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

Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Norfolk

Norfolk & Norwich Festival is a charity and an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. Made up of one of the country’s longest running arts festivals and a region-wide programme of creative engagement that particularly focuses on improving the cultural offer for children and young people. For 17 days each May, the Festival transforms our More

Trapezi Reus, Catalonia

The new edition of the Trapezi Fair will offer a program for all audiences that aims to be a reflection of the talent of today's contemporary circus and that includes more than sixty performances in different parts of the city of Reus, and where national, state and international companies will participate without forgetting special support for local talent. More

Peterborough Celebrates 2026, Peterborough

Back for its fifth year, this free-to-attend weekend festival promises to be another fabulous celebration of our city and all the reasons we love it - our culture, our music, our diversity and our talented communities. This year we're linking up with the National Year of Reading and will fill our festival with stories - not just in books but in music, poe More

Vauxhall May Fair, London

🐑 SHEEP SHEARING Watch the wool fly as our expert shearers give our sheep their spring trims! It’s up close, real-deal farm work in action. FREE 🧶 SPINNERS DEMO See how wool becomes yarn in the most mesmerizing way! Local spinners will be working their wheels and happy to chat about their craft and teach you the journey from ‘Sheep to Sweater’. FREE More

Roots To Rise, Hounslow

Nandita Shankardass brings together three women, each absorbed in the chaos of their own world. Blending folk and contemporary movement with Indian classical dance, this new work follows their journey back to the land, the soil, and the stories written in the stars. Set to polyrhythmic musical scores and guided by embodied memory, they confront personal and More

Grantham Car Show, Grantham

Clear the diary and get ready for a fun-filled day out as Grantham Car Show roars back into Wyndham Park on Saturday 16 May. Classic favourites and much‑loved vehicles from decades gone by will take centre stage as this popular event returns to the local calendar – and best of all, it’s free to attend. From 10.30am to 4pm, visitors can enjoy an impress More

Tales From The Forge, Ringwood

It’s back! This May, Forest Forge brings you a festival of theatre and storytelling inspired by folk tales of the New Forest. Tales from the Forge will present professional theatre alongside the work of our participation groups; a celebration of local talent, unexpected pop-up performances and creative activities for all ages. A celebration of our part More

TAC 2026, Spain

The Valladolid International Street Theatre and Arts Festival (TAC) has become a cultural benchmark where action, observation, fun, shock, emotion and reflection work together to redefine urban space and give extraordinary dynamism to the entire city of the Pisuerga. The TAC is the moment when the city of Valladolid and its citizens merge to experience th 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

Imaginarius, Portugal

Imaginarius is a cultural project of the Municipality of Santa Maria da Feira dedicated to art in public space, conceived as an ecosystem that integrates creation, presentation and critical thought within a single strategic vision. It is grounded in the understanding that public space is a political and cultural site, where art does not emerge as ornament, b More

Grace O’Malley Festival, Achill Island, Co. Mayo

The Grace O’Malley Festival – A Celebration of Ireland’s Legendary Pirate Queen 22–24 May 2026 | Achill Island, Co. Mayo Join us for the first ever Grace O’Malley Festival, a bold new celebration inspired by the fearless Grace O’Malley (Gráinne Mhaol). Rooted on Achill Island, the festival brings together jaw-dropping circus, live music, storytelling, More

Good Grief 2026, Hastings

Good Grief Hastings will explore how creativity, conversation and community can help people support one another through grief and loss. Taking place over the late May Bank Holiday weekend, the four-day festival will bring people together for talks, workshops, music, film and creative experiences that open up compassionate conversations about death and bereav More

Barnsley Garden Party, Barnsley

The Barnsley Garden Party on Saturday 23 May will transform the town centre with music, dance, circus acts and outdoor arts for all ages. 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

Scala Festival of Play, Worcester

A FREE festival of play for children and their grown-ups, in Worcester. Saturday 23 May 2026, 10am-5pm. In & around The Arches and The Hive, Worcester WR1 3PD Scala Festival of Play is a day-long festival for children aged 3-11 and their families, with circus, aerial arts, gaming, dance, street games, drumming and visual arts. Join us in and aro 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

Whitley Bay Carnival 2026, Whitley Bay

Saturday 23rd 11am ‘FOLK’ Carnival Parade 11am – 12:30 Whitley Bay Metro Station to The Links via Station Road, Whitley Road, Park View, Marine Ave Featuring costumed promenaders and giant structures from 16 schools/groups with live music from Spanish City Rollers, Drumdin, & Storytellers Streetband, Our theme for 2026 is FOLK and as always we hav More

Everywhere’s a Beach, Wigan

Join us for a day at the beach unlike any other in this high energy, circus theatre show! Perfect for the whole family, Everywhere’s a Beach is a charmingly ridiculous performance taking place on a giant revolving beach parasol! This dynamic, dizzying and downright daft show will leave you dancing with delight! You’ll be swept away as this show embr More