Freedom Festival Hull

Freedom Festival Hull Producers of extraordinary cultural experiences
Freedom Festival, The Awakening, & Hull Vigil Be curious.
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Try something new.Freedom Festival is Hull’s award-winning international arts festival. From epic spectaculars unfolding in the city centre to intimate moments where audiences and artists meet, we present thought-provoking, playful, and powerful performances that address the world we live in.We bring thousands of people together through our annual festival and year-round artistic and creative prog

ramme of performances, installations, and community participation to excite, inspire, challenge, and provoke.We celebrate Hull’s independent spirit and extraordinary heritage working closely with artists, creative organisations, the private sector, academic partners, third sector organisations, families, individuals, and community groups to deliver year-round creative activity and a world-class yearly arts festival. Twitter: : freedomfesthull YouTube: /FreedomFestHull

Our Festival Director Phil Hargreaves has been at Brid Spa representing Freedom Festival and Hey Creative at the last da...
05/06/2026

Our Festival Director Phil Hargreaves has been at Brid Spa representing Freedom Festival and Hey Creative at the last day of Biz Week! Rounding out a week of panels and networking opportunities, today's British Village Countryside Fair has brought the Royal Hall to life with interactive exhibits and games. It's been a great opportunity to connect with local businesses and we're proud to be involved in an event that champions innovative ideas and provides opportunities for business development across the region.

We're so incredibly grateful for our wonderful volunteers who dedicate their time to making the festival the best it can...
04/06/2026

We're so incredibly grateful for our wonderful volunteers who dedicate their time to making the festival the best it can be! From looking after our audiences, guiding you round the festival and being a friendly face, we couldn't do it without them! Today we're celebrating Volunteers' week, which recognises the important and often overlooked work that volunteers across the country do. Volunteering can be very rewarding, but also opens up opportunity; it can be a great way to contribute to your community, meet new people and learn new skills!

Have you ever considered volunteering yourself? All of our volunteers come to us from HEY Volunteering, so if you're interested, you can sign up and look out for Freedom Festival shifts. The freedom of volunteering is you can do as much as you like and fit it around your schedule!

Thank you so much to our volunteers, and if you're itching to get involved in our 2026 Festival, sign up with HEY Volunteering and get updates when Freedom Festival shifts become available!

As one of the largest international festivals in the region, Freedom Festival knows the value of culture to our economy....
04/06/2026

As one of the largest international festivals in the region, Freedom Festival knows the value of culture to our economy.

New research from HEY Creative puts numbers to what we've always known. Culture in our region delivers £25 of social benefit for every £1 invested — generating £1.14 billion of social value every single year.

Culture here isn't just a nice to have. It drives economic growth, supports people's health and wellbeing, builds skills, and gives communities a real sense of pride of place. For businesses, it drives economic development and workforce wellbeing. For local authorities, it delivers real, measurable economic and social returns. For residents, it makes our region a vibrant and connected place to live.

In 2025, HEY Creative commissioned research to establish a robust, region-wide evidence base for the economic and social impact of culture across Hull and East Yorkshire. If you want to know more, head to their website and read the full findings in their report.

hey-creative.co.uk/advocate/impact-of-culture-in-hull-east-yorkshire/

Today we're announcing some more shows and installations coming to Freedom Festival 2026, and there's something for ever...
03/06/2026

Today we're announcing some more shows and installations coming to Freedom Festival 2026, and there's something for everyone!

The Herd Theatre - Baby Brain
Perfect for families, this playfully interactive sensory show will delight babies whilst helping parents understand what's going on in their child's head. Inspired by real life stories, it's built for babies and their grown-ups. Details of how to book will be released soon. Supported by Arts Council England.

The Broken Orchestra - The Things We Leave Behind
What will you leave behind? The Broken Orchestra bring a 20 minute private interactive installation exploring what we leave behind for our loved ones. Personal and thought-provoking, it explores not just the physical things - photos, personal belongings, homes, but the intangible things we leave behind; stories, lessons, influence and the lasting impact of nurture and love. Set to an original score by The Broken Orchestra, spoken word by Rick Ingham and film by Chris Fenton. Details of how to book for free will be released soon. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Bluebeany - Bring Me Sunshine
The mysterious Magic Ange and Tickles the Clown are bringing a little bit of the seaside to the festival! Harking back to vintage seaside amusements, approach this whimsical booth to receive musical words of wisdom, or share jokes to lift Tickles' spirits - an opportunity to be funny, silly, and joyful. Part of our free, outdoor programme.

Keep your eyes on our socials for details on how to book for Baby Brain and The Things We Leave Behind.

https://www.freedomfestival.online/freedom-festival-2026

TICKETS NOW ON SALE! "Silent Uproar promise 'Glitter-filled political nights out for a younger crowd' and they certainly...
02/06/2026

TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

"Silent Uproar promise 'Glitter-filled political nights out for a younger crowd' and they certainly deliver all that."

Following the success of The Night of the Werewolves, Silent Uproar brings its bloodier, campier sequel to Hull's Guildhall. It's 1897, and the audience is scrambling to stop Dracula's arrival. Choose to be a participant and you'll be a 19th-Century Hull City Councillor identifying secret vampires in your midst, or choose to be a spectator, and all you have to do is sit back and watch the chaos unfold. A fast, funny, comedy-horror packed with bluffing, betrayal, gothic silliness and political chaos.

