Welcome back to the Resonate Festival of Arts and Culture! Unleash your creativity at this fun, festival-style day for all ages.
We’re looking forward to seeing you again on campus for more hands-on activity, performances and creative demonstrations.
Take a peek at the first programme release below, with more exciting activity to be announced!
This event is aimed at people of all ages though not every activity or event is suitable for everyone, with the most to do for those aged 5-11 and their accompanying adults.
Performances
With times to be announced, make your way to some amazing performances from both University of Warwick students and local community collaborators! You’ll find Ascension Dance and House of MASH in the Green Zone.
Join Ascension Dance for incredible workshops and performances!
Performances 11:30 - 12:15, 3:15 - 4:00pm
Craft Workshop 12:45 - 2:30pm
Dance workshop 2:00 - 2:30pm
‘The Other Side’ is about selfishness and as humans, our desire for more.
The Other Side is a highly physical outdoor performance that tackles the ideas of bridging difference and divides in order to all benefit. Watch the performer realise that the only way to succeed will be by finding a way to work together, support each other and lift one another up.
(Image taken by Andrew Moore (Pixeltrix))
Visit House of MASH to test out your circus skills!
Performances 12:15, 1:30, 2:30pm
Workshops throughout the day
House of MASH will be delivering a day of circus workshops and three shows including a celebration of the last 60 years of Warwick University and their new micro-musical Hullabaloo.
Robin Hood: A 15 Minute Pantomime
1:45pm - 2:00pm, Orange Zone
A showcase of what Warwick Pantomime Society gets up to! Meet our dashing hero: Robin Hood in a fast-paced, super funny performance with parody songs, dastardly villains, and audience interaction! Come along and you'll have some fun (oh yes you will!)!
Pop-up Opera!
2:15pm - 2:30pm, Orange Zone
Keep your eyes and ears open for a performance from the Warwick Opera Society! This is followed by a workshop where you can join the team for an Intro to Opera.
Workshops - Orange Zone
These are running at specific times during the day and spaces will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.
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This fun Spanish workshop is aimed at children between 4 and 8 years old (and their adults!). Through games and songs we will learn some useful phrases in Spanish, such as greetings and how to introduce ourselves.
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Come along to chill out and play some drama games with us! See the kind of things Warwick Pantomime Society get up to and help build some of the skills vital to being a performer, like confidence, co-ordination, and spontaneity, and have some fun!
Recommended for ages 4+ -
When was the last time you felt gigil? Do you enjoy a sense of hygge? And did you know that the Oxford English Dictionary has recently expanded its list to include a whole host of new words borrowed from other languages?
Learning about ‘untranslatable’ words can help us see things differently, introducing us to ideas from other parts of the world and giving us new ways to describe our own experiences. Come along to this interactive workshop and explore some new words from around the world – you might even come up with a few of your own ‘untranslatables’ as well!
Recommended for ages 7+ -
Find out about the medicines and charms used by early medieval English people by talking to Wulfhild, our 10th century “leech” or doctor. This workshop will include a demonstration of a medieval cure for infected wounds.
Please note, this activity will include display of fake wounds, discussion of wounds, disease, illness, and medicines.
Recommended age 10+ -
In this 30-min workshop, Dr Qian Liu talks about how to understand the meaning of Chinese characters by studying their shapes. It will be a fun-filled workshop with lots of hands-on activities - you will walk away feeling more confident reading Chinese characters!
Recommended for ages 6+ -
Opera Warwick invites you all to join a taster session into the classical world of Opera music! Join us as we play some fun drama and singing games, before learning some simple Opera music together, and ending with a big sing-a-long!
Recommended for ages 7+ -
This workshop will play with sign language. Using signdance method to do choreography, talking about children's memories. In this workshop, sign language is not only a language of communication, but an aesthetic of theatre and dance.
Recommended for ages 11+
Drop-In Activities (Orange and Purple Zone)
These activities will be running throughout the day, so you can drop-in and have a go whenever you want! All activities are running all day unless otherwise stated.
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Explore the world of digital embroidery with the Stitch in Time Project. Discover how mathematics and computing can be used to create beautiful patterns on fabric using a digital embroidery machine.
Participants will use TurtleStitch (a Scratch-like language) to design intricate patterns on a computer screen. These designs are then transferred to a digital embroidery machine, bringing your creations to life on fabric.
Recmmended fo ages 9+ -
Ever wondered how we learn about the past? Well, now's your chance! We are giving students a hands-on opportunity to try archaeology at our very own university. We have brought a taste of Roman Britain to you, and now's your chance to dig, hold and look at items that soldiers some 2000 years ago may have used!
Recommended for all ages
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Explore how designers and historians have been working together with a display of the technology used to 3D scan ancient coins, and 3D print them in metal!
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Join us at Resonate Festival for a series of vibrant, family-friendly craft workshops that celebrate creativity, cultural heritage, and community spirit. These hands-on sessions are designed for children and families of all ages, offering a joyful opportunity to explore Ukrainian traditions through accessible, sustainable crafts.
