Ventnor Exchange are happy to announce the return of the Isle of Wight Children’s Festival this Easter holiday on Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd April, with a new expanded programme based around Newport Town Centre.

The festival, which began in 2018 had a hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions, but is coming back with a bang to bring joy to Isle of Wight families and visitors – encouraging creativity and inspiring young minds.

The festival is spreading out to create a ‘fringe’ atmosphere, so families can pick and choose which events they’d like to go to.

Venues include Apollo Theatre, St Thomas’s Square, Independent Arts Creative Hub, IW Youth Trust, Waterstones and the Museum of Island History, plus many other businesses in the town.

The festival is supported by Newport’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HAZ).

HAZ is a Historic England scheme working to boost economic growth using the historic environment as a starting point. The event is part of a wider project working with many Newport-based partners working collectively towards breathing new life into Newport Town Centre.

Apollo Theatre will host two ticketed puppetry shows: Lyngo Theatre’s Puss in Boots and Indigo Moon Theatre’s shadow puppetry Mermarella – a Cinderella story of the Sea both suitable for ages 4+.

There will also be a free outdoor show in St Thomas’ Square – The Lost Colour, performed entirely on top of the Puppet Van.

Many of the events are free and do not require booking in advance, including the art and performance workshops featuring artists Adam Gaterell, Teresa Grimaldi, Studio Wren and Vanessa Warry Dance.

After a hugely successful event in February, the Isle of Wight Story Festival will also be bringing storytelling to Waterstones, from local authors Neal Layton and Jules Marriner, as well as professional storyteller Sue Bailey (But That’s Another Story).

Check out the full list of what’s coming up at the Isle of Wight Children’s Festival on Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd April 2022 on the Ventnor Exchange Website.

More will be added in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out.

Book Tickets for theatre shows via the Ventnor Exchange Website, call (01983) 716 767, or book in person at Ventnor Exchange, 11 Church Street, Ventnor PO38 1SW.

If you are a Newport business and would like to be involved with the IW Children’s Festival Ventnor Exchange are happy to hear from you.

Please email [email protected]

The excellent illustration for the posters, which you’ll start to see around the Island (see below) were created by Isle of Wight illustration, Katie Stone.