Description
This festival in Kent is celebrating its tenth birthday. Don't miss the many events - dance, games, workshops, a sensory garden, baby zone, live music at its Global Sounds stage, The ‘Dodecalis’ Luminarium, the Gorilla Circus, drop-in mini sport and dance sessions, The FutureProof Zone and so much more. Outdoor theatre acts, drop-in workshops, theatrical displays and interactive activities. These two days of festival fun utilising the University of Kent grounds and venues. The bOing! Family Festival is one to put in your diary, we've rounded up the free events here.
Ticketed events include in.difference where five players make dream worlds, tailored to their disabilities and differences. The University of Kent presents Cool Science exploring how the extreme cold affects gases, liquids and solid materials - volunteers will be needed! Learn hip hop and contemporary dance with the In Clouds Dance Workshop, and to code with the Minecraft Coding Workshop. Build smart robots with the Lego Robotics Workshop, and join Studio Spranks for a Typography Workshop. At the Hobbyhorse Circus see the ring master perform acrobatics, juggling and balancing with an amazing cast of hobby horses. Plus Sticky Dance sessions where you can tape, stick and groove, to see and feel sound or to be still, watch and listen.
Also, full of visual poetry, live music and movement there is the Univers show, Brootworks Theatre production of Ten explore the age - halfway to becoming an adult. It’s an opportune age to remember the past, imagine the future, and take stock of what’s happening now.
Price
Free and ticketed events
in.difference: £6
Cool Science: £4
In Clouds Dance Workshop: £4
Minecraft Coding Workshop: £4
Lego Robotics Workshop: £4
Studio Spranks for a Typography Workshop: £4
Hobbyhorse Circus: £6
Sticky Dance sessions: £6
Univers: £6
LuminiMax – Luminarium: £5
Ten: £6
Carers: Free.
Runtime
24th and 25th August 2024
in.difference: 12.30pm - 1 hour
Cool Science: 10.15am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm - 45 minutes
In Clouds Dance Workshop: 1pm - 1 hour
Minecraft Coding Workshop: 10.30am and 2pm
Studio Spranks for a Typography Workshop: 10.45am, 12.45pm and 3.30pm - 45 minutes
Hobbyhorse Circus: 10.30am and 2.30pm - 40 minutes
Sticky Dance Neurotypical Session: 10am - 1 hour
Sticky Dance - Neurodivergent Session: 2pm - 1 hour
Univers: 10.15am and 11.45am - 40 minutes
LuminiMax – Luminarium: 10am-5pm
Ten: 3.45pm - 55 minutes
Bus
Stop if 5 minutes from the festival site - stagecoachbus.com/eastkent for routes.
Train
Canterbury West station - 20 minutes.
Parking
Parking is free across the whole University campus for bOing! and drivers will be directed to Giles Lane car park using direction signs, if this is full other car parks will be signed.
Accessibility
Blue Badge drivers will be directed to the Central Visitor Car Park. Along with many free outdoor shows and performances, there are some events curated especially for those with access requirements.
Dogs
Welcome, but at ticketed events or the Gulbenkian Café, only guide dogs are allowed.
Additional Notes
Cashless event card payments at ticket office and catering facilities. A limited number of baby-on-lap tickets are available per show or screening and are available to buy from the Ticket & Information Office or in person.
Age Guidance
in.difference: 7 to 11 years, Cool Science: 6 years +, In Clouds Dance Workshop: 6 years +, Minecraft Coding Workshop: 7 years +, Lego Robotics Workshop: 5 years +, Studio Spranks for a Typography Workshop: 5 years +, Hobbyhorse Circus: 4 years +, Sticky Dance Neurodivergent Session: 3 to 7 years, Sticky Dance Neurotypical Session: 3 to 5 years, Univers: up to 2 years, and Ten: 9 years +.
For more festivals in Kent see our blog.
Picture Credit: Gulbenkian, University Of Kent.