‘Three-day outdoor celebration marks the start of Theatre Porto’s 40th birthday year’
Families are invited to celebrate the joy of creativity, imagination and play this summer as Topsy Turvy returns to Whitby Park, Ellesmere Port from Friday 7th to Sunday 9th August 2026.
Presented by Theatre Porto, the much-loved festival will once again transform the park and theatre into a vibrant space filled with outdoor performances, live music, workshops, creative activities and unexpected moments of discovery for children and families. A special preview event on Thursday 6 August will launch this year’s children’s art installation alongside a family quiz fundraiser.
As Theatre Porto begins celebrating its 40th birthday year, Topsy Turvy 2026 invites audiences to help kick off a landmark year with a festival inspired by invention, curiosity and seeing the world from a different perspective.
Festival entry is completely free with a Weekend Festival Pass, giving visitors access to three days of outdoor performances, drop-in activities and family experiences across Whitby Park. A select few indoor performances are ticketed separately from only £4, helping Theatre Porto keep the festival accessible for everyone.
Across the weekend, visitors can expect walkabout performances, live music, puppetry, dance, theatre, crafting, adventure walks, silent discos, hula hooping, DJs, sketch clubs, family barbecues, interactive installations and plenty of opportunities to play, make and explore together.
Among this year’s highlights are three specially selected indoor performances:
- At Sea by Life and Limb Puppets, a visually stunning non-verbal puppet adventure exploring courage, imagination and finding your way home.
- 80’s Party Gameshow – Family Edition! from Dizzy O’Dare, bringing outrageous family fun, music, fancy dress and joyful chaos to Theatre Porto.
- Life Behind the Mask by Jack Evans Dance, an innovative dance performance combining live movement with digital technology to explore autistic identity, followed by an interactive audience experience.
Children will also discover the mysterious Moonlings, gentle visitors who have landed in Whitby Park for the weekend, while the new Makers Green will become a space where artists and families can build dens, fly kites and create imaginative environments together.
Artistic Director, Nina Hajiyianni said “Topsy Turvy has become a celebrated highlight of our annual programme. This year is particularly special as it marks the beginning of our 40th year celebrations and the launch of Edge of Wonder, our Place Partnership programme which sees new artist commissions creating spaces for artistic exchange, collaboration and shared making with families.”
The festival begins on Thursday 6 August with a preview afternoon featuring the unveiling of Theatre Porto’s 2026 hallway art installation, celebrating the creativity of children from Our Lady’s Star of the Sea Primary School in Ellesmere Port, followed by a Family Quiz.
Topsy Turvy has become a much-loved fixture in Ellesmere Port’s summer calendar, bringing together artists, families and local communities to celebrate creativity in all its forms. Rooted in Theatre Porto’s commitment to making work for, by and with children and young people, the festival encourages families to spend time together, discover something unexpected and enjoy the simple pleasure of being outdoors.
Weekend Festival Passes are free and can be booked online. While admission is free, Theatre Porto is encouraging visitors who are able to make a small donation to help ensure the festival remains accessible to all.
For full programme details and to book free weekend passes and indoor show tickets, visit TheatrePorto.org/TopsyTurvy2026 or follow @TheatrePorto across social media.