Chesterfield Children’s Festival will return to Queen’s Park this July, bringing a weekend of free fun, creativity and entertainment for families across the borough.
Now in its fourth year, the popular event will take place on Saturday, 18 and Sunday, 19 July, from 10am to 4pm each day, one week earlier than usual. The festival is organised by Junction Arts and funded by Arts Council England.
Since launching in 2023, the festival has quickly become a highlight of Chesterfield’s summer calendar, attracting thousands of families to enjoy a vibrant mix of live performances, workshops and hands-on creative activities. This year’s programme includes exciting new acts alongside returning favourites for audiences of all ages.
As part of its continued commitment to working with young people, Junction Arts worked with local schoolchildren in shaping the festival. Year 5 pupils from Abercrombie Primary School have taken on the role of ‘F.B.I. (Festival Budding Investigator) agents’ over the last 12 months; attending cultural experiences, taking part in creative workshops and offering feedback and ideas to help programme this year’s event. Their involvement ensures the festival reflects the interests and creativity of young people in Chesterfield.
One of the highlights for 2026 is “Chesterfield to the Front”, an interactive theatre show and live band experience by national theatre company Crescendorious, created to celebrate everything that makes Chesterfield unique.
Also returning by popular demand is the Wacky Woody’s Comedy Magic Show, bringing a mix of impressive tricks and laugh-out-loud moments from a performer who has appeared at some of the UK’s best-known comedy venues.
A dedicated early years programme will offer performances and activities specifically designed for children aged 0–4. This includes the return of Marie the Makaton Mouse, Play, Dance, Move workshops featuring music, movement and props, and The Delights, a multi-sensory theatre experience designed to spark imagination and encourage participation.
Alongside the main programme, there will be a wide range of additional activities including family life drawing, face painting and hands-on creative workshops. All activities are free, with no booking required.
Accessibility remains a key priority for organisers. The festival has partnered with RevoLOOtion to provide mobile accessible toilets and changing facilities, ensuring disabled children and adults can attend comfortably. A roaming British Sign Language interpreter will also be available across the weekend.
Jemma Burton, Project Manager at Junction Arts, said: “Each year we aim to bring something new and exciting to Chesterfield for young people to discover and experience, while bringing back festival favourites that we know families love. It’s been brilliant working with the students at Abercrombie to programme this year’s event, who have helped us to get the balance just right and ensure the festival is co-created with young people for young people. We look forward to welcoming families back for a fourth year this summer”
The full festival line-up will be announced in the coming weeks. For the latest updates, visit the Junction Arts website or follow @junctionartsuk on social media.
