A fantastic weekend ahead of Sanctuary in Action in Winchester this Hat Fair 2025!
Our local Theatre of Sanctuary, Theatre Royal Winchester, Hat Fair, Playmakers and Playtothecrowd have truly embraced the importance of sanctuary and embedded it in all they do. We are so lucky to have them in our city, championing the importance of Sanctuary and sending that message far and wide. Come and see them and show your solidarity this weekend at their incredible Outdoor Arts festival. This year’s event will also celebrate Play to the Crowd’s year-round engagement work with diverse local communities, providing a platform for groups and individuals to showcase their talent.
There is a fantastic line up of Sanctuary in Action in Winchester this Hat Fair 2025!
Here is just a taster of some of the things you can come and see this weekend and in doing so, show your support for our Sanctuary community and for people seeking sanctuary around the world. Right now, solidarity matters more than ever. Show your support!
You could start with Hat Fair’s Community Celebration in Winchester on Friday 4th July, at 7pm, booking required, more details and booking link available here
On Saturday 5th July, you could join Bella, a 3-meter-long Elephant puppet, and her human companion Cara on their migration journey across the country. See here for more details about Bella’s journey through Winchester tomorrow, stopping at 10.45am at Abbey Gardens, 14.15 at Abbey Gardens and 16.40 on The Broadway.
You could check out the mesmerising 432 Nomads – Through spoken word, live music, movement and visual storytelling, 432 Nomads bridges cultures and invites connection.
For Hat Fair 2025, 432 Nomads offer an immersive, soulful experience that celebrates difference, expression, and the shared rhythms of humanity.
432 Nomads will be performing on Saturday 5th July, at 4.30pm, at St Maurice’s Covert. More details available here
Stay at St Maurice’s Covert, where the beautiful and incredibly moving Kalyna Choir will be performing. Over the past three years, the choir has grown from a small initiative into a cultural force. They have become the face of the Ukrainian community in Winchester — a bridge between cultures and a living example of strength, creativity, and mutual support.
Kalyna Choir will be performing on Saturday 5th July, at St Maurice’s Covert, at 17.00pm.
You could also check out Sanctuary – A Spoken Word Showcase, where Playmakers Youth Theatre will be performing powerful, original poetry exploring identity, safety, and belonging. See here for more details. Playmakers Youth Theatre will be performing at Abbey Gardens in Winchester, at 11am and 13.35pm.
Through rhythm, voice, and raw honesty, they speak their truth — creating a space where every word matters and every voice is heard.
This is just a taster of what is on this weekend in Winchester celebrating Sanctuary in our community and the importance of Sanctuary around the world. There is so much more too! See the A-Z of the line up here