New programmes will reach communities far beyond the annual festival
One of the spectacles at Freedom Festival 2025 (Image: freedomfestival.co.uk)
The Freedom Festival Arts Trust (FFAT) has secured funding that will see events and activities running across the year, rather than being mainly concentrated on an extended summer weekend of festival fun. Activities will be rolled out from April, in the build-up to Freedom Festival 2026.
A four-year grant has come from the Esmeé Fairbairn Foundation to deliver arts, culture, and heritage activities throughout the year, reaching communities locally, regionally, and nationally far beyond the annual Freedom Festival – traditionally held at the end of August or in early September. The funding sustains FFAT’s growth, powering ground-breaking creative projects, skills development, and community input into local culture.
New features are being enabled as a result of the grant, including Freedom on Tour for schools, pop-up cinema screenings and a comprehensive digital platform with films, podcasts and more. Phil Hargreaves, who is marking his first year as festival director, said: “We’re delighted to secure four-year funding from the Esmeé Fairbairn Foundation.
“This support is vital for our ongoing development, empowering communities to join groundbreaking creative projects at Freedom Festival while giving local people opportunities to build skills, discover new cultural experiences, and shape what’s happening in the area. We can’t wait to dive into this work in the months and years ahead.”
New programmes enabled by the funding include:
- Pied Piper: A raucous musical re-imagining of the medieval fairy-tale, partnering with Hull Truck and Arcade. Beatboxers, musicians, and local performers deliver electrifying vocal wizardry for all the family.
- Freedom Citizens: A community panel shaping FFAT’s goals via skills training, ‘go see’ visits to shows/festivals, and input on selection panels. Full details on the FFAT website soon.
- Freedom on Tour: Bringing the 2025 Freedom Festival hit Castaway (with Living with Water and Highly Sprung Performance) to four Hull schools in spring 2026, plus workshops on water pollution.
- Community Cinema: Pop-up screenings with Hull Independent Cinema and Film Hub North—freedom-themed films chosen by local communities.
- Freedom Online: Digital platform which launched on March 12 (with further drops on March 18 and 26) with films, podcasts, videos, and exhibitions from Company Chameleon, Copenhagen Collective, Itchy & The Feminine Urge – bringing festival conversations home.
Phil said: “From April 2026, more activities will roll out across Hull, building to Freedom Festival 2026, running from September 3 to 6. Expect earlier announcements on programmes, participation, and performances.”
FFAT delivers the annual Freedom Festival plus more projects celebrating creativity, freedom, and community in Hull and beyond. You can find out more at www.freedomfestival.co.uk and on socials @FreedomFestHull. Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is one of the largest independent grant-makers in the UK – in 2025 it provided £52.9m towards a wide range of work in support of its aims and you can find out more at www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk
Community groups, networks, culture champions, and businesses keen on creativity/place-making partnerships are invited by FFAT to get in touch by emailing info@freedomfestival.co.uk