Hullabaloo in the Park to return to Darlington this weekend

Noted as 'one of the most family-friendly festivals in the county', Hullabaloo in the Park, opens from Friday (July 26) to Sunday (July 28) - offering events and activities for free.

Taking place in Darlington’s South Park, the event is accessible from Tees Valley, Durham, Cumbria and North Yorkshire, the festival includes a range of performances, music, dance, storytelling, play spaces, pop-up entertainment, messy play, crafts, workshops and food.

Children enjoying bubbles at a previous Hullabaloo in the Park event (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Specially designed for children under 10 and their grownups, the festival has been organised by Theatre Hullabaloo, who have earned a national reputation for their festivals, theatre and creative programmes for children.

In total, there are over 170 activities to take part in over just three days, and tons of spaces to relax, eat picnics and spend quality time with the family.

Stand-out shows include renowned circus production The Weather Machine and the cardboard-based adventure Boxville which involves children making their own items.

A previous Hullabaloo in the Park event (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Brand new play experiences include a crawl-through sensory play space for 0-2s called Weave, and the construction-themed Build it Beautiful for 3-8year olds where children can don a hard hat and go building with sand and blocks.

Popup performances include Dommy B, one of the UK's leading children’s poets, regional musician Hannabiel Sanders, a journey in magical South East Asian dance with Payal Ramdanchani, and a squad of giant interactive slinkies.

A previous Hullabaloo in the Park event in South Park, Darlington (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

That’s not to mention forest school-inspired clay bug making, rewilding activities for young children, storytelling with Umar Butt, bubble play, messy play, a giant purple wishing tree and countless crafting activities.

Building on its success in previous years Hullabaloo in the Park 2024 is filled with even more things for families to see, make and do and, this year, the festival programme will be free.

Hullabaloo in the Park is also one of the most inclusive festivals around, with dozens of neurodivergent-friendly performances and activities, a host of British Sign Language-supported experiences, and one of the most family-friendly staff teams around.

Ahead of the festival, Ben Dickenson, Chief Executive of Theatre Hullabaloo said: “Hullabaloo in the Park draws on Theatre Hullabaloo’s specialisms in creativity, play and theatre for young children.

"It’s a moment of joy and family connection. It’s a contribution to the prosperity, wellbeing, and richness of this fantastic place. We can’t wait to welcome families to have a fantastic time with us in South Park again this summer.”