Freedom Festival 2025: Everything you need to know

A large crowd of women, men and children applauds. Some are holding babies. They are mostly seated outside, on a bright and sunny day, with some people standing to the rear of the crowd. Some people are smiling, others are open-mouthed, some appear to be recording what they see on their phones and cameras.Tom Arran

Expect breathtaking, free performances for all the family at Freedom Festival 2025

Jo Shaw
BBC News

Hull's annual Freedom Festival is now under way, with more than 115 hours of free entertainment taking place across the city centre this weekend.

The family friendly programme includes circus, theatre, art, film and a choreographed procession of dance artists alongside a community cast - all set to bring the streets alive on Saturday and Sunday, 30-31 August.

A joyous celebration of freedom, culture, connection and Hull's heritage, the festival's free events range from large-scale performances and immersive theatre in Queen Victoria Square, to music and movement in Princes Dock Street and Humber Street.

Limited-capacity ticketed performances and film screenings are also taking place.

People of various ages walk with a large wooden wheel structure through green parkland, accompanied by three people wearing navy blue outfits with orange trim, and one person wearing a yellow hi-vis jacket.Autin Dance Theatre

The Giant Wheel is a choreographed procession, which features dance artists and a community cast, who will march between Queen Victoria Square and the Cenotaph

What is Freedom Festival?

It is a unique celebration of Hull and its people, liberty, art in public spaces and creative expression. The festival was set up in 2007 to acknowledge Hull's historic links with anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce.

What is happening?

Featuring a cast of hundreds, 76 experiences and 29 artists, including two full days of free events and experiences, there is plenty to discover.

Highlights include moving parade-style shows that put the people of Hull centre-stage with a community cast marching alongside dance artists in Parade: The Giant Wheel; and a musical busking trail with Beats Bus - Busk Stop.

A man rides a black cycle with only one wheel visible, while a second performer balances upside down on his back, arms wrapped around the man's shoulders, legs in straddle splits in the air. The upside-down performer wears white shorts, boots, and what appears to be a skirt, which is draped around the cyclist's shoulders. The cyclist has dark hair and facial hair, and is wearing light brown trousers and shoes, a beige sleeveless jumper and a white shirt.Tom Arran

Time To Loop is a free public performance by Duo Kaos, taking place in Queen Victoria Square on Saturday and Sunday

Ticketed shows include Freedom Films screenings and a circus performance at Hull Truck Theatre, with Copenhagen Collective's show featuring 17 acrobats.

Local talent is also being showcased, including Kobby Taylor's Torch, a gig-theatre tribute to his grandfather - influential Ghanaian Afrobeat musician Ebo Taylor.

Tickets are available via the festival website.

Where are events taking place?

Freedom Festival is organised into three city-centre zones.

Zone 1: In the heart of the city centre is where you'll be able to discover high-energy performances, parades and plenty of surprises.

Free performances include: Into The Light - Pioneers of Black British Ballet; Microworld; Parade - The Giant Wheel; Posse; Time to Loop; Taroo; Kakapo and Son; and The Beats Bus - Busk Stop (across all zones).

Illustrated map of Hull city centre, which has been organised into three zones. The map shows people, green spaces, building and landmarks such as Central Library, Hull Truck Theatre, the River Hull, marina and The Deep, as well as car parks, toilets, accessible toilets and Changing Places facilities.Hannah Penrose

Find your way around the festival

Zone 2: Free shows and art in the Old Town area of Hull include Line Time; Pentagon; Breathe; Anchored in Air; Pirate Taxi; Electric Feel; The Beats Bus - Busk Stop (across all zones); Castaway; Family Catwalk Extravaganza; Play Chess Festival; HERCA's Grandmaster Showdown; and Ichi. Find the action at: Beverley Gate; Princes Quay; Whitefriargate; Trinity Square; Trinity Market and Zebedee's Yard.

Zone 3: This covers the Fruit Market and Marina areas. This is where you'll find film, floating theatre, family-friendly experiences and flash mob performances, such as Devour; The Strange Travel of Mr Tonet; Sliding Slope; Tamar & Jo and Apus Productions – The Animals.

Accessibility and travel

Accessibility

Download audio and large-print versions of the festival programme, as well as details of accessible performances.

Getting to the festival

Information about parking, bus and train services and accommodation can be found here.

Plan your weekend

Download the Freedom Festival 2025 brochure, city centre festival map and accessibility information, including an accessible brochure.

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices.

Related topics

More on this story

Related internet links