Polka Theatre's BIG DREAMS Early Years Festival Will Return With UK and International Shows

Further details have been announced for the return of Polka Theatre's Early Years Theatre Festival, Big Dreams. The Festival will take place on Saturday 19 – Sunday 20 September 2026, with an exciting programme of engaging UK and international shows, interactive events and free activities for young audiences and their families. 

Building on the success of previous years, Big Dreams 2026 will once again celebrate the very best in Early Years theatre and creativity. Audiences are invited to enjoy an array of imaginative and playful experiences, including a programme of performances specially created for children aged 0–8 years, alongside interactive installations and opportunities to explore and create together.

Shows on Saturday 19 September will be: World Book Day Ambassador, best-selling author and viral social media sensation MC Grammar, bringing high-energy wordplay and music to the stage for 3–7-year-olds; The Tale of the Loneliest Whale, a magical deep-sea adventure celebrating friendship, difference and the beauty of being yourself for ages 4–8; and international work Multicolore, a visually rich and playful puppet show exploring friendship and colour for ages 18 months – 6 years. Across both days of the festival, audiences of all ages will also be able to experience Hopeful Monsters, an all-day free cinema-experience, inviting families to encounter theatre and puppetry in a different way.

Shows on Sunday 20 September will be: Family Rave, a joyful daytime dance event for children and grown-ups together for ages 0–4; Nick Sharratt's Once Upon a Drawalong, an interactive live drawing and storytelling event from the beloved illustrator for ages 3-7; Hurly Burly's After Party, for ages 0-2; and Dancing with Colours from Mind The Gap, for ages 18 months – 6 years. Hopeful Monsters will also continue across the day as part of the festival's free creative activity offer.

Tickets for performances and talks are £13* each, with a multi-buy saving of up to 15% when booking 2 or more events.

On Friday 18 September, Polka will host an Industry Day in celebration of Early Years Theatre. The day will include scratch performances and presentations from participants in Polka Theatre's Artist Development Programme - Catapult - alongside workshops, panel discussions and opportunities for networking with industry peers.

Catapult artists presenting work include Arlo Wilson, Inna Cebotari, Minhee Yeo & Kassna, Little but Fierce, Jeanzia Guan, Izzy Jiang & Yunshu Jiang, and Layla Madanat & Roann Hassani McCloskey.

A workshop led by Chloe Stephens (Page One Theatre), Reward your Inner Child, will invite participants to reconnect with play and expand their approach to creating theatre for early years audiences.