Running from Friday, July 18th to Saturday, July 26th, Warrington Arts Festival features a packed programme of family-friendly events, live performances, exhibitions and large-scale installations, transforming Warrington town centre into a hub of artistic activity.
Here’s what’s happening and where:
Friday, 18th July – Time Square
The Family Catwork Extravaganza at 7pm. A dance, fashion and lip-sync competition from Ghetto Fabulous where the audience picks the winner
From Mr Smiths, With Love at 8pm. A high-energy open-air dance performance celebrating Warrington’s iconic nightclub, featuring Stacey Atkinson, Night People, 50 dancers, and special guest Wiggy from The Hitman and Her.
Saturday, 19th and Sunday 20th July – Family Garden Party at Queens Gardens
A weekend of outdoor fun for all ages with pop-up performances, workshops and activities from 12pm – 5pm.
Farm Yard Circus at 12.15pm & 3.15pm. A circus theater with juggling and acrobatics.
The Seedkeepers at 12pm, 1.45pm and 3.45pm. Storytelling performance with tales from all over the world about the many women who protect the seeds and grains of their homeland.
Meadow Sprites at 12.45pm, 2.30pm and 4.30pm. Enchanting woodland puppets
Circus Fun with Mr Orange. Saturday bubble show and Sunday juggler workshops at 12pm, 1.30pm, 3pm and 4.30pm.
Our World with Rachel Priest from 12pm – 5pm. Help decorate a giant space rocket with your ideas of home.
Pop-up Planting Shed from 12pm – 5pm. Plant your own sunflower seedling
Interwoven with Lucianne Canavan from 12pm – 5pm. Lively sessions will explore textured weaving with fabric scraps and waste yarn to celebrate Warrington’s industrial heritage.
Family Portrait Painting Workshop with WingYu Yeung from 1pm – 5pm. Make meaningful portraits of your loved ones through colour, connection, and creative play. Or simply sit back and enjoy a quick live portrait drawn by artist WingYu Yeung to take home as a keepsake.
Now I Am Become d/Deaf (Destroyer of Words) on Saturday at 1.15pm and 4.15pm. Immerse yourselves in a world where the loudest actions are lost in translation and the quietest looks can be deafening.
Do What Ya Mama Told Yah! on Sunday at 1.15pm and 4.15pm. feast of a show will be fusing family, food history and slapstick performance in a mum and daughter collaboration.
Sunday, July 20th – around the town centre
Grandma’s House at Parr Hall. One of the showstoppers of the festival by award-winning Chapelford artist Marie Jones. A 7-metre tall, neon-knitted replica of the artist’s grandmother’s house, suspended from the rigging. It will explore home, memory and family bonds.
Patois at Golden Square at 1pm and 3.30pm. A globe-trotting story of culture, lost languages, longing and belonging through the language of dance. Blending traditional Caribbean choreography, contemporary dance and an original Caribbean-folk score.
Saturday, July 26th – Festival finale
WILD at Queens Gardens at 4pm – 4.45pm or 7pm – 7.45pm. An ‘urban forest’ using the dynamic choreography and acrobatic movement of the dance-circus company Motionhouse.
Brazen Brass Band at Time Square at 5pm 5.45pm A collection of the UKs finest female brass and percussion players who want to inspire young girls everywhere to pick up an instrument and PLAY!
Batida Rio at Time Square at 5.45pm – 6.30pm. A samba drumming and carnival group based in Warrington. Their music is a fusion of Afro-Brazilian samba reggae styles, mixed with Latin, funk, rock and dance to create their own unique and exciting sound.
Starsaucer by The Dream Engine at Bank Park at 8.45pm. A sci-fi aerial spectacle with a glowing flying saucer, smoke and light.
Warrington Arts Festival was relaunched in 2024 with support from Arts Council England, Warrington Borough Council and Warrington BID, to celebrate the town through arts, culture, people and place. This year’s expanded programme blends local voices with nationally and internationally recognised talent.
For full details, event times and updates, click here.
Image (Culture Warrington)