DreamBIG Children’s Festival 2025 – I Was, I Am, I Will Be
DreamBig Children’s Festival returns in 2025, celebrating 50 years of inspiring South Australia’s children through music, dance, storytelling, puppetry, interactive play and immersive theatre. This year’s theme ‘I Was, I Am, I Will Be’, seeks to encourage children to reflect on their past, present and future.
The festival will take place from 7 to 15 May 2025 featuring more than 70 shows, activities, and exhibitions across 10 days. Young people and their families can experience music, storytelling, interactive play, and more, from the program which includes 9 world premieres and 12 South Australian premieres.
This much loved festival has played a memorable part in the lives of more than 2.5 million children since it was first launced in 1974 as Come Out Festival, providing access to innovative, imaginative, and inspiring arts experiences.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
DreamBIG Opening Event – DreamBIG’s Birthday Parade
The Opening Parade will take place on 7 May at the Adelaide Festival Centre in celebration of 50 years of DreamBIG Children’s Festival with students across South Australia uniting for a grand, statewide birthday celebration on site at Adelaide Festival Centre. Teachers can also choose to host their own event at school.
Big Family Weekend
The beloved and popular Big Family Weekend returns from 10 – 11 May with free events for children of all ages across Adelaide Festival Centre and Festival Plaza. Wield a giant marionette in String Symphony, collect items for a time capsule in The Museum of the Everyday, use flowers as instruments in The Plants, and draw on the walls, ceiling and floor in Scribble Zone. More exciting and interactive activities to be announced soon.
Other festival highlights include:
Behind the Curtain – secondary school students will get hands on experience of what an arts career looks like from some of Adelaide’s best creatives, technicians and arts workers.
Fancy Long Legs – a glittery and vibrant musical adventure, based on the picture book by tinsel and craft icon Rachel Burke.
Glow & Tell – imagined worlds are brought to life through the magic of storytelling and light, by South Australia’s award-winning Patch Theatre.
IMAGINE LIVE – a celebration of creativity, friendship and the wonders of our natural world, based on Alison Lester’s iconic best-selling book, Imagine.
Photo credit: www.peterfoster.com.au
The Princess, The Pea (and The Brave Escapee) – a reimagining of the much-loved fairytale, featuring live classical music performed by Australian Chamber Orchestra.
Tin Can Radio – a fun and creative workshop exploring the world of broadcasting via a pop-up radio station on Festival Plaza. All ideas are welcome at Tin Can Radio!
Write Now Festival – a one day event for aspiring writers in secondary school, giving young people the chance to discover career pathways as a working writer.
Zindzi & The Zillionaires – a musical adventure featuring Play School host and hip-hop artist Zindzi and her fluffy friends The Zillies.
The Boy and the Ball – local artist Stephen Noonan will present his award-winning, non-verbal performance.
Little Bozu and Kon Kon – Omusubi Productions fuses Japanese folklore traditions and contemporary storytelling in a story of self-acceptance and
empathy through the unlikely duo of a raccoon and a fox.
Photo credit: Clare Hawley
The Bookbinder – an original dark fairytale full of mystery, magic and mayhem, from New Zealand’s award-winning Trick of the Light Theatre.
Photo credit: Phillip Merry
Mini SPIN – an interactive dance event from the UK, hosted by three Deaf hosts and a DJ. Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Children of Deaf Adults and hearing children all welcome.
Wonderbox – an immersive, multi-sensory wonderland where each child is given the opportunity find a magical version of themselves.
Photo credit: Jessica Wyld
Whalebone – a thrilling roller-coaster ride combining humour, magic and circus, devised and performed by award-winning clown, inventor and comedian Jens Altheimer
The Princess, The Pea and the Brave Escapee is a stunning reimagination of the much-loved fairytale, featuring live classical music performed by Australia Chamber Orchestra musicians.
Follow the DreamBIG Children’s Festival Facebook page for updates.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS
For more information and all enquiries please visit the DreamBIG website.
What: DreamBIG 2025 –‘I Was, I Am, I Will Be’
When: 7 – 17 May 2025
Where: Adelaide Festival Centre
Who: All Ages
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
Image Source: supplied
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