THE BIG FEAST 2026 PHOTO ROUNDUP
The Big Feast is over for another year, and what a time, what an audience, and what a programme we had!
Sign Spinning UK showing people the way.
As ever we welcomed friends, familiar faces and first-timers alike who all came along in their thousands to discover the best outdoor artists from across the UK and enjoy the city in a completely different way. We also welcomed plenty of folk who were simply walking past and stopped to ask: “What’s all this then?” and decided to stay awhile.
Some folk happening upon Tender Exchange on their way through the Potteries Centre …
… and some crossing paths with The Animals on a walkabout.
On Friday the drizzle couldn’t stop the sizzle as the streets of Stoke-on-Trent city centre were packed with people who came together to witness amazing performances. WILD was every bit as jaw-dropping as we expected, as was Drag Queen Story Hour albeit on the ground and with rather more glitter.
Motionhouse getting WILD.
Drag Queen Story Hour slaying the crowd.
The Daisy Belles and Go Grandad, Go! both served up large portions of nostalgia with a side of boogie, giving the shoulder shimmies to everybody in the vicinity … including Team Appetite.
The Daisy Belles giving vintage vibes.
Go Grandad, Go! was moving …
… and so were the crowd.
The team behind Caspian’s Storm didn’t get ‘crabby’ about the weather, and the Calamity Dames kept rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ regardless.
Caspian & co weathering the storm wonderfully.
Calamity Dames giving gingham greatness.
Musicians were wandering the streets in the form of The Stray Horns and The Bicycle Piano and Double Bassicle, and The Animals were also on the prowl.
The Bicycle Piano and Double Bassicle present …
The Stray Horns blew fans of all ages away.
And The Animals couldn’t stop making friends!
… bus station boogaloo!
There were also opportunities to sit and take it all in and get involved: Tender Exchange encouraged passers by to record and contemplate messages from the heart; the Piccadilly Stage offered a full programme of feel-good fun as comedy host Henry Michael officiated; and British Ceramics Biennial led people in a splash of creativity with hands-on clay making for Our Time, Our Place, Our Heritage - a major intergenerational project celebrating the people, skills and stories that have shaped life in Stoke-on-Trent.
Tender Exchange was a moment of reflection.
Piccadilly Stage hosted by comedian Henry Michael …
… featuring local artists like Heidi.
Stokies love getting their hands on clay!
The Big Feast 2026 was full of joy and warmth, silliness and spectacle, and sparks of connection everywhere we looked. And though raindrops fell, spirits remained high as Hanley was filled with people of all ages watching, joining in, discovering things, talking to each other and experiencing some extraordinary work.
While we’re obviously disappointed that the weather meant Saturday couldn’t go ahead as planned, but we’re incredibly proud of what we achieved along with our artists, team, volunteers and partners, and hugely grateful to everyone who came out and made Friday so memorable.
We’ll see you next time, Stoke 😍
We couldn’t do it without our 🤩 team & volunteers …
… access workers like Mo on Audio Description …
… and the wonderful …
… warm …
… sometimes wet …
… but always welcoming people of Stoke-on-Trent.