The inaugural North Australian Festival of Arts and Northern Fringe Festival couldn’t be launching at a better time, with school holidays getting underway too! There’s something for all ages on offer during the Northern Fringe – but here’s 10 that your kids won’t want to miss.
Alice Through the Looking Glass: 29 June – 14 July
A sequel to Theatre iNQ’s sell-out productions of Alice in Wonderland in 2017 and 2018, this show invites you to explore Anderson Gardens again as Alice takes you on a completely new adventure through the park! Pack a picnic and enjoy being outdoors before or after the show!
Catch Alice: Through the Looking Glass at Anderson Gardens from 29 June – 14 July, with tickets here.
Dead Puppet Society’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar: 3 July
While the Dead Puppet Society offer a range of masterclass workshops in puppet design and manipulation for adults, they will also offer a workshop for kids, teaching them how to make and play with a classic storybook character!
Make The Very Hungry Caterpillar with the Dead Puppet Society at the May Wirth Tent on 3 July, with tickets here.
Circus Wonderland – A Mermaid’s Tale: 4-14 July
All of your favourite creatures from under the sea will be brought to life before your eyes with incredible circus feats from acrobatics and aerials to hoops, juggling and more! Have you ever seen a mermaid fly?
Meet the mermaids for yourself with A Mermaid’s Tale in the Wonderland Spiegeltent from 4-14 July, with tickets here.
Kids’ Party Confidential: 5-6 July
Entertainer Sean Murphy will take the kids of Townsville on an adventure of self-discovery, showing them how much fun they can have without looking at a phone screen! Harness the powers of the imagination and look away from Candy Crush!
Dive into the real world with Kids’ Party Confidential in the May Wirth Tent on 5-6 July, with tickets here.
Small Stage Youth Open Mic Night: 8 July
Whether your kid fancies themselves as a singer or wants to support their friends rocking out to some incredible covers or even their own originals, Small Stage is the place to be! Taking over Neighbourhood Live House, Small Stage gives many young performers one of their first audiences.
Catch Small Stage at the Old Courthouse Theatre on 8 July, with information here.
Lah-Lah’s Big Live Band: 12 July
The Youtube phenomenon known for educating pre-schoolers on the magic of musical instruments will take over the Queens Gardens Main Stage for one day only, with the opportunity to meet the band and try their instruments after the show too!
Learn about music with Lah-Lah’s Big Live Band on the Queens Gardens Main Stage on 12 July, with details here.
Wolfgang’s Magical Musical Circus: 19-20 July
Meet the side of Mozart no one knew about – the somersaulting, joke playing, acrobat! Wolfgang and his friends perform incredible circus stunts that bring to life some of the composers most magical music.
Experience Wolfgang’s Magical Music Circus in the May Wirth Tent from 19-20 July with tickets here.
Little Day Out Around the World: 21 July
Townsville’s La Luna Youth Arts have invited all of their friends together for a celebration of culture in Queens Gardens – experience performances from all corners of the globe, food trucks offering every sort of delicacy imaginable, and more!
Travel around the world in one day with the Little Day Out in Queens Gardens on 21 July, with information here.
Possum Magic: 25-26 July
Watch one of Australia’s classic children’s books be brought to life on stage, as we are introduced to Hush and her Grandma Poss. Travel around Australia with them as they try every one of our country’s most iconic foods to stop Hush from being invisible!
Experience the wonder of Possum Magic in the May Wirth Tent on 25-26 July with limited tickets available here.
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo: 28 July – 4 August
This show will book out – don’t say we didn’t warn you! Come face to face with some of the first creatures to roam the Earth as part of this year’s Strand Ephemera, as dinosaurs tear into the Wonderland Spiegeltent! This experience is free, but bookings are essential.
Take a step back in time with Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo in the Wonderland Spiegeltent from 28 July – 4 August, with booking information here.
The best part about the Northern Fringe Festival is that there’s something for everyone – check out our list of adults-only events here! Or if you want more ways to keep the kids entertained, check out Council’s School Holiday Guide here.
