Flower Power Family Rave with Big Fish Little Fish

The original Family Rave - Big Fish Little Fish is bringing the bass to the Horniman again. Come dance in the Horniman Gardens with your family and join the award winning fun.

The most wonderful family rave festival, right here in our beautiful gardens. Big Fish Little Fish, the inventors of the family rave, are back once again and ready to party at this flower-power themed event featuring superstar DJs Aphrodite and Aston Harvey of the Freestylers.

It’s a ‘Flower Power’ family rave so go as hippie or floral as you like – groovy baby!

This time attendees are in with a chance of winning one of two family guest passes to this summer’s Camp Bestival in Dorset (25 – 28 July) – worth over £1,000 each! Winners will be chosen at the end of the event.

Have summer fun with the Big Fish Little Fish family rave crew as they take over the Horniman Gardens with famed DJs.

Programme

The line up timings will be confirmed closer to the event.

Line up

Aphrodite

South Londoner has pioneered dance music genres since his days as breakbeat hardcore duo Urban Shakedown before becoming the world renown jungle and DnB producer and DJ – Aphrodite. Part of dnb’s foundations and his BFLF sets are always a treat. Featured on a BBC documentary about Bass. Totally ‘Bad Ass’.

Aston Harvey (Freestylers) 

Aston’s involvement is all over early tracks in handcore, jungle, speed garage, breaks and dubstep and his BFLF sets are an eclectic riot of beats. A founding member of Blapps Posse, he went big on speed garage before finding his longterm DJing/producer partner Matt Cantor and forming Freestylers. With MCs Tenor Fly & Navigator they took their breaks to a world stage and continue to make massively popular tracks.

Charlie Wright

DJ and author. Lifelong dance music fan. He has turned his love of Bass and family into a pre-schoolers’ book ‘My First Book of Drum and Bass’. He promises a brilliant set covering a Story of Rave from acid house onwards.


There won’t just be music and dancing, there’s food, bars, blooming lovely floral crafting activities, author readings/signings, bubbles, balloons and foam!

Timings and locations within the Gardens for all activities will be signposted on the day.

Activities

Craft Activities

Nifty Natty Crafts will be making colourful, flowered, feathered rave crowns plus giant colouring in murals and playdough tables.

Book signing

Author Charlie Wright will be reading and signing copies of his acclaimed pre-schoolers’ book ‘My First Book of Drum and Bass’. 

Bubbleology

Chase mega-bubbles or tiny foam bubbles around the Gardens with Kat from Bubbleology.

Butterfly House

We also have a special ravers price to visit the Butterfly House during the event: £2.50 per person and tickets can be purchased from the Butterfly House on the day.

Face Painting

Have your face painted by fabulous Doxa Faces. Children must be over two to be painted and there is an additional cost for face painting: £7 per child / £10 per adult.

Info about the day

  • Please note this event is outside so come along, embrace the festival atmosphere and dress appropriately for the weather on the day.
  • The Gardens and Animal Walk will be accessible to ticket holders only. Reduced cost tickets for the Butterfly House will also be available on the day for event attendees.
  • Tickets must be purchased online ahead of the event, tickets will not be available on the door.
  • Each member of your group must have a ticket and pre-walking infants free (but ticketed).
  • Please be aware that the event is standing/dancing with limited seating. It is also outdoors with no shade or raincover so dress appropriately for the weather on the day. The event will take place whatever the weather and refunds will not be offered in the case of bad weather.
Reliably excellent
The Guardian
Credible music...magical
Time Out
The best thing we do together as a family
BFLF Regular
The best day of my life!
BFLF 6-year-old attendee

Accessibility

If you have access requirements, please call 020 8699 1872 or email venuehire@horniman.ac.uk

If you are a Blue Badge holder and would like to park onsite, please see our Access page for more details.

Crowds and Seating

There will not be a dedicated quiet area at the Family Rave event. For a quieter space please try the South Downs part of the Gardens.

The South Downs has a few benches and is a grassy area with limited concrete paths. This area of the Gardens also has a sloping ground and during wet weather it may not be suitable for wheelchair users or anyone who is unstable on their feet.

Please see the Terms and Conditions section below for more information.

Buggies are allowed on site, however there is no buggy park. We would suggest you leave your buggies at home where possible.

How do I get into the rave on the day?

The rave will take place in the Gardens by the Bandstand. Please enter the site via the main entrance on London Road – walk up the Avenue and you will find the ticket gate directly ahead of you. This will be the only access point for ticket holders.

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?

All ages welcome but the activities are designed for families to enjoy together. Music is played at safe levels for everyone.

Please be aware that BFLF is designed to provide a family friendly, authentic dance music/festival experience and is not a traditional children’s party or disco. Music is proper club music from acid house onwards, there is no kids music, nor DJ shout outs. The effect is to give families unity on the dancefloor – dancing together.

How loud will it be?

BFLF sets and monitors the volume using World Health Organisation guidelines. That it is at a safe level for everyone, even the youngest of babies, over the four hour duration of the event.

Though quieter than at adult events, it is still loud enough to feel like you are at a club. Most parents do not use ear defenders on their children but if yours are particularly sensitive to noise or if you want them to nap then you might want to consider it.

Terms and Conditions

  • Parents remain responsible for their children at all times. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
  • For families with younger children (8s and under) though all ages are welcome.
  • Adult only groups are not admitted. A max of 3 children per adult in a family. If attending as a large party please ensure one adult to two children minimum.
  • If there are more than 4 adults per child in your group please email info@bigfishlittlefishevents.co.uk for pre-approval before buying tickets.
  • Tickets are non-refundable. Tickets cannot be exchanged for other Horniman activities.
  • Each member of your group must have a ticket. Pre-walking infants go free (but must also have a ticket).
  • The event will be busy with hundreds of people attending. The dance floor is for adults and children to dance together.
  • Please be aware that events are standing / dancing with limited seating, although of course you can sit on the ground. Please give those with access needs priority to seating.
  • Each event is stewarded and risk assessed in advance.
  • As the event is outdoors buggies are allowed, however there is no buggy park. We suggest you leave your buggies at home where possible.
  • A licensed bar will be open during the event but no glass is permitted.
  • Please do not bring your own alcoholic drinks with you as these will be confiscated at the entrance gate. We will be running bags checks. You are welcome to bring baby food with you.
  • We may photograph or film small parts of the event and by entering you are giving your permission for these to be used for BFLF or Horniman promotion purposes.
  • This event is outside so dress appropriately for the weather on the day.
  • DJ lineups may be subject to unavoidable change.