Festival & Performance Listings

Brighton Festival 2026, Brighton

We’re thrilled to share the programme for the 60th edition of Brighton Festival. This May marks a momentous milestone: not only are we celebrating six decades of world-class performance here in Brighton, but it is also the 40th edition of the Children’s Parade and the 10th edition of Our Place. From 1–25 May, we’re welcoming over 100 events from artists arou More

Dumfries & Galloway Festival, Dumfries & Galloway

Since 1979 the Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival has been the bedrock of our organisation’s identity and activities, and will continue to be so. We also respond to community-led initiatives across the region and help them develop bespoke festive celebrations which they would like to initiate, experience and enjoy. Includes OAUK Member Oceanallover wit More

Seeing Thurrock Differently: A Journey Home, Thurrock

Kinetika’s T100 Festival returns this May with its free 2026 programme, Seeing Thurrock Differently: A Journey Home. From heritage walks to graffiti workshops, poetry in dye gardens to citizen science at dusk, playful performances to a joyful festival finale by Kinetika’s home in Purfleet-on-Thames, this year’s programme brings Thurrock into motion – conn More

The Big Bahooey at Hampton Court Palace, Hampton Court Palace

This late May Bank Holiday, the Big Bahooey returns to Hampton Court Palace for a weekend of serious nonsense, with a brand-new lineup featuring world-class entertainment and jaw-dropping acts. The gardens of Hampton Court Palace will transform into a family-friendly festival of fun, bursting with spectacular shows, exciting encounters and live music for vis More

Salford 100: The Wagon Train, Salford & Manchester

The Wagon Train is a pop-up festival in your neighbourhood with free, family-friendly entertainment throughout the summer. Expect music, poetry, play space, karaoke, talent competitions, in a programme co-created with Salford’s citizens. Part of Salford's centenary celebrations, celebrating the heart and soul of Salford. Events will take place whatever th More

Captive, Redditch

Daily performances and workshops at venues across Redditch 23rd to 25th May 2026 Four dancers perform a thrilling blend of highly physical dance, acrobatics and aerial work inside a large cage. Inspired by Rainer Maria Rilke’s poem The Panther, this extraordinary outdoor show explores what it means to be captive. Saturday 23 May. 1pm. Tesco Ext More

Olive Branch, East Quay

Olive Branch is a family-friendly acrobatic extravaganza Join us for a funny and feel-good tale of friendship and the wonder of the natural world, told through a captivating mixture of physical theatre and martial arts. Two strangers meet in a forest and must learn to overcome their differences to help protect mother nature. How will they learn to work More

Romeo & Juliet, Hever Castle

Join us on Anne Boleyn’s Walk to witness as this age-old vendetta between two powerful families erupts into bloodshed. This is the greatest love story of all time A group of masked Montagues risk further conflict by gate-crashing a Capulet party. A young lovesick Romeo Montague falls instantly in love with Juliet Capulet, who is due to marry her father’s More

Out There 2026, Great Yarmouth

Perched on the east coast, closer to the continent than the capital, Out There has established an international reputation for its exceptional, innovative and diverse programme. Regularly attracting more than 60,000 people to Great Yarmouth each year. Breath-taking spectacle and quirky comedy combine in a festival woven through with quality performance, f More

Carlow Arts Festival, Carlow

Each year we present a kaleidoscopic programme of works by local, national and international artists, across a variety of artforms including dance, street arts, spectacle, literature, circus, visual arts, film, music and theatre. We also work with artists and communities throughout the year to create new work. This year-round work informs, diversifies, an More

Scarborough Streets 2026, Scarborough

Join us for a three-day festival of outdoor events and performances. This inclusive community event takes place in Scarborough Town Centre over the weekend of Saturday 29 to Sunday 31 May (11am – 4pm) and will include a variety of free performances and activities. We want to inspire, celebrate and showcase local creativity and there will be something for eve More

Luminarium: Terceradix, Harwell Campus

The Light Project’s newest event is a Luminarium, a spectacular walk-through installation that fills visitors with light, colour, and calm. Created and hand-crafted by the world-renowned Architects of Air, this monumental inflatable structure invites visitors to slow down and explore at their own pace. Inside, winding pathways and soaring domes glow with ra More

Umbra, Hounslow

A powerful and nuanced trio, delicate and explosive in equal measure.Umbra, meaning ‘shadow’ in Latin, is a trio, which looks at the light and darkness within us. How these make us different and the same as each other. The piece explores what we hide and what we reveal, and how behaviour changes depending on who we are with. Highly physical and theatrical, U More

Get Creative in the Park, Grays

Join us for Get Creative in the Park 2026! A vibrant, family-friendly celebration of creativity, community, and the outdoors. Set in a relaxed park setting, this free event invites people of all ages to explore their creative side through hands-on workshops, live performances, and interactive activities. From arts and crafts to music, dance, and much m More

Dawns Tawe, Swansea

The festival brings together a dynamic mix of professional performances, innovative choreography, community groups and inclusive workshops for all ages. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or a curious newcomer, come experience the power of artistic expression through a diverse programme of indoor and outdoor events. Join us for an unforgettable weekend show More

Unwrapped Festival, Multiple Locations

With a firm family focus, Unwrapped Festival will showcase high quality, hand-picked live performances, in Netley, Eastleigh Town Centre and Hedge End, alongside have-a-go creative activities, an arts and craft market and food stalls. Festival Locations: Pop-Up Festival: Saturday 30th May 11am-3pm: Netley Abbey Cricket Ground, Netley Main Festival: More

Etruria Canals Festival, Etruria

We’re looking forward to seeing you at Etruria Canals Festival 2026! The event will take place on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May 2026 open to the public 11am-5pm Alongside the historic narrowboat gathering there will be a range of family friendly workshops, performances, craft stalls and exhibitors, beer tent and street food. This year’s theme is A More

Radstock Fayre, Radstock

This free family friendly creative arts Fayre returns this year with loads of fun for everyone. Expect bonkers outdoor theatre shows and walkabout with the Co-Operative Community stage showcasing the very best local musical talent alongside have-a-go arts workshops and community stalls. So get down to glorious Radstock! A whole day of fun for all the fami More

UEL Summer Festival, London

The University of East London is hosting its Royal Docks Innovation & Enterprise Summer Festival at its Docklands campus. Set against the Royal Docks, this free, large-scale festival brings together performance, innovation and hands-on experiences – offering a vibrant day out for families, students and the local community. What to do A spectac More

Whirligig 2026, Weston-super-Mare

A free international festival of circus & outdoor arts for all ages Winner of Best UK Small Event, National Outdoor Events Association Awards, 2019. Super Culture’s award-winning, flagship festival returns to Weston-super-Mare to bring an outstanding programme of international outdoor arts to the coast. This year’s Festival once again takes place i More