It’s a new year, which means theatres are planning out their new seasons and, especially, their festivals.
I’ve put together a handy guide for the whole year for you to check out – mostly London, but also some key festivals further afield.
I’ll add more information as I have it and hope to bring you content from many of these throughout the year.
If you know of any theatre/arts festivals I have missed, whether live or online, please let me know!
Now, without further ado, here are fifty suggestions to give you your artistic fix – and without breaking the bank!
Jan to Mar
Bitesize Festival
“Bitesize is our 4 week-long festival celebrating all things new. The festival provides an opportunity for inspiring and innovative theatre, and live performance-makers to showcase their work.”
Riverside Studios, Hammersmith. 19 Jan – 17 Feb. https://riversidestudios.co.uk/bspass/
Evolution Festival
“Evolution Festival is back at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre in for a eighth year, showcasing exciting new writing and re-imagined classics across the Lyric stages and cinema.”
Lyric Hammersmith. March. Last year’s site here: https://lyric.co.uk/shows/evolution-festival-2023/
Footprints Festival
“This festival includes shows including drama, solo, cabaret, classics, poetry and showcases.”
Jermyn Street Theatre. 10 Jan – 10 Feb. https://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/footprints-festival/
FreshFest
“A celebration & showcase of brand new theatre … not only new writing but devised pieces, mime, physical theatre, musicals, clowning, improv and sketch/narrative comedy.”
Old Red Lion Theatre. 4 – 24 Feb. https://www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/freshfest.html
Frost Fair
“Inspired by the area’s rich heritage and lively characters, Bankside has reinvented the Frost Fair for the 21st century. Immerse yourself in traditional games, music and dance, artisan stalls, art and craft workshops, and even a life-sized elephant!”
Bankside. 26-28 Jan. https://banksidelondon.co.uk/frost-fair/
Imagine Children’s Festival
“Imagine Children’s Festival takes place over 11 days at February half-term, with brilliant theatre, comedy, music, literature, poetry, dance and flat-out family fun on offer, designed for children aged 0 – 11.”
Southbank Centre. 7 – 17 Feb. https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/festivals-series/imagine-childrens-festival
Manipulate Festival
“Manipulate Festival is an annual celebration of excellence in the fields of animated film, puppetry and visual theatre, bringing the very best of international and Scottish work to audiences across Edinburgh and beyond, in February each year.”
Edinburgh/online. 1-11 Feb. https://www.manipulatearts.co.uk/festival/
Mime London
“MimeLondon is a new curatorial project created by Helen Lannaghan and Joseph Seelig, the directors of London International Mime Festival (LIMF) which ended in 2023 after five decades of award-winning success. Four astonishing international companies showcase remarkable productions that embrace the unspoken through extraordinary visual performance.”
Barbican. 23 Jan – 17 Feb. https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2024/series/mimelondon-2024
MTFest
“8 new musicals are ready in the wings. Presented in workshop form, some of the shows are abridged, some only showcase their first act, but they’re all fabulous!”
The Other Palace Studio/Turbine Theatre. 30 Jan – 11 Feb. https://theotherpalace.co.uk/mtfestuk-2024-shows/
A Pinch of Vault
“A Pinch of VAULT 2024 – it’s set to be an exciting and diverse of brand new & work in progress theatre, performance and comedy!”
The Glitch and other venues. 12 Feb – 10 Mar. https://www.wearevault.org/
Playing Space
“Sometime around Easter every year, The Playing Space takes over the Bull Theatre in Barnet for a whole weekend! Over the course of six shows (three on Saturday and three on Sunday), every class presents a showcase performance of what they have been working on during the Spring Term, which is devoted to group work.”
The Bull Theatre, Barnet. Mar/Apr. https://theplayingspace.co.uk/festival/
Project Platform
“Four shows, 3 nights. Join Purple Moon Drama for their 3-night-only mini festival featuring a range of diverse plays and voices.”
The Space, Limehouse. 23-25 Jan. https://space.org.uk/event/project-platform-mini-festival/
Resolution Festival
“Resolution is the biggest annual showcase for new choreography in the UK, offering artists a platform to present their work on an established London stage. A key event in the contemporary dance calendar,.”
The Place. 17 Jan – 9 Feb. https://theplace.org.uk/press/resolution-2024-the-uks-biggest-festival-of-new-choreography-returns-to-the-place
Soho Rising
“The annual Soho Rising Festival is a celebration of new work created by comedians, writers and performers who have taken part in our Writers’ Lab, Comedy Lab or Cabaret & Drag Lab programmes.”
Soho Theatre (Upstairs). 5 – 17 Feb. https://sohotheatre.com/soho-rising-2024/
Sprint
“Performance the like of which we’ve never seen before. New shows, new ways of making theatre, new experiences for audiences. For three weeks, that work populates our stage, twisting theatre into new shapes and fashioning fantastic experiences for audiences.”
