festival

Imagine Children's Festival

Overview

12 – 23 Feb 2020

Southbank Centre presents the 19th Imagine Children’s Festival in February 2020, featuring Michael Rosen, Dermot O’Leary, Cressida Cowell and Konnie Huq.

Feed and interact with dinosaurs, celebrate the Harry Potter books and go on adventures with Pippi Longstocking.

The largest festival of its kind in the UK, Imagine Children’s Festival is dedicated to families experiencing and enjoying all kinds of art and culture together.

Get ready for 12 days of the best international performance, music, literature, comedy, creativity, parties, participation and free fun for children aged 0 – 11 and their grown-ups.

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all stories
Ade Adepitan

Think Aloud podcast - Children's books: why literature for the future is stuck in the past
The ninth episode of our regular podcast looks at the lack of diversity in children’s literature
listen to this podcast

Imagine festival events for kids who love to laugh
Discover the performances that will get you giggling at our brilliant children's festival
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Children's BBC presenter, Lauren Layfield

Six things... you should know about being a girl in 2018
Children's television presenter Lauren Layfield on what you ought to know about being a girl today
See story

Watch the Trailer for Why The Whales Came
Watch the trailer for Michael Morpurgo's Why The Whales Came
watch this video

Imagine: A Nordic Childhood
Are the Nordic countries the best places to bring up healthy, happy children?
See story

John Hegley's Favourite Childhood Poem: Tarantella by Hilaire Belloc
John Hegley reads his favourite childhood poem, Tarantella by Hilaire Belloc
watch this video

Imagine Festival - Laura Dockrill's Favourite Childhood Poem
Laura Dockrill, reads her favourite childhood poem Roald Dahl's The Pig
watch this video

Francesca Beard's Favourite Childhood Poem
Cargoes by John Masefield read by Francesca Beard
watch this video

Imagine Children's Festival - where we live
The children from Imagine Children's Festival interviewed Wayne Hemingway about housing
listen to this podcast

Imagine Children's Festival - kids takeover
For Imagine Children's Festival 2013 the kids are taking over!
listen to this podcast

Imagine Children's Festival - going volcano bungee jumping
The children at Imagine Festival interview writer Frank Cottrell Boyce
listen to this podcast

Michael Rosen chats about Imagine Children's Festival
Michael Rosen talks about the importance of funny books for kids
listen to this podcast

Q&A with Bryony Kimmings
See story

Q&A with Scott Wright
See story

all events

full view list view
Various times
7 Oct 2019 - 17 Jul 2020
Various times | 7 Oct 2019 - 17 Jul 2020
courses & workshops
family & young people

Gong Babies

Gong Babies

Join this relaxing music workshop aimed at new parents, carers and non-crawling babies
Join this relaxing music workshop aimed at new parents, carers and non-crawling babies
Part of Gamelan
Book now
More info
Child and adult at Southbank Centre during Imagine Children's Festival

Free

Free

Various times
15 Feb 2020 - 23 Feb 2020
Various times | 15 Feb 2020 - 23 Feb 2020
family & young people

Earth Activity Trail

Earth Activity Trail

Step this way for stories and games to spark your imagination
Step this way for stories and games to spark your imagination
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
More info
The set of The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Various times
12 Feb 2020 - 14 Feb 2020
Various times | 12 Feb 2020 - 14 Feb 2020
family & young people
under 5s

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show

The caterpillar who munched its way into our hearts comes to life in a show featuring 75 colourful puppets
The caterpillar who munched its way into our hearts comes to life in a show featuring 75 colourful...
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Baby in multi-sensory tent
Various times
12 Feb 2020 - 14 Feb 2020
Various times | 12 Feb 2020 - 14 Feb 2020
family & young people

Nest

Nest

Wonder at the world in a multi-sensory experience for pre-walking babies and their grown-ups
Wonder at the world in a multi-sensory experience for pre-walking babies and their grown-ups
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Sold out
More info
Sonic Cradle at Southbank Centre
Various times
Wed 12 Feb 2020
Various times | Wed 12 Feb 2020
family & young people
under 5s

Lullaby: Sonic Cradle

Lullaby: Sonic Cradle

Night time sounds, music from India and dancing visuals create a tranquil and immersive musical experience
Night time sounds, music from India and dancing visuals create a tranquil and immersive musical...
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Child drawing on a giant chalkboard at Southbank Centre

Free

Free

Various times
15 Feb 2020 - 23 Feb 2020
Various times | 15 Feb 2020 - 23 Feb 2020
family & young people

