Newbury Spring Festival 2025’s opportunities for families to experience live performance together
Newbury Spring Festival running from May 10 to 24 welcomes young audiences with family-friendly programme.
This year’s family-friendly performances are aimed at introducing children to the transformative power of music from an early age. With a long-standing belief in the value of music education, the Festival includes accessible and engaging opportunities for families to experience live performance together.
Their specially curated selection of events are designed to engage and inspire younger listeners. At the heart of this year’s family-friendly programme are two stand-out events: Sound Beginnings: Pinocchio and Groove onto the Moon.
Taking place on Sunday, May 11 at Sheepdrove Organic Farm, Sound Beginnings: Pinocchio offers musical storytelling for the young at heart. Featuring music by Stravinsky specially arranged for four hands on one piano and brought to life with lively narration by opera singer Richard Morris, this special informal performance is designed as an accessible way to experience classical music.
After each performance, guests are welcome to bring their own picnics to enjoy in the beautiful gardens and grounds at Sheepdrove. The venue is disability-inclusive and the environment, programme, and recital length are all tailored to be welcoming to audiences of all ages, allowing young and old to enjoy high quality live music together.
On Saturday, May 17, the Corn Exchange will host Groove onto the Moon a musical sci-fi adventure created for children aged three and over. This inventive performance fuses original music, rhythm and storytelling with space travel, offering an upbeat, interactive journey that encourages children to engage directly with the music and performers. With its lively energy and inclusive approach, the show promises to be a highlight for young festival-goers.
A number of other events in the programme are also well suited to children. Families can turn up in town to celebrate the opening of the 2025 Festival on Saturday, May 10 to watch the Festival Parade as it moves through Newbury culminating in the Market Square.
Working in partnership with the Corn Exchange & 101 Outdoor Arts the Festival promises a vibrant celebration led by the Giant Bandmaster Puppet to mark the opening of the Festival.
The Bandmaster will start his walk-through town at the Methodist Church where he’ll be with a company of dancers and a cello player. He’ll then make his way down Northbrook Street and will meet various other musicians along the way – that will include members of the East Woodhay Silver Band, Good Vibes Music Academy students and Uteam Ukelele, before culminating in a performance in the Market Square with members of the Metronomes Steel Orchestra.
On Tuesday 20 May, the Metronomes Steel Orchestra will bring the joyful rhythms of Caribbean steel pan to the Corn Exchange, offering an energetic concert that’s sure to delight younger listeners. On Monday, May 12, the Good Vibes Music Academy Showcase will shine a spotlight on the rich and vibrant musical life of the community. This concert brings together local musicians of all ages and backgrounds, highlighting the incredible talent that thrives across the region.
Brass band fans can enjoy a performance by Foden’s Band on Sunday, May 18 at the Corn Exchange – an event that pairs musical excellence with broad appeal, while the East Woodhay Silver Band performs a daytime concert on May 17 at St Martin’s Church. Children interested in singing are also welcome to attend the Come and Sing Evensong at St John’s Church.
The Festival also includes a number of participatory events for schools and community groups running throughout the fortnight (more information available on the Festival’s website).
In addition, free tickets for under 30s are available at many events throughout the Festival, including the opportunity to see the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra perform on Saturday, May 24 to close the Festival.
