COWfest 2026, the Children of Winchester Festival, returns on Saturday 7 February and Sunday 8 February 2026 with a joyful programme of creative, playful and inclusive activities for children and families across the city.
The Arc Winchester on Jewry Street will once again be the main festival hub, hosting a wide range of free events for children of all ages. Across the weekend at The Arc, families can enjoy Relax Kids Winchester with Jules for ages 3–5 and 6–10, Moo Music for toddlers, and Comedy Club 4 Kids in the Performance Hall. Creative drop-in activities include junk modelling and paper crafts with Mimosa Montessori, tote bag printing with Berkshire Printmakers, and crafts with The Arc and Winchester Library.
Music sessions with Winnall Rock School run throughout Saturday, while Sunday features Jiggy Wrigglers for babies and young children, alongside inclusive sports sessions with District Sports.
Click here to book free tickets or find out more about the COWfest programme at The Arc.
(You can also find direct links to individual activities further down this page.)
Alongside the programme at The Arc, COWfest 2026 takes place at venues across Winchester, with partner organisations offering family-friendly performances, workshops and activities throughout the city. More events will be announced soon, so please check back for updates.
The Great Hall with Westgate Museum
To celebrate COWfest 2026, The Great Hall (with Westgate Museum) is offering free entry for children across the festival weekend. Families can step inside two of Winchester’s most iconic historic buildings, discover the famous Round Table, and enjoy exploring these fascinating spaces together as part of their COWfest visit.
Tickets: Free for all children
More info:
https://historicwinchester.co.uk/our-attractions/the-great-hall-with-westgate-museum/
Winchester City Museum
Winchester City Museum is offering free entry for children throughout the COWfest weekend. A welcoming space for curious minds, the museum invites families to explore Winchester’s story through engaging displays and family-friendly galleries, making it a perfect stop during a COWfest day out.
Tickets: Free for all children
More info:
https://historicwinchester.co.uk/our-attractions/city-museum/
Amazing Animals
Theatre Royal Winchester
Saturday 7 February
11:30am and 2:30pm
Tickets: £20
More info & booking:
https://www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/amazing-animals
Active Antz (Under 5s)
Winchester Sport & Leisure Park
Saturday 7 February
9:15am
Children and parents come together to explore, play and interact. A fun, active session with a bouncy castle, soft shapes and games for little ones to enjoy together.
Tickets: Free
Booking required – please call 01962 848700
https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/winchester-sport-leisure-park/
Top Rock Climbing Wall (Ages 5+)
Winchester Sport & Leisure Park
Saturday 7 February
11:00am
A colourful indoor clip-and-climb experience with 17 routes of varying difficulty, offering a fun and thrilling challenge for children aged 5 and up.
Tickets: Free
Booking required – please call 01962 848700
https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/winchester-sport-leisure-park/
Saturday 7 February
10am–10:45am, ages 3–5 years
11am–11:45am, ages 6–10 years
Performance Hall, The Arc Winchester
Book here:
https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/cowfest-26-relax-kids-winchester-ages-3-5-and-6-10
11am–11:30am and 11:40am–12:10pm, ages 1–4 years
Performance Hall, The Arc Winchester
Book here:
https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/cowfest-26-moo-music-ages-1-4
11am–12noon, ages 7–11 years
Tower Room, The Arc Winchester
Book here:
https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/cowfest-26-uke-n-paint-winnall-rock-school-ages-7-11-bring-and-paint-your-own-ukulele
1pm–1:40pm, ages 7–11 years
ARC spaces, The Arc Winchester
Book here:
https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/cowfest-26-lets-write-song-ages-7-11-winnall-rock-school
2pm–2:40pm, ages 7–11 years
ARC spaces, The Arc Winchester
Book here:
https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/cowfest-26-silence-decorators-ages-7-11-winnall-rock-school
2pm, ages 6+
Performance Hall, The Arc Winchester
Book here:
https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/cowfest-26-comedy-club-4-kids
Drop-in between 2pm–4pm
Community Space, The Arc Winchester
No booking required
More info:
https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/cowfest-26-drop-crafts-all-children-mimosa-montessori
3pm–4pm, ages 7–11 years
ARC spaces, The Arc Winchester
Book here:
https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/cowfest-26-uke-n-jam-winnall-rock-school-ages-7
Sunday 8 February
Drop-in between 11am–4pm
ARC spaces, The Arc Winchester
No booking required
More info:
https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/cowfest-26-drop-cowfest-tote-bag-printing-all-children-berkshire-printmakers
11:15am–12:15pm, ages 4 months–5 years
Performance Hall, The Arc Winchester
Book here:
https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/cowfest-26-jiggy-wrigglers-ages-4-months-5-years
Drop-in between 2pm–4pm
Performance Hall, The Arc Winchester
No booking required
More info:
https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/cowfest-26-inclusive-sports-all-children-district-sports-south
COWfest is designed to be welcoming and accessible, celebrating creativity, play and community. With most activities free and suitable for a range of ages, COWfest 2026 offers families a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a vibrant weekend together in Winchester.
Get excited for COWfest 2026, taking place at the Arc and across Winchester on Saturday 7 February and Sunday 8 February!
