There’s so much happening on Festival Sunday, we thought the day deserved a post all of its own.
On Sunday 11 June, we have two main open-air zones plus our finale event at Fountains Abbey.
Indoors, there’s pop-up puppets and a brunch event plus Sunday afternoon theatre at the Arts Hub.
Down at the Workhouse Museum there’s workshops too as part of their Drama at the Workhouse special Festival event.
There’s plenty going on from 9.30am onwards…. See all Sunday Events listed here.
We're Teaming Up with Little Bird Markets
From 10am – 3pm the Festival teams ups with Little Bird Artisan Markets to bring you colourful characters, music and puppetry alongside the curated stalls from independent traders across the region.
Watch out for the Have-a-Go Pirates, Monsieur Monsieur the Mime Artist and characters from Alice in Wonderland mingling with buskers and community performers. Confirmed community participants include the fabulous Rock Choir, singer Lily Worth and the Passion for Movement dance troupe.
A highlight of the day is bound to be the tricycle-pulled puppet shows from Thingumajig Theatre – A La Puppet Carte.
Thanks to Little Bird Markets for your support and enthusiasm!
Sunday in the Spa Gardens
Meanwhile, just a couple of hundred yards down the road, a whole day of family entertainment builds on the success of last year.
With open-air theatre for all ages, puppet shows and interactive games this will be a boredom-free zone. There are three opportunities to enjoy Seeing Red, an alternative and fun version of Little Red Riding Hood. Alice-themed Wonderland of Games is performed twice as are the A La Puppet Carte tricycle shows.
The professional programme ends with a return visit from Strange Twig Theatre with Dream of the Sea – a watery world below the waves presented with plenty of laughter and special effects.
All this alongside music, drama and dance performances from local groups inside and outside the bandstand. Visitors include the U3A Ukulele Band, Open the Book and Appalachian dance from Cricket on the Hearth.
Bring a blanket and a picnic, buy an ice-cream from the café and plan to stay all day!
New for 2023 - Breakfast & Brunch-time Events...
A 9.30am start-time won’t phase parents of small children, we are sure.
Puppets for Breakfast takes place in the comfortable front room of The Unicorn with Hazelsong Theatre’s crazy hand-puppet version of The House that Jack Built.
Grown-up festival-goers can enjoy a lie-in and still make it to the Claro Lounge for 11am and brunch in the company of Steve Bonham. Equipped with guitar and many stories to tell, Steve invites you to join him on a journey from the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert and explore the meaning of adventure.
You need tickets for these events, but they are Pay What You Can – so no need to break the bank!
Tickets Selling Fast for Mrs Christie
At 2pm Liz Grand performs her intriguing one-woman show which asks Where is Mrs Christie? taking us back to 1926 and the mysterious disappearance of Agatha Christie.
This Sunday afternoon show at Arts Hub has already intrigued Ripon audiences and tickets are selling fast.
Bows and Arrows at the Ready!
Have you booked your tickets yet for this year’s riotous production from hugely popular Illyria?
Robin Hood will be storming the cloisters of Fountains Abbey at 6pm.
Pack a picnic and prepare to cheer on the underdogs at this fast-moving, swashbuckling and totally silly family show.
