Do I need to book tickets in advance to attend Unwrapped Festival Eastleigh?

No, the Unwrapped Festival Eastleigh is a free, un-ticketed outdoor community event with open public access.

Where exactly does the Eastleigh festival take place?

The event is hosted at Leigh Road Recreation Ground, situated directly opposite The Point Theatre in Eastleigh town centre.

Are the interactive workshops free?

Yes, all crafts, circus skills training, and interactive bubble play stations are completely free for all festival visitors.

Unwrapped Festival Eastleigh 2026

6 June 2026

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Kick off your summer with a spectacular explosion of outdoor arts, interactive storytelling, and vibrant community creativity as the annual Unwrapped Festival Eastleigh 2026 takes over the heart of the town on Saturday 6 June 2026. Running from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the spacious Leigh Road Recreation Ground, this highly anticipated, completely free community event is delivered by the expert team at The Point Theatre. This year’s event carries extra magic as it celebrates 30 years of The Point championing community culture, bringing world-class street performance, workshops, and immersive surprises directly into public green spaces for all ages.

Quick Summary: Unwrapped Festival Eastleigh

Presented by The Point, Unwrapped Festival Eastleigh is a fully accessible, family-focused outdoor celebration showcasing professional street theater, hand-picked circus acts, and hands-on creative activities.

Spectacular Aerial & Street Theater: Witness breathtaking acts like Autin Dance Theatre’s “Up in the Sky”—a gravity-defying aerial production featuring a local community cast—alongside live performances by Pirates of the Carabina.
Interactive Creative Play: Join in with the sensory multi-sensory bubble play and a bubble disco by Squidge & Pop, laugh along with Juggling Jake’s clowning tricks, or drop into sustainable willow-weaving workshops.
Bustling Artisan & Food Market: Browse rows of independent craft stalls showcasing handmade gifts and bespoke goods, paired with a vibrant lineup of local street food and drink vendors.

Event Schedule and Timings

The festival transforms the park into a live entertainment hub from morning until late afternoon. Keep this official performance and activity timetable in mind to plan your family’s day:

09:45 AM – 10:15 AM: Walkabout Interaction: Squidge & Pop kickoff.
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM: Live Performance: Up in the Sky by Autin Dance Theatre (featuring a local community cast).
10:30 AM – 15:30 (3:30 PM): Live Showcase: Point Classes & Companies Showcase on the Garden Stage.
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Walkabout Theatre: Would You? Could You? (Work in Progress) by Louise Jordan.
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM: Live Performance: Fish Boy by 2Faced Dance.
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM: Immersive Activity: Squidge & Pop Bubble Family Play Station.
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM: Live Performance: Bunch of Clowns by Dare to Diverge.
12:15 PM – 13:00 (1:00 PM): Live Performance: 80’s Party Gameshow – Family Edition! by Dizzy O’Dare.
13:00 (1:00 PM) – 13:30 (1:30 PM): Walkabout Interaction: Squidge & Pop (Second Set).
13:00 (1:00 PM) – 13:30 (1:30 PM): Live Street Show: Chris Welford.
13:00 (1:00 PM) – 13:50 (1:50 PM): Live Performance: Bin Rat by The Last Baguette.
13:30 (1:30 PM) – 14:15 (2:15 PM): Live Performance: Fish Boy by 2Faced Dance (Second Set).
14:15 (2:15 PM) – 14:50 (2:50 PM): Live Performance: Up in the Sky by Autin Dance Theatre (Second Set).
14:50 (2:50 PM) – 15:35 (3:35 PM): Live Performance: 80’s Party Gameshow – Family Edition! by Dizzy O’Dare (Second Set).
15:00 (3:00 PM) – 15:30 (3:30 PM): Walkabout Theatre: Would You? Could You? (Work in Progress) by Louise Jordan (Second Set).
15:35 (3:35 PM) – 16:05 (4:05 PM): Live Performance: Bunch of Clowns by Dare to Diverge (Second Set).
15:35 (3:35 PM) – 16:25 (4:25 PM): Live Performance: Bin Rat by The Last Baguette (Second Set).
16:30 (4:30 PM) – 17:00 (5:00 PM): The Grand Finale: Giant Bubbles Disco by Squidge & Pop on the main lawns.
All Day Attractions: Food Vendors & Market Stalls, Chill Out Zone, Have-a-go circus skills with Chris Welford, and Creating a Tree of Ideas craft activities drop-in with Molly Palmrock.

