Theatre Hullabaloo, the children’s arts charity based on Borough Road in Darlington, is gearing up to bring a spectacular two-week, outdoor family festival to Darlington’s South Park this July.

Hullabaloo in the Park, supported by Arts Council England, Creative Darlington and the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, will run 12-25 July and feature live children’s theatre, messy play, storytelling, dance, trails and much more. The event will be a mix of free and paid for events that are perfect for 0-10 year-olds and their families.

Babies can enjoy a live theatre show that has been specially created for them as Theatr Iolo present Baby, Bird & Bee. Watch as the new gardener playfully goes about his work and is delighted to be joined by a bird, a bee, and course, the babies! Together you will discover the sights and sounds of this wonderful outdoor space, as your little one delights in the wonders around them.

HurlyBurly return to Darlington with their brand-new show, The Bug Hotel, an interactive experience perfect for 0-2s. Escape our world and enter an intriguing tent full of colours, sounds and imaginative creatures to join the insects on their summer holidays.

Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books will be joining us for some fun and interactive free storytelling sessions throughout the festival and Chalk are also bringing fun-packed craft, dance and music sessions in the shape of an Ugly Bug Ball and Let’s Fly for families to enjoy.

Miranda Thain, CEO & Artistic Producer at Theatre Hullabaloo said: “We are so excited  to be bringing Hullabaloo in the Park to South Park, Darlington this July after a long period of closure at The Hullabaloo. We are grateful to our funders for supporting this event for children and families in Darlington and across the wider Tees Valley region.

“Whilst some restrictions are still in place, we want you to book with confidence as all events are pre-booked and e-ticketed, with small capacities and one-way systems in place around event areas. There is a fantastic programme of free and paid-for events happening throughout the two weeks and we hope many families can come along and enjoy some brilliant experiences together.”

All visitors must follow national Covid-19 guidelines whilst visiting the town and can reduce the risk to others by taking regular rapid tests.

Free kits of 14 rapid tests can be booked for collection through the Council’s community testing scheme, including at the following town centre sites; The Dolphin Centre and Darlington Hippodrome. To book a kit for collection, visit www.darlington.gov.uk/testing.

The Hullabaloo on Borough Road reopens on 2 August with storytelling and Build your own Fairy Tale drama workshops throughout August.

For more information on The Hullabaloo and Hullabaloo in the Park please visit theatrehullabaloo.org.uk