Puppetry & Outdoor Arts Festivals to Apply for in 2026
From classic mime magic to boundary-pushing visual theatre, discover the puppetry festivals you won’t want to miss or apply for.
Curated list from Holly likes Puppets
Are you a puppeteer, visual theatre-maker, or outdoor arts performer planning a 2026 tour? This curated guide covers a wide range of UK and European festivals—many of which include puppetry, visual performance, and cross-disciplinary outdoor work.
🗓 Most 2026 dates are TBC. Always check directly with organisers for the latest info. Application windows often open 6–12 months in advance.
Spring & Early Summer Festivals
Manipulate Festival – Edinburgh, UK
Feb 2026 (TBC)
Visual theatre, puppetry, animation, and bold international work.Smethwick Puppet Festival – Smethwick, UK
Feb 2026 Applications are now open
A grassroots community festival with a strong local following.Newcastle Puppetry Festival – Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
4–12 April 2026 (TBC)
One of the UK’s largest puppetry festivals. 2026 applications closed May 2025.Saint Brieuc Puppet Festival – Saint Brieuc, France
May 2026 (TBC)FORMA Festival – Nice, France
May 2026 (TBC)Salisbury International Arts Festival – Salisbury, UK
May–June 2026 (TBC)
Summer Festivals
Little Angel Theatre Puppet Festival – London, UK
28th July – 3rd August 2025Beverley Puppet Festival – Beverley, UK
July 2026 (TBC)Glastonbury Festival – Theatre & Circus – Somerset, UK
25–29 June 2025Winchester Hat Fair – Winchester, UK
Saturday 5 July 2025Festival of the Sea – Grimsby, UK
21 June 2025Whirligig Festival – Super Culture – Weston-super-Mare, UK
7–8 June 2025Creative Playground – Crawley, UK
7 June 2025Basingstoke Festival – Basingstoke, UK
20 June – 6 July 2025Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure – Redbridge, London
21–22 June 2025Manchester International Festival (MIF) – Manchester, UK
3–20 July 2025Crewe Day Festival – Crewe, UK
4–6 July 2025Frome Festival – Frome, Somerset, UK
4–13 July 2025WILD on the Beach – Watergate Bay, UK
5–6 July 2025
Festival Oldham – Oldham, UK
5 July 2025Flux Rotherham – Rotherham, UK
5 July 2025An Indian Summer – Inspirate – Leicester, UK
5–6 July 2025Certain Blacks / Ensemble Festival – London, UK
26–27 July 2025Merchant City Festival – Glasgow, UK
18–20 July 2025IF: Milton Keynes International Festival – Milton Keynes, UK
18–27 July 2025Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF) – Stockton-on-Tees, UK
1–3 August 2025Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF) – London, UK
23 Aug – 8 Sept 2025Birmingham Weekender – Birmingham, UK
23–25 August 2025 (2026 TBC)Out of the Ordinary Festival – Cambridge, UK
23–24 August 2025 (2026 TBC)
September Festivals
First Art – East Midlands, UK
6 September 2025 (2026 TBC)Encounter Festival – Preston, UK
20–21 September 2025 (2026 TBC)Arts by the Sea – Bournemouth, UK
26–28 September 2025 (2026 TBC)Ards Puppet Festival
Sunday 26 and Monday 27 October 2025!
Autumn Puppetry-Specific Festivals
Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival – Tunbridge Wells, UK
October 2026 (TBC)Ards Puppet Festival – Newtownards, Northern Ireland
October 2026 (TBC)
💡 Bonus: Without Walls
Many of the festivals above are part of the Without Walls network—excellent for outdoor and site-specific artists. Explore their commissioning and touring opportunities.
📌 Tips for Artists
Track deadlines: many open between 6–12 months in advance
Prepare your application assets: video, tech rider, short description, and press images
Contact programmers directly if your work is a good match
13 - 28 MAY 2025 BIAM12e Biennale internationale des arts de la marionnette
May 12 to 17 - in Saint Brieuc, Puppet Festival
May 13 to 17 - in Nice, FORMA - Festival of Rare Moving Objects
Little Angel Theatre Puppet Festival – 28th July – 3rd August
If you’re looking for a magical day out with the family, Little Angel Theatre’s Puppet Festival is where the fun happens! This OFFIE Award-winning festival showcases puppetry like you’ve never seen before. With performances from some of the most exciting UK and international puppetry companies, the festival offers a jam-packed programme full of family-friendly workshops and fun events. You’ll even get the chance to roll up your sleeves and try your hand at puppetry yourself! Whether you’re young or just young at heart, this festival is perfect for sparking your imagination and getting creative.
