Families can look forward to a bumper programme of free activities in Scunthorpe town centre this summer when a host of hands-on experiences take place.
The fun starts on Saturday 1 June with Play! – an interactive event to fire up children’s imaginations. The whole family will love the Actual Reality Arcade, which brings arcade favourites, including PacMan, Space Invaders, and whack-a-mole, out of the screen and into real life.
Theatre company Half a String will be bringing their fantastic puppet van to the event at Queen Elizabeth Gardens at Church Square, with performances two metres up in the air – meaning everyone gets a fantastic view. The shows will be on at 11.30am and 2pm.
The hugely popular Discover event is back on Saturday 6 July in and around Queen Elizabeth Gardens and will launch the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge – Marvellous Makers.
There will be dozens of events, exhibits and hands-on activities designed to get five to 13-year-olds playing, participating and thinking.
Later this summer, young explorers will discover new stories, meet authors, and join in with free workshops at special themed Breakfast and Books sessions – taking place every Wednesday at Scunthorpe Central from 24 July and 28 August.
In a brand-new addition for this year, after the morning tucking into their free breakfast, families will be entertained by amazing pop-up shows from some of the country’s top street theatre companies and dancers – with performances on the high street and at Queen Elizabeth Gardens.
Crowds meet Zelva, the giant animatronic tortoise at last year’s Green Future event at Queen Elizabeth Gardens in Scunthorpe town centre
This year’s programme will build on the huge success of last year’s events which saw thousands of people visit the town centre to experience amazing spectacles including a giant 18-metre inflatable whale, whilst supporting the high street.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We’re bringing even more exciting events to local families this summer – it is a big part of our commitment to encourage as many people as possible to visit Scunthorpe town centre and support their local high street.
“The programme is packed full of free events the whole family will enjoy, with lots of surprises to come. At the same time, I’m pleased to confirm many of our most popular activities are returning.
“We are delivering on our promise to provide free swimming sessions once again across North Lincolnshire for children over the summer holidays. It’s a great way to keep the kids active and entertained and won’t cost families a penny.”
Free swimming returns to North Lincolnshire Council’s pools this summer
Upcoming events:
- Saturday 1 June: Play! – Queen Elizabeth Gardens and 20-21
- Saturday 6 July: Discover – Queen Elizabeth Gardens, Scunthorpe Central, UTC, and 20-21
- Monday 22 July to Tuesday 3 September – Council leisure centres open for free swimming sessions
- Every Wednesday between 24 July and 28 August – Breakfast and Books and more – Scunthorpe Central and town centre
- Saturday 14 September: A Green Future
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