ACTS
For 2025, we're delighted to host 16 professional and community acts, presenting a total of 24 performances across the whole day.
Find out more on each act below.
Professional acts
Val & Halla
by MarkMark
Travelling in their musical longboat Val and Halla plunder, pillage and pirouette their way through the town. These two Abba obsessed Scandinavians invade your festival bringing mayhem and mirth wherever they go.
This show was commissioned in 2007 by the Jorvik Viking Centre as the star attraction of their 2007 Viking festival.
The Classic Strait Jacket and Chain Escape
by Gareth Jones
This is a true street theatre classic. A family show with a strait jacket and chains escapology finale, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Hula Hoop Show
by Angie Mack
Hoops, hoops and more hoops!
Everything you ever wanted and never needed to know about hula hooping.
From death defying stunt hooping to the straight out weird and wonderful world of mini hoop madness, a little bit of magic and the dazzling glitz of circus hula hoops to the jaw dropping giant 6ft hoop leading all the way up to the multi hooping, confetti exploding, human tower of uncertainty!
Angie Macks hooptastic, interactive comedy show is jam packed with highly skilled hula hoop tricks, iconic music and a whole lot of heart.
Jolly Holiday
by Swank
‘We’re all here on a lovely holiday... lets not ruin it...’
Join the Jolly duo on their jolly holiday. Big Mam and desperate daughter Dolly are taking in exciting new and beautiful sights, together with their puppet companions Nanna and Wee Dad.
With 1950s music and seaside sound effects, the Jolly's infectious dance routines and witty banter cajole the audience into spontaneous on the street conga, hokey cokey and rock ‘n’ roll dancing.
See the world through the eyes of these traditional British ‘naughty, nautical seaside postcard’ holiday makers. They just want to have a jolly good time and it’s irresistible not to join in.
DJ Booth, Dinnerladies and Bill Ingsgate & his fisherman friend
by Bread and Butter
Presenting DJ Booth, Vince Vinyl and the “Wheels of Steel” mobile disco and cabaret. Experience Saturday Night Fever and Sunday Night at the Palladium rolled in to one big glitzy ball of music, mullets and bingo-calling. If it is vol-au-vents, cheesy music and a slow dance number that you hanker for, then this is the act for you!
THE DINNERLADIES
Good-time girls Freda and Rita are on hand to serve up a large dollop of foody fun from their gorgeous gingham-clad serving trolley.
Shrimp fisherman Bill Insgate and his Fisherman Friend aboard HMS MDF will entertain the crowds with their tall tales of fishing prowess including how to flip a flounder and catch a cockle!
Out Of The Box
by Darryl Carrington
Prepare to be amazed and entertained with 'Out of the Box', a show that pushes the boundaries of traditional circus and takes audiences on a journey through a world of imagination and wonder.
In 'Out of the Box,' Darryl brings his unique style and vision to the stage, incorporating everything from traditional circus skills to modern technology to create a truly innovative and captivating performance. His juggling routines are both skillful and hilarious, and his comedic timing and physical comedy leave audiences in stitches.
Beatbox Jukebox
by Underground Creatives
This isn't a standard jukebox. This jukebox is powered by Mr Shay's mouth! Catch Shay and his iconic Beatbox Jukebox roving the streets of Harborough at Arts Fresco 2025.
From DnB to Hip Hop, choose your music style and watch the magic happen.
Instagram / FB / X: mrshay_artist
Bubble Wizard
by Bubble Wizard
With his incredible ability to bring the magic out of bubbles, The Bubble Wizard will wow, thrill and amaze you!
The Bubble Wizard will make bubbles as teeny as an ant or as large as an elephant. He'll create breathtaking bubble sculptures before your very eyes, blow smoke magically into bubbles and put you, your friends and your kids and their uncles inside bubbles.
And The Bubble Wizard's greatest trick? Turning adults into children and children into happy children through the excitement and wonder of bubbles!
The OakMobile
by Talking Birds
The OakMobile – big sibling of their much-loved Whale – is a gentle, enticing theatre experience, housed in a giant silver acorn.
Step inside the mysterious silver OakMobile to meet the Storyteller, whose friend The Robin needs your help to get the world back in balance! Nature-themed, multi-sensory storytelling, suitable for all ages. Ramp accessible. Shows every 10 mins.
@birdmail
www.talkingbirds.co.uk
Community acts
Zachary John
Singer / songwriter
Zachary John is an indie folk artist hailing from Market Harborough, whose songs blend vocals, acoustic guitar and harmonica. He released his debut EP, entitled ‘Territory’, in June of 2025 through local record label Somewhere Records, inspired by artists such as Bob Dylan, Sufjan Stevens and The Avett Brothers.
Instagram - @zacharyjohnmusic
Soul Patrol - A Groovy Journey
Robert Smyth School
Get ready to groove with Soul Patrol from Robert Smyth School! This talented group is here to transport you back in time with a fantastic mix of classic soul, Motown, and pop hits. Their energetic performance and smooth harmonies will have you dancing in the street. Prepare for a soulful experience you won't forget!
Orquesta Atipica Eco-Tango
As a brief introduction to tango, come and listen to 'Poema' (Music by Mario Melfi & Lyrics by Eduardo Bianco) sung in the cafe style of Paris in the 1930s. Poema is a famous tango song that tells a strange story. Can you work it out ? You will hear Poema in cafes around Harborough in the morning, and in the afternoon the orchestra will play tangos for dancing in the Kings Hall. Come along.
Ballet
Angela Wilson
Studio 79
Steve Duguid / Mass choir
Parsnips Theatre Group
A brand new collaboration between professional street arts company MarkMark Productions and Parsnips Youth Theatre takes to the streets for an unforgettable new show! Don’t miss the chance to say ‘I saw it first!’
Participatory activity
Tim Neath
Cardboard artist
Artist Tim Neath invites you to help build a cardboard miniature of Market Harborough out of recycled cardboard! This fun, hands-on workshop invites all ages to get creative and help construct a collaborative. Help to shape a new version of Market Harborough in your own image, build a local landmark, your home, your favorite shop or something that the town is missing that only you can make.
Website - www.timneath.wordpress.com
FB - https://www.facebook.com/timneathartist
IG - https://www.instagram.com/timneathartist/
Paint Pottle
Memorial Gardens
Story Centre
Memorial Gardens
Starfish Puppets
Eco Village
Studio 79
Steve Duguid / Mass choir
Parsnips Theatre Group
