Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd November
Across Hartlepool Headland
The Parade
As night falls, Wintertide’s Opening Parade ignites the streets with glowing constellations of light, music, and movement. Inspired by ancient myths, celestial journeys, and dreams of the stars, our community gathers to weave a radiant story of unity and wonder, transforming Hartlepool’s Headland.
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The Parade
Town Square, Headland
from Friday 21 November 2025
The Parade
As night falls, Wintertide’s Opening Parade ignites the streets with glowing constellations of light, music, and movement. Inspired by ancient myths, celestial journeys, and dreams of the stars, our community gathers to weave a radiant story of unity and wonder, transforming Hartlepool’s Headland into a living galaxy of imagination.
Schedule
Type
Location
Start Date
End Date
The Parade
Town Square
5:30 pm
Friday, 21 November 2025
6:30 pm
Friday, 21 November 2025
About the artists and work
The festival launches into 2025 with a spectacular opening parade, a dazzling explosion of light, sound, and creativity!
Set to an uplifting, celestial dance anthem curated by pioneering electronic duo A Man Called Adam, this year’s opening event promises to set the tone for an unforgettable weekend.
Our celestial parade has been lovingly crafted by talented parade specialists working hand-in-hand with local schools, families, and community groups to bring galaxies of imagination to life through costume, movement, and light.
Whippet Up have been collaborating with families at the West View Advice and Resource Centre, crafting glowing star and moon lanterns to light up the streets.
Hollie Notman joins forces with Eldon Grove Academy and Throston Primary Schools to create rocket-inspired lanterns and cosmic costumes. Bub Bacon is creating a flotilla of textile flags with Catcote Academy, a colourful seascape of ships, yachts and fishing boats navigating their way through the stars. Be Enchanted, A Wave Of Light, choreographed performance that transforms St Helen's Primary pupils into a living constellation of light and sound.
Come together, follow the rhythm, and be part of the celebration as we light up the sky and officially launch the festival.
Accessibility and suitability
All events have step-free access and accessible toilet facilities where possible, and are largely designed to be suitable for all ages and needs. Visitors with additional access requirements or concerns should notify the venue or organisers in advance. A free companion ticket is available with proof of eligibility, please get in touch at hello@wintertidefestival.co.uk for more information.
Artists and studios
A Man Called Adam
Musician
Bub Bacon
Artist
Whippet Up
Art and Creativity Workshops
Bee Enchanted
Performance
Sponsors and partners
Arts Council England
Sponsor
Credits
Bee Enchanted present A Wave Of Light - a choreographed parade performance that transforms performers into a living constellation of light and sound.
Whippet Up have developed a constellation of lanterns.
Bub Bacon has built a colourful flotilla of textile flags transformed into a moving seascape. Shaped like ships, yachts and fishing boats, they sail across curling ribbon waves — fluttering gently or whipping into a storm on the North Sea wind.
Hollie & Gabriel have created the costumes: striking illuminated costumes reimagining constellations as something playful and close-at-hand.
A Man Called Adam have composed the electronic soundtrack.
Related events
The Simon James Earthship
Town Square, Hartlepool
In 1977, the twin Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft were launched, and they are still exploring interstellar space where nothing from Earth has flown before. It was like a time capsule for extraterrestrials, and this workshop is your chance to send a message on the same journey through space.
The Heart of the Headland: An Audio Trail of Stories
Hartlepool Borough Hall
Step into the streets of Hartlepool Headland and hear the voices of the people who call it home. As part of Wintertide Festival, artist Ben Phillips has worked with locals to capture their memories, myths and everyday stories, creating an immersive audio journey through the place we call home.
