Night-time performances will return to Hull’s Freedom Festival this year, with prices kept as cheap as possible, according to the director.
Phil Hargreaves said evening events would be included on 4 and 5 September after feedback from last year showed people had missed them.
While 90% of the festival would be free for all, Hargreaves said, a suggested fee of £1 per person would be charged for a “huge circus performance” on the Friday and Saturday nights, though people could pay what they can afford.
He added: “If you can only afford £1 for a family of five, we accept that’s the case and we understand the world and climate that we’re living in.”
The performances by Gorilla Circus, called A.I. Thentic, will be set on a 65ft-high (20m) moving stage.
“We can keep that as low-cost as possible, but in order to keep continuing to do those big things, the rising of costs for festivals like ours, it’s just impossible to keep free,” Hargreaves said.
“We’re really desperately trying to respond to what people are asking of us in the most affordable and accessible way possible.”