At this year's COWfest, we have a fantastic range of drop-in and bookable activities on offer at our new venue – the Winchester Discovery Centre!

Best of all, thanks to the support of the Winchester BID and Waitrose, all children can take part for FREE!

Take a look at this year's festival programme:

FREE DROP-IN ACTIVITIES

Arts and Crafts – 10am to 4pm

Art Stars – Pirate themed creativity for ages 7-11

deBuriart Workshops – Abstract printmaking for ages 4+

Mimosa Montessori – Eric Carle inspired collage for ages 3+

University of Southampton arts and crafts – Weaving, Lollystick people and Valentine’s inspired craft for ages 3+; origami for ages 7+

Winchester Embroiderers’ Guild – embroidery for ages 6-10

All day – Winchester Embroiderers’ Guild annual exhibition in the City Space gallery

Children’s Library

10am: Rhymetime – ages 0-3

11am: Storytime: A Very Hungry Caterpillar – ages 3-7

2pm-4pm: Lego Club – ages 4+

Café

2.30-3pm: Salsa y Sol – Zumba – ages 7-11

FREE WORKSHOPS

Relax Kids – Relaxation and mindfulness

9.30-10.15: ages 3-5 BOOK HERE 

10.30-11.15: ages 6-10 BOOK HERE 

Playmakers Young Producers – Drama

10am-11 am: Be your own Superhero! – ages 4-7 BOOK HERE 

11:30am-12:30pm: No Stupid Questions – ages 8-11 BOOK HERE 

Creative Palaver – Circus skills

11.45-12.45: ages 4-7 BOOK HERE 

1-2pm: ages 8-12 BOOK HERE 

Noisy Oyster – The Odd Bods puppetry for ages 6-12

Workshop 1: 12-1pm BOOK HERE 

Workshop 2: 1.30-2.30pm BOOK HERE 

Workshop 3: 3-4pm BOOK HERE 

Winnall Rock School – Songwriting

1.30-4.30pm: ages 7-16 BOOK HERE 

Little Blossom Yoga

2.30-3.00pm: parent and baby BOOK HERE 

3.15-3.45pm: parent and toddler 18 months-4 years BOOK HERE 

4-4.45pm: ages 5-11 BOOK HERE 

PLEASE help us get 2020 off to a good start by supporting the Children of Winchester Festival (COWfest) with your green coins in Waitrose during January!

THANK YOU!

** HOLD THE DATE! **

The 5th Children of Winchester Festival (COWfest) will take place on Saturday 15th February 2020 – at a new venue, the Discovery Centre!

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

THANK YOU to all those involved in COWfest 2019!

This year's festival was busy, noisy, messy and great fun!

Particular thanks go to:
- all our COWfest volunteers from the University of Winchester and Westgate School; you were all brilliant!
- all our COWfest workshop and activity providers; you put smiles on lots of children's faces!
- the community centre team at Kings' School; you stepped in to help at key moments and kept everything running smoothly!
- our fabulous sponsors, the Alresford Music Festival and Cass Art; your raffle prizes were much appreciated as were all the art supplies!
- our funders, Winchester Round Table; without you, we couldn't have offered such a varied festival programme for FREE to so many children and young people.

Tickets for COWfest 2019 are going quickly – so book yours now to be sure of having a FREE place.

Want to know what you can do at COWfest?

We have two activities that are open to all ages:

Mimosa Montessori junk modelling and texture wall, all ages, 10.00 – 12.00 and 13.00 – 15.00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-junk-modelling-workshop-1-all-ages-tickets-54852741025

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-junk-modelling-workshop-2-all-ages-tickets-54922428462

Winchester School of Art stencilling, all ages, 10.00 – 12.00 and 13.00 – 15.00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-stencilling-workshop-1-all-ages-tickets-54853783142

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-stencilling-workshop-2-all-ages-tickets-54925349198

Some are aimed at babies and pre-schoolers:

9.30 – 10.15 Relax Kids ‘Little Stars’ ages 2-5

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-relax-kids-little-stars-ages-2-5-tickets-54852187369

13.15 – 13.55 Caterpillar Music ages 0-18 mths

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-caterpillar-music-ages-0-18-months-tickets-54852426083

14.10 – 14.50 Caterpillar Music ages 18 mths-4 years

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-caterpillar-music-ages-18-months-to-4-years-tickets-54852455170

Lots of our workshops cater for children at primary school:

9.30 – 10.30 Saints Foundation football ages 5-7

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-football-skills-with-saints-fc-ages-5-7-tickets-54851851364

