The Spark Arts for Children

Happy Volunteers Week – Thank You to Our Incredible Volunteers!

As we celebrate Volunteers Week, we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported The Spark Festival (16–24 May). So many moments of joy, creativity and connection were made possible — and our volunteers were at the heart of it 💛

From welcoming families to supporting events behind the scenes, you helped bring people together and kept everything running smoothly. That’s the true impact and power of volunteering.

We couldn’t have done it without you and your friendly smiles — we hope you enjoyed being part of the festival as much as we loved having you involved 🎭✨

If you’d like to join us again or get involved in the future, we’d love to hear from you — contact us at [email protected]

Photo Credit: @

Our Vital Spark Relationship Programme artist is touring the Midlands with One Foot in the Dark 🌙

Catch it at on Thursday 15 June.

The work reflects on what’s lost in translation — and what can still be found when we reach across distance, culture and discipline.

👉Find out more and book your tickets here: https://nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/events/one-foot-in-the-dark/

✨ We’d love to know how much joy The Spark Festival 2026 brought you?

Just pick the number that suits you best and drop it in the comments:

1 — a little joy
2 — some smiles 🙂
3 — quite joyful 😊
4 — lots of joy 😄
5 — total joy 🎉

Let’s relive the magic together — tell us your number and tag a friend who shared the festival with you! 💛

Photo Credit: Dean Leivers - Creative Practitioner

It’s the final day of The Spark Festival 2026 — don’t miss it! 🎉

Round off your weekend with a joyful mix of creativity, play and family fun across Leicester.

Start your day with magical morning play sessions at Leicester Gallery (pay what you can) — perfect for little ones to explore, create and enjoy at their own pace.

In the afternoon, take your pick:

✨ Be inspired by the uplifting Sisters 360 at Attenborough Arts Centre

🎬 Relax with a £3 family film at Phoenix Leicester at 11.30am

🚀 Or dive into free activities with Planet Parade trail through National Space Centre

Whether you stay for an hour or make a full day of it, it’s all about easy, flexible fun for you and your family.

A perfect, feel-good finale to an unforgettable festival weekend.

👉 Find out more, book your tickets and plan your day: https://thesparkarts.co.uk/news-item/plan-your-family-weekend/

🎉 Today’s the day!

Kick off your family adventure at CURVE theatre, Leicester with FREE activities from 10:30am at the Family Community Day — drop in, play, and explore at your own pace.

Then turn up the energy with Les-tah to the Front by at 11am or 2pm at CURVE theatre, Leicester expect music, fun and full-on Leicester vibes! 🎶

Why not mix it up?

✨ Get creative with a FREE Paper Movies workshop at Phoenix Leicester
🎬 Or relax with a £3 film

And there’s more…

🚶 Take a stroll over to Pedestrian for a FREE workshop

🎭 Or head to the BRITE Centre Leicester Libraries and Community Centres for the lovely Lilo Lost It performance.

Make a day of it — dip in, explore, and enjoy whatever suits your family! 💛

👉 Plan your perfect family day ready for the start of half term holidays: https://thesparkarts.co.uk/news-item/plan-your-family-weekend/

It’s nearly here.

This weekend you can:

🌟Drop into free activities at
✨See Les-tah to the Front (6+)
🌟Make your own mini film at
✨Catch a £3 cinema screening of Minecraft Phoenix Leicester
🌟Free creative activity at Pedestrian
✨Watch Sisters 360
✨Watch Lilo Lost It Brite Centre at Leicester Libraries and Community Centres
🌟Join a hands-on creativity and sensory exploration session
✨Discover Leicester like never before with Planet Parade

Easy to plan and plenty to choose from.

👉Take a look at all the events here: https://thesparkarts.co.uk/news-item/plan-your-family-weekend/

⚠️ SELLING FAST – Don’t miss out! ⚠️

✨ Lilo Lost It by Move Manchester is almost gone… and families are LOVING it 💛

Step into a joyful, high-energy dance theatre adventure that celebrates identity, difference and being proudly YOU 🌈

With catchy music, lovable characters and plenty of interactive fun, this is the perfect first theatre experience for little ones – and a special moment to share together.

💫 Shows at 11am & 2pm this Saturday
📍 The BRITE Centre, Braunstone Leicester Libraries and Community Centres
⏱️ 30 mins + hands-on workshop after
👶 Ages 3–8 (and their grown ups!)
💷 Just £5 (or £4 with a library card)
🎟️ Tickets are going quickly – book now before they’re gone!

👉 Book your place: https://thesparkarts.co.uk/events/lilo-lost-it/

FREE Arts Activity

Free creative activities at on Saturday 23 May, between 11am and 3.30pm.

Join Pedestrian for a FREE session, to design and create bold, beautiful letters for the festival bunting.

The creations will be part of the stunning decorations at the flagship Back to Books Festival in Cathedral Gardens on Saturday 1st August.

Graffiti and Djing workshops have now sold out!

All welcome. Drop in anytime.

👉Find out more here: https://thesparkarts.co.uk/events/arts-activity-pedestrian/

Looking for something to do with the family this weekend?

Start at for FREE activities, stay for Les-tah to the Front (6+) BY , then pop into for a FREE workshop or £3 Minecraft film.

Simple, flexible, and affordable.

👉Find out more here: https://thesparkarts.co.uk/upcoming-events/