A.B.C. of World Music! Steel Pans with Fareed Siddiqui 

Learn to play musical percussive instruments from Africa, Brazil and the Caribbean. Learn how the differing art forms originated and the cultural and historical significance of each genre. To conclude with a piece of music performed by you, the participants! 

African Dance & Drumming 

Experience the exhilarating vibrations of African drums. The sizzling beats combine with the essential components of stamp, sliding dance footsteps of movement. Learn the history of these sounds and how they were used as warning sirens, songs and stories to bring alive their history in village life and traditional ceremonies within the community. 

Arabic Calligraphy 

Immerse yourself in the beautiful and intricate world of Arabic Calligraphy! In this hands-on workshop, you'll use traditional bamboo pens and hand-mixed inks to learn the elegant strokes of Arabic Nastaliq script. Discover the fascinating history behind this ancient art form and experience the meditative process of creating your own calligraphic masterpieces. Perfect for beginners and those looking to deepen their appreciation of this timeless craft. 

Beatboxing 

Learn the art of beatboxing with expert artists who will coach you to explore this fun and fascinating skill to explore percussion. This beatboxing workshop explores rhythm, introducing participants to new ways of making sounds and music, individually and in teams. 

Bhangra Beats 

Get your heart pumping and your feet moving with this high-energy Bhangra dance workshop! Blending the powerful, celebratory moves of traditional North Indian folk dance with a fresh, modern twist, this session is all about rhythm, joy, and full-body fun—no experience needed, just bring your energy! 

Chinese Arts 

Experience a panoply of Chinese Arts in this workshop which explores games, dancing and puppetry with a 34ft Chinese dragon! Learn how to use the dragon puppet and try dance routines inspired by Kung Fu and traditional styles. 

Clowning Around 

Step into the spotlight and discover the joy of clowning in this high-energy, laughter-filled workshop! Through games, improv. and playful exercises, you’ll explore what it means to connect with an audience—not by performing for them, but by playing with them. Uncover your inner clown, embrace the fun of failure, and build the courage, honesty, and resilience that every great performer needs. Come ready to take risks, make mistakes, and most importantly—have a ridiculous amount of fun! 

Dance with Boy Blue! 

Join the UK’s most celebrated hip-hop dance theatre company, Boy Blue, for an unforgettable workshop experience at Festival on the Close. This special all-day route will consist of three high-energy workshops. Participants will learn the foundations of Boy Blue’s powerful movement style—rooted in hip hop, shaped by storytelling, and accessible to all levels. Led by professional artists from the company, you’ll explore rhythm, expression, and the dynamic choreography that has captivated audiences from the Barbican to the Olympics. The journey ends with a short flashmob performance at the festival after the workshops, giving everyone the chance to perform as part of the Boy Blue movement. No experience needed—just passion, energy, and curiosity to try something new! 

Digital Theatre Workshop: Creating One-Shot-Live-Films 

Step into the future of performance with this dynamic, hands-on workshop led by multi-award-winning digital theatre creator Stephen Smith (Threedumb Theatre). Learn how to craft bold, cinematic storytelling in real-time using the one-shot-live-film technique – a groundbreaking fusion of theatre and film where everything is captured in a single, continuous take. 

This workshop explores how to rehearse, stage, and perform with precision and spontaneity, embracing the creative limitations of the form to unlock its raw, immediate power. Perfect for actors, directors, and theatre-makers looking to expand their toolkit, this session offers practical insight into staging, camera movement, and liveness. Whether you're curious about digital performance or ready to take your screen work to the next level, this is your chance to experiment, collaborate, and discover the thrilling potential of live, uncut storytelling. 

Football Freestyle 

Take your football skills to the next level in this focused freestyle workshop. Learn control, balance, and tricks with the ball, from basic footwork to advanced techniques. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, this session will help you improve your ball skills and express your creativity through the game. 

From Fireballs to Frostbite: The Chemistry You Never Knew You Loved 

Join us for a fascinating lecture exploring the history and Chemistry of explosives, from the discovery of gunpowder in 9th-century China to modern research and development. Learn how surface area can dramatically and unexpectedly affect the flammability of materials, before diving into the world of very cold Chemistry at -196°C with liquid nitrogen. The lecture will conclude with live demonstrations, including freezing everyday objects and making ice cream using liquid nitrogen — an event not to be missed! 

