The Spark Festival (18th to 25th May 2024) will see Leicester transformed into the biggest city-wide, children’s playground as local children are invited to ‘Give it a Go’ with free creative workshops, roleplay sessions, music making and print workshops over the seven days.
Kicking off this year’s festival will be a takeover of two of Leicester’s biggest cultural venues, which will see De Montfort University and Leicester Museum and Art Gallery transformed into hubs of creativity, joy, and excitement with lots of free activities for all the family.
Highlights of this year’s festival include:
We Know Best workshops at De Montfort University – 18th May @ De Montfort University
Takeover: Leicester Museum & Art Gallery – 18th May @ Leicester Museum & Art Gallery
Working alongside artist Sam Redway, children from Falcons Primary, Mayflower Primary, Mellor Community Primary, and Queensmead Primary Academy are letting their imaginations run riot and will take over Leicester Museum and Gallery and DMU.
Bring The Paint Family Workshop -25th May @ Haymarket Shopping Centre
A wide range of arts and crafts activities including Zine making with Leicester Zine Library, badge making, posca pen lettering and illustration with GRAFFWERK, building an augmented reality city in Javascript with Mateus Domingos and music making with Pedestrian.
Family Gallery Workshop – 25th May @ Attenborough Arts Centre
Come and explore exhibitions with their friendly learning team and take part in a range of creative workshops.
The Mysteries of Leicester- Saturday 25 May 2024 @ Leicester Gallery, De Montfort University
Take part in a fantastic tabletop roleplay game session rooted in Leicester’s history, but with more elves, magic, and dragons. Hosted in an amazing historic site on the University campus, it’s perfect for beginners at roleplay games.
Saturday Sessions – 25th May @ Soft Touch Arts presents
Soft Touch Art’s café space will be hosting a variety of creative activities including a drumming workshop, paint bike (print your own t-shirt or bag) create a pony and loads more.
Performance Highlights of this year’s festival include:
toooB 24th May @ The Y Theatre
Introducing toooB, a curious and friendly shape-shifting creature. She’s not quite sure where she’s landed, but she’d love to meet and play with you. toooB is an enchanting wordless show for 6–24-month-olds and their grownups.
Indo-Jazz 25th May @ The Y Theatre
Indo–Jazz blends the mesmerizing rhythms of South Asian music with the soulful notes of Jazz, infused with a modern 21st-century twist. For all ages.
Belongings 25th May 2024 @ Curve
Cleo arrives in a new home, unsure of what the future holds. She meets the playful Bertie and Leila, and together they balance, dance and climb to navigate imagined worlds, divided loyalties and loved ones far away. For 7yrs+.
The Sticky Dance 24th May & 25th May @ Attenborough Arts Centre
Dive into the enchanting world of The Sticky Dance, an immersive and interactive dance performance perfect for families with young children. This one-of-a-kind experience welcomes children into a non-verbal and inclusive environment where they can connect with dance on their own terms. For 3-5yrs
Tickets for The Spark Festival are on sale now. To book, find out more and see the full programme of activities, visit sparkfestival.co.uk. The Spark Festival runs from 18th May to 25th May 2024.