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
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.
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
Wintertide Festival will once again be burning brightly on Hartlepool’s Headland from Friday the 21st to Sunday the 23rd of November, with a packed programme of art, music and performances along with workshops and an independent maker’s market.
One of the only grassroots residential festivals in the Tees Valley, Wintertide hosts an artistic programme that reflects and celebrates Hartlepool, its people, places, passions, heritage and folklore. Wintertide’s aim is to bring the historic streets of the Headland to life, which it achieves by welcoming over 15,000 people to the area every other year in this bi-annual festival of arts.
Accessibility and suitability
Not all events have step-free access as the festival is situated within heritage site. The festival has accessible toilet facilities and is largely designed to be suitable for all ages and needs. Please check individual events for content warnings and age restrictions. 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.
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