fest!

Performing Arts Experiences for Young People

performance events

Create and perform a show in just a few days!

For age 5-8
Musical Showcase
Villain Kids

Places available

Begins Wed July 1 2026
Ends Sat July 4 2026
9:
45 - 
15:
45
(Final day 9.45am until show ends - show 1pm)
For age 9-12
Make Your Own Musical
Back to the 80s

Places available

Begins Wed July 1 2026
Ends Sat July 4 2026
10:
00 - 
16:
00
(Final day 10am until show ends - show 7pm)
For age 12-18*
Musical Showcase
Milkshake, Rattle & Roll!

Places available

Begins Wed July 1 2026
Ends Fri July 3 2026
10:
00 - 
16:
00
(Final day 10am until show ends - show 7pm)
For age 9-12
Burn!

Places available

Begins Mon July 6 2026
Ends Thu July 9 2026
10:
00 - 
16:
00
(Final day 10am until show ends - show 7pm)
For age 3-5
Little Stars, Big Stage
Week one

Places available

Begins Mon July 6 2026
Ends Thu July 9 2026
09:
45 - 
11:
45
(Final day 9.45am until show ends - show 12pm)
For age 5-8
StoryFest!
The Dragon That Couldnae Fly

Places available

Begins Mon July 6 2026
Ends Fri July 10 2026
09:
45 - 
15:
45
(Final day 9.45am until show ends - show 4.30pm)
For age 7-10
Summer Panto

Places available

Begins Mon July 6 2026
Ends Sat July 11 2026
10:
00 - 
16:
00
(Final day 10am until show ends - show 1pm)
For age 11-18*
Summer Panto

Places available

Begins Mon July 6 2026
Ends Sat July 11 2026
10:
15 - 
16:
15
(Final day 10am until show ends - show 7pm)
For age 5-8
MusicalFest!
A Brave Adventure

Places available

Begins Mon July 13 2026
Ends Sat July 18 2026
9:
45 - 
15:
45
(Final day 9:45am until show ends - show 1:00pm)
For age 3-5
Little Stars, Big Stage
Week two

Places available

Begins Mon July 13 2026
Ends Thu July 16 2026
09:
45 - 
11:
45
(Final day am until show ends - show 12pm)
For age 9-11
ComedyFest!
Diary of a Paisley Kid

Places available

Begins Mon July 13 2026
Ends Thu July 16 2026
10:
00 - 
16:
00
(Final day 10am until show ends - show 7pm)
includes sleepover!
For age 10-13
Swallows & Amazons

Currently Full (Waitlist Open)

Begins Mon July 13 2026
Ends Sat July 18 2026
10:
00 - 
16:
00
(Show at Lapwing Lodge, Friday 7pm (Event ends Saturday 10am))
For age 12-18*
Junkyard
A musical by Jack Thorne

Places available

Begins Mon July 13 2026
Ends Fri July 17 2026
10:
15 - 
16:
15
(Final day 10.15am until show ends - show 7pm)
For age 5-8
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Jnr.

Places available

Begins Mon July 20 2026
Ends Sat July 25 2026
9:
45 - 
15:
45
(Final day 9:45am until show ends - show 1pm)
For age 3-5
Little Stars, Big Stage
Week three

Places available

Begins Mon July 20 2026
Ends Thu July 23 2026
9:
45 - 
11:
45
(Final day 9.45am until show ends - show 12pm)
Outdoor performance
For age 7-9
StoryFest!
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Places available

Begins Mon July 20 2026
Ends Thu July 23 2026
10:
00 - 
16:
00
(Final day 9.45am until show ends - show 4.30pm)
For age 8-11
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Jnr.

Places available

Begins Mon July 20 2026
Ends Fri July 24 2026
10:
00 - 
16:
00
(Final day 10am until show ends - show 7pm)
For age 12-18*
Comedyfest!
Strictly Come Dying

Places available

Begins Mon July 20 2026
Ends Thu July 23 2026
10:
15 - 
16:
15
(Final day 10:15am until show ends - show 7pm)
For age 11-18
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Jnr.

