10 Things You Need To Know To Enjoy This Year’s Freedom Festival

Hull’s 10th annual Freedom Festival is just one week away so now is the time to get planning your freedom weekend and explore all the incredible shows that are part of this year’s unmissable line up.

Here’s 10 things we think you need to know to make the most of this year’s festival.

1) Stay social

We’ve been counting down to this year’s festival with our A-Z of Freedom on social media, so take a look to get up to speed with our highlights.

If you don’t already follow us, ahead of the weekend, make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram as we’ll be using our social media accounts to keep you updated on everything Freedom.

Keep an eye out here during the festival weekend to receive updates on availability for sold out ticketed events. We will be monitoring visitor numbers and if it looks like people are not using their tickets, further admissions will be accepted.

2) Go online to plan your freedom!

Our festival programme and site map are now live on our website. Here you can download a PDF of both the programme and site map to start planning your Freedom Festival. Our website also includes all the other important information you need to know.

3) My Freedom programme

Printed copies of the programme will be available from information points across the festival site. If you’re feeling generous and you have some change in your pocket, you may want to make a small donation for the programme – which will go straight back into the Freedom Festival Arts Trust to make sure Freedom Festival continues to curate incredible shows, year after year.

4) Kofi Annan presents the Wilberforce Lecture

Marking 10 years since the first Freedom Festival, what better way for us to acknowledge and celebrate the work of William Wilberforce than by welcoming Mr Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General of the UN and Founder and Chair of the Kofi Annan Foundation, to Hull to present the Wilberforce Lecture.

This lecture is sold out but you can add your name to our waiting list on our website should tickets become available.

5) Our headliners – from Giraffes to GRRRL!

From Giraffes to GRRRL! Don’t miss out on our headlining shows.

On Friday night, a huge herd of playful red giraffes will weave their way through Hull City Centre marking the start of Freedom Festival as Compagnie Off present Les Girafes.
Marching on, their huge silhouettes will project onto the front of Hull’s historic buildings, an incredible sight to be seen.

Following on from last years’ phenomenal Voices of the Revolution, on Saturday night In Place Of War present GRRRL a collective of rebellious, independent, revolutionary women who are promoting peace, fighting injustice and creating change through their music.

More information about all our artists is available on our website.

6) Unmissable ticketed shows – don’t miss out on being part of a revolution!

While the majority of our programme is free, this year we have worked with our partners to bring some unmissable shows to Hull.

From being part of a revolution in Counting Sheep to award-winning drama The Suitcase, which is premiering at Hull Truck Theatre during our festival weekend, take a look at the What’s on section on our website to book tickets. Tickets start from just £5. The nearer we get to next weekend, tickets may not be available. Book now so you don’t miss out.

7) Freedom to feast

Bring your own feast to our Festival Gardens, sit down with strangers, eat together and enjoy an array of magical performances.

While tickets to the Freedom FEASTival were quick to be snapped up, everyone is invited to Queens Gardens on Sunday 2 September from 4pm.

If you have tickets to attend the FEASTival please arrive 15 minutes before the advertised start time so any empty spaces can be offered to other members of the community.

It isn’t just Willy Wonka who gives out golden tickets. A number of golden tickets to the feast will be handed out during the festival by artists, so watch out you may get a tap on the shoulder and be handed a ticket.

8) The after party – The Official Freedom Festival Club

Have you heard? This year we’re extending the celebrations with a festival party that will continue from 10pm until 1am on Friday and Saturday night in our new festival tent in Queen’s Gardens. Tickets to our Official Freedom Festival Club are £5 and can be purchased in advance or on the door.

9) Fashion and Freedom

Pop over to Princes Quay Shopping Centre to see Fashion and Freedom, the fantastic exhibit from 14-18 NOW (who brought the Weeping Window to Hull). The exhibition incorporates the designs of fashion legends such as Vivienne Westwood exploring the intricate link between fashion and freedom and the role that WW1 played in women’s fashions.

The exhibition closes on Sunday 3 September.

10) #MyFreedom

This year Freedom Festival is launching the social media campaign #MyFreedom as Hull leads an important discussion about freedom, nationally and internationally, which is even more vital in today’s global climate.

Throughout the weekend audiences, artists and visitors will be encouraged to write down or illustrate what freedom means to them, take a selfie and share it using the hashtag. Ahead of the weekend get involved by sharing what freedom means to you or look out for ways that you can display your freedom over the festival weekend.