Big Family Weekend: Sunday
Fun for all the family across Ripon Spa Gardens and at the Little Bird Artisan Market on the Market Place.
Open-air theatre, walkabout acts, Punch and Judy and joining-in fun, plus music, stories and dance from community groups. Bring a picnic to the park and stay all day or browse the market whilst being entertained.
Join us for a full day of fun, starting at 10am
All events are FREE.
The Crow House A derelict house appears in the middle of the street. The windows are shattered and a Keep Out sign bars the front door. Three captivating and multiskilled performers use aerial, acrobatics, live music and slap-stick comedy to battle the furious crow who has taken up residency. Who will win? Presented by Circo Rumbaba. |
The Soapsud Sisters ‘Here come the girls!’ Pair up your socks, dig out your delicates, separate your silks, it’s laundry time! Join our bubbly beauties as they take you for a spin through a washing cycle like no other. Presented by Rhubarb Theatre Company |
Kismat Walla Thingumajig Theatre, who have performed A la Puppet Carte and Kit and Caboodle at previous Ripon Theatre Festivals, return with their new street theatre puppet show. Kismat Walla captures the bustling atmosphere of South Asian market streets in this two-person play set on and around a magical rairi (cart) telling a puppet plays about fate, fortune and serendipity. |
Punch and Judy Traditional show with beautiful hand-carved wooden puppets. Fast-moving and funny. Old-fashioned entertainment for everyone. Presented by Ron Wood from Jolly Good Productions. |
Rubbish Shakespeare: Romeo & Juliet Enemies. Balconies. Kissing… SAUSAGE ROLLS!!?? Three hapless idiots perform Shakespeare’s famous tragedy using nothing but tatty wigs and a burst airbed they found by the bins. Clowning, slapstick, and mischievous storytelling. This isn’t boring Shakespeare – it’s bonkers! |
Frankie Magilligan With his incredible smile and impeccable fashion sense, Frankie will leave you in stitches with his hilarious antics and incredible juggling skills. And if that wasn’t enough, he’ll be performing on the tallest unicycle in Ireland. The perfect combination of skill, humour, and style – Frankie will have you on the edge of your seat. Presented by Tall Paul. |
Participation Zone Dive into a vibrant day of theatre-inspired creativity, including mask-making, myths and more. Across four artist-led sessions (10–11am, 11:30am–12:30pm, 1–2pm and 2:30–3:30pm) plus two self-guided drop-in activities running 10am–4pm, families can explore hands-on crafts inside or alongside our dedicated tent space. Presented in partnership with Yorkshire CREATE. |
Little Bird Artisan Market More than just shopping. It’s a vibrant showcase of quality goods crafted by independent producers and artisans. And on Festival Sunday it’s extra special, with a performance area scheduled with acts from 10am-3pm. Have a break from browsing the stalls -pull up a deck chair and enjoy the entertainment. |
Plus a line-up of community performers from across the region, including:
- Cricket on the Hearth
- Open the Book
- Orb Community Arts
- Medusa Gothic Morris
- Ripon Dance Academy
- Ripon Goes to Bollywood
- Ripon Trinity Singers
- Ripon Walled Garden
- Slubbing Billy’s Morris
- St Aelred’s Irish Dance