Fun Summer Sports 

Join us for a fun-filled workshop featuring a mix of classic and unexpected outdoor games. From friendly races to engaging challenges, this session is all about enjoying the thrill of movement and team spirit. Whether you're looking to stay active or just have fun, it's a great way to embrace the energy of summer and try something new! 

Get Playful with Parkour! 

Always wanted to try parkour? Join this creative workshop using set and movement inspired by free running with Ascension Dance. Led by Qualified Parkour coaches using the Ascension bespoke set, participants will experience the joy of movement in these short, high-energy sessions. 

Grill & Think: A relaxing Barbecue 

Join us for a relaxed and engaging afternoon around the grill! In this hands-on workshop, students will learn the basics of grilling meat under the expert guidance of Mr Bayly. Together, we’ll prepare one large cut of meat for everyone to sample, accompanied by simple, delicious side dishes that participants will help cook as well. 

But this isn’t just about food, it’s also food for thought. While cooking together, we’ll open up a casual, thoughtful discussion about traditional gender roles, especially around food preparation and domestic tasks. Why is it often men who take charge of the grill but not the kitchen sink? Why do certain roles still fall along outdated lines, and how can we challenge that in everyday life? Led by Caroline Schmitz-Valckenberg (Head of House, Griffin) with support from Celeste Oki-Wood (DEIB Levee). 

Health & Well-being – Strategies for Managing Stress and Anxiety 

We can all get a little stressed during exam season, so come and experience a little tranquility in this workshop, designed to provide practical guidance for students to manage stress, anxiety, and feelings of being overwhelmed. You will learn about guided breathwork and EFT tapping, techniques you can take away and put into practice to restore calm and balance. 

Henna-Inspired Art & Papier-Mâché 

Explore pattern, culture, and creativity in this hands-on art workshop. Start by tracing your own hands or feet, then fill them with intricate, henna-style designs using permanent pens. With cultural music and visual inspiration to guide you, you’ll bring your patterns to life with colour and expression. The session may also include a chance to explore simple papier-mâché techniques—perfect for adding texture and dimension to your creations. No experience needed—just imagination and a steady hand! 

Hidden Powers – Angus Baskerville Magic 

What if your greatest challenge became your superpower? In Hidden Powers, Warwickshire magician Angus Baskerville returns to Festival on the Close with a brand-new show full of magic, humour, and heart. After a breakthrough performance last year, Angus—an award-winning, autistic performer—blends mind-reading, illusions, and personal storytelling in a show that celebrates neurodiversity and the hidden strengths within us all. Expect non-existent playing cards, SpongeBob SquarePants, audience participation, and even a little bit of time travel (sort of!). 

Latin Rhythms: Salsa & Merengue 

Join us for a vibrant journey into the world of Latin dance! In this workshop, you'll learn the infectious rhythms and moves of Salsa and Merengue, two of the most exciting Latin dance styles. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this fun and energetic session will have you moving to the beat in no time! Perfect for anyone ready to embrace the spirit of Latin music and dance. 

Magic Workshop with Angus Baskerville 

Learn magic with a professional magician and mind reader featured recently on ITV News & Autism’s Got Talent! In this workshop, Angus will share his secrets and teach magic tricks that will captivate your friends and family; come and learn magic and it may just change your life in ways you would not have imagined! 

Maypole and Morris Dancing 

Maypole, Morris Dancing, and games. Learn intricate moves and dancing with our full-sized maypole. Learning folkloric English Morris dancing with the use of bells, sticks and scarfs for the ultimate traditional experience. 

Microbial Art Workshop 

Have you ever seen art created in a petri dish using living, growing microorganisms? That's agar art! Creators use either naturally colorful microbes, like the red bacteria Serratia marcescens, or genetically modified microbes to create weird and wonderful petri dish paintings! 

Mini Matchbox Art 

Get creative on a tiny scale! Join professional illustrator Jessica Hartshorn (Jessi Illustrates) to design and paint your own miniature masterpiece inside a matchbox. Using acrylics and plenty of imagination, you’ll explore how small art can make a big impact—perfect for all skill levels and ages. 

