Playground Festival: New festival of creativity for babies, young children and families coming to Kent

Date
Topics
Community
A person dressed in a furry top and wearing a mask leans over with their arms wide looking at a baby who is on their tummy looking up.

A new early year's festival designed to encourage play, imagination and creativity is launching in Kent in 2026.

Playground Festival, a ten-day celebration has been created especially for babies, young children, and their families. There will be performances, immersive installations, workshops, and interactive Playground sessions to spark curiosity.

Taking place from Friday 22 May, to Sunday 31 May 2026, the festival will transform more than 20 venues across the county - including libraries, family hubs, cultural spaces, and outdoor locations - into vibrant hubs of creativity and imagination.

It will feature more than 150 events and showcase some of the most inspiring national and international work created for young audiences. With artists from the UK, Spain, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, the programme promises a rich and diverse experience.

A group of parents hold their babies who are smiling and looking towards a man who is kneeling down and smiling at them.

The festival will transform more than 20 venues across the county into vibrant hubs of creativity and imagination.

The full programme will be announced in early 2026, but some of the highlights to look forward to include:

  • Fields of Tender – An immersive dance performance for babies and young children by acclaimed Swedish choreographer Dalija Acin Thelander, blending dance, music, and interactive video projections
  • ISLAND – A new show from Starcatchers and Frozen Charlotte (Scotland) exploring the relationships between parents and babies through live music and dance
  • The Garden – A magical installation by Makers of Imaginary Worlds (UK), inviting families to wander through a world of plants, birds, and creatures designed to spark wonder
  • Pulse - a dynamic and fun show from Teatro Al Vacio (Mexico) – featuring  wooden blocks, and Tangle an outdoor interactive experience
  • Wonder – a colourful dance world filled with knitted sculptures and creatures by dybwikdans (Norway).
Paul Webb is smiling for his headshot photo in front of the county hall steps

“We hope families will leave feeling inspired and connected, and that our youngest residents will discover the joy of creativity.”

Paul Webb Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services

Paul Webb, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services, said: “Playground Festival is about giving families the chance to experience something truly special together and reflects our commitment to supporting creativity and inclusion in every community.

“We hope families will leave feeling inspired and connected, and that our youngest residents will discover the joy of creativity.”

Tickets are available to book here.

About Playground

Playground is a partnership between Kent County Council’s (KCC) Culture and Creative Economy Service and Kent Libraries. It is also proud to be an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO).