With just one week to go, excitement is building across Prescot as the Serious Nonsense Festival returns on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 August.
There’s a packed programme of music, street theatre, circus, comedy and family entertainment across the town centre and Shakespeare North Playhouse.
The FREE festival, inspired by Knowsley’s connection to nonsense poet Edward Lear, and Prescot’s Elizabethan heritage, will once again transform the town centre into a playground of imagination and creativity, welcoming visitors of all ages for two days of spectacular performances, walkabout acts and interactive experiences.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said: “Serious Nonsense Festival has become one of Knowsley’s most loved cultural events and we’re delighted to welcome it back to Prescot for another exciting weekend. With an incredible line-up of performers, family activities and entertainment across the town centre and Shakespeare North Playhouse, there’s never been a better time to visit Prescot and experience everything the festival has to offer.”
What’s On
Friday 21 August 11.30am – 4pm
Visitors can enjoy the hilarious sights and sounds of Flat Pack Opera, where Tudor royalty and historical figures bring opera to life, marvel at Circo Rum Ba Ba’s acrobatic Tudor Tea Party on wheels and keep an eye out for the magnificent Peacock as it struts, dances and poses its way through the town.
At Shakespeare North Playhouse, families can get creative with To Build or Not to Build workshops, using Lego to create their own stories, while Holly Mallett’s (Moxy in CBBCs Andy & The Band) fun-filled rhythm workshops invite you to make music using your bodies and everyday objects. Workshops are free but booking is required.
Saturday 22 August 11am – 6pm
The festival continues with a full day of music, theatre, circus and family fun – everything from the spectacular production BLOCK by Motionhouse and high-energy performances from OneDa, Baked A La Ska and K-POP, to live music from Pop Vox Choir, Strawberry Fields Ukes and Mr Swing’s Dance Orchestra.
Wrestling fans can experience the thrills of Top Rope Wrestling Academy, while Pam Sandwich brings powerhouse vocals and larger-than-life entertainment throughout the day.
Around the town centre, fantastic performances will keep audiences entertained with giant puppets, medieval mishaps and magical encounters. Meet the eccentric Bard Women, Damsels in Distress, Knightly Nonsense, The Aristocrats and Hodman Dodmanott and Sally Forth, marvel at the towering Treemendous trees and cheeky roaming Animals, enjoy the acrobatic Tudor Tea Party, and follow the hilarious antics of Kill Will, where two rival Shakespeares battle to prove who is the true Bard of Avon.
There will also be free family activities at Prescot Parish Church throughout the day.
At Shakespeare North Playhouse, visitors can take part in interactive family workshops inspired by Edward Lear – Potty Plants with Edward Lear and Foss, His Curious Cat, discover the art of improvisation with Glamazon Prime workshops , enjoy the audience-led Rogue Shakespeare Experience, and round off the day with the award-winning improvised musical comedy Glamazon Prime.
See the full programme here The Serious Nonsense Festival 2026 – Culture Knowsley
