IncludFEST, the highly anticipated annual outdoor festival for d/Deaf and disabled children, young people, and families, is back at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield, County Durham, on Saturday, 29th July 2023. This year, the festival offers an even more extensive and diverse programme, promising an unforgettable day of inclusive and accessible arts experiences.
The theme for 2023 is ‘Our Planet’ with a programme full of performances and workshops that will help us think about how to be kind to our planet and promote climate confidence!
WATCH IT performances include the amazing Pifpaf who present ‘Seed’ - a story of pulsating plant beats, flying soil and water, live music and a giant tree growing out of a shed. This year there will be a multitude of JOIN IT activities including dance workshops and storytelling. There will be many opportunities to get creative with MAKE IT activities, themed around our planet.
And specially commissioned for this years event, join IncludFEST favourites, Shabang Theatre, on a Quest around the park searching for the last tree encountering live dance on the way.
TIN Arts Executive Director and IncludFEST producer, Martin Wilson MBE, shared, "IncludFEST is an absolute highlight of our diary and we love being able to deliver this free event with the support of Durham County Council each summer. We never like to keep things the same so for 2023 we have gone ‘bigger and better’ whilst keeping to our commitment to offer an intimate, inclusive and accessible festival that keeps noise and crowding to a minimum but does offer a wide range of activities to watch and join in with. We look forward to welcoming families from across the whole of the North East.”
Key features include pre-bookable space for children who would benefit from a quieter festival experience, BSL interpretation throughout the day, and RevoLOOtion, an accessible toilet with changing bed and hoist.
IncludFEST is free to attend and will take place on Saturday, 29th of July, from 11:00 to 16:00 at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield, postcode TS21 2DN. For further details, visit
IncludFEST is produced by TIN Arts and supported by Durham County Council as part of their Festival and Events programme.