Giant Chalkboard

Giant Chalkboard

See where your imagination takes you, and watch how the picture grows and changes throughout the day
See where your imagination takes you, and watch how the picture grows and changes throughout the day
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
More info
Girl and adult playing on Festival Terrace at Southbank Centre

Free

Free

Various times
13 Feb 2020 - 23 Feb 2020
Various times | 13 Feb 2020 - 23 Feb 2020
family & young people

Play Out

Play Out

Hop, jump, skip and run off some steam on our Riverside Terrace
Hop, jump, skip and run off some steam on our Riverside Terrace
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
More info
Child enjoying Rug Rhymes at Southbank Centre

Free

Free

Various times
Fri 14 Feb 2020
Various times | Fri 14 Feb 2020
family & young people

Imagine Wellbeing Zone

Imagine Wellbeing Zone

The focus is on the grown-ups with hand massages and self-care tips
The focus is on the grown-ups with hand massages and self-care tips
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
More info
Illustration of Mmm Ahh Whoosh with Mellow Baku

Free

Free

Various times
Fri 14 Feb 2020
Various times | Fri 14 Feb 2020
family & young people

Friday Lunch: Mmm Ahhh Whoosh with Mellow Baku

Friday Lunch: Mmm Ahhh Whoosh with Mellow Baku

Sing along with songs for under-fives from a jazz and soul singer
Sing along with songs for under-fives from a jazz and soul singer
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
More info
Children with facepaint

Free

Free

Various times
15 Feb 2020 - 23 Feb 2020
Various times | 15 Feb 2020 - 23 Feb 2020
family & young people

Face Painting with The Glitterbox

Face Painting with The Glitterbox

Get glitzy, colourful, and creative with face painting by The Glitterbox
Get glitzy, colourful, and creative with face painting by The Glitterbox
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
More info
Supertato illustration
11:00 am
Sat 15 Feb 2020
11:00 am | Sat 15 Feb 2020
literature & poetry
spoken word & live literature

Sue Hendra & Paul Linnet: The Amazing Supertato

Sue Hendra & Paul Linnet: The Amazing Supertato

Supertato's always there for you when the chips are down
Supertato's always there for you when the chips are down
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Friday Lunch: Harmonise, children and young people on stage singing

Free

Free

Various times
Sat 15 Feb 2020
Various times | Sat 15 Feb 2020
family & young people
under 5s

Big Songs for Little Singers

Big Songs for Little Singers

All together now: join us for a day of belting tunes for kids
All together now: join us for a day of belting tunes for kids
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
More info
Illustration of The Little Island
Various times
Sat 15 Feb 2020
Various times | Sat 15 Feb 2020
literature & poetry
spoken word & live literature

Smriti Prasadam-Halls & Robert Starling: The Little Island

Smriti Prasadam-Halls & Robert Starling: The Little...
A fable for our times about coming together, and the power of friendship, tolerance and cooperation
A fable for our times about coming together, and the power of friendship, tolerance and cooperation
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Illustrations of a child and a cat running
2:00 pm
Sat 15 Feb 2020
2:00 pm | Sat 15 Feb 2020
talks & debates
family & young people

Nathan Bryon & Dapo Adeola: Look Up!

Nathan Bryon & Dapo Adeola: Look Up!

Meet Rocket - she's going to be the greatest astronaut, star-catcher, space-traveller that has ever lived!
Meet Rocket - she's going to be the greatest astronaut, star-catcher, space-traveller that has...
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Slug and Caterpillar from SLIME
Various times
15 Feb 2020 - 16 Feb 2020
Various times | 15 Feb 2020 - 16 Feb 2020
performance & dance
performance & theatre

SLIME

SLIME

Being a slug is hard. Everyone thinks you’re disgusting
Being a slug is hard. Everyone thinks you’re disgusting
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Zookeeper hodling a dinosaur
Various times
15 Feb 2020 - 21 Feb 2020
Various times | 15 Feb 2020 - 21 Feb 2020
family & young people
accessible events

Erth's Dinosaur Zoo

Erth's Dinosaur Zoo

Have you ever met a dinosaur? Now’s your chance!
Have you ever met a dinosaur? Now’s your chance!
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Various times
15 Feb 2020 - 18 Feb 2020
Various times | 15 Feb 2020 - 18 Feb 2020
family & young people
british sign language

Duckie

Duckie

Family-friendly glamour and glitz abound in a classic tale of identity and belonging
Family-friendly glamour and glitz abound in a classic tale of identity and belonging
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info

Free

Free

Various times
15 Feb 2020 - 23 Feb 2020
Various times | 15 Feb 2020 - 23 Feb 2020
family & young people
under 5s

You're Never Too Young to Change the World

You're Never Too Young to Change the World

Find out about courageous children who tried to make the world a better place
Find out about courageous children who tried to make the world a better place
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
More info

Free

Free

1:30 pm
Sun 16 Feb 2020
1:30 pm | Sun 16 Feb 2020
family & young people

All Hands on Decks

All Hands on Decks

Shout 'Arrr' at our rollicking pirate-themed party
Shout 'Arrr' at our rollicking pirate-themed party
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
More info
Rug Rhymes at National Poetry Library

Free

Free

10:30 am
Mon 17 Feb 2020
10:30 am | Mon 17 Feb 2020
literature & poetry
poetry

Eco Rug Rhymes

Eco Rug Rhymes

A short session of green nursery rhymes and poems for under-5s and their carers
A short session of green nursery rhymes and poems for under-5s and their carers
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
More info
Cressida Cowell, author
10:45 am
Mon 17 Feb 2020
10:45 am | Mon 17 Feb 2020
literature & poetry
spoken word & live literature

Creating Magical Ideas: Cressida Cowell & Friends

Creating Magical Ideas: Cressida Cowell & Friends

Calling creators of the future – hear from the pros on how to grow your own magical ideas
Calling creators of the future – hear from the pros on how to grow your own magical ideas
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Illustration of two worker bees
11:30 am
Mon 17 Feb 2020
11:30 am | Mon 17 Feb 2020
literature & poetry
poetry

Poetry for the Planet

Poetry for the Planet

Can poetry turn you green?
Can poetry turn you green?
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Timberlina sitting on chair outside with arms outstretched

Free

Free

Various times
Mon 17 Feb 2020
Various times | Mon 17 Feb 2020
performance & dance
family & young people

A Delicate Balance

A Delicate Balance

How do you stick up for planet Earth?
How do you stick up for planet Earth?
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
More info
Polar bear sitting on arctic ice
1:30 pm
Mon 17 Feb 2020
1:30 pm | Mon 17 Feb 2020
literature & poetry
poetry

Poems Go Green!

Poems Go Green!

Poets share planet-friendly poems on disappearing tigers, talking rubbish and ‘poo power’
Poets share planet-friendly poems on disappearing tigers, talking rubbish and ‘poo power’
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Ron Weasley, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger
2:00 pm
Mon 17 Feb 2020
2:00 pm | Mon 17 Feb 2020
family & young people
literature & poetry

Celebrating the Harry Potter Books

Celebrating the Harry Potter Books

Still waiting for your letter from Hogwarts?
Still waiting for your letter from Hogwarts?
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Josephine Bean looking at a scrapbook
Various times
17 Feb 2020 - 19 Feb 2020
Various times | 17 Feb 2020 - 19 Feb 2020
family & young people

The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean

The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean

Slowly, page-by-page, a scrapbook becomes a window into a secret world in a show for ages 7+
Slowly, page-by-page, a scrapbook becomes a window into a secret world in a show for ages 7+
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
An illustration of earth surrounded by nature and animals
3:00 pm
Mon 17 Feb 2020
3:00 pm | Mon 17 Feb 2020
literature & poetry
poetry

Sabrina Mahfouz: Poems from a Green and Blue Planet

Sabrina Mahfouz: Poems from a Green and Blue Planet

Adventure into snowy mountains and deep blue oceans with poems celebrating the world you live in
Adventure into snowy mountains and deep blue oceans with poems celebrating the world you live in
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Kate Pankhurst, writer
3:15 pm
Mon 17 Feb 2020
3:15 pm | Mon 17 Feb 2020
literature & poetry
spoken word & live literature

Fantastically Great Women Who Saved the Planet

Fantastically Great Women Who Saved the Planet

Spark ideas on how to make an impact with illustrator, author and suffragette descendant Kate Pankhurst
Spark ideas on how to make an impact with illustrator, author and suffragette descendant Kate...
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Annet Schaap, illustrator
Various times
18 Feb 2020 - 19 Feb 2020
Various times | 18 Feb 2020 - 19 Feb 2020
family & young people

Sea the World of Illustration

Sea the World of Illustration

Dive into the stormy waves of Lampie and the Children of the Sea with art and a reading for ages 8+
Dive into the stormy waves of Lampie and the Children of the Sea with art and a reading for ages 8+
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Picture It! Print It! at Imagine Children's Festival

Free

Free

Various times
18 Feb 2020 - 19 Feb 2020
Various times | 18 Feb 2020 - 19 Feb 2020
courses & workshops
family & young people

Picture It! Print It!