Elka textiles weaving, ages 6+, 10.00 – 12.00 and 13.00 – 15.00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-weaving-workshop-1-ages-6-tickets-54852560485 

Georgia de Buriatte printmaking, ages 6+, 10.00 – 12.00 and 13.00 – 15.00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-printmaking-workshop-1-ages-6-tickets-54853853352

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-printmaking-workshop-2-ages-6-tickets-54924247904

10.30 – 11.30 Relax Kids ‘Magical Adventures’ ages 5-9

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-relax-kids-magical-adventures-ages-5-9-tickets-54852249555

10.45 – 11.45 Saints Foundation football ages 5-11

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-football-skills-with-saints-fc-ages-5-11-tickets-54851875436

10.00 – 13.00 Winchester Hub Youth Theatre drama workshop ages 6-13

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-drama-workshop-tickets-54798543920

12.45 –13.45 District Sports dodgeball ages 7+

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-dodgeball-ages-7-tickets-54833226657

14.00 – 17.00 Winnall Rock School songwriting workshop ages 7-16, followed by performance showcase

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-songwriting-workshop-tickets-54799183834

14.00 – 15.00 District Sports basketball ages 7-11

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-basketball-ages-7-11-tickets-54833267780

15.00 – 16.00 District Sports basketball ages 7+

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-basketball-ages-7-tickets-54833271792

16.15 – 17.15 District Sports dodgeball ages 7+

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-dodgeball-ages-7-tickets-54833257750

15.30 – 17.30 Let's Dance ages 7+

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-lets-dance-ages-7-tickets-54852493284 

And there are activities for older children and teens as well:

Elka textiles weaving, ages 6+, 10.00 – 12.00 and 13.00 – 15.00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-weaving-workshop-1-ages-6-tickets-54852560485 

Georgia de Buriatte printmaking, ages 6+, 10.00 – 12.00 and 13.00 – 15.00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-printmaking-workshop-1-ages-6-tickets-54853853352

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-printmaking-workshop-2-ages-6-tickets-54924247904

10.00 – 13.00 Winchester Hub Youth Theatre drama workshop ages 6-13

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-drama-workshop-tickets-54798543920

14.00 – 17.00 Winnall Rock School songwriting workshop ages 7-16, followed by performance showcase

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-songwriting-workshop-tickets-54799183834

15.00 – 16.00 District Sports basketball ages 7+

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-basketball-ages-7-tickets-54833271792

16.15 – 17.15 District Sports dodgeball ages 7+

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-dodgeball-ages-7-tickets-54833257750

15.30 – 17.30 Let's Dance ages 7+

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-lets-dance-ages-7-tickets-54852493284 

So there really is something for everyone!

In addition to the pre-booked sessions above, there will be several 'drop in and try' activities available, as well as a cafe for parents and carers to relax in throughout the day.

The cafe will also be offering raffle tickets to parents and carers, for two fantastic prizes – a family ticket to this year's Alresford Music Festival, and a fantastic bundle of arts supplies from Cass Art (which has a lovely new shop on the Winchester School of Art campus).

The COWfest team is very grateful to the support of the Alresford Music Festival and Cass Art for our festival this year! THANK YOU.

And, of course, we wouldn't be able to offer all the fantastic COWfest activities for FREE without the help of Winchester Round Table. Another big THANK YOU to them...

TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE!

You can now book tickets for workshops and activities at COWfest 2019 on Saturday 16th February.

All tickets are FREE, so we expect the festival to book up quickly. Please make sure you only book sessions that you can attend – and if you can no longer make it nearer the time, please release your ticket for another child to enjoy! Thank you!

Programme details and ticket links are as follows:

Sports hall

9.30 – 10.30 Saints Foundation football ages 5-7

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-football-skills-with-saints-fc-ages-5-7-tickets-54851851364

10.45 – 11.45 Saints Foundation football ages 8-11

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-football-skills-with-saints-fc-ages-8-11-tickets-54851875436

12.45 –13.45 District Sports dodgeball ages 7+

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-dodgeball-ages-7-tickets-54833226657

14.00 – 15.00 District Sports basketball ages 7-11

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-basketball-ages-7-11-tickets-54833267780

15.00 – 16.00 District Sports basketball ages 7+

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-basketball-ages-7-tickets-54833271792

16.15 – 17.15 District Sports dodgeball ages 7+

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-dodgeball-ages-7-tickets-54833257750

Tower theatre

10.00 – 13.00 Winchester Hub Youth Theatre drama workshop ages 6-13

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-drama-workshop-tickets-54798543920

