The Niagara Children’s Festival will return to St. Catharines this August, aiming to provide theatre and other programming for a young audience.
The annual event is organized by the Carousel Players and includes a combination of free and ticketed events. Live performances aimed at younger children include “Burrow”, based on a story about two squirrels preparing for winter, and “Club Origami”, an interactive dance show inspired by the traditional Japanese art of folding paper.
There will also be a performance of “Guardians of the Gods”, an international production based on children’s relationship to adults and a diverse set of mythology. The play is written by Erik Uddenberg and directed by Gustav Deinoff, and based on interviews with children in 11 countries ranging from Finland to Bangladesh. Theatrical productions like this often use banner printing and other set decorations to create an atmosphere.
Free programming includes the “Birdsong” puppet workshop and interactive performance, and different pop-up performances, craft activities, and readings by children’s authors throughout the weekend. The festival area will also host a community Bike Parade & Market on Friday afternoon, with guests young and old invited to decorate their bikes and ride together through the heart of St. Catharines.
The 2026 edition of the Niagara Children’s Festival will take place from May 14 to 17 in downtown St. Catharines.
