Whitchurch Children’s Festival

Whitchurch Children’s Festival is a an award-winning vibrant and family-friendly outdoor arts festival event that celebrates creativity, fun, and community spirit. Its aim is to connect children to nature, and to engage and deepen their emotional connection to the natural beauty of Whitchurch’s setting in Hampshire – the River Test, The Mill Trail and the North Wessex Downs – through engaging them in creative responses to the landscape. The setting of the festival is very special: a watermeadow by the River Test, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Funded by Arts Council England, we aim to hold the event every two years, and offer an engaging array of high quality participatory arts activities designed to captivate and inspire children of preschool and primary school age.

From interactive live theatre, storytelling sessions and engaging arts and crafts workshops to energetic dance and music performances, there’s something for every young mind to enjoy. The festival also features outdoor games, face painting, and plenty of opportunities for imaginative play, creating a magical atmosphere for families to share quality time together.

Our aim is to increase access from disadvantaged backgrounds in this rural area and we offer free family tickets to those eligible for Free School Meals at Whitchurch Primary School.

Update: Whitchurch Children’s Festival 2025 is confirmed for Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July 2025. Tickets will go on sale from Easter! We are hugely grateful to our 2025 funders: Arts Council England and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

Winner of the ‘Best Family Festival’ at the UK Festival Awards 2023