Camden People’s Theatre. March. https://cptheatre.co.uk/Artist_Callouts/SPRINT-2024-Callout
Women Writers Festival
“The Etcetera Theatre is run by artists, for artists, creating a strong platform for the capital’s upcoming theatre makers. The festival has seven shows and a playwrights’ course across two weeks.”
Etcetera Theatre, Camden. 5 – 27 Jan. https://www.etceteratheatrecamden.com/events
Apr to Jun
96 Festival
“London’s only queer arts festival under one roof, 96 Festival sets up camp at Omnibus Theatre for a spectacular celebration of queerness.”
Omnibus Theatre, Clapham. Jun. Last year’s site here: https://www.omnibus-clapham.org/96-festival-2023/
Brighton Fringe
“Brighton Fringe sets out to stimulate, educate and entertain all year round through a diverse range of events, performances and workshops. During May and part of June, Brighton Fringe welcomes local, national and international performers and audiences as it showcases creativity in Brighton, Hove and beyond.”
Brighton. 3 May – 2 Jun. https://www.brightonfringe.org/
Calm Down Dear
“Reflecting on feminism in performance … fierce, fearless and occasionally filthy.”
Camden People’s Theatre. May-Jun. Last year’s site: https://cptheatre.co.uk/festivals/calm-down-dear-2023
LIFT
“London’s festival of international theatre. Bringing the world to London.”
London. Jun-Jul. https://www.liftfestival.com/
Peckham Fringe
“Now in its third year, It is a festival for creatives who have something to say, who want to platform work that is innovative and bold, and are excited to join our supportive community of artists for one of the highlights in Theatre Peckham’s calendar.”
Theatre Peckham. 1 May 1 – 8 Jun. https://www.theatrepeckham.co.uk/peckham-fringe/
River Stage
“The free outdoor festival returns to the National Theatre for summer. Featuring live performances and award-winning street food.”
National Theatre. Jun. Last year’s site here: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/your-visit/things-to-do/river-stage/
Roman Theatre Open Air Festival
“Each year since 2014, OVO has produced a summer open air festival which has grown to be one of the UK’s leading outdoor events.”
St Albans. Summer. https://ovo.org.uk/roman-theatre/
Taiwan Festival
“The Coronet Theatre is proud to present a major showcase of Taiwanese culture in Spring 2024. This month-long programme will premiere pioneering artists to the UK across dance, music, visual art, and physical theatre, VR and immersive experiences”
Coronet Theatre, Notting Hill. 12 – 27 Apr. https://www.thecoronettheatre.com/whats-on/taiwan-festival/
Wandsworth Arts Fringe
“Since 2010, WAF has brought together hundreds of creatives in a bold and boundary pushing annual line-up of cutting-edge theatre and comedy, concerts, art exhibitions, experimental performance art, outdoor extravaganzas, and everything in between, taking place across the borough.”
Wandsworth. 7 – 23 Jun. https://www.wandsworthfringe.com/
West End Live
“The show features live performances from London’s most celebrated West End musicals across two days.”
Trafalgar Square. Jun. https://www.westendlive.co.uk/
FreshFestFeb 4-Feb 24Old Red Lion Theatre
Jul to Sep
BBC Proms
“The BBC Proms is an eight-week summer season of daily orchestral classical music concerts and other events.”
Royal Albert Hall. 19 Jul – 14 Sep. Last year’s site: https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/proms/bbc-proms-2023/
Buxton Fringe
“The Fringe provides a showcase for performers and artists of all kinds in a variety of venues. Dance, drama, music, poetry, comedy, film, exhibitions and magic are just some of the forms that have appeared – we welcome all genres.”
Buxton. 3-21 Jul. https://www.buxtonfringe.org.uk/index.php
Camden Fringe
“The Camden Fringe is a performing arts festival, established in 2006, which takes place in Camden during August. Anyone and everyone is welcome to apply. Previous fringe events have encompassed new writing, opera, musicals, stand-up, sketch comedy, dance, cabaret, poetry, opera, mentalism, improvisation and Q&As.”
Camden. 29 Jul – 25 Aug. https://camdenfringe.com/
Clapham Fringe NOW Lambeth Fringe
“The Clapham Fringe is a yearly performing arts festival running since 2015 from the team behind The Bread & Roses Theatre, running for four weeks.”
Clapham. Sep-Oct. Last year’s site: https://www.claphamfringe.com/
Edinburgh Fringe
“The world’s greatest platform for creative freedom.”
Edinburgh/online. 2-26 Aug. https://www.edfringe.com/
Greater Manchester Fringe
“The Greater Manchester Fringe is a vibrant annual arts festival that unfolds across the Greater Manchester borough.”