Create your own stunning Vinok headdress, inspired by the traditional Ukrainian flower crown, explore the intricate patterns of traditional Ukrainian embroidery and draw inspiration from the vibrant patterns of Ukrainian folk dress.
These workshops are delivered by ARTLAB, a creative organisation dedicated to inspiring communities through engaging, hands-on art activities, in collaboration with Dr Olena Miliienko, Academic and practitioner in Public Law and Politics at the University of Warwick. -
There’s so much to see, so come outside and draw with me!
It's all about having a go and enjoying yourself by making marks and drawing what you see in your own unique way.
I've picked an area for us to draw. I want you to draw a small part of it on your own piece of paper. Imagine you've zoomed in – you might draw an ant, part of a tree, or a bit of a building.
You can choose to draw outside or inside.
We'll then put all the drawings together to make a big picture of the outdoors at the University of Warwick.
Recommended for all ages -
Cultural heritage is not simply important historic places or objects in museums, but also things that we do part of our daily lives, particularly with communities of which we are members. In this interactive session you can explore what intangible cultural heritage is and the role that law plays in safeguarding it. Through a series of activities you can explore different types of intangible heritage, like folklore, festivals, language and traditions. Take the opportunity to pause and reflect about what intangible cultural heritage is important to you and add to our intangible cultural heritage display. Then play the role of the policymaker – what would you choose to recognise officially as the UK’s intangible cultural heritage? How can the law help this to be cared for so that it can be enjoyed, developed and passed on to future generations?
Recommended for ages 4+ -
Explore the creativity behind Maths - from origami, to building polyhedra (3D shapes!) and exploring mathematical string figures!
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Join the team from Warwick’s Transformations Creative Writing Scheme and learn how to create your very own witch- or wizard-themed pop-up book!
From Room on the Broom to The Worst Witch, Harry Potter to The Wizard of Oz, witches, wizards and all things magic have been inspiring stories for generations. In this hands-on activity, children of all ages and abilities will be able to join their ranks by writing, colouring, cutting and sticking together their own magical story to take home.
With support and instructions available at every step, it doesn’t matter whether you just want to get crafty, or you’re planning on becoming the next best-selling author, everyone is invited to get into the (not so) spooky spirit and have some magical story fun!
Recommended for all ages -
Come and learn about the exciting research on language development in infants and young children carried out by researchers in the Department of Psychology. This will feature the chance to try out our cool eye-tracker! Curious to know about what your child can (or cannot) understand? Or how we scan for information when looking at complex images? Then this activity is for you! Brought to you by WarKs (Warwick Research with Kids).
Recommended for all ages -
Discover the World of 999!
Join us for an exciting, family-friendly activity where children can explore the amazing work of our emergency services—with a special focus on ambulances and what happens when you call 999.
Try on real emergency responder gear, speak directly with emergency professionals, learn about the life-saving work they do every day.and feel more confident in an emergency! -
Draw your dream café meal on a paper plate and take on the Food Detective Challenge!
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This workshop aims to provide participants with an engaging opportunity to explore Korean language and culture through a creative activity: designing and crafting personalised bookmarks. Participants will be introduced to Hangul – Korea’s unique writing system – and traditional Korean patterns and their meanings. They will be guided in incorporating the cultural and aesthetic significance of these elements into their bookmark designs, fostering both creativity and a deeper understanding of Korean heritage.
Recommended for 7+ -
This drop-in activity invites participants to explore a variety of guided techniques as they shape unique pottery pieces that reflect their identity and experiences. Whether you're a curious beginner or simply looking to play with clay, this is a welcoming space to get creative. Kids and adults alike can enjoy the experience and take home a handmade souvenir as a lasting memory.
Recommended for ages 4+ -
A multi-sensory interactive experience to explore the topics of medieval medicine, alchemy, and historical medical manuscripts. This includes an immersive audio-visual alchemical text screen display featuring the music of alchemy, symbol-matching game to decode alchemical imagery, and a Middle English word match to discover curious medical terms contained in historical language and script. A sensory plant station presents the common ingredients used in medieval healing traditions.
The exhibit contains images and topics of historical medicine, disease, bodies. Rosemary, honey, vinegar, garlic, ginger, mint, fennel, basil, thyme will be present - be aware of potential allergens and the scent of these herbs.
Recommended for ages 7+ -
Find out about the medicines and charms used by early medieval English people by talking to Wulfhild, our 10th century “leech” or doctor. Come and see, touch and smell some of the plants and other natural materials used to treat a range of illnesses. There will also be a demonstration of a medieval cure for infected wounds. Bloodletting is optional!
If you have any allergies or sensitivities to plants, please be aware that this display includes live and dried plant material. The demonstration of a medieval cure includes very mild illustrations of disease and medical treatment.
