ACTIVITIES
There is always plenty to get involved in away from the music.
Across the weekend a programme of sessions invites you to learn, make, taste and connect. Whether you come with friends or fly solo, these moments offer something a little different: lighthearted, skillful, and open to all.
Bandeoke
Step up to the mic and take centre stage. This isn’t your average karaoke night, this is live band karaoke.
Pick your song from a stacked setlist, grab the mic and sing it loud with a full band behind you. Lyrics are on screen, the crowd’s on your side and the energy is off the charts.
Whether you’re flying solo or jumping up with friends, this is your moment to let loose, laugh hard and live out your headline dreams with a real band backing every note.
Darn It
Workshops by Kim Searle
Kim’s travelling workshops bring creativity, calm and connection to the heart of the festival. Rooted in sustainability and community, each session is an open space to slow down, make something beautiful by hand and share the joy of craft with others.
From Visible Mending and Punch Needle to Macramé, Book Binding, Jesmonite Pots, Lino Printing and more, Kim’s workshops invite all ages to dive in, explore and create. Every activity is tailored to the rhythm of the day relaxed, welcoming and designed for everyone to enjoy at their own pace.
No experience needed, no pressure for perfection just good company, thoughtful materials and a chance to reconnect with the simple pleasure of making.
Dolly Trolley & Caberet Sauvigon
Serving up sparkle, sass and sequins in equal measure, Dolly Trolley brings two unforgettable experiences to Show of Hands Drag Baby Bingo and Cabaret Sauvignon, alongside her signature Voguing workshops.
Drag Baby Bingo is bingo, but not as you know it a camp, chaotic, laugh-out-loud show where Dolly calls the numbers and calls the shots. Expect wild prizes, outrageous humour and plenty of audience mischief as she leads the room with her trademark wit and warmth.
Then, as night falls, it’s time for Cabaret Sauvignon, one of London’s most acclaimed cabaret nights now celebrating its 30th (yes, 30th!) edition. With an all-star cast of drag, burlesque and cabaret performers from across the globe, it’s a feast of genderfunk, tease and high-octane talent, all delivered with Dolly’s impeccable flair.
And if you’ve ever wanted to learn how to strike a pose, Dolly’s Voguing workshops will get you there teaching confidence, attitude and movement with a side of pure joy.
Equal parts glamour, comedy and connection, Dolly Trolley’s world is a place where everyone belongs, and no one leaves without a grin.
The Pedal Emporium
Rolling in from South Wales, The Pedal Emporium brings a world of bicycle-powered wonder to Show of Hands. Hand-built from recycled and repurposed parts, these ingenious machines turn pedal power into pure fun blending play, creativity and sustainability in one joyful ride. Throughout the weekend, you’ll find their contraptions dotted around the festival site, powering everything from lights to smoothies and surprises in between.
It’s hands-on, feel-good energy at its finest a celebration of movement, innovation and the power we all have to keep things turning.
Rogue Play Theatre
An award-winning physical theatre company from Birmingham, RoguePlay Theatre brings their powerful, internationally acclaimed production Forests to Show of Hands.
A breathtaking mix of acrobatics, dance and aerial artistry, Forests tells a visceral story of resistance, resilience and renewal. Centred around a striking willow tree, the performers climb, swing and weave through ropes, throwing and catching one another in a mesmerising display of strength and struggle.
Beneath the beauty lies a deeper message challenging deforestation, over-consumption and the displacement of Indigenous Peoples, while calling for courage and hope in the generations to come. The show concludes with an unforgettable moment: the tree’s fall, and a flurry of origami birds rising in its place.
Created in collaboration with the Rainforest Foundation UK, Forests is both a visual spectacle and a call to action; reminding us that art can move hearts as powerfully as it moves bodies.
Olipop's Swap Party and Play
Step into Olipop’s, a technicolour playground of style, sparkle and self-expression.
Part sustainable fancy dress emporium, part party space, Olipop’s invites festival-goers to dive into a treasure trove of clothing and accessories to swap, hire and transform their look for the weekend. Think ribbon canopies, golden shimmer walls, disco balls for days and a riot of colour at every turn.
But Olipop’s is more than just a costume tent, it’s a full-blown experience. Expect stylists, games, a hype crew bringing the energy, and an interactive video booth where you can twerk, vogue or strut your new outfit for the camera.
Come play, dress up and celebrate sustainability in true festival style, bold, joyful and unapologetically fabulous.
Bandeoke
Step up to the mic and take centre stage. This isn’t your average karaoke night, it’s live band karaoke.
Pick your song from a stacked setlist, grab the mic and sing it loud with a full band behind you. Lyrics are on screen, the crowd’s on your side, and the energy’s electric.
Whether you’re flying solo or jumping up with friends this is your moment to let loose, laugh and live out your headline dreams with a real band backing every note.
Darn It
Kim’s travelling workshops bring creativity, calm and connection to the heart of the festival. Rooted in sustainability and community, they offer space to slow down, make something beautiful by hand and share the joy of craft.
From Visible Mending and Punch Needle to Macramé, Book Binding, Jesmonite Pots and Lino Printing, Kim’s sessions invite all ages to explore and create at their own pace.
No experience needed, no pressure for perfection just good company, thoughtful materials and the simple pleasure of making.
Dolly Trolley & Caberet Sauvigon
Serving up sparkle, sass and sequins, Dolly Trolley brings three unmissable experiences to Show of Hands: Drag Baby Bingo, Cabaret Sauvignon and her signature Voguing workshops.
Drag Baby Bingo is bingo, but louder, camper and far more chaotic. Expect wild prizes, razor-sharp wit and plenty of audience mischief.
As night falls, Cabaret Sauvignon takes over a world-class celebration of drag, burlesque and cabaret now in its 30th edition.
And for those ready to strut, Dolly’s Voguing workshops teach confidence, attitude and pure joy.
Glamour, comedy and connection everyone belongs in Dolly Trolley’s world.
The Pedal Emporium
Rolling in from South Wales, The Pedal Emporium brings bicycle-powered magic to Show of Hands. Hand-built from recycled parts, these ingenious machines turn pedal power into pure fun mixing play, creativity and sustainability in one joyful ride.
Across the weekend, their contraptions will pop up around the site, powering lights, smoothies and plenty of surprises. It’s hands-on, feel-good energy at its finest, a celebration of movement, innovation and the power we all have to keep things turning.
Rogue Play Theatre
Award-winning physical theatre company RoguePlay Theatre brings their internationally acclaimed production Forests to Show of Hands.
A breathtaking fusion of acrobatics, dance and aerial artistry, Forests tells a visceral story of resistance, resilience and renewal. Centred around a towering willow tree, performers climb, swing and weave through ropes in a mesmerising display of strength and struggle.
Beneath the beauty lies a powerful message challenging deforestation, over-consumption and the displacement of Indigenous Peoples, while calling for courage and hope in the generations to come.
Created with the Rainforest Foundation UK, Forests is both a visual spectacle and a call to action, proving that art can move hearts as deeply as it moves bodies.
Olipop's Swap Party and Play
Step into Olipop’s, a technicolour playground of style, sparkle and self-expression.
Part sustainable fancy dress emporium, part party space, it’s a treasure trove of clothing and accessories to swap, hire and transform your look for the weekend. Think ribbon canopies, shimmer walls, disco balls and colour everywhere you turn.
But Olipop’s is more than a costume tent it’s an experience. With stylists, games, a hype crew and an interactive video booth to twerk, vogue or strut your new look, it’s bold, joyful and unapologetically fabulous.