Manchester. 1-31 Jul. https://greatermanchesterfringe.co.uk/
Greenwich & Docklands International Festival
“London’s biggest free outdoor performing arts festival is back at iconic venues across the city with a programme of theatre, circus, dance and street arts. This annual event is committed to diversity, celebrating the vibrant cultural mix of the city and pushing the boundaries of street art and performance.”
Greenwich. Aug-Sep. Last year’s site: https://festival.org/gdif-2023/
Grimeborn
“Grimeborn makes opera accessible to all with programming from both classical and radical thought-provoking artists and companies from across the continent and some of the most affordable ticket prices in the UK.”
Arcola Theatre, Dalston. Jul-Aug. Last year’s site: https://www.arcolatheatre.com/grimeborn/
Guildford Fringe Festival
“Now in its 11th year, it will return for a three-week run from 29 Jun to 20 Jul with a varied programme of theatre, poetry, comedy, music, visual arts, family-friendly shows, talks and free events.”
Various venues, Guildford. https://guildfordfringefestival.com/
Housemates Festival
“Expect stories from a generation whose perspective and understanding of Britain is formed by 1990s culture and the turn of the millennium. Themes explore the complexities of youth crime and rehabilitation juxtaposed with the Black joy of growing up in South London and millennial nostalgia, intergenerational conversations on radical activism; as well as delving into the complexities of family love and relationships; and probing the big life questions about how we all survive in a capitalistic world.”
Brixton House. Jul. Last year’s site: https://brixtonhouse.co.uk/housemates-festival-2023/
Little Angel Children’s Puppet Festival
“The vibrant programme will showcase a broad range of puppetry by the most exciting UK and international companies currently making theatre for young audiences.”
Little Angel Theatre, Islington. Aug-Sep. Last year’s site: https://www.littleangeltheatre.com/seasons/childrens-puppet-festival-2023/
Tete a Tete Opera Festival
“We make, and help others to make opera, with love, for anyone.”
The Cockpit/online. Aug-Sep. https://www.tete-a-tete.org.uk/
Totally Thames
“Celebrating the River Thames with arts events, active adventures, environmental initiatives, heritage and education programmes.”
London. Sep-Oct. https://thamesfestivaltrust.org/artistic-programme/totally-thames/
Unlimited
“Featuring outstanding dance, performance, comedy, music and visual art, the biennial festival showcases ambitious creative projects by disabled artists and companies.”
Southbank Centre/online. Sep. https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/festivals-series/unlimited
Vault Festival – UPDATE – Sadly, Vault announced permanent closure in March 2024
“Making their highly anticipated comeback, the creators of the UK’s leading independent festival of live performance VAULT, have announced they are building a brand-new venue in the heart of London and that VAULT Festival will return in autumn 2024.”
Central London. Autumn. https://vaultfestival.com/
Wimbledon Children’s Festival
“An action-packed, kid-focussed programme of events including plenty of live theatre, music, concert and literature events to engage your little ones over the holidays.”
New Wimbledon Theatre. Summer. https://www.atgtickets.com/campaigns/sign-up/wimbledon-children-s-festival/
Oct to Dec
Blueprint
“We are excited to return with the Blueprint Festival this October, continuing to push creative boundaries while shining a light on underrepresented stories and voices.”
Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch. Oct. Last year’s site: https://www.queens-theatre.co.uk/whatson/blueprint/
Croydonites Festival
“An annual festival of theatre for Croydon.”
Croydon. Nov. Last year’s site: https://www.croydonites.com/
Dance Umbrella
“London’s international dance festival.”
London/online. Oct. https://danceumbrella.co.uk/
Futures Festival
“Futures Festival showcases developing productions from leading independent performance makers and companies.”
Pleasance London. Nov-Dec. Last year’s site: https://trust.pleasance.co.uk/futuresfest
Grimfest
“Horror theatre festival at haunted pub theatre.”
Old Red Lion. Oct-Nov. Last year’s site: https://www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/Grimfest.html
MusicalCon
“The West End’s officlal musical theatre fan convention.”
ExCel, London. 19-20 Oct. https://www.musicalcon.co.uk/
Reboot Festival
“The Reboot Festival returns to Barons Court for three weeks to showcase some of the most exciting emerging writers from around the world.”
Barons Court Theatre. Oct/Nov. Last year’s site: https://www.baronscourttheatre.com/reboot-festival-3
Volia! Europe
Voila! Europe is a multilingual theatre festival produced by The Cockpit. Our curated programme of cross-cultural, cross-disciplinary performance opens a trusted portal to new European theatre for independent artists and adventurous audiences.
The Cockpit/online. 4-24 Nov. https://www.thecockpit.org.uk/voilafestival
Undetermined date
Without Walls
“Without Walls is a network of over 35 organisations that brings the best in outdoor arts to people in towns and cities across England. Since its formation in 2007, Without Walls has developed and toured over 200 new shows both in the UK and internationally across 22 countries.”
UK. Dates tbc. https://withoutwalls.uk.com/