Places available

Begins Tue July 21 2026
Ends Sat July 25 2026
10:
15 - 
16:
15
(Final day 10:15am until show ends - show 7pm)
For age 7-9
Make Your Own Wizarding Musical

Places available

Begins Mon July 27 2026
Ends Sat August 1 2026
9:
45 - 
15:
45
(Final day 9:45am until show ends - show 1pm)
For age 3-5
Little Stars, Big Stage
Week four

Places available

Begins Mon July 27 2026
Ends Thu July 30 2026
09:
45 - 
11:
45
(Final day 9.45am until show ends - show 12pm)
For age 5-7
GiggleFest

Places available

Begins Mon July 27 2026
Ends Fri July 31 2026
9:
45 - 
15:
45
(Final day 9:45am until show ends - show 1pm)
For age 9-12
ComedyFest!
The Traitors

Currently Full (Waitlist Open)

Begins Mon July 27 2026
Ends Fri July 31 2026
10:
00 - 
16:
00
(Final day 10am until show ends - show 7pm)
For age 14-21
Musical Showcase
Songs of Sondheim

Places available

Begins Mon July 27 2026
Ends Thu July 30 2026
10:
15 - 
16:
15
(Final day 10:15am until show ends - show 7pm)
Outdoor Performance
For age 11-18*
Heritage

Places available

Begins Tue July 28 2026
Ends Sat August 1 2026
10:
15 - 
16:
15
(Final day 10:15am until show ends - show 7pm)
For age 6-8
Moana
Jnr.

Places available

Begins Mon August 3 2026
Ends Sat August 8 2026
9:
45 - 
15:
45
(Final day 9:45am until show ends - show 1pm)
For age 5-7
Moana
Jnr.

Places available

Begins Mon August 3 2026
Ends Fri August 7 2026
9:
45 - 
15:
45
(Final day 9:45am until show ends - show 1pm)
For age 3-5
Little Stars, Big Stage
Week five

Places available

Begins Mon August 3 2026
Ends Thu August 6 2026
9:
45 - 
11:
45
(Final day 9.45am until show ends - show 12pm)
For age 9-12
Moana
Jnr.

Places available

Begins Mon August 3 2026
Ends Sat August 8 2026
10:
00 - 
16:
00
(Final day 10am until show ends - show 7pm)
For age 10-14
ComedyFest!
Lord of the Pies

Places available

Begins Mon August 3 2026
Ends Thu August 6 2026
10:
00 - 
16:
00
(Final day 10am until show ends - show 7pm)
For age 11-18
Moana
Jnr.

Currently Full (Waitlist Open)

Begins Mon August 3 2026
Ends Fri August 7 2026
10:
15 - 
16:
15
(Final day 10am until show ends - show 7pm)
For age 5-8
Storyfest!
Pinocchio

Places available

Begins Mon August 10 2026
Ends Thu August 13 2026
9:
45 - 
15:
45
(Final day 9:45am until show ends - show 1pm)
For age 8-10
High School Musical

Places available

Begins Mon August 10 2026
Ends Sat August 15 2026
10:
00 - 
16:
00
(Final day 10am until show ends - show 1pm)
For age 9-12
Musical Showcase
Misfits

Places available

Begins Mon August 10 2026
Ends Thu August 13 2026
10:
00 - 
16:
00
(Final day 10am until show ends - show 7pm)
For age 12-18*
Antigone

Places available

Begins Mon August 10 2026
Ends Fri August 14 2026
10:
15 - 
16:
15
(Final day 10:15am until show ends - show 7pm)
For age 11+*
High School Musical

Places available

Begins Mon August 10 2026
Ends Sat August 15 2026
10:
15 - 
16:
15
(Final day 10:15am until show ends - show 7pm)

