WILD by Motionhouse
Appetite Presents
THE BIG FEAST 2026
Fri 28 & Sat 29 August
WHAT’S ON
As always, we’ve worked with our community decision makers to cook up something special with a healthy serving of brand-new acts you’ve never seen before, but that we know you’ll love. Whether you love exceptional spectacle in physical theatre, circus and dance, like to cheer on emerging young creatives, or are simply looking for some free family fun, The Big Feast 2026 is where you need to be on August bank holiday weekend.
Take a look below to find out what’s on FRIDAY and SATURDAY, and which performances are part of the SENSASIAN zone happening on Saturday at Smithfield.
COMING SOON: Every artist will have a profile page with full details of each performance. Click on their tile see which ones are live right now. We’ll also be uploading Piccadilly Stage listings and other things to do shortly.
A-Z
ACCELERATE
SATURDAY
Aerial & conveyor belt performance exploring climate change.
CALAMITY DAMES
FRIDAY
Buckle up for these horse-ridin’, gun-slingin’, whip-crackin’ gals calling the shots. Yeehah!
CASPIAN’S STORM
FRIDAY & SATURDAY
Quirky, fast-paced, musical about a tiny crab goes on a BIG adventure!
BHARATANATYAM
SENSASIAN
Storytelling through this traditional dance performance with stunning costumes.
DEARLY BEHEADED
SATURDAY
What happens when you fall in love and lose your head?
DHAMAKA
SENSASIAN
Powerful and explosive tabla ensemble that will leave you energised.
DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR
FRIDAY
Where stories come to life!
GO GRANDAD, GO!
FRIDAY & SATURDAY
Hip-Hop theatre dance show telling a family love story.
RO-TES-រទេះ
SATURDAY
A celebration of where we come from, how we move through the world, and who we travel with.
ROOTS TO RISE
SENSASIAN
Dance journey of three women as they reconnect with ancestral wisdom and celebrate the future.
SIGN SPINNING
FRIDAY & SATURDAY
If you find yourself wondering where to go next, ask a Sign Spinner.
SOMETHING OUTTA NOTHING
SATURDAY
Playful theatre adventure combining Breakin’ with immersive audio storytelling.
TENDER EXCHANGE
FRIDAY & SATURDAY
A living folk experience inviting you to pause and share what’s in your heart.
THE ANIMALS
FRIDAY & SATURDAY
A moving, musical menagerie of charming patchwork animals.
THE BICYCLE PIANO & DOUBLE BASSICLE
FRIDAY & SATURDAY
A magnificent dance on wheels from a musical clown duo.
STORYTELLING WITH PETER CHAND
SATURDAY & SENSASIAN
Globe-trotting traditional tales from a Master Storyteller.
THE DAISY BELLES
FRIDAY
Female three-part harmony group singing songs with a vintage twist.
THE ELEPHANT & THE DRUMMER
SATURDAY & SENSASIAN
Three larger-than-life characters bursting with colour, live music, energy and joy.
THE INFLATABLE, REMOTE-CONTROLLED BLINDFOLD OBSTACLE CHALLENGE GAME
FRIDAY & SATURDAY
Absurd, inflatable obstacle race for all ages and degrees of silliness.
THE STRAY HORNS
FRIDAY
Wind-powered. Crowd-approved.
WILD
FRIDAY
Gravity-defying dance-circus exploring our relationship with the natural world.
ACTIVITIES
BREAKIN’ WORKSHOP
SATURDAY | 13:30 - 14:15
Albion Square (8)
Age 6+ | Drop in | Free
Breakin’ Foundations Workshop with O’Driscoll Collective is an opportunity for young people and families to learn the key fundamentals of breakin’ (specifically bboying and bgirling) and other hip hop styles whilst having fun. A great way to explore creativity through movement.
INDIAN WOOD BLOCK PRINTING
SENSASIAN | 11:00, 13:00 & 15:00 | 1hr
Sensasian Zone at Smithfield - Inside
Age 5+ | Bookable & walk up | Free
Create your own cotton tote bag at this fun Indian block printing session.
*Capacity is limited and will be bookable in advance (link coming soon). However a few places will also be reserved for walk-ups at each workshop - just ask when you’re there!
FOOD FOR ALL
SENSASIAN | 12:00 - 14:00
Sensasian Zone at Smithfield
For everybody | Drop in | Free
Food for All is a volunteer-led initiative from the IKCSON Stoke Hare Krishna Centre, providing freshly prepared vegetarian meals for all.
Food will be served from 12 to 2pm - or until it runs out!
PUPPET MAKING WORKSHOP
SENSASIAN | 12:00 - 15:00
Sensasian Zone at Smithfield
For everybody | Drop in | Free
Did you fall in love with Elnaz the elephant who longs to dance in The Elephant and The Drummer? Then join in making your own lollipop stick version of her to take home and dance with as much as you like!
HENNA BY CHERRIE
SENSASIAN | 12:00 - 17:00
Sensasian Zone at Smithfield
For everybody | Drop in | Free
Get a gorgeous hand-drawn natural temporary henna tattoo.
We expect this to be a popular activity so queues are likely.
BOLLYWOOD AND BHANGRA DANCE WORKSHOP
SENSASIAN | 14:30 & 15:30 | 20 mins
Sensasian Zone at Smithfield
For everybody | Drop in | Free
Bollywood fun and energetic moves of Bhangra with Harji and Indian Fusion.
ROOTS TO RISE DANCE WORKSHOP
SENSASIAN | 15:45 | 45 mins
Sensasian Zone at Smithfield
For everybody | Drop in | Free
Discover how dance can encourage you to connect, create, and bloom!
Open to all ages and abilities, and you are welcome to participate at your own pace.