Where? Guildhall, Alfred Gelder St
When? Wednesday 2nd Sep 7:30pm, Thursday 3rd Sep 7pm, Friday 4th Sep 3:30pm and 7pm, Saturday 5th Sep 4:30pm (Family Friendly show ages 8+) and 8pm.
What else do I need to know? Mature content, recommended age 18+. Relaxed Family friendly show for ages 8+ at 4:30pm on Saturday. Contains flashing lights, loud noise and smoke effects.
How do I buy tickets? You will need to purchase tickets to be a participant (from £10) or a spectator (From £8). Spectator tickets will be made available at a later date. Buy your participant tickets here: www.hulltruck.co.uk/whats-on/other-citywide-events/vampires/

"To respond to such inhumanity with such humanity is a great strength - and truly the value of artists."Powerful and emo...
28/05/2026

"To respond to such inhumanity with such humanity is a great strength - and truly the value of artists."

Powerful and emotional, Through the Ruins by artist Yeseniia Serdiuk is an immersive walk-through miniature city installation that explores war, displacement and refugee experience. Move through the darkness to find lit scenes depicting a city ravaged by war and the devastation to its infrastructure.

Where? TBC
When? Saturday 5th Sep, Sunday 6th Sep.
Part of our free outdoor programme.

Commissioned by Freedom Festival Arts Trust
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

The Torch is back! This high-energy gig-theatre experience where Afrobeat, hip-hop, rap and storytelling collide returns...
27/05/2026

The Torch is back! This high-energy gig-theatre experience where Afrobeat, hip-hop, rap and storytelling collide returns to the festival in an outdoor setting.

Powered by live DJ decks and shimmering synths, the cast multi-role as musicians and actors, slipping between characters and the band. With comedy, heartbreak and a beat-driven narrative about not fitting in, this show celebrates identity, legacy and the moment you finally discover your own light.

Who is the artist? Kobby Taylor is a writer, composer, and creative director. As the musical director of Beats Bus Records, Kobby has composed for theatre, television, and major UK arts organisations. His innovative approach combines Afrobeat, soul, jazz, and cinematic synth textures to create immersive experiences that celebrate heritage while pushing creative boundaries.
Where? TBC
When? Saturday 5th Sep, Sunday 6th Sep.
Part of our free outdoor programme.

Supported by Without Walls UK and commissioned by Greenwich + Docklands Festival FESTIVAL.ORG, Freedom Festival, Certain Blacks, Stockton International Riverside Festival and Brighton Festival. The show is supported by Middle Child and Hull Jazz Festival with additional funding support from Hull City Council and the Sir James Reckitt Charity.

Coming to Freedom Festival 2026 is The Hate Circuit by artist Annabel McCourt. Two large inflatable dinghies rely on a b...
26/05/2026

Coming to Freedom Festival 2026 is The Hate Circuit by artist Annabel McCourt.

Two large inflatable dinghies rely on a balance of love and hate to breathe - in a world where the rise of nationalism is dividing us. Hooked up to a wired "Hate Circuit", their ability to inflate is impacted by public opinion on migration, sanctuary, and refuge. With your own positivity and human effort, you're invited to intervene and counterbalance the negative opinions in your attempt to reinflate the sculptures. Watch the scoreboard for who is winning - love or hate.

Where? Studio space, Ferens Art Gallery
When? Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th Sep. The installation will remain in the gallery for you to enjoy after the festival.
Part of our free festival programme.

Commissioned by Freedom Festival Arts Trust
Supported by Arts Council England and Lincoln Arts Centre

It's only 100 days to go now until Freedom Festival 2026, and this week we're announcing some exciting shows and thought...
25/05/2026

It's only 100 days to go now until Freedom Festival 2026, and this week we're announcing some exciting shows and thought-provoking interactive installations. Find out more, and decide what you'd love to experience this year:

Silent Uproar - Vampires! Vampires! Vampires! (Tickets coming very soon)
There's vampires in Hull, Dracula's on his way, and it's up to you to stop them! Or are you one of them? From the creators of Night of the Werewolves, and inspired by The Traitors, this is a funny gothic interactive performance you can participate in, or sit back and watch. Participant tickets for this one will be going on sale Tuesday 2nd June - keep your eyes peeled!

Annabel McCourt - The Hate Circuit
An interactive installation where two inflatable dinghies deflate and inflate in reaction to public opinion on migration, sanctuary and refuge - but audience effort can tip the scales. Watch the scoreboard for who is winning - love or hate.

Nigel "Kobby" Taylor - The Torch
The Torch is back! An outdoor gig-theatre experience, where Afrobeat, hip-hop, rap and storytelling collide.

Yeseniia Serdiuk - Through the Ruins
Walk through an immersive miniature city-scape left in ruins that invites you to reflect on the brutal real-world impact war has.

Visit: www.freedomfestival.online/freedom-festival-2026 to find out more!
Keep checking back on our socials as we've got more to announce later in the week!

Have you got your tickets yet? We've got two incredible performances at this year's festival you won't want to miss. Are...
22/05/2026

Have you got your tickets yet? We've got two incredible performances at this year's festival you won't want to miss. Are you looking for some jaw-dropping, nail-biting acrobatics? Or want to experience the high-energy of a rave? We've got the shows for you.

Gravity & Other Myth's 10,000 Hours, the stunning acrobatic show will be at Hull Truck Thursday 3rd to Saturday 5th Sep - a high-intensity performance exploring the lengths we go to in building our physical skills.
And
Oli Mathiesen's The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave, an energetic dance performance set to the thudding beat of techno and rave, tucked away in a secret city centre location Thursday 3rd to Saturday 5th Sep.

Buy your tickets: www.freedomfestival.online/freedom-festival-2026

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Kingston Upon Hull

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 6pm
Tuesday 11am - 6pm
Wednesday 11am - 6pm
Thursday 11am - 6pm
Friday 11am - 6pm
Saturday 11am - 6pm
Sunday 11am - 6pm

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