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Octagon Family Festival 2023
–About Octagon Family Festival 2023
The Octagon’s Family Festival is back with an Around the World theme! And for 2023 we’re Bigger and Better than ever.
We’ve got storytelling, live theatre performances, our famous Family disco, bubbles, circus performances, arts and crafts and lots more! Get down (deep down!) to the funky beats at our Under the Sea Family Disco and fly Up, Up and Away with Bubbles and Circus Skills on the street – there's something for everyone.
This year we’re not just inside the Octagon but we’re running activity throughout the town centre too. Look out for Octagon puppets and performances entertaining audiences throughout the weekend across the whole of the Food and Drink festival.
Booking information
Our Family Festival is free to attend, but we are asking families to book a free slot for everyone who is visiting. You can then arrive any time between the beginning and end of your slot. You’ll be given a wristband for each family member when you arrive which will enable you to stay for up to 2.5 hours, with various activities happening at different times for you to enjoy.
Check out our video from last year to give you a taste of what to expect:
More information:
What can I take part in at the Family Festival?
Your wristband will enable you to access all the activities throughout the building- see below for some of the fabulous experiences on offer! (Please note that there will be a small charge for face painting activities)
Under the Sea - Family Disco
Pop your dancing shoes on and head to our Under the Sea family disco where Dad dancing is positively encouraged! Mums, dads, kid's, grans can strut their stuff alongside their children in our underwater wonderland studio. You can follow along and learn the moves with our fabulous dance artist or freestyle your own way.
Live interactive performances and workshops for the whole family
Join us at selected times throughout the day for performances from ‘Eye of Newt Theatre Company’ in our main auditorium.
Venture through the forest with a storyteller to explore the story of Hansel and Gretel, with an Octagon twist.
Also, look out for little adventures ‘Theatre for One’ puppetry shows hidden around the building too.
There will also be crafts workshops with professional artists, where you can create your own journey. There really is something for everyone.
Get Creative
Transport your creativity through trains, planes and setting sail in our First Floor Kitchen and Bar, with crafts and arts inspired by the theme of travel. We’ll also have crafts and sensory activities upstairs in our Crescent Room Sanctuary Space.
Up, Up and Away!
Our popular outdoor bubbles and circus skills are back outside the theatre, alongside performances and activities across the town centre, look out for the Octagon right across the Food and Drink festival