Recommended for ages 7+ -
Drop the Mask: Neurodivergence, Belonging, Creativity and Empathy (DM-NICE) is a bold, co-created participatory research project culminating in an interactive exhibition at the Resonate Festival. It invites neurodivergent individuals—and anyone who’s ever felt different—to explore identity, creativity, and belonging through art. Rooted in research and co-creation, the project uses visual storytelling, poetry, and photography to bring hidden experiences to light. Rather than asking people to conform, Drop the Mask celebrates standing out. The exhibition features immersive installations, drop-in workshops, and open conversations with artists, researchers, and participants. Visitors can also co-create their own art alongside Coventry Poet Laureate John Bernard, Dr Adela Glyn-Davies, India Holme (University of Warwick), and others. With its vibrant, welcoming aesthetic and emphasis on shared expression, this is a space where difference is not just accepted—but embraced. Drop in, create, connect—and maybe even drop your mask.
Suitable for all ages, but recommended for ages 10+
Please note, the art pieces may tell raw, honest and emotive stories of neurodivergence and their loved ones experiences of masking and unmasking -
Curious about how your name looks in Chinese calligraphy? Join our hands-on Calligraphy Workshop and experience the beauty of this traditional art form! Open to all ages and perfect for beginners, this interactive session invites you to pick up the brush and try writing your name in Chinese. No prior experience needed! Just bring your curiosity and creativity! Our friendly instructors will guide you step by step, offering tips on basic strokes and artistic expression. Come and explore the elegance of Chinese writing in a fun, relaxed setting!
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Come and try some puzzles! There will be a range of jigsaw puzzles, as well as some pen-and-paper puzzles (e.g. crosswords, sudoku, word searches). Perfect for unwinding and making some new friends! Stay for as much or as little of the session as you like.
Recommended for ages 5+ -
Explore some of the fascinating pieces of history stored at the University of Warwick Archive and have a go at creating your very own archive-themed postcard!
Recommended for ages 4+
Film Screenings - FAB Cinema
12pm: Leamington Spa: University Town
This short film, made by Mark Ellis on behalf of the Leamington History Group, explores the ways in which the University of Warwick has had an impact on the town over the past 60 years. The team will be there and welcome questions and discussion.
This film is recommended for an adult audience. Please note it will show images of literature relating to illicit substances.
What’s On at the Warwick Arts Centre?
Why not make this a full day out and visit Warwick Arts Centre for even more fun, free activity?
Join Toni’s Tots Drama for a FREE adventure to Animal Island to picnic with the roar-some creatures that live there. We will be flying with the birds, jumping in the muddy puddles with the piggies and swimming with the sharks… but what will we find hiding in the forest? A fun-filled, energetic drama adventure for children aged 2-8 years old with music, movement, puppets and craft!
In the Gallery Foyer, Free, drop in!
Enjoy a sculpture trail with the Arts Centre! (2:00pm)
Come along and join our free family sculpture trail led by our Creative Learning team. Learn all about our sculptures and their histories during this interactive 45-minute tour. You may even have the chance to design your own sculpture with your family! We have a limited number of spaces, so make sure to book!
Booking required at the Resonate Check-in desk (Purple Gazebo)
Event Facilities
Check-In
Head to the purple gazebo to start your day! Once you’ve checked in, you’ll receive your tokens for food tasters.
Toilets and Changing Places
Men’s, Women’s, a large number of non-gendered ‘superloos’ (individual cubicles with toilet and handwashing sink) and accessible toilets are in the Faculty of Arts Building (FAB).
There are additional men’s, women’s and accessible toilets in Warwick Arts Centre.
Changing Places Toilet – located in the FAB.
Changing Places Toilet – located in Warwick Arts Centre.
Baby Changing – In Warwick Arts Centre. Located in the Hall concourse and in both the male and female first floor toilets. Please ask the box office for directions.
Other Facilities
There will be a Quiet Space and Buggy Park available on the day.
Food
Upon check in, you will be given three tokens to use at our event food stalls (Eatwise, Ganapathi Catering, and Ice Cream Van). This will entitle you to small tasters from the set menu that has been provided for the day, so please check with a member of staff what is included. Please note, not all allergies and intolerances will be catered for at every stall.
There are also plenty of places to picnic, so you are very welcome to bring a packed lunch, and there will be some food outlets open on campus including the Rootes Grocery Store and Caffe Nero.
Parking and Getting to Campus
Find out where to park and how to pay here, including blue badge parking. Please note that the campus uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) for parking charges, so we suggest booking your parking in advance using the link above.
Information about how to get to campus using public transport can also be found using the link above.
The University of Warwick and Warwick Institute of Engagement remains warmly open to all. We want everyone who visits our events to feel safe, comfortable and valued. The University of Warwick remains committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and supportive community, and we ask everyone who attends Resonate events to treat each other with kindness and compassion. Harassment of any kind is unacceptable. If you have any concerns or issues on the day, please speak to a member of the Resonate Team.