- Across the October half term, East Sussex company Slot Machine Theatre present Your Toys, a puppetry show that takes children’s toys on an adventure
- Interactive shows bring much-loved TV characters and familiar fables to life on stage
- Brighton Dome Comedy Festival offers family-friendly stand up shows and free workshops for older children
- Festive film screenings, showstopping circus and singalongs for all ages take place throughout the Christmas holidays
This autumn, Brighton Dome offers fun, engaging and interactive events for all the family, from immersive stage shows to creative craft workshops and laugh-out-loud comedy. There are performances and workshops from local artists, including Lewes-based company Slot Machine Theatre and Brighton-based artist Laura Halliwell, alongside international circus and beloved children’s characters.
Kicking off the season on 12 September, Brighton Dome Concert Hall hosts the stage version of beloved CBeebies TV show In the Night Garden, suitable for children of all ages. Fan-favourite characters including Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and Makka Pakka will be brought to life with full-size costumes, magical puppets and enchanting music and there will be a very special visit from a flying Pinky Ponk.
Across October half term, Lewes-based company Slot Machine Theatre brings Your Toys to the Studio Theatre for ten performances (28 Oct–1 Nov). A joyful puppetry show for ages 4–9 that explores the power of play, children are invited to bring their own toys from home to become part of an adventure packed with music, belly laughs and plenty of surprises.
Also during half term: returning for its third year, Brighton Dome Comedy Festival offers a range of family-friendly shows and stand up. Comic duo Shelf return to Brighton Dome Studio Theatre with music and sketch comedy in The Kids Show 2 (24 Oct, ages 6+). Swear-free standup showcase Live at Brighton Dome BLEEPED is back in Brighton Dome Corn Exchange on 24 October (ages 11+). And free comedy workshops for young people in partnership with Komedia Productions return to Brighton Dome Anita’s Room (ages 11–16), culminating in The Young Comedians Comedy Showcase at the end of the Festival (19 Sep–25 Oct).
Later in the year, Rabbit & Rey and the Lost Things follows the funny and touching quest of Rey and their fiercely loyal bunny companion to find all the things they’ve ever lost (22 Nov, Studio Theatre). Performed by renowned children’s theatre company Stuff and Nonsense Theatre, the show mixes puppetry, visual storytelling and beautiful twists of the imagination to create an uplifting adventure suitable for ages 3+.
Throughout autumn, Brighton Dome hosts fun community activities for all the family. Interactive Crafty Kids workshops in Anita’s Room (4 Oct, 29–30 Oct) offer opportunities for children aged 3–11 and their grown-ups to get creative together, with all materials provided and the mess tidied up afterwards too! On 7 November, Brighton Dome welcomes African Night Fever’s Family Day Take Part: Brighton’s biggest free celebration of arts, culture and heritage honouring the diaspora communities in the city, with global cuisine, workshops and performances for all ages.
In December, families can immerse themselves in the holiday cheer across a host of festive events for all ages. Over Christmas, a family-friendly spectacular circus reimagining of Swan Lake, Duck Pond by acclaimed Australian company Circa is brought to life through acrobatics, aerials and tongue-in-cheek humour (23–28 Dec, ages 7+). Brighton Dome Concert Hall stages Ceilidh The Musical (14–20 Dec): a joyous, brand-new musical inviting family, friends and children of all ages to step into the heart of one of Scotland’s oldest traditions, building the story together through music and dance. Acclaimed Australian company Circa present Duck Pond: a family-friendly spectacular circus reimagining of Swan Lake, brought to life through acrobatics, aerials and tongue-in-cheek humour (23–28 Dec, ages 7+). Stuff and Nonsense Theatre bring The Adventures of the Little Red Hen to the Corn Exchange: an energetic performance of the much-loved fable, adapted for the stage using puppetry, live music and unforgettable comedy (21–24 Dec, ages 3+). Christmas editions of Crafty Kids workshops take place in Brighton Dome Anita’s Room, with activities including making a snowy scene decoration and creating colourful silhouette shadow lanterns (5–20 Dec, ages 3–11). And the Concert Hall hosts a big-screen showing of classic Christmas film The Snowman, accompanied by a live soundtrack performed by a professional orchestra (19 Dec, ages 3+).
For children who would like to learn an instrument, Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival’s music education service Create Music, lead organisation of the Sussex Music Hub, provides opportunities to attend lessons one-on-one, in schools and online throughout the year. Lessons are offered across a range of instruments, including brass, guitar, piano and more, at schools throughout Sussex. Create Music’s Music Centres also offer opportunities for children to play together in groups, with sessions taking place across the region.
Slavka Jovanovic, Producer at Brighton Dome, said: “We’re incredibly excited about this season’s family programme, which is packed with imagination, adventure and plenty of opportunities to have fun together. From brilliant puppetry and interactive theatre to comedy, circus and hands-on workshops, there’s something to spark every child’s curiosity. We’re especially proud of the mix of local, national and international artists bringing such high-quality, diverse experiences to Brighton Dome, creating magical moments for families throughout autumn and winter.”
For more details visit brightondome.org
