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family festival returns to Farnham Maltings this September thanks to audience support
Sat 28 September 2024
Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7QR
Full programme and workshop listings: farnhammaltings.com/events/family-festival
Following the success of last year's inaugural event, family festival returns to Farnham Maltings offering even more activities for those aged 3-16 to share with the adults in their lives. Taking over the Maltings on Sat 28 September, the day will be full of workshops, drop-in sessions and live performances; there'll be plenty to keep all interests entertained.
“We are delighted to be bringing back the family festival to the Maltings this September,” said Katy Potter, Executive Producer & Deputy CEO of Farnham Maltings. “family festival adds to the valuable community work we do sharing and encouraging creative and artistic pursuits with a wide audience. Its return is thanks to the generous support of our audiences within the Big Give campaign earlier in the year and we hope children will go away inspired by a new creative pursuit.”
In March 2024 Farnham Maltings ran a week-long fundraising campaign as part of the nationwide Big Give campaign where they were able to raise over £11,000 of donations to support a range of family and community activities and have enabled family festival to return this year.
Thanks to this support, family festival features a wide range of free drop-in and low-cost creative workshops for families and children to get involved with. From face painting to balloon modelling and board games to circus performances, there's something exciting around every corner. Our drop-in sessions are free to attend and there's no need to book.
The bookable workshops programme is the perfect place to learn a new skill or hobby. Children can get tips on making up amazing stories with star of the West End smash hit The Play that Goes Wrong - Matt Cavendish or can learn how to impress their friends with some magic tricks taught by the Illusions and Magic Associate on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. With Pottery workshops, introductions to Dance and even DJing there is a lot for children of all ages to try their hand at. Places are limited, so we recommend booking all workshops in advance.
There are also opportunities for visitors to enjoy live performances from two shows taking place throughout the day. Following two sold out performances in July 2024, Mrs Armitage on Wheels will be making a welcome return as part of this year's family festival! Adapted from Quentin Blake’s classic tale, the Maltings and Scoot Theatre present a 40-minute interactive, energetic show, celebrating the joy of getting outdoors and being active. Featuring live music, puppetry and physical comedy.
In the afternoon families can enrol at the world’s most reckless and ridiculous school with comedy legends The Noise Next Door. Where will your adventure take you? Dangerous deserts? Treacherous tundras? Volatile volcanoes? It’s all up to you in this side-splitting, globe-trotting hour of entertainment that is fun for all ages.
The foyer bar and Riverside Café will offer delicious street food options such as mac & cheese, fish & chips, katsu curry, chicken lollipops and noodles, with vegetarian and vegan options available too. A range of tempting treats will also be available from the sweet shop.
Booking for workshop places in advance is highly recommended due to limited availability. Entry to the family festival is free but some workshops and the live performances have a fee. Workshops are now available to book on the Farnham Maltings website and visitors can also view the full schedule of drop-in activities.