A free mini festival of creative community activities for all ages, bringing people together and celebrating Ashington like never before!
Saturday 28 November, 11am to 6pm at Hirst Welfare Centre
This November, we're exploring the past, present and future of Ashington together, with so much to see, do and share. There'll be music and dancing, crafting and creating, and space to creatively explore what our town was, is and could be. See you there!
Hirst Festival is free to enjoy, with no need to book. A free community lunch will be served between 1 and 2pm in the Hirst Welfare Centre café.
Our Hirst Festival Programme includes:
- Building our own cardboard town with Creative Remakery
- Try animation with artist Sheryl Jenkins
- A silent disco, inspired by Ashington's historic Central Arcade Ballroom
- Sensory storytelling with TimbaDash Theatre
- Outdoor illuminations, live music, face painting and much more!
Our Hirst Festival Programme includes:
- Building our own cardboard town with Creative Remakery
- Try animation with artist Sheryl Jenkins
- A silent disco, inspired by Ashington's historic Central Arcade Ballroom
- Sensory storytelling with TimbaDash Theatre
- Outdoor illuminations, live music, face painting and much more!
"A fantastic day of family memories. The staff we so friendly and helpful. Our children haven't stopped smiling!"
Hirst Festival 2025 attendee
Your Hirst Festival FAQs
ARE THERE TIMESLOTS? HOW LONG SHOULD WE STAY FOR?
There's no need to pre-book, and there are no designated time slots. Hirst Festival is designed for our community to be able to drop in, between 11am and 6pm, whenever suits them.
You are very welcome to stay for as long as you like. There's plenty to do, with a mix of active and more peaceful activities, including calmer spaces for attendees to relax together. A free community lunch will be served between 1pm and 2pm.
You are very welcome to stay for as long as you like. There's plenty to do, with a mix of active and more peaceful activities, including calmer spaces for attendees to relax together. A free community lunch will be served between 1pm and 2pm.
how much are tickets?
Attending Hirst Festival is completely free. Bring friends, bring family; the more, the merrier!
what can we expect to see?
The activities will stretch throughout the Hirst Welfare Centre. There will be no set route; you are welcome to explore the different spaces at your own speed.
As you arrive, you will see a colourful outdoor light installation to guide you to the entrance. You will be welcomed by Mortal Fools staff.
In the main hall, there will be arts and crafts activities inspired by the future of Ashington, including an opportunity to try your hand at animation with a professional artist and to contribute to the construction of a brilliant cardboard town. You can also enjoy free face painting and a photobooth.
The small hall will explore Ashington's past, with a silent disco inspired by the town's historic Central Arcade Ballroom - the perfect space to throw some shapes and share some memories!
The community room will provide a calm and sensory environment where you can pause and relax, with sensory storytelling and activities provided by TimbaDash Theatre.
In the café, there will be pop-up performances from local musicians, and refreshments available throughout the day.
As you arrive, you will see a colourful outdoor light installation to guide you to the entrance. You will be welcomed by Mortal Fools staff.
In the main hall, there will be arts and crafts activities inspired by the future of Ashington, including an opportunity to try your hand at animation with a professional artist and to contribute to the construction of a brilliant cardboard town. You can also enjoy free face painting and a photobooth.
The small hall will explore Ashington's past, with a silent disco inspired by the town's historic Central Arcade Ballroom - the perfect space to throw some shapes and share some memories!
The community room will provide a calm and sensory environment where you can pause and relax, with sensory storytelling and activities provided by TimbaDash Theatre.
In the café, there will be pop-up performances from local musicians, and refreshments available throughout the day.
WILL THE EVENT BE ACCESSIBLE?
Hirst Welfare Centre is a fully accessible venue. There is accessible parking, step-free access throughout and accessible bathroom facilities available.
At Mortal Fools, we want everyone to feel welcome at our programmes and performances. We’re committed to making the ways in which we work as accessible and inclusive as possible. You can read more about our approach to ensuring event accessibility here.
At Mortal Fools, we want everyone to feel welcome at our programmes and performances. We’re committed to making the ways in which we work as accessible and inclusive as possible. You can read more about our approach to ensuring event accessibility here.
Send us a message on Facebook or Instagram, or e-mail our team at [email protected].
GET INVOLVED WITH MORTAL FOOLS
Every week, we're co-creating art with our local community. We'd love for you to be a part of it!
