About Whitchurch Children’s Festival

Join us for a magical weekend of creativity, storytelling, music, and adventure at Whitchurch Children’s Festival 2025!

Awarded ‘Best Family Festival’ at the UK Festival Awards 2023, we are excited to welcome you to this year’s event.

Taking place on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July 2025, this small, safe, and friendly family arts festival is specially designed for families with pre-school and primary-school-aged children. Set in a wildflower water meadow beside the crystal-clear River Test, it’s a chance to immerse your little adventurers in hands-on arts, theatre, poetry, dance, and live music—all inspired by the beauty of Whitchurch and its surrounding landscape.

The 2025 Theme: The River Test!

From nature-inspired crafts to captivating performances, there’s something for everyone—including grown-ups! Get ready for a weekend packed with hands-on fun, magical moments, and unforgettable experiences.

Festival Highlights

🎭 Live Theatre – The highlight of each day! Expect interactive performances filled with laughter, surprises, and plenty of audience participation.

🎨 Arts & Crafts drop-in workshops – Let your creativity run wild with willow weaving, stencilling, mural painting, pottery, jewellery making, and more!

🎶 Music – Enjoy an eclectic mix of live music, from the energetic beats of steel pans, reggae, and ska to the elegance of classical music, brass bands, and even ukulele performances.

📖 Storytelling – Step into the world of Hampshire folklore, discover poetry, meet inspiring authors, and dive into Storytime and Rhymetime sessions.

💃 Dance – Feel the rhythm with samba drumming, watch enchanting ballet performances, and maybe even join in!

✨ Creative Walkabouts – Keep an eye out for roaming festival characters, including a Bubble Fairy and the Big, Fluffy Brain Hug—expect the unexpected!

🎡 Just For Fun! – Hop on a donkey ride, get your face painted, or bounce away on bouncy castles.

Affordable Fun for Everyone!

Thanks to generous funding from Arts Council England, ticket prices are fantastic value:

🎟 Family Day Ticket (2 adults & 2 children) – £20 (£5 per person)

🎟 Individual Adult or Child Ticket – £5 per person

👶 Children aged 2 and over require a ticket (under-2s go free).

✨ Free family tickets are available for children eligible for free school meals at Whitchurch Primary School.

A Festival with a Purpose

Whitchurch Children’s Festival is proud to have Arts Council England ‘Artsmark’ status, working with high-quality arts providers to inspire young minds. Children attending the festival will have the opportunity to earn an Arts Council ‘Discover in a Day’ certificate, celebrating their creativity and learning.

Organised and promoted by Whitchurch Conservation Group, this volunteer-led community event is a celebration of arts, nature, and family fun.

🐾 Please note: Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted, except for guide and assistance dogs.

We can’t wait to welcome you to a weekend of fun, imagination, and discovery! See you at Whitchurch Children’s Festival 2025!

Whitchurch Conservation Group

Lucie Follett Maitland

Richard Maitland

Dr Maria Power