Programme
A weekend of Puppetry Magic that inspired the Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington community with creativity and awesomeness!
Where everything happened
- Vogelmorn Bowling Club (opens Google Maps in a new tab), 93 Mornington Road, BrooklynOur main venue. Vogelmorn Hall (opens Google Maps in a new tab), Upstairs and The Green are all part of this one site, and getting between them means steps and uneven pavement.
- Ridgway School Hall (opens Google Maps in a new tab), 120 Mornington RoadA short walk further up the same road. It is wheelchair accessible, it has the only wheelchair accessible toilets, and it was our wet weather venue.
Friday
18 September 2026Opening Event
For Festival Artists, Volunteers and the Puppetry Community to gather and celebrate our mahi together. Please RSVP for catering purposes
6:00–9:30pm at Vogelmorn Hall.
Saturday
19 September 2026Junk Puppet Carnival
Junk puppet making and games, Recycled paper crafts, Roaming puppeteers, Teatro lambe lambe (tiny theatres), Live music, 'Little Landscapes' show, Ice cream van and Cafe.
Moved because of the wind: the Carnival is at Ridgway School Hall, 120 Mornington Road — not The Green.
No ticket required. Pack a picnic and bring the whānau.
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Saturday: Junk Puppet Carnival
Free for whānau
Junk puppet making and games, Recycled paper crafts, Roaming puppeteers, Teatro lambe lambe (tiny theatres), Live music, 'Little Landscapes' show, Ice cream van and Cafe.
Moved because of the wind: the Carnival is at Ridgway School Hall, 120 Mornington Road — not The Green.
10:00am–2:00pm
Junk Puppet Workshop
All ages. No registration - just turn up. Under 5's bring an adult!
10:30–11:30am
1 hr
Junk Puppet Workshop
All ages. No registration - just turn up. Under 5's bring an adult!
12:00–1:00pm
1 hr
Junk Puppet Performance
Share your creativity and bring your workshop creations to life!
1:00–1:30pm
Little Landscapes · Amy Grace Laura
Touch tour 15 minutes before each show.
Moved because of the wind: the Carnival is at Ridgway School Hall, 120 Mornington Road — not The Green.
More info
10:30am, 11:30am & 12:30pm
25 mins
Ages: 5–7 + accompanying adults
Saturday Shows
A morning of glorious puppet shows designed for different ages to enjoy!
Check the programme here and buy your tickets quick.
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Saturday: Saturday Shows
Box of Birds · Birdlife Productions
Audio describedTouch tour 9:30am. Audio described, headphones pre-booked with your ticket.
More info
10:00–10:30am
30 mins
Ages: 3–8
Migit and the Dragon · Natural Magic
More info
11:00–11:30am
30 mins
Ages: 3–10
Little Top Circus · Jon Coddington
More info
12:00–12:45pm
45 mins
Ages: All
The Fish: Festival Commission · Joey Sheppard
More info
1:15–2:00pm
40 mins
Ages: 7+
Workshops
Captivating hands-on puppet workshops for Adults and ages 14+
Check the programme here.
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Saturday: Workshops
Basic Mechanisms for Puppetry · Jon Coddington
More info
9:30–11:00am
90 mins
Ages: Adult (14+)
Bespoke Backpacks for Giants and Walkabouts · Ally Rogers
More info
11:15-12.00
45 mins
Ages: Adult (14+)
Pattern Making for Puppets: From Sculpt to Pattern · Sarah Bell
Optional – bring a small thing you'd like to make a pattern from.
More info
12:30–1:30pm
1 hr
Building Access from the Start · Lauren Hayes and Judith Jones
Wheelchair accessible venue.
More info
2:00–5:00pm
3 hrs
Ages: Adult (14+)
Pea Soup and 'Puppets for Peace' Cabaret
An evening of cutting-edge puppetry entertainment, including our freshly commissioned work by Joey Sheppard, a scintillating puppet cabaret and Puppet Films, all rounded off with a bowl of Pea'ce' soup! Everything included in the price! PG (suggested 8+).
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Saturday: Pea Soup and 'Puppets for Peace' Cabaret
Sunday
20 September 2026Sunday Shows
Another morning of accessible shows.
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Sunday: Sunday Shows
Box of Birds · Birdlife Productions
Audio describedTouch tour 9:30am. Audio described, headphones pre-booked with your ticket. Wheelchair accessible venue.
More info
10:00–10:30am
30 mins
Ages: 3–8
The Bicycle Powered Propaganda Puppet Show · Stephanie Cairns
PGMore info
10:00–10:30am
30 mins
Ages: 11+
Ngā Maunga Rū · Toro Pikopiko
Wheelchair accessible venue.
More info
11:00–11:30am
30 mins
Ages: All ages
Asra: Stories of Palestinian Prisoners · Sumud Ensemble
More info
12:00–1:00pm
60 mins
Ages: 14+
Workshops
More workshops for adults and children.
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Sunday: Workshops
Closing Circle
Join us for a cup of tea to celebrate, share your experience and complete our wonderful weekend together
1:30–2:30pm at Vogelmorn Hall.
Access at the festival
Two of our shows were audio described and offered an optional touch tour. If you have an access need you would like us to plan for next time, please get in touch. We are very glad to hear from you.
See our shows for blind and low vision audiencesContact us about access
This is the programme as it ran, 18–20 September 2026. Ngā mihi nui to everyone who made it, and to everyone who came.