Website: littleangeltheatre.com
Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival – October 2025 (Dates TBC)
Nestled in the stunning Georgian spa town of Tunbridge Wells, this professionally curated, accessible, and sustainable festival promises a celebration of puppetry like no other. Bringing together top-notch performances from the UK and beyond, Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival is all about inspiring and engaging the community. Through performances, workshops, and public events, the festival showcases puppetry in all its forms while creating a sense of empathy and wonder. Whether you’re an art lover, a puppetry enthusiast, or just curious about creative expression, this festival will transform Tunbridge Wells into a stage full of possibilities.
Website: twpuppetryfestival.org
Ards Puppet Festival 2025: A Fun-Filled Family Celebration – October 2025 (Dates TBC)
The Ards Puppet Festival is set to return to Newtownards, Belfast, in October 2025 for another exciting weekend of puppetry magic. While dates are yet to be confirmed, it’s usually held around late October, and this year promises to be just as enchanting as ever.
Location: Ards Arts Centre, Conway Square, Newtownards
Dates: October 2025 (Dates TBC)
Website: More info and programme details
Beverley Puppet Festival – July 2026 (Dates TBC)
Prepare to be transported to another world at the Beverley Puppet Festival, where magic happens through the art of puppetry. Since 2005, this festival has been delighting audiences with performances that mix various artistic disciplines, making it an experience for all ages. It’s a festival that brings out the child in adults and the adult in children—sparking creativity, imagination, and out-of-the-box thinking. If you love puppets and want to immerse yourself in a vibrant cultural event, Beverley is the place to be.
Website: beverleypuppetfestival.com
London International Mime Festival (LIMF) – 11th January – 1st February 2025
The countdown is on for the 47th and final edition of the London International Mime Festival. Known as the UK’s longest-running international festival of contemporary visual theatre, LIMF has been treating audiences to a feast of wordless wonders for decades. From circus-theatre to mime, puppetry, and physical theatre, this festival brings together the best performances from across the world. Spread across iconic London venues such as the Tate Modern and Barbican, LIMF is the place to see breathtaking, boundary-pushing performances that speak without words.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this historic final edition!
Website: mimelondon.com
Manipulate Festival – 12th – 13th February 2025
For those who love a mix of art forms, Manipulate Festival in Edinburgh is a must-visit! This annual festival celebrates animated film, puppetry, and visual theatre, bringing together an exciting programme of international and Scottish performances. Expect the unexpected with boundary-pushing shows and screenings that will leave you in awe. Plus, it’s an incredible space for creative exchange—perfect for artists and audiences alike to explore fresh ideas and network. If you’re a fan of innovative theatre, Manipulate is where you need to be.
Website: manipulatearts.co.uk/festival
Smethwick Puppet Festival – 15th – 23rd February 2025
The Smethwick Puppet Festival is back for 2025, and it’s set to be bigger and better than ever! This community-driven festival is packed with puppet performances, workshops, exhibitions, and so much more. With events taking place across 10 community venues in Smethwick, there's something for everyone. What makes this festival even more special is that all events are "pay what you can"—meaning you choose your ticket price! Whether you’re a puppet enthusiast or new to the world of puppetry, this is one festival that will leave you enchanted.
Newcastle Puppetry Festival – 19th – 27th April 2025
Calling all puppetry lovers in the North! The Newcastle Puppetry Festival is bringing a fantastic mix of theatre, workshops, and outdoor arts to the North East. With an international programme featuring UK premieres and professional training, it’s the perfect opportunity to dive deep into the world of puppetry. Whether you’re a family looking for a fun day out or an artist keen on honing your skills, this festival has something for everyone. Don’t miss out on what promises to be a week of creativity and fun in Newcastle!
Website: movingpartsarts.com/festival
Ready to See Some Puppets?
Whether you’re in London, Edinburgh, Smethwick, Newcastle, or Beverley, there’s a festival just waiting to entertain and inspire you. These puppetry celebrations aren’t just for kids—they’re for anyone who loves creativity, storytelling, and a little bit of magic. So mark your calendars, grab your tickets, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in the world of puppets and visual theatre. See you at the festival! 🎭✨