Picture It! Print It!

Scribble and sketch your own cover design for your favourite book
Scribble and sketch your own cover design for your favourite book
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
More info
Edward van de Vendel, writer
Various times
18 Feb 2020 - 19 Feb 2020
Various times | 18 Feb 2020 - 19 Feb 2020
family & young people

Playground of Poems

Playground of Poems

Go around and around, climb and sliiide through playful poems by Edward van de Vendel
Go around and around, climb and sliiide through playful poems by Edward van de Vendel
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Robin Stevens, author
1:00 pm
Tue 18 Feb 2020
1:00 pm | Tue 18 Feb 2020
literature & poetry
spoken word & live literature

Robin Stevens: Top Marks for Murder

Robin Stevens: Top Marks for Murder

Create and solve a mystery of your very own with the author of the Murder Most Unladylike series
Create and solve a mystery of your very own with the author of the Murder Most Unladylike series
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Children Craft Workshop

Free

Free

Various times
Tue 18 Feb 2020
Various times | Tue 18 Feb 2020
family & young people

Edible Books Craft Workshop

Edible Books Craft Workshop

Get an appetite for adventure at a workshop inspired by the story of Pippi Longstocking
Get an appetite for adventure at a workshop inspired by the story of Pippi Longstocking
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
More info
Sita Brahmachari, author
Various times
Tue 18 Feb 2020
Various times | Tue 18 Feb 2020
literature & poetry
spoken word & live literature

Sita Brahmachari: Where the River Runs Gold

Sita Brahmachari: Where the River Runs Gold

Create your own environmental pledge with the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-winning author
Create your own environmental pledge with the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-winning author
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Jennie Poh, illustrator
Various times
Wed 19 Feb 2020
Various times | Wed 19 Feb 2020
literature & poetry
spoken word & live literature

Jennie Poh: The Pirate Tree

Jennie Poh: The Pirate Tree

Ahoy there, matey! Become a pirate for the day and sail the stormy seas
Ahoy there, matey! Become a pirate for the day and sail the stormy seas
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info

Free

Free

Various times
Wed 19 Feb 2020
Various times | Wed 19 Feb 2020
family & young people
accessible events

Top Draw

Top Draw

Draw your way through fantastical lands and tongue-twisting characters
Draw your way through fantastical lands and tongue-twisting characters
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
More info
Children enjoying concert
Various times
19 Feb 2020 - 20 Feb 2020
Various times | 19 Feb 2020 - 20 Feb 2020
classical music
family & young people

Chopin and the Dragonfly Who Brought the Spring

Chopin and the Dragonfly Who Brought the Spring

Listen, sing, dance and play at a storytelling concert for under-fives
Listen, sing, dance and play at a storytelling concert for under-fives
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Stella being performed live on stage
Various times
19 Feb 2020 - 20 Feb 2020
Various times | 19 Feb 2020 - 20 Feb 2020
performance & dance
family & young people

Stella

Stella

What if it wasn’t an old man all the way up there in the moon, but a young woman?
What if it wasn’t an old man all the way up there in the moon, but a young woman?
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Dermot O'Leary and Toto the Ninja Cat
12:30 pm
Thu 20 Feb 2020
12:30 pm | Thu 20 Feb 2020
literature & poetry
spoken word & live literature

Dermot O'Leary & Nick East: Toto the Ninja Cat

Dermot O'Leary & Nick East: Toto the Ninja Cat

Toto the Ninja Cat is going on a well-earned holiday to the world's most famous music festival - Catstonbury!
Toto the Ninja Cat is going on a well-earned holiday to the world's most famous music festival...
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Hannah Lee illustration
1:00 pm
Thu 20 Feb 2020
1:00 pm | Thu 20 Feb 2020
family & young people

Hannah Lee: My Hair

Hannah Lee: My Hair

Dreads, twist out or braids – a girl chooses a birthday style in a picture book read by the author
Dreads, twist out or braids – a girl chooses a birthday style in a picture book read by the author
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
ShayShay, Sophie Brain and Mahatma Khandi

Free

Free

Various times
Thu 20 Feb 2020
Various times | Thu 20 Feb 2020
family & young people

