24/07/2026
*** FROM SOARING AERIAL DANCE TO THE EVER-POPULAR COMMUNITY CARNIVAL: SIX SIRF HIGHLIGHTS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS! ***
🎭 SIRF 26 is almost here – and here’s SIX of the highlights you don’t want to miss when the world-renowned festival returns to Stockton on Friday 31 July 👇
PARTY IN THE PARK!
Friday 31 July, 5pm – Waterfront urban park
SIRF 26 kicks off on the Friday night with a big musical party in the park! UK festival favourites Cable Street Collective, a London-based band, will deliver a dynamic live performance, blending African-inspired rhythms, soulful vocals, powerful horn lines and sharp pop melodies. Audiences can also enjoy performances on the amphitheatre stage from Teesside’s very own rock ‘n rollers Marketplace Band and The Turbans, another London-based international musical collective who have built a reputation for their electrifying live performances at festivals and venues across the UK and beyond.
KAT EATON
Saturday 1 August, 2.45pm Waterfront amphitheatre
Kat Eaton is one of the UK's most captivating contemporary soul singers. Blending soul, R&B, blues, gospel and jazz influences, the Welsh-born, Sheffield-raised artist has built a reputation for powerful vocals, honest songwriting and spellbinding live performances.
MIRAGE (A DAY OF CELEBRATION) - COMPAGNIE DYPTIK
Saturday 1 August, 6pm & 9.30pm, Sunday 2 August, 5.45pm & 8.45pm – Town Hall & Fountain area
A high-energy, immersive dance performance where the audience surrounds the action. Eight dancers bring together hip-hop and traditional dance in a powerful, rhythmic celebration of community, resilience and hope.
A SIMPLE SPACE – GRAVITY & OTHER MYTHS
Sunday 2 August, 5pm & 8.45pm – Oval Lawn
A raw, up-close circus experience full of strength, agility and playful competition. With nothing but their bodies, a few props and live percussion, the performers push themselves to the limit in front of your eyes. Fast, funny and full of jaw-dropping moments!
COMMUNITY CARNIVAL – OUR PLACE - WHERE THE RIVER CARRIES US
Sunday 2 August, 2pm – Riverside, Waterfront & Stockton High Street
The SIRF Community Carnival returns with more than 800 local participants, artists and musicians who will showcase their marvellous creations as they parade down the riverside, through the urban park and up Stockton High Street in a flood of sound and colour. This year the always colourful carnival will celebrate A living story of Stockton-on-Tees — past, present, and future flowing together.
SIRF FINALE – EUFORIA, BY SACUDE
Sunday 2 August, 9.45pm – Riverside
Make sure not to miss Sunday's spectacular finale show, when Catalonian company Sacude, working with local volunteer performers, perform their thrilling aerial dance show high above the ground on a suspended platform. Enjoy an uplifting, feel-good spectacle that invites you to let go, join the moment and feel the rush. In true SIRF style the finale will then finish with a bang with a flurry of fireworks!
👉 Browse the full SIRF 26 programme to discover shows, explore locations and plan your festival at www.SIRF.co.uk
