Many of Hull’s public spaces will come alive with free performances
Hull’s streets, squares and marina area will come alive this week with the return of the annual Freedom Festival. An extraordinary mix of world-class circus, unique music, daring performances, thought-provoking installations and joyful community experiences have been planned, say organisers.
From Thursday to Sunday, August 28 to 31, there will be over 76 performances created by 29 artists and companies from six countries, featuring over 150 performers and community members, with over 100 hours of free-to-access arts and culture. The Freedom Festival programme is available online now for families to plan their visits.
Phil Hargreaves, festival director, said: “With three distinct zones across the city centre, you can cram as much in as possible, have a chilled experience or pop in for a particular highlight. The team at Freedom Festival has pulled together some highlights to get you in the mood.”
Internationally renowned Copenhagen Collective bring The Genesis to Hull following a hit run at Edinburgh Fringe, five-star reviews and a LIST award nomination. Night of the Werewolves is a thrilling live theatre experience, where audience members play the original game that inspired hit TV series, Traitors.
Music pulses throughout the festival, including The Torch presented at Hull Truck Theatre, a tribute to Ghanaian legend Ebo Taylor by his grandson Kobby Taylor. This is alongside a vibrant busking trail featuring a brass band, DJs, local music creators and pop-up pianos across the city.
Parades, playful street theatre, and interactive performances spill into public spaces. Families can encounter Parade: The Giant wheel by Autin Dance Theatre, featuring local community performers roaming through the city centre and Posse, a vibrant music procession, with guest appearance from Hull’s Freedom Chorus.
Take a moment in one of the great buildings in the city, including stepping into Microworld, an interactive digital ecosystem at the Ferens. You can experience Into The Light: Pioneers of Black British Ballet in the Central Library or Devour an exploration of female identity, in the pop-up space in Humber Street.
There will be plenty for all the family to get their teeth into including playful experiences such as Pirate Taxi, a unique circus taxi; Castaway, a high-impact aerial performance and Family Catwalk Extravaganza, a fun interactive family party. Alongside this are a range of creative workshops, chess battles, and the uplifting beats from Hull’s very own Beats Bus, ensuring there is something for all ages.
Expect wow moments from Dutch theatre company Vloeistof as they turn Hull Marina into a stage with Sliding Slope, Breath – a mesmerising circus performance featuring a crane and a 30m rope. Finishing Saturday evening will be Sound De Seca’s celebration +, a fun, energetic and lively performance for all to enjoy.
In collaboration with Hull Independent Cinema, a programme of films and screenings brings fresh voices and perspectives to the Freedom Festival with Screen at the Dock, adding another layer to the festival’s celebration of freedom and creativity. The full programme is available on the Freedom Festival Arts Trust website where you can explore the line-up.
Keep a lookout on the Freedom Festival socials this week for some helpful guides on navigating the festival, including access provision.
Freedom Festival began in 2007, to commemorate the bicentenary of the 1807 Slave Trade Act and honour the legacy of local reformer William Wilberforce. Today it stands as one of Hull’s most cherished annual cultural events, attracting tens of thousands of visitors and peaking at 130,000 in some years.
Freedom Festival Arts Trust has showcased world-famous talent, including celebrated acts such as Martha Reeves and The Vandellas and The 1975, while nurturing emerging local artists to ensure a diverse and relevant programme for all community groups. Past highlights encompass immersive street theatre and innovative physical performances like CODE – a powerful fusion of parkour, urban dance and live rap examining contemporary social themes; thought-provoking exhibitions such as Uncovering Modern Slavery at the Wilberforce Institute; and beloved community-driven shows including Pram People, Sync or Swim, and Bench Invasion.
The 2024 festival welcomed 70,000 visitors and extended its reach to offsite locations such as Bridlington, further spreading its message of freedom and community beyond city limits. The Trust is committed to accessibility and a large portion of the festival’s outdoor programme is offered free to the public to ensure everyone can take part in the celebration.