Dragonfly Festival Returns To WWT Arundel This Summer

Families are being invited to discover the wonders of wetland wildlife as the Dragonfly Festival returns to WWT Arundel Wetland Centre this summer.

The colourful festival will run throughout the school summer holidays, from 23rd July to 31st August, offering a packed programme of activities, performances and outdoor adventures.

Set within the 65-acre wetland reserve in the South Downs National Park, the festival celebrates one of nature's most fascinating insects while encouraging children and families to connect with the outdoors.

Visitors can enjoy live music beside the water, dragonfly-themed arts and crafts, giant outdoor games and boat safaris designed to help people spot dragonflies in their natural habitat.

The festival hub will act as the centre of activity, welcoming visitors with colourful displays and providing a starting point for a day of exploration.

Lizzy Pearce from WWT Arundel said:

"Twenty species of dragonfly can be spotted at WWT during the warmer months, and the Dragonfly Festival is a fantastic way to celebrate these incredible insects while inspiring more people to explore our wetlands.

"With different headliners throughout the holidays, families can enjoy something new all summer long."

Festival highlights include face painting, mini silent discos, pond dipping sessions, dragonfly expert walks and creative workshops where visitors can make their own dragonfly-themed crafts and festival keepsakes.

Families will also have the opportunity to join guided dragonfly safaris on foot or by boat, learning more about the insects' remarkable life cycle and the important role they play within wetland ecosystems.

WWT says the festival aims to inspire a greater appreciation of wetlands, which provide valuable habitats for wildlife while also helping to store carbon, improve water quality and reduce flooding.

Located near Arundel, the wetland centre is home to a wide variety of species throughout the year, including kingfishers, marsh harriers, little egrets, herons and sand martins.

Dragonfly Festival activities are included with standard admission and are free for WWT members, although some workshops require advance booking and an additional charge.

Visitors who book tickets online in advance can receive a discount, while reduced-price tickets are also available for those receiving Universal Credit or Pension Credit.

The full programme of events and booking information is available through WWT Arundel Wetland Centre.