About
Freedom Festival is Hull’s flagship annual celebration of arts, culture, and community, inspired by the city’s historic connection to anti‑slavery campaigner William Wilberforce. Founded in 2007 to mark the 200th anniversary of the Slave Trade Act, the festival embraces Wilberforce’s legacy by championing creativity, freedom of expression, and social change.
Each year, the festival transforms Hull’s city centre into a vibrant, open‑air cultural playground. Visitors are invited to explore an eclectic programme spanning live music, dance, street theatre, circus, visual arts, immersive performances, film screenings, and large‑scale outdoor spectacles. Performances take place across multiple city‑centre locations such as Queen Victoria Square, Princes Dock Street, Humber Street and beyond, bringing thousands of people together to experience world‑class art in public spaces.
Freedom Festival is renowned for its diverse and inclusive programming. With most events free to attend, it attracts families, local communities, and international visitors alike. Past editions have featured everything from choreographed city‑wide parades and aerial circus displays to intimate artistic installations and musical busking trails. These dynamic experiences highlight both global artistic voices and local talent, fostering cultural exchange while putting the people of Hull at the heart of the celebration.
The festival is produced by the Freedom Festival Arts Trust, a charity committed to “engaging and educating the public in the arts” and strengthening local, national and international creative partnerships. The Trust works year‑round with emerging and established artists to commission innovative new work, support creative development, and bring art directly into the community. This makes the festival not only a major cultural event but also a driving force behind Hull’s ongoing artistic growth and reputation as a bold, forward‑thinking cultural city.
In recent years, Freedom Festival has attracted tens of thousands of attendees over multi‑day celebrations, contributing significantly to Hull’s cultural vibrancy and local economy. With its blend of spectacular performances, meaningful storytelling, and an enduring commitment to championing freedom in all its forms, the festival remains one of the UK’s most distinctive and inspiring arts events—an unmissable experience for residents, visitors, and art lovers from around the world.
