Winchester Hat Fair 2010

Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th July 2010
Central Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8SB, England MAP
FREE

Last updated: Fri 18th Jun 2010

One of Britain's oldest street festivals returns with the Winchester Hat Fair. A crazy, colourful celebration of theatre and music, now in its 35th year, where entertainers perform voluntarily in exchange for money to be thrown into their hats. Supported by local businesses, colleges and organisations, this FREE festival takes place in the city centre.

Line-up

The Pitts, Pete Sweet, The English Gents and many more circle acts.

Over the weekend there will be interactive Installations around the town, Cathedral Green, The Great Hall courtyard and Close including, Little Lupin, Once Arts' Picnic, BOSI's 'Squirt or Shirt' and Akedemi's new show, 'TBC' to name but a few. Plus Motionhouse and Urban Playground's new shows, and the Wired Aerial Theatre plus Winchester favourites 'Skate Naked' and 'Stickleback Plasticus'. The Hat Fair is also working with their French Festival partners in the 'ZEPA network' to present 'Les Trois Points de Suspension', 'Acid Kostik' and 'VO Compagnie'. Over the weekend there well also be many other festival treats and surprises.

In addition, the programme includes innovative community and education projects including Inside Out Day on Thursday, culminating in a procession through the city, where local school children 'knock on the doors' of civic buildings, asking senior representatives of the City to ask any questions they wish.

Friday is traditionally the unofficial 'Festival Warm up Day' and Schools Day, with a colourful procession of over 1000 children in costume with music and dance, culminating in outdoor theatre, circus and craft workshops in the grounds of the cathedral.

Over the weekend there will be some wonderful and interactive Installations around the town, walkabout acts, shows, and more.