The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival returns to the National Museum of Scotland!

Last year, we were thrilled to partner with the National Museum of Scotland to present a range of Opening Weekend events. Indeed the weekend went so well we thought we would do it all again for this year’s Festival.

Edinburgh International Children’s Festival at the National Museum of Scotland in 2016.
Edinburgh International Children’s Festival at the National Museum of Scotland in 2016. Image by Ruth Armstrong Photography.

The weekend (27-28 May), is a celebration of the opening of the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival which is taking place between 27 May and 4 June. The festival brings some of the best theatre, dance, puppetry and multi-media available throughout the world to schools and families in Edinburgh. As Festival Director it is my job to select the productions within the festival and I personally think I have the best job in the world!


The idea for the Opening Weekend is two-fold. It is a great chance for Scottish artists to try out new ideas without the pressure of creating a whole show and it is equally a great opportunity for audiences to get a taste of arts activities specially made for children.  And all for free.

Planning for the Opening Weekend begins 6 months earlier with a call out to artists to submit ideas for consideration.  In February a small panel assembled and we decided on what acts would make up the weekend.  The panel were looking for interesting and fun ideas to engage children and families. Some are mini performances and others are hands on art making activities.

Here is a taster of what to expect this year:

Look out for a postman on a bicycle at this years Edinburgh International Children's Festival.
Look out for a postman riding a bicycle at this year’s Edinburgh International Children’s Festival 2017.

Special Delivery – look out for a postman on a bicycle cycling around the Grand Gallery. At various times the postman will stop and reveal magical puppet worlds hidden within his parcel-laden bicycle.

BP Family Festival 2017 at Tate Britain
The Tallest at BP Family Festival 2017 at Tate Britain.

The Tallest – with the help of a grown up, you could become the tallest person in the Museum. It is then your task to lead your own adventure around the Grand Gallery exploring the world from your new height!

The Bean Counter will be joining Edinburgh International Children’s Festival.
The Bean Counter will be joining Edinburgh International Children’s Festival 2017.

The Bean Counter – this delightful performance features a very official Jelly Bean Counter. She travels the world in search of someone who can guess exactly how many beans are in the jar. Will today be her lucky day? Or even yours?

I hope to see you at the Museum!

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