SpringWorks~PuppetWorks! Presents: World In A Weekend

July 30 – August 3

Get ready for an unforgettable August long weekend with the return of World in a Weekend: International Puppet Festival. Presented by SpringWorks~PuppetWorks! Stratford will be animated with world-class puppetry, celebrating artistry through captivating performances, interactive workshops, outdoor entertainment, and family-friendly activities.

Over five days, Stratford comes alive with international artists, larger-than-life stilt walkers, hands-on experiences, and performances ranging from traditional storytelling to innovative contemporary productions. Whether you’re discovering puppetry for the first time or you’re a longtime fan, there’s something for every age to enjoy.

Highlights for this year include:

• Free outdoor performances and activities along Veterans Drive and the Avon River.
• Family-friendly workshops in shadow puppetry, mask making, and storytelling.
• International artists and performers from around the world.
• Silent Dance Parties for both families and adults.
• A mix of free, by-donation, and ticketed events throughout the weekend.

Plus, as a special celebration of Stratford’s intersection of art and industry, SpringWorks~PuppetWorks will be debuting an original giant puppet at this year’s festival! Named The Phoenix, this puppet takes inspiration from our railroad steam locomotive history to celebrate Stratford’s creativity and capacity for reinvention as a centre for cultural excellence.

For more information about World in a Weekend’s free, by donation, and ticketed programming, click here. 

DID YOU KNOW?

Stratford is a member of AVIAMA an international association of puppet-friendly cities that form a network promoting the artistry of the puppet as a vital cultural form. We are one of only three towns in North America to be invited and the only English-speaking city-member in the world,