other young people whose voices we’re representing on important climate and nature issues in and around the Forest.
‘Attending events like the festival helps Youth Board members understand the perspectives of other young people and is a great chance for them to get involved and make a difference to their local area.’
About New Forest Thrive 2026:
- New Forest Thrive will take place at Carvers Recreation Ground in Ringwood on Saturday 4 July between 10am and 3pm.
- Attendees are encouraged to embrace sustainable travel options wherever possible with bike storage available and public transport options including from Bournemouth and Salisbury, as well as the New Forest Tour open-top bus, also launching on the same day.
- Go to https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/thrive for more information and to find out who will be there on the day.
New Forest Thrive is supported through the Youth for Climate and Nature (YouCAN) scheme, made possible thanks to National Lottery players through The National Lottery Community Fund. Find out more about the YouCAN scheme here: https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/get-involved/children-young-people/youcan/.
