An amazing new festival of events is coming to brighten up Peterborough city centre this autumn and winter – and we can’t wait!
This unique festival of circus, music and art really does have the wow factor and will bring some incredible displays which will be free for all the family to enjoy.
Revitalising the arts and renewing our connection with the city, Unlocking Peterborough is an exciting and unique programme of events which will run from October to December, featuring circus performances, strolling musicals, street theatre, work by local artists and a Christmas winter wonderland.
Kicking off the festival is LOVEART on Sunday October 17 and will see a 12-metre-high vibrant red heart frame an elegant aerial show where fluctuations in the internal air pressure enable the fabric heart to lift the aerial performer, while modulations in air flow give the impression of a heartbeat.
The next event will bring us strange encounters this Halloween. On October 30 and 31 we’ll witness other-worldly creatures including the silent Las Muertas Stilt Walkers. With ethereal dresses that flicker with light and burst with colour, these spooky figures only break their eerie aura if lively music breaks their spell, causing them to break into dance.
Cali and Mari the Octopi will also walk the streets, lighting up at night to magical effect, while Damsels in Distress will roam and flirt from atop their dragons in their search for Prince Charming.
The start of November will marry the magic of autumn with the fun and interactive Urban Canvas Street Games.
Then we’ll see the amazing Winter Wonderland Birds fly into the city centre on November 27 and 28. These feathered beauties will bring the sounds of peacocks to Peterborough with magnificent visual effect.
More sound is brought by the Dickensian Christmas Ding Dong, a virtuoso strolling musical performance decked in holly and ivy. Christmas stilt walkers Tinsel and Cracker will roam Peterborough with a huge helping of festive fun and cheer.
The sparkle of Christmas is brought by the mesmerising Winter Fairy. On December 11 and 12, this snow-kissed figure will leave us in awe as she conjures crystal balls and skilfully moves them like ice bubbles.
Zooming around will be the Roller Skating Illuminated Presents, fitted in giant present costumes with twinkling illuminations. The Christmas Belles are a ribbon-waving, stilt-walking duo who ring out yuletide chimes of good cheer with syncopated hand chimes.
Then it’s time for the grand finale on December 18 and 19 with Spark!. This street theatre show combines high-impact drumming with kaleidoscopic lighting design and incredible costumes – a show you’ll never forget.
Unlocking Peterborough is presented by Peterborough Positive, and funded by the Welcome Back fund, supporting a safe and successful reopening of local economies.
LOVEART Main Show Sunday 17th October
Halloween Events Saturday 30th – Sunday 31st October Urban Street CanvasGames Saturday 13th – Sunday 14th November
Late November Events Saturday 27th – Sunday 28th November
Christmas Events Saturday 11th – Sunday 12th December
Christmas Finale Show Saturday 18th – Sunday 19th December
Times Performances start from 3pm
Location Cathedral Square and surrounding area
Age guidance 5+