4 Unique Festivals to Take the Family to This Year

Skip the typical family destinations and attractions this year and opt for a quirky experience instead. Across the country, family travelers can find a plethora of unique festivals. Here’s four to put on your radar:

Adirondack Family Book Festival (Aug. 16)

Later this year, Adirondack Family Book Festival in New York brings authors and illustrators to share their craft with families and the community. The event, hosted at John Brown Farm State Historic Site, is free and open to all. Expect hands-on art-making, sessions with writers and more. Stay tuned on March 2 to see the list of children’s and YA authors and illustrators.

Nantucket Daffodil Festival (April 24–27)

In its 48^th year, this festival boasts activities and events for all ages, from art and pet shows to an antique car parade and the famous ‘Sconset Tailgate Picnic. There’s even a Daffy Hat contest!

Tomato Art Fest (Aug. 8–9)

Taking place in Nashville, Tennessee, this is one of the city’s most anticipated annual events. Celebrating tomatoes for more than 20 years, this event sees fun costumes, themed art, great food, wacky contests and exciting activities in historic East Nashville’s Five Points. The festival also features East Nashville’s finest musicians, as well as the Tomato Art Show, which highlights artwork from the city’s favorite artists featuring a tomato, fruit or vegetable.

Trailing of the Sheep Festival (Oct. 8–12)

You have to see it to believe it: The Trailing of the Sheep Festival in Sun Valley, Idaho, is an annual tradition centered around moving sheep from high mountain summer pastures down through the valley to winter grazing and lambing areas in the south. Witness 1,500 sheep shuffling through town, as well as sheep-shearing demonstrations, a folklife fair, championship sheep dog trials and culinary events.