Modern Jive 

Get ready to move and groove in this high-energy Modern Jive workshop! With its blend of smooth footwork and quick spins, Modern Jive is a fun and accessible partner dance that’s perfect for all levels. Whether you're new to dancing or looking to sharpen your moves, you’ll learn to dance to upbeat music, build confidence, and have a great time on the floor. No partner needed—just bring your rhythm and energy! 

Physical Theatre with Resound Theatre 

Step into the world of physical theatre and live sound with Resound Theatre’s immersive workshop! This introductory session will explore the alchemy of movement, rhythm, and percussion, helping you develop key skills in ensemble theatre practice. Through engaging movement games and play, you’ll build confidence in working as a group while exploring rhythm through both the body and percussion. A dynamic and creative experience for all! 

Playful Sounds Music Production 

Join Amber Music Group in a fun and unique music production workshop. Learn to create your own music by experimenting with drum machines, keyboards, samples and editing software. You can also explore songwriting, with tips from artist Nicole Justice. Once you’ve created your masterpiece, you’ll also be given the opportunity to record your vocals! 

Pond Life Explorers! 

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and become a nature detective in this hands-on Natural History adventure! We'll start by pond dipping to discover the incredible creatures that call the water home. Then, take a closer look through a binocular microscope and uncover the tiny details that make these pond dwellers so fascinating. Finally, bring it all together as we build a giant food web, connecting predators, prey, and plants to understand how everything fits together in the wild world of the pond. Perfect for curious minds and budding biologists—expect splashes, surprises, and a whole lot of fun! 

Printing & Collage Workshop 

Join professional illustrator Jessica Hartshorn for a creative session combining printing and collage. Learn how to design and carve your own foam printing block, then use printing ink to layer bold, eye-catching patterns onto a collaged background. A fun and hands-on workshop perfect for exploring texture, colour, and composition—no experience needed! 

Rapping 

Ever fancied yourself as an MC? Try your hand at spitting some bars in this fun workshop exploring rap, rhythm and freestyle. Using poetry, spoken word, word association, rhyming and rapping, this workshop covers any topic you want to bring to the mic, from bullying to personal identity issues. 

Rock Up! Drumming Tips and Tricks 

Experience world class drumming in this workshop. Each participant will sit at their own practice pad in which to play alongside the creative director of Palace Drum Clinic, Matt Green. Improve technique, practice methods, learn tricks of the trade, ending in a Q & A session. 

Roller skiing 

Join us for an exciting roller skiing workshop at Festival on the Close, Rugby! Experience the thrill of cross-country skiing on wheels as you glide around The Close. No snow required—just grab a pair of roller skis and enjoy this unique off-snow adventure! Perfect for beginners and seasoned skiers alike. 

Rugby Real Bread Hosts - Lets all celebrate The Cheesecake! 

The classic dessert that comes in a multitude of different shapes, sizes, varieties and flavours. A dessert that's so good it's on virtually every menu in the country. As well as learning about the cheesecake, they'll be a competition to make one. Entrants are judged on Creativity, execution and how well they work. Everyone will take away their cheesecake, two people take away a winners prize too! 

Rugby Real Bread Hosts – The Art of Truffles: The savoury ones and the sweet ones! 

Included in this 90-minute session will be information and tasting of the truffle mushroom as well as a mini bake-off style event making chocolate truffles to take away. You'll learn the classic chef's technique Making a Quenelle. If you master it, there are prizes waiting! 

STEAMfest 

By popular demand STEAMfest is back! With its incredible planetarium dome, dozens of interactive STEM-based activities, careers advice and more in this immersive experience where creativity is unleashed in every corner of the Collingwood.  

Strum & Ring! 

Join us for a unique musical mash-up at Festival on the Close! In this lively workshop, you’ll spend half the time learning fun, easy ukulele tunes—no experience needed—then step into the world of English-style bellringing with the amazing Touring Tower, a mobile belfry designed to bring the sound of bells to festivals, schools, and beyond. Come strum, ring, and discover two joyful ways to make some serious noise! 

Why Four Weddings and a Funeral is the Greatest Film Ever 

No prior knowledge is required for this workshop. We'll be looking at clips from this landmark British comedy classic, and dissecting some of the moments that make this, possibly, the Greatest Film of All Time, before deciding why the film continues to resonate three decades on. This workshop will give an insight into filmmaking and offer useful tips for any would-be film directors, writers or producers.