Featured Performances and Visual Spectacles

This year’s lineup features top-tier national touring acts alongside immersive street theatre companies designed to enchant audiences of all sizes:

Up in the Sky (Autin Dance Theatre): A massive, visual headline exclusive. Centered around a giant 7-metre circular structure, six aerial performers leap, spin, and soar through the air alongside a talented local community cast.
80’s Party Gameshow – Family Edition! (Dizzy O’Dare): Bring your best retro dance moves for a high-energy, neon-soaked interactive family gameshow packed with comedy, nostalgic tracks, and prizes.
Bin Rat (The Last Baguette): A brilliantly funny, fast-paced piece of outdoor physical theatre addressing environmental themes through witty storytelling and colorful characters.

Have-a-Go Workshops and Interactive Zones

Beyond watching the professional stages, visitors can roll up their sleeves and get fully involved in hands-on creativity throughout the day:

Creating a Tree of Ideas: Join local artist Molly Palmrock for an all-ages drop-in crafting experience. Help build a collaborative community installation on the recreation grounds using sustainable materials.
Circus Skills Hub: Meet street performer Chris Welford for a fantastic variety of interactive circus skills workshops, drop-in plate spinning, juggling, and up-close magic lessons running all afternoon.
Multi-Sensory Bubble Play: Run by festival favorites Squidge & Pop, this space features light-up play stations, giant bubble tricks, and immersive environments before wrapping up the day with the legendary open-air bubble disco.

How to Get to Leigh Road Recreation Ground

The main festival area is hosted at Leigh Road Recreation Ground, Leigh Road, Eastleigh, SO50 9FH.

By Train: The park is incredibly easy to reach by rail, located less than a 5-minute walk from Eastleigh Railway Station. Simply exit the station, walk past the front of The Point Theatre, and cross the road into the main park gates.
By Bus: Eastleigh bus station is directly adjacent to the train station, offering rapid, direct connections via major local Bluestar lines running between Southampton, Winchester, and Chandler’s Ford.
By Bicycle: The park features wide tarmac pathways and designated cycle racks near the main pavilion and play areas, making cycling a highly convenient way to travel.

Where to Park

While there is no public vehicle parking directly on the grass at Leigh Road Recreation Ground itself, town center car parks are located immediately around the perimeter of the park:

The Swan Centre Car Park: A massive multi-storey car park located directly across the street from the park, offering affordable hourly rates and direct pedestrian access lanes.
Mitchell Road & Romsey Road Car Parks: Alternative council-operated pay-and-display open car parks situated within a 2-to-4-minute flat walk of the festival grounds.

Local Tip: Because all the main performances take place outdoors on the open lawns, make sure to bring along your own folding camping chairs, picnic blankets, and plenty of sunscreen to keep the family comfortable for a full day of arts!

Explore More Local Arts & Events

Want to catch some great live music while you are out celebrating the weekend? Check out our complete visitor guide to Let’s Rock Southampton 2026 taking place nearby on the very same day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to book tickets in advance to attend Unwrapped Festival Eastleigh?: No, the festival is completely free and un-ticketed. Families and visitors can simply walk onto the Leigh Road Recreation Ground at any point throughout the day to enjoy the shows and workshops.
What happens if it rains on the day of the festival?: As an outdoor arts festival, the performances are scheduled to take place rain or shine. In the case of severe weather conditions, updates regarding safety or schedule changes will be posted by The Point Theatre’s digital channels.
Are the workshops and circus skills drop-ins free to take part in?: Yes, all interactive activities—including Molly Palmrock’s craft drop-in, Chris Welford’s circus skills hub, and the Squidge & Pop bubble play station—are completely free for all attendees.
Is the festival ground accessible for wheelchair users?: Yes, Leigh Road Recreation Ground features flat, wide tarmac pathways running through the park, making the outdoor stages and festival zones easily accessible for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and strollers.
Can I bring my dog to the festival?: Yes, well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome within the public park areas, though visitors are advised to be mindful of crowded performance spaces and loud audio setups.