14.00 – 17.00 Winnall Rock School songwriting workshop ages 7-16, followed by performance showcase

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-songwriting-workshop-tickets-54799183834

Tower studio

9.30 – 10.15 Relax Kids ‘Little Stars’ ages 2-5

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-relax-kids-little-stars-ages-2-5-tickets-54852187369

10.30 – 11.30 Relax Kids ‘Magical Adventures’ ages 5-9

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-relax-kids-magical-adventures-ages-5-9-tickets-54852249555

13.15 – 13.55 Caterpillar Music ages 0-18 mths

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-caterpillar-music-ages-0-18-months-tickets-54852426083

14.10 – 14.50 Caterpillar Music ages 18 mths-4 years

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-caterpillar-music-ages-18-months-to-4-years-tickets-54852455170

15.30 – 17.30 Let's Dance ages 7+

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-lets-dance-ages-7-tickets-54852493284 

Tower atrium

Elka textiles weaving, ages 6+, 10.00 – 12.00 and 13.00 – 15.00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-weaving-workshop-1-ages-6-tickets-54852560485 

Mimosa Montessori junk modelling and texture wall, all ages, 10.00 – 12.00 and 13.00 – 15.00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-junk-modelling-workshop-1-all-ages-tickets-54852741025

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-junk-modelling-workshop-2-all-ages-tickets-54922428462

Winchester School of Art stencilling, all ages, 10.00 – 12.00 and 13.00 – 15.00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-stencilling-workshop-1-all-ages-tickets-54853783142

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-stencilling-workshop-2-all-ages-tickets-54925349198

Georgia de Buriatte printmaking, ages 6+, 10.00 – 12.00 and 13.00 – 15.00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-printmaking-workshop-1-ages-6-tickets-54853853352

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2019-printmaking-workshop-2-ages-6-tickets-54924247904

We are pleased to announce that the 2019 Children of Winchester Festival (COWfest) will be held on Saturday 16th February, at the Tower and Sports Centre at Kings' School.

This year, all workshops and activity sessions will be FREE! There will be something to try for all ages, from babies through to 18 year olds, with a wide range of arts and sports activities on offer...

So stay tuned for more details on workshops and performances, and information about how to book.

SEE YOU THERE!

COWfest 2018 will be a bit different... we are taking a break from the full festival, to make it even better next year and sustainable long-term. This year, COWfest is bringing you 5 chances to "play for a pound". That's right! You can try a new sporting activity for just £1. There will be 5 hour-long sessions running on Saturday 10th February 2018, at Kings' School sports centre: netball, basketball, multi-sports, handball and dodgeball.

You can book in advance or just turn up on the day (first come, first served). If you want to book tickets online, you can do so via these links:

9.30am Netball ages 8-11

11am Basketball ages 5-11

12.15pm Inclusive multi-sports ages 5-16

1.30pm Handball ages 5-11

2.45pm Dodgeball ages 5-11

So don't miss out! Come and play for a pound – you can even stay all day if you like, but don't forget to buy all 5 tickets!

There's just a week to go until COWfest 2017, so book soon if you would like to be involved!

The Big Top Tots workshop has now sold out, we have just one place left on the ages 5+ Circus Skills workshop, and other workshops are filling up quickly...

Even if you don't have workshop tickets, though, you can still pop down to the Tower at Kings' School on Saturday 18th February or the morning of Sunday 19th February to sample the atmosphere, take a look at the COWfest art gallery, and have a coffee...

See you at COWfest 2017!

All children's and young people's workshops are FREE this year at COWfest, thanks to a grant from Winchester City Council – so don't delay: book your place NOW!

COWfest 2017: Workshop details and tickets

Pre-school sessions:

Workshops for children aged 5 and up:

On Saturday, drop in any time between 10am and 3pm to create some stunning artworks and crafts with Art Stars (ages 5+):

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2017-arts-crafts-workshop-drop-in-tickets-31253534162

If you need to burn off some energy, how about trying Firefly Theatre School's Cheerleading workshop? (Ages 7+)

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2017-cheerleading-workshop-tickets-31249160079

In the afternoon, Creative Palaver will be larking around in the studio. Join them there to hone your Circus Skills (ages 5+):

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2017-circus-skills-workshop-tickets-31255666540

Or if you are keen to act up for a bit, try the University of Winchester HUB Youth Theatre's drama workshop (ages 7-11): 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2017-drama-workshop-tickets-31219549513 

Start your Sunday with a song, with Winnall Rock School's taster workshop (ages 10+): 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cowfest-2017-rock-school-workshop-tickets-31219939680