Vibrant community ‘garden party’ to launch Warrington Arts Fest in style

Excitement is building with just two weeks to go until the relaunch of Warrington Arts Festival.

Following a £840k funding boost and led by an expanded team, the vibrant, multi-venue event will take place over nine days between 19 and 27 July.

With more emphasis on largescale celebrations that bring the community together, the main attraction over the opening weekend will be the free Family Garden Party.

Queens Gardens will be transformed into an open-air performance space for live music and a series of pop-up shows on Saturday and Sunday, 20 and 21 July, between 12pm and 5pm.

Magical entertainment and lots of surprises await at the giant golden ‘Birdcage Stage’ but visitors are also invited to bring all the family and immerse themselves in hands-on activities and garden-themed fun.

They can meet colourful characters too, such as the curious stilt-walking Birds of Paradise and eccentric seaside-loving folk of Everywhere’s A Beach.

With so much free family entertainment in one place, here is a round-up of the main attractions:

• Step Hop House by Folk Dance Remixed, 20 July, 12.15pm to 1.15pm and 4pm to 5pm – a feel-good funky performance around a maypole.
• The Bobbysocks, 20 July, 1.30pm to 2.30pm – a three-part harmony group serving up an eclectic blend of folk, boogie-woogie and alt-country tunes.
• Batida Rio, 20 July, 2.45pm to 3.30pm – Warrington's samba band playing Afro-Brazilian inspired rhythms mixed with contemporary styles.
• Bachelors of Paradise, 20 July, throughout the day – join the stilt-walking Birds of Paradise on their comedic, heartwarming quest for love.
• Warrington: Rubber Stamped, 20 July, throughout the day - come and get creative with artist Sam Selley and put your own stamp on a large-scale piece of art.
• Tale Traders by Story Stitchers, 20 July, throughout the day – step right up to the ‘Story Stall’, a magical story swap shop, bursting with upcycled wonders.
• Queen of Hearts at The Birdcage Stage, 21 July, 12pm to 12.30pm and 3.15pm to 3.45pm – a beautiful giant golden birdcage structure will fill the park with a host of magical entertainment.
• Everywhere’s A Beach by Hikapee, 21 July, 12.30pm to 1.05pm and 2.25pm to 3pm – a charming circus performance…taking place on a giant revolving beach parasol!

Other events to kickstart Warrington Arts Festival 2024 include Aphrodite’s House Party – which promises a night at the museum like no other.

On Friday, 19 July, digital art and interactive installations will meet bass heavy music, cabaret and general Goddess of Love-inspired party vibes as part of Night People’s Warrington Museum takeover.

Those coming by train to the festival can even arrive in style thanks to a bespoke greeting from artist Lowri Evans.

Whether passengers are after a cheering crowd, a personal bodyguard, a red carpet experience or a brief encounter, Lowri will be offering festival-goers their own cinematic moment at Central Station on Saturday, 20 July.

This unique experience is free but requires pre-booking via the Warrington Arts Festival website.

Warrington’s own UK Beatbox Champion Bass Ventura will also be heading up a mesmerising youth-focused music programme at Golden Square’s Old Market Place on the same day.

Meanwhile, visitors will be invited to help create a sea of doodles at the festival’s ‘community canvas’ at Squiggle, inspired by Warrington fashion illustrator Tony Green and created by the festival’s current cohort of Young Producers.

Warrington Arts Festival’s relaunch has been made possible thanks to the Arts Council England’s Place Partnership Fund, Warrington Borough Council and Warrington BID.

The revamped event’s goal is to celebrate Warrington through arts, culture, people and place.

For more information and the full line-up for Warrington Arts Festival, visit warringtonartsfestival.org