Stoke-on-Trent's much-loved outdoor arts festival, The Big Feast, is set to return to Hanley this August, bringing two days of free performances, family activities and cultural experiences to the city centre.

Taking place on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 August, the annual event will once again transform streets, squares and public spaces across Hanley into a vibrant outdoor stage filled with creativity, colour and entertainment. Since launching in 2014, The Big Feast has become one of Stoke-on-Trent's flagship cultural events, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

Organised by Appetite, the festival promises a packed programme of outdoor theatre, circus acts, dance performances, music, puppetry and interactive experiences for all ages. Festival-goers can also look forward to performances from local artists and young creatives, alongside appearances from national and international acts.

Among the highlights announced so far are the spectacular WILD by Motionhouse, the musical Bicycle Piano and Double Bassicle by Rimski and Handkerchief, family-friendly adventures, aerial performances and plenty of unexpected pop-up experiences throughout the city centre.

A dedicated Sensasian Zone will also return on Saturday at Smithfield, celebrating South Asian arts and culture with live performances, music, dance, free henna activities and traditional block-printing workshops.

Designed with local communities at its heart, The Big Feast is free to attend and aims to make arts and culture accessible to everyone, with a range of accessibility measures including British Sign Language interpretation, audio description and accessible routes.

For more information and the latest programme updates, visit Appetite's Big Feast 2026 page.