Roll up, roll up - KAF is back!

This summer Kidderminster will come to life with music, dance, art and theatre!

The annual Kidderminster Arts Festival runs from Saturday 11 to Sunday 26 August with a focus on ‘Strength and Resilience’. This year’s themes commemorate the centenary of the First World War, one hundred years of women’s right to vote and 250 years of the circus.

The two week long festival will showcase local and national talent across the performing arts and will include live music, theatre, story-telling, craft sessions, pop up poetry and much much more. Many events are free and tickets for paid-for sessions modestly priced at £5 or less.

The curtain will rise on this year’s festival with a visit by the Happy’s Family Circus in Brinton Park on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 August. A wide variety of performers including acrobats, aerialists, magicians will thrill and entertain the crowds during four performances throughout the day.

The first performance begins at 10.30am, followed by other shows at 12.15pm, 2pm and 3.30pm.

Circus-goers can book their tickets in advance and receive a discount on both family and group tickets. Families of 4 can save £4 with their ticket coming to £16. Groups of 8 can purchase a ticket for £30, saving themselves £10. To book online visit www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/bookings.  Alternatively, simply turn up and pay £5 per person on the day.

Councillor Juliet Smith, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Community Protection said: “This year’s event festival really does offer something for everyone and promises to be a riot of entertainment worthy of our wonderful town.

“This year’s KAF focuses on ‘Strength and Resilience’ to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War, one hundred years of women’s right to vote as well as 250 years of the circus.

“I’m delighted to welcome the Happy’s Circus company to the district during this special year of celebration.”

For more information about this year’s KAF line-up visit www.kidderminsterartsfestival.org.uk  and

To find out what other things are happening in Wyre Forest this summer visit www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/whatson.