Festival of The Boy launches in London to celebrate boys aged 7 to 11
A brand new not-for-profit festival will launch this May, creating a space for boys to connect, learn and challenge stereotypes.
Festival of The Boy is launching in London this spring, marking the first ever festival created specifically for boys aged seven to 11.
Launching on 16 May to coincide with International Day of the Boy, the not-for-profit event aims to give boys a shared space to connect, feel inspired and explore what it means to be a boy today, away from limiting stereotypes.
Created by the team behind the much-loved Festival of The Girl, now in its eighth year, the new festival responds to growing conversations around boys, identity and wellbeing, particularly in a digital-first world.
What is Festival of The Boy?
Festival of The Boy is designed as a one-day event that brings young boys together in a supportive, celebratory environment.
Powered by Male Allies UK, the festival focuses on community, confidence and connection, with activities and discussions that encourage boys to express themselves and learn from one another.
While the festival is aimed at boys aged seven to 11, organisers say everyone is welcome to attend, reinforcing the idea that conversations around gender stereotypes benefit families and society as a whole.
Why now?
Organisers say the timing of the festival could not be more important. Conversations around masculinity, online influence and emotional wellbeing have increasingly come into focus, particularly for primary school aged children navigating the pressures of social media and technology.
Lee Chambers, founder of Male Allies UK, explains that boys today are growing up in a very different environment to previous generations, with digital life playing a central role in how they see themselves and each other.
Boys today are going up social first, in a world where their online profiles mean as much if not more than their offline selves. They are facing misogyny classes at school, and are surrounded by AI and tech that can feel overwhelming. What we want to do at this festival is to create a space for boys to just be boys, to meet other boys and to connect with each other over shared activities and discussions in a place that celebrates being a boy today.
Building on the success of Festival of The Girl
Festival of The Boy follows in the footsteps of Festival of The Girl, which has spent the past eight years welcoming thousands of primary school aged girls and connecting them with inspiring female role models, workshops and hands-on activities.
The same interactive, community-led approach will now be extended to boys, offering them access to positive role models and experiences at a formative age.
Abi Wright, co-founder of Festival of The Girl and Festival of The Boy, says the new festival is a natural evolution of the original concept.
2026 is the right time to dedicate a festival to boys. Today’s boys are growing up with unprecedented pressure and confusion around identity, and we believe there is no better moment to challenge limiting gender stereotypes while their understanding of the world is still forming. Festival of The Boy is a natural evolution of Festival of The Girl - a safe, celebratory space where boys can explore who they are, build confidence and be inspired by positive role models from all walks of life.
What families can expect
While the full line-up is yet to be announced, organisers have confirmed that the festival will include a mix of activities, workshops and discussions designed to inspire and engage young boys.
The focus is on helping boys:
- Build confidence and self-expression
- Connect with other boys in a positive environment
- Challenge narrow ideas about gender and identity
- Feel celebrated for who they are
The line-up of speakers and activities will be revealed in the lead-up to the event, with tickets going on sale one month before the festival.
Key details at a glance
- What: Festival of The Boy
- Who: Boys aged 7 to 11, everyone welcome
- When: 16 May 2026, International Day of the Boy
- Where: London
For families who have loved Festival of The Girl, or who are looking for positive, supportive spaces for their sons, Festival of The Boy promises to be a meaningful new addition to the UK family events calendar.
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Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.