Keep the weekend’s celebrations going as the high-energy outdoor arts celebration shifts locations to bring a spectacular explosion of street theatre, interactive storytelling, and community creativity to the annual Unwrapped Festival Hedge End 2026 on Sunday 7 June 2026. Running from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the beautiful Greta Park, this completely free family funday is delivered by the expert team at The Point Theatre. Serving as a core highlight of the borough’s summer calendar, the festival turns Hedge End’s public green spaces into a welcoming open-air entertainment arena filled with professional performances and hands-on activities for all ages.
Event Schedule and Timings
The celebrations move seamlessly into Hedge End on Sunday, keeping the exact same high-energy performance lineup and workshop timetable. Plan your family’s route around these scheduled highlights:
- 09:45 AM – 10:15 AM: Walkabout Interaction: Squidge & Pop festival kickoff.
- 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM: Live Performance: Up in the Sky by Autin Dance Theatre (featuring a talented regional community cast).
- 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 park lawns.
- All Day Attractions: Local 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 Family Activities
Greta Park will transform into a multi-zone arena where families can watch world-class touring spectacles or participate in continuous creative activities:
- Visual Masterpieces: Marvel at Autin Dance Theatre’s Up in the Sky, a breathtaking aerial acrobatics routine performed on a giant 7-metre structure. Don’t miss Dizzy O’Dare’s high-octane 80’s Party Gameshow for interactive, neon-infused family fun!
- Hands-On Creative Crafting: Join local artist Molly Palmrock’s drop-in station to help craft the Tree of Ideas using eco-friendly materials, or head over to the Have-a-Go Circus Skills zone with Chris Welford to learn juggling, plate-spinning, and trick routines.
- Chill Out Zone & Markets: When the kids need a breather from the bubble discos and street theater, relax in the dedicated Chill Out Zone or explore the diverse rows of independent market stalls and local food trucks.
How to Get to Greta Park
The festival is located at Greta Park, Upper Northam Road, Hedge End, SO30 4DY.
- By Car: Greta Park sits right in the heart of Hedge End village, easily accessible via Junction 7 of the M27.
- By Bus: The park is highly accessible via public transport. Frequent local bus links connecting Southampton city center, Eastleigh, and West End stop a short walk away from the park gates.
- By Train: Hedge End Railway Station is a short drive or bus link away from the park grounds. Trains run frequently on Sundays connecting to Southampton Central and Portsmouth.
Where to Park
To ensure a stress-free arrival and protect neighborhood access, drivers should follow the town council’s public event parking guidance:
- Free Village Center Car Park: Public visitor parking is available at the large, free village center car park located at the former Budgens supermarket site (SO30 4DY), which sits directly adjacent to Greta Park with access via Wildern Lane.
- Avoid On-Street Parking: To minimize disruption for local residents, please avoid parking on nearby residential side streets. Strict parking enforcement is actively in place along St John’s Road and Bursledon Road.
Explore More Local Arts & Events
Want to pair your family festival outing with an incredible evening of live pop hits? Check out our complete visitor guide to McFly Southampton 2026 to find stage times, travel info, and ticket details for the massive stadium concert happening later that night.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to buy tickets in advance to attend Unwrapped Festival Hedge End?
- No, the festival is completely free and open to the public. No pre-booking or digital entry tickets are required; families can simply drop in at any point between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to enjoy the entertainment.
- Where is the best place to park near Greta Park?
- Free public visitor parking is available at the large village center car park located at the former Budgens supermarket site, which sits right next to the park with direct pedestrian links via Wildern Lane. Visitors are advised to avoid parking on residential side streets to minimize local disruption.
- Are the craft workshops and circus skills drop-ins free to participate in?
- Yes, absolutely! All interactive festival features—including Molly Palmrock’s craft drop-in, Chris Welford’s circus skills hub, and the Squidge & Pop bubble play station—are completely free of charge for all children and families.
- Is the festival accessible for strollers and wheelchair users?
- Yes, Greta Park features accessible pathways and level open green spaces, making it highly accommodating for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and pushchairs.
- Can we bring our own picnic and chairs to the park?
- Yes, bringing along your own picnic blankets, folding camping chairs, and food is highly encouraged to keep the family comfortable. There will also be an excellent selection of local food trucks and drink vendors operating all day if you prefer to purchase lunch on-site.
