Warrington Arts Festival

05/06/2026

Looking to find out more about what's on at Warrington Arts Festival 2026? 🙌

Our full programme is now LIVE, and we’ve pulled together this year’s programme in an easy-to-follow guide so you don't miss a thing! 🎭🎶

Here are the key festival locations for 2026:

📍 Parr Hall
Step beneath Luke Jerram’s extraordinary MARS installation, with a whole programme of events taking place under the Red Planet. From yoga, sound baths, family crafts and Baby Rave to Cosmic Groove presents: Celestia, HENGE and a special DJ night with Dave Haslam, Stephen Morris & Gillian Gilbert (The Other Two/New Order) & Special Guest TBA 👀, Parr Hall is set to be a key location across the festival.

📍 Queens Gardens
Enjoy a weekend of live music with Garden Sounds on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July, before the Family Garden Party returns on Saturday 25 July for an afternoon of free family-friendly fun in the heart of town.

📍 Cineworld Warrington
On Tuesday 21 July, Made By Me Film Festival returns for a special evening screening celebrating young filmmakers, with the event running from 6pm to 8.30pm.

📍 Sky Garden
On Thursday 23 July, the whimsical TREES: Tale of the Rootkin brings tree-themed crafts, activities and performances for all the family to Sky Garden, running from 11am to 3pm.

📍 Warrington Museum & Art Gallery
Head to the Museum for The Story of Old Billy on Friday 24 July, Mark Bradley’s artist’s talk on Sunday 26 July, and two exhibitions: What is this Hubbub? and Within the Folds.

📍 Winmarleigh House
On Friday 24 July, COW Cabaret brings an evening of local creativity, performance and cabaret energy from 7pm to 10pm.

📍 Bank Park
Look up, look closer and expect something spectacular as PIGMENTS - a free aerial circus spectacular - arrives at Bank Park on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July, bringing free and family-friendly outdoor performance to the festival weekend.

📍 Time Square
On Saturday 25 July, enjoy Batida Rio Samba Band from 5pm to 6pm, followed by two free performances of A Place Between Mass & Echoes at 6pm and 8pm.

Find out more and explore the full 2026 programme here 👉 https://wcaf.culturewarrington.org/whats-on/

05/06/2026

Don’t miss MARS by Luke Jerram coming to Parr Hall this July as part of Warrington Arts Festival!

🎫 Free event. For more information and tickets, head to our website 👉 https://wcaf.culturewarrington.org/whats-on/mars/

A truly cosmic experience is landing at Arts Festival (WAF) this summer, which will leave families pondering the age-old question: Is there life on ?
Picture: Hugh Fox

04/06/2026

THE WARRINGTON ARTS FESTIVAL 2026 FULL PROGRAMME IS HERE! 🎉

From 18-25 July, Warrington will come alive with a packed week of performances, exhibitions, live music, family-friendly events, creative workshops and moments made to bring people together across the town.

Whether you’re planning a day out with the kids, looking for your next live music fix, or simply seeing what’s happening in Warrington this summer, there’s plenty to discover.

Now’s the time to start planning your festival week! 🕺👀

Explore the full programme at https://wcaf.culturewarrington.org/whats-on/

03/06/2026

We’ve shared a few glimpses… but there’s still so much more to come 👀

Keep your eyes peeled on our socials tomorrow as we get ready to reveal the FULL PROGRAMME for Warrington Arts Festival including performances, exhibitions, family events, creative workshops and many more unforgettable moments across the town from 18-25 July.

See you then! 🤫

01/06/2026

WELCOME TO UNDER MARS! 👀☄️

Ready to experience yoga, live music, astronomy, family events and after-dark club nights beneath the Red Planet?

This summer, Luke Jerram's illuminated MARS installation arrives at Parr Hall - and beneath it, a whole programme of events will bring the space to life.

From sound baths and science talks to cosmic live shows, creative sessions and one-off festival experiences, Under MARS invites you to experience the artwork, the atmosphere and the festival in a completely different way.

📆 18-25 July 2026
📍 Parr Hall
🎫 Ticketed and free events available

Explore the Under MARS programme now: https://wcaf.culturewarrington.org/whats-on/

29/05/2026

OUR NEXT PROGRAMME ANNOUNCEMENT HAS LANDED AND IT'S GOING TO MAKE YOU WANNA DANCE! 🪩

Ready for a one-night-only clubnight beneath the Red Planet? 🕺

Club culture icon Dave Haslam joins Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert (The Other Two / New Order) behind the decks....

DJing beneath Luke Jerram’s extraordinary MARS installation at Parr Hall, they’ll soundtrack an after-dark festival experience that brings together Haçienda energy, New Order heritage and the otherworldly atmosphere of the Red Planet... with a special guest still to be announced 👀

📆 24 July 2026
📍 Parr Hall
🎫 Ticket required - limited capacity, advance booking strongly recommended: https://wcaf.culturewarrington.org/whats-on/dave-haslam-stephen-morris-gillian-gilbert-the-other-two-new-order-special-guest-tba/

More programme news is set to land VERY SOON... 👀

*Please note: This is an 18+ event

27/05/2026

OUR NEXT PROGRAMME ANNOUNCEMENT HAS LANDED! ☄️

👽🎶 Award-winning cosmic rockers HENGE are coming to Parr Hall as part of Warrington Arts Festival 2026.

Taking place right beneath Luke Jerram’s illuminated MARS installation, expect big sounds, bold visuals and a live experience bringing rave, prog and theatre to the Red Planet at this very special one-off show.

Energetic, playful and joyfully original, the Manchester band's ‘music from distant planets’ – as seen at the likes of Glasto – is sure to bring extraterrestrial flair to our festival!

📆 23 July 2026
📍 Parr Hall
🎫 Tickets available now: https://wcaf.culturewarrington.org/whats-on/henge/

More programme news will be announced soon, including a very special series of events at Parr Hall... 👀

22/05/2026

OUR FIRST WARRINGTON ARTS FESTIVAL PROGRAMME ANNOUNCEMENT IS HERE! 📣

This summer, Mars by internationally acclaimed artist Luke Jerram, lands at Parr Hall as part of Warrington Arts Festival 2026.

Measuring seven metres in diameter, this illuminated artwork brings the awe-inspiring Red Planet into the heart of Warrington, setting the scene for a very special programme of events taking place beneath it 🧑‍🚀🎶🚀🎭

📆 18-25 July 2026
📍 Parr Hall
🎫 Free event, booking required. Tickets available now: https://wcaf.culturewarrington.org/whats-on/mars/

Is there life on Mars? More Red Planet news coming soon 👀

21/05/2026

Warrington Arts Festival is returning from July 18th to 25th, and we can’t wait 😃

Over eight days, there will be dozens of exciting events across venues in town, with a mix of national and international artists alongside local talent, family-friendly events, and a few surprises still to be revealed 👀

📸 - Warrington Arts Festival and Rob Watson

02/02/2026

Councillors are set to be briefed on Culture Warrington’s impact in the town – with its activities providing an essential ‘destination pull’.