The Quest for the Treasure Chest with ShayShay

The Quest for the Treasure Chest with ShayShay

Set sail for adventure with ShayShay, Sophie Brain and Mahatma Khandi in search of the greatest treasure in the world
Set sail for adventure with ShayShay, Sophie Brain and Mahatma Khandi in search of the greatest...
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
More info
The Mighty Kids
Various times
Fri 21 Feb 2020
Various times | Fri 21 Feb 2020
performance & dance
performance & theatre

The Mighty Kids Beatbox Comedy Show

The Mighty Kids Beatbox Comedy Show

Calling kids aged 5 to 100: join our mighty gang for an electrifying interactive show
Calling kids aged 5 to 100: join our mighty gang for an electrifying interactive show
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Illustration of groovy animals in a forest playing musical instruments

Free

Free

Various times
Fri 21 Feb 2020
Various times | Fri 21 Feb 2020
family & young people

Groove Baby Presents: Groove into the Woods

Groove Baby Presents: Groove into the Woods

Venture into the deep dark woods on a jazz- and funk-fuelled family adventure for ages 3 – 7
Venture into the deep dark woods on a jazz- and funk-fuelled family adventure for ages 3 – 7
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
More info
Illustration of a bird escaping arrows in the sky
Various times
Fri 21 Feb 2020
Various times | Fri 21 Feb 2020
family & young people
under 5s

Migrations Paper Birds with Jane Ray

Migrations Paper Birds with Jane Ray

Take flight at a colourful workshop on making your own paper bird with collaged feathers
Take flight at a colourful workshop on making your own paper bird with collaged feathers
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Atinuke, author
2:00 pm
Fri 21 Feb 2020
2:00 pm | Fri 21 Feb 2020
literature & poetry
spoken word & live literature

Africa, Amazing Africa with Atinuke

Africa, Amazing Africa with Atinuke

Did you know that the first human beings to walk this earth were African?
Did you know that the first human beings to walk this earth were African?
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
YolanDA's Band Jam performed on stage
2:00 pm
Fri 21 Feb 2020
2:00 pm | Fri 21 Feb 2020
family & young people

YolanDa's Band Jam

YolanDa's Band Jam

Boogie along at a performance of crowd-pleasing songs for children
Boogie along at a performance of crowd-pleasing songs for children
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Cerrie Burnell, author
3:15 pm
Fri 21 Feb 2020
3:15 pm | Fri 21 Feb 2020
literature & poetry
spoken word & live literature

Cerrie Burnell & Friends: A Story of Your Own

Cerrie Burnell & Friends: A Story of Your Own

Children’s authors explain the wonderful things that can happen when you find yourself in the story
Children’s authors explain the wonderful things that can happen when you find yourself in the...
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Maggie Aderin-Pocock, scientist
11:00 am
Sat 22 Feb 2020
11:00 am | Sat 22 Feb 2020
literature & poetry

Dr Maggie’s Grand Tour of the Solar System

Dr Maggie’s Grand Tour of the Solar System

Get set for the cosmic trip of a lifetime on this interactive tour
Get set for the cosmic trip of a lifetime on this interactive tour
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
Book now
More info
Musical Roots
11:30 am
Sat 22 Feb 2020
11:30 am | Sat 22 Feb 2020
classical music
contemporary classical

Musical Roots

Musical Roots

Calling all detectives! Help the BBC Concert Orchestra solve the mysteries in their musical family tree
Calling all detectives! Help the BBC Concert Orchestra solve the mysteries in their musical family...
Part of Classical music
Book now
More info
Photograph of a child dancing while a crowd and an MC cheer her on

Free

Free

Various times
Sat 22 Feb 2020
Various times | Sat 22 Feb 2020
performance & dance
family & young people

HomeBros School of Afro Dance

HomeBros School of Afro Dance

See dancers slide and groove through a story of the first day of school, and learn some new moves
See dancers slide and groove through a story of the first day of school, and learn some new moves
Part of Imagine Children's Festival
More info

Pages

discover more
story

Enjoy family things to do this winter at Southbank Centre
Beat the cold and keep the little ones entertained with us
read this story
Ade Adepitan
podcast

Think Aloud podcast - Children's books: why literature for the future is stuck in the past
The ninth episode of our regular podcast looks at the lack of diversity in children’s literature
listen to this podcast
video

Soundpit returns to Southbank Centre
The family-friendly interactive installation is back
watch this video

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