Family Fiesta Day
Sunday 09 August
Step into a world of colour, rhythm and big tunes as Carmen bursts into town for a joyful family fiesta packed with music, creativity, and adventure!
Set in the beautiful surroundings of Church Farm, this immersive day puts families at the heart of the action and invites children and grown-ups to sing, make, explore, dress up and discover opera together. Everyone is welcome…
What's Included:
Songwriting workshops with West End composer Tim Gilvin (12.30pm and 2pm)
Craft-making and creative activities
Face painting
Costume dressing-up and photo opportunities
Fiesta-inspired garden trail
Carmen's Café and picnic spaces
Chorus workshop and The BIG SING finale with professional singers (3.30pm)
Create your own songs with West End composer Tim Gilvin, get crafty with hands-on making activities, transform yourself with face painting, and try on costumes inspired by the colourful world of Carmen.
Follow our fiesta trail through the gardens and uncover some of the secrets that bring a production to life.
When it's time to refuel, take a break at Carmen's Café for delicious Spanish-inspired treats, or bring a picnic, treat yourself to an ice cream, and find your favourite spot in the grounds to relax and soak up the atmosphere.
The day culminates in The BIG SING, where children and adults come together to learn the famous Toreador chorus with inspiring animateur and soprano Lyndsey Docherty before joining professional singers for a joyful, uplifting finale.
No experience is needed, just bring your voice, your imagination and a sense of fun!
Come for the fiesta. Leave humming the tunes. Olé!
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Let imaginations run wild as children create their own colourful Carmen-inspired accessories. Decorate a traditional Spanish fan, design a beautiful mantilla headdress, or transform into a fearless matador with a bright cape of your own making. Then add the finishing touch with our vibrant fiesta face painting.
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Ever wondered how a song is created? Join West End composer Tim Gilvin and inspiring soprano Lyndsey Doherty for a unique, hands-on workshop where you choose the words, shape the rhythm, and watch your ideas transformed into a brand-new song before your eyes. Then raise your voice and perform it together.
1230 Composing workshop 1 (30mins)
1400 Composing workshop 2 (30mins)
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Enjoy a family-friendly performance excerpt from Carmen, then join our singers for a fun and uplifting workshop where you'll learn a chorus from the show. The day culminates in a rousing finale as children, grown-ups, and professional singers come together in one joyful mass singalong. As voices of all ages unite, you'll experience the buzz, energy, and excitement of live performance from the inside. No experience needed, just bring your voice and join the fun.
1530 Chorus workshop and The Big Sing (45/50mins)
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Long ago, the White Horse watched over the Wiltshire hills. Each summer, when music filled the valley, it would come to life under the moonlight and wander across the countryside, bringing songs, stories and a little magic wherever it went. This year, however, the Horse has lost its voice and without its song, the opera cannot begin.
Children must follow the clues around Church Farm to help the White Horse recover the missing notes of its magical melody before the curtain rises.
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Step into the world of Carmen and become part of the story. Try on a selection of colourful costume pieces, while admiring some of the stunning production costumes on display. Strike a pose in our giant picture frame and capture a memorable family photo in a beautiful setting.
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The Cowshed by Homewood will offer delicious paella and tempting churros as take away food throughout the day.
Alternatively, bring a picnic (you are welcome to bring tables and chairs or rugs), buy a drink from our pop-up bar, treat yourself to an ice cream and find your favourite spot in the Orchard or Wildflower Meadow.
Date & Times:
Sunday 09 August
12:00pm - 5:00pm
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Church Farm, Wingfield, (A366 Wingfield Road), BA14 9LE
Click here for full venue details along with transport options.
Wet weather
Our purpose-built theatre is fully covered and performances go ahead whatever the weather.
Accessibility
Our auditorium is accessible for wheelchairs. If you, or any member of your party require particular seating or have access needs, please inform Bath Box Office when booking your tickets to ensure we reserve the correct seating area for you.n text goes here
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By car
There will be free parking available onsite. Please consider sharing lifts with friends and family where possible.
The parking will be managed by our team of stewards and crew and well lit.
Please note, that you will be parking on a field so the ground will be uneven. If you, or any of your party are bringing a wheelchair, require accessible parking or have any mobility issues, please inform the box-office at the time of booking.
There will be a drop off area by the path leading directly to the Saddlespan Auditorium for those with accessibility requirements.
By taxi
There is a taxi service, Bradford on Avon Taxis, located at the railway station. Please visit www.bradfordonavon-taxis.co.uk for further information and bookings.
We recommend pre-booking your taxi with your preferred company, or Bradford on Avon Taxis (01225 862277), as it can be busy during our event season.
If leaving by taxi, we suggest using the estimated end time on the specific event page as a guide for pick up time. Please note, performance run times are approximate times only.
By train
There are regular trains to Bradford on Avon from London (change at Bath), Bristol, Chippenham and Westbury. Please visit www.gwr.com for train timetables and services.
For the onward journey to Church Farm, there is a taxi service, Bradford on Avon Taxis, located at the railway station (see details above).
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Bring your own picnic, settle into your favourite corner of the garden and wander between activities at your own pace.
When it’s time for a break, try our Spanish-inspired churros or paella from our pop-up restaurant in The Cowshed by Homewood, and don’t forget to say hello to Teddy and Jimmy, the resident donkeys, while you enjoy your lunch.
Picnics
Guests are also welcome to bring tables and chairs or rugs to picnic within the grounds of Church Farm.
Please note, there are limited sheltered areas if the weather is wet.
A pop-up bar serving a selection of drinks including specially created cocktails for the season alongside wine, beer and soft drinks will also be available in the garden at all events.
Tickets:
£15.50 (adults) (inc ticket & order* fees)
£10.50 (children age 5 - 16) (inc ticket & order* fees)
Under 5’s go free
*All orders subject to a £1.50 processing feeWorkshops and activities are most suitable for children aged 5+ The singing workshops will be BSL Interpreted
No dogs except for assistance dogs
Or call Bath Box Office on: 01225 463 362