workshop events

Fun-packed, themed one-off workshops

For age 8-11
Grease: Scenes & Routines

Places available

Mon May 25 2026
10:
00 - 
16:
00
For age 5-8
May Fun Day

Places available

Mon May 25 2026
10:
00 - 
16:
00
For age 5-9
End of Summer Fun Day

Places available

Fri August 14 2026
10:
00 - 
16:
00

other workshops

No data was found

social events

for PACE members only

fest!
“..an extremely useful experience that helps to build so many skills that you will use every day of your life. Not only that, you will have such a fun time and meet so many amazing people while doing it.”
Daniel, 17
“Wonderful opportunity to take part in sessions in a safe, fun setting, excellent coaching. My child doesn’t want to spend summer anywhere else!”
Judith (parent)
“Brilliant fun, great way of making new friends. Love being able to improve acting, singing and dancing skills”
Ross, 15
“Fest is an amazing opportunity to push yourself and learn whilst also getting to perform in a wide variety of shows. You learn incredible skills over a short period of time. It is such a fun and worthwhile experience and a great way to spend some of your holidays!”
Amy, 16
“Fest is something I’ve done every summer and easter for almost 10 years, it’s a ton of fun and I’ve made so many good friends because of it, 100% would recommend.”
Lana, 14
“What I love about PACE’s summer program is that it’s a fun and passion filled experience with the chance to sing, dance, act and perform after a week of intense rehearsal, all while spending time with friends and meeting new people. It’s truly one of the best ways to spend summer!”
Rebecca, 16
“I spent some of the best weeks of my teenage years at Fest. Within a week, we created brilliant shows from scratch and made friends for life and it helped my confidence grow.”
Anna, 21

Fest! FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers

At PACE our aim is to offer a unique and varied artistic programme, which offers young people of all ages the chance to participate, learn and perform or in a whole variety of bespoke performing arts experiences during the school holidays. Whatever you are interested in we have something for you – from classic to contemporary texts, devising, physical theatre, comedy, musical theatre and site-specific performances.

All our events promote confidence, self-esteem and self-expression as well as teamwork and collaboration skills. On top of this each individual event focuses on developing different creative skills and you can see some of the varied range of skills that will be covered listed under each event description. The very core of our ethos is about developing each young person and giving them the chance to be part of a fun and creative environment in which they can express themselves and be who they want to be.

So, what are you waiting for? Do something different this year, something you’ve never done before, and be part of Fest!; make new friends, take risks, create incredible performances, learn new skills and make memories to last a lifetime.

We cannot wait for you to join us!

In certain venues tickets may be limited to 2 or 3 per participant.  We will let you know when show tickets are available and how to book.

For those not taking part or who know people taking part in Fest! why not come along and see some of the performances. Tickets for shows are not included in the price of the events. Ticket prices vary and are detailed on each event description. Concessionary tickets are available up to all PACE members, age 21 or under, as well as over 65’s, students, registered disabled, and those receiving means tested benefits.
You can book tickets for all performances at any time during the summer. Shows normally last 30-60 mins. Get yours early to avoid disappointment.

To book tickets call 0345 130 5218 or click www.pacetheatre.com/boxoffice

* booking fees apply to online purchases

If you need to cancel a place on one of our events we will offer a full refund until 48 hours before the event. We cannot guarantee a full refund if you cancel after this time, but if there are extenuating circumstances please contact us to discuss.   

Events have strictly limited capacity so we ask you to let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel, so we can make the place available to someone else.

PACE is a registered charity.

PACE is a self-sufficient, non-profit making company and registered charity so all of our membership charges go towards improving the quality of service we provide to young people.

Member Discounts

Current PACE members with an active subscription can get a 15% discount.  Please make sure you are signed into your account before booking and the discount will be automatically applied.

Concessionary Places

We have a limited number of concessionary places for families receiving certain means-tested benefits, at 50% discount on normal fees. These will be allocated on a first-come first served basis, and each participant is entitled to the following: 

Summer events – up to 2 weeks
Oct/Feb/Easter/May events – up to 1 week

Please call us on 0345 130 5218 before booking.

Please wear casual, comfortable clothes and appropriate footwear to workshops.  Please do not wear non-essential jewellery. Mobiles phones are not permitted to be used during workshops or rehearsals.  Please bring water and a packed lunch for all day events.

Please do not bring expensive clothing or other items to PACE. We cannot accept responsibility for any items lost, stolen or damaged.

Please inform us of any medical condition or special needs when booking. All information will be treated in confidence.

PACE aims to make our workshops as inclusive as possible and will try and make appropriate adjustments for young people with additional needs, within the confines of our resources. If your child has any additional support needs please talk to us about it in advance.

See our access page for more details. 

for ages 3-5

little adventurers

fest!

...perform

A unique opportunity for young children to help create a new story through themed games and fun activities. Four mornings culminate in a performance that includes elements of storytelling, music, poetry.

There are no events for this age group in this strand.

...explore

Fun two hour storytelling and role play workshops

There are no events for this age group in this strand.

Fest! is supported by

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Watch the short film

Get a sense of what it’s like taking part in our Fest! events. Check out our Summer Fest short film from 2011.