The Imagine Festival, London’s premier arts festival for families, is set to return to the Southbank Centre from 18 to 23 February 2025. Celebrating its 23rd year, the festival continues to inspire children aged 0–11 to express their creativity and explore their artistic potential. The 2025 programme offers a diverse range of cultural experiences, including music, storytelling, comedy, poetry, dance, visual arts, and numerous free events designed to ignite young imaginations.
REPLAY: A Limitless Recycled Playground
Kicking off the festival is REPLAY, an innovative installation running from 21 January to 1 June 2025 at the Spirit Level in the Royal Festival Hall. Designed by The Herd Theatre, REPLAY is a playground constructed entirely from repurposed waste materials. This interactive space encourages children aged 6 months to 11 years to engage in endless play and invention, fostering creativity through sustainable fun.
Afro Dance with HomeBros
On 18 February, families can participate in free Afro dance sessions led by the dynamic duo HomeBros. Held at The Clore Ballroom, these sessions are suitable for children aged 5 and above. Participants will learn new dance moves and routines, and enjoy captivating short performances that showcase the vibrancy of Afro dance culture.
Mini Architects
Budding builders aged 3 to 5 can join author Joséphine Séblon and illustrator Robert Sae-Heng on 18 February for Mini Architects. This engaging workshop, inspired by their book, introduces children to 20 amazing architectural projects, drawing inspiration from iconic structures like the pyramids of ancient Egypt and New York City’s skyline. The session also explores the distinctive architecture of the Southbank Centre and its surroundings, encouraging children to observe and appreciate the built environment.
Supertato Party!
Celebrating the tenth anniversary of the beloved Supertato books, co-creator Sue Hendra invites families to a super veggie workshop on 18 February. This interactive session offers children aged 3 to 5 the opportunity to engage with their favourite supermarket superhero through creative activities and storytelling.
Jodie Lancet-Grant: The Wild West Twins
Author Jodie Lancet-Grant presents an afternoon of stories, games, and creative activities on 18 February, inspired by her book The Legend of the Wild West Twins. Aimed at children aged 3 to 5, the session includes designing WANTED posters and discovering fun cowgirl or cowboy names, providing an immersive Wild West experience.
There’s a Bear on My Chair
From 18 to 23 February, the festival brings Ross Collins’ beloved story There’s a Bear on My Chair to the stage for the first time. This theatrical adaptation offers families a chance to experience the charming tale of Bear and Mouse in a new and engaging format.
Rollercoaster
Juggling enthusiasts can look forward to Rollercoaster, a pop-punk juggling show by Wes Peden, scheduled for 21 and 22 February. This high-energy performance showcases cutting-edge juggling tricks set to a dynamic soundtrack, promising entertainment for all ages.
An Afternoon with Draw with Rob
On 22 February, author and illustrator Rob Biddulph hosts a family session filled with laughter, creativity, and drawing. Known for his popular ‘Draw with Rob’ series, Biddulph guides children through fun drawing activities, encouraging artistic expression and imagination.
CBeebies Wildlife Jamboree
Concluding the festival on 23 February, the CBeebies Wildlife Jamboree invites families to celebrate the natural world through music and song. Featuring beloved CBeebies characters including Bluey, this event fosters an appreciation for wildlife and the environment among young audiences.
Inclusive and Relaxed Environment
The Imagine Festival is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for all attendees. The festival adopts a relaxed approach to noise and movement, ensuring that families feel comfortable throughout the events. Additionally, specific sessions are BSL-interpreted, captioned, and audio-described, catering to diverse accessibility needs.
The Imagine Festival 2025 at the Southbank Centre promises a week of enriching and entertaining experiences for children and their families. With a diverse lineup of events that cater to various interests and age groups, the festival continues its tradition of fostering creativity and cultural appreciation among young audiences. Families are encouraged to participate and create lasting memories during this vibrant celebration of the arts. Imagine Festival
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