Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd November
Across Hartlepool Headland
'Nova' By Studio Vertigo
Croft Gardens (Tea Gardens)
The Nova sculpture is based on the mystical Star of the East, which astronomers now believe was actually a nova. As a spectator, you will feel like you are experiencing a nova or ”new” star - mighty and dazzling.
The Wintertide Festival 2025 programme of events is almost here. Check back for new activities, art trails, concerts and more added every day.
Wintertide Festival 2025
Wintertide Festival will once again be burning brightly on Hartlepool’s Headland from Friday the 21st to Sunday the 23rd of November, with a packed programme of art, music and performances along with workshops and an independent maker’s market.
One of the only grassroots residential festivals in the Tees Valley, Wintertide hosts an artistic programme that reflects and celebrates Hartlepool, its people, places, passions, heritage and folklore. Wintertide’s aim is to bring the historic streets of the Headland to life, which it achieves by welcoming over 15,000 people to the area every other year in this bi-annual festival of arts.
Spiral Galaxy by Periplum
from Friday 21st November at Elephant Rock
Imagine a star falling on the shore, and another star falling, a thousand stars all drifting down to shine on the night waves landing. Take a journey to the heart of a spiral galaxy and make a wish upon the stars. Outdoor arts company Periplum create a constellation with fire, offering a peaceful and meditative act of reflection, lit collectively by members of local communities, and joined by artists from Periplum’s Creating Outdoors Professional Development Programme.
Programme Highlights
Wintertide 2025
Event
The Parade
21 November 2025
As night falls, Wintertide’s Opening Parade ignites the streets with glowing constellations of light, music, and movement. Inspired by ancient myths, celestial journeys, and dreams of the stars, our community gathers to weave a radiant story of unity and wonder, transforming Hartlepool’s Headland.
Everyone has the right to access culture
This belief sits at the heart of Wintertide, an independent festival working at a grassrootslevel on the Headland in Hartlepool.
Through our innovative and community-led events, we transform the Headland into a space for curiosity and passion, ensuring that people across the region can access and enjoy the strong cultural offerings Hartlepool has to offer.
Established in 2014, the festival has grown year on year, inspiring larger and larger audiences but remaining tightly linked to the local community throughout.
We are grateful to all of our funders, supporters and partners whose funding supports us to create high-quality and unique festival and ensure we can deliver a year-round programme of community-driven events that create a sense of pride in our community and build moments of wonder and shared smiles.
Friday
21 November
Lads, Lads, Lads, 12 Trials of a Hartlepool Heracles
Location Awaiting Confirmation
Myth meets the modern North Sea in this powerful new project by SIDEQUEST. Reimagining the legend of Heracles through Hartlepool’s own stories of pride, friendship and everyday strength, familiar places become sites of modern myth. From boxing gyms to piers and car parks.
The Simon James Earthship
Town Square, Hartlepool
In 1977, the twin Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft were launched, and they are still exploring interstellar space where nothing from Earth has flown before. It was like a time capsule for extraterrestrials, and this workshop is your chance to send a message on the same journey through space.
River of Hope
Heugh Battery Museum
River of Hope brings the sights, sounds, and stories of the River Tees to life. This powerful audio-visual installation explores rivers, myths, and environmental change. It brings together the voices and visions of over 600 young people from 16 schools across the Tees Valley.
The Parade
Town Square, Headland
As night falls, Wintertide’s Opening Parade ignites the streets with glowing constellations of light, music, and movement. Inspired by ancient myths, celestial journeys, and dreams of the stars, our community gathers to weave a radiant story of unity and wonder, transforming Hartlepool’s Headland.
Saturday
22 November
Art Trail
Workshop
The Simon James Earthship
Town Square, Hartlepool
In 1977, the twin Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft were launched, and they are still exploring interstellar space where nothing from Earth has flown before. It was like a time capsule for extraterrestrials, and this workshop is your chance to send a message on the same journey through space.
Art Trail
Stories from the Headland: An Audio Trail of Stories
Hartlepool Borough Hall
Step into the streets of Hartlepool Headland and hear the voices of the people who call it home. As part of Wintertide Festival, artist Ben Phillips has worked with locals to capture their memories, myths and everyday stories, creating an immersive audio journey through the place we call home.
Art Trail
Workshop
Workshop
Little Silver Kiln Workshops
Hartlepool Borough Hall
We’re thrilled to welcome Carley from The Little Silver Kiln back to Wintertide for a dazzling, hands-on silversmithing experience! Guided by Carley’s expert touch, you’ll create your own cosmic-inspired jewellery, capturing the shimmer of starlight and the mystery of the night sky.
Market
Sunday
23 November
Art Trail
Lads, Lads, Lads, 12 Trials of a Hartlepool Heracles
Location Awaiting Confirmation
Myth meets the modern North Sea in this powerful new project by SIDEQUEST. Reimagining the legend of Heracles through Hartlepool’s own stories of pride, friendship and everyday strength, familiar places become sites of modern myth. From boxing gyms to piers and car parks.
Workshop
The Simon James Earthship
Town Square, Hartlepool
In 1977, the twin Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft were launched, and they are still exploring interstellar space where nothing from Earth has flown before. It was like a time capsule for extraterrestrials, and this workshop is your chance to send a message on the same journey through space.
Workshop
Workshop
Little Silver Kiln Workshops
Hartlepool Borough Hall
We’re thrilled to welcome Carley from The Little Silver Kiln back to Wintertide for a dazzling, hands-on silversmithing experience! Guided by Carley’s expert touch, you’ll create your own cosmic-inspired jewellery, capturing the shimmer of starlight and the mystery of the night sky.
Art Trail
Stories from the Headland: An Audio Trail of Stories
Hartlepool Borough Hall
Step into the streets of Hartlepool Headland and hear the voices of the people who call it home. As part of Wintertide Festival, artist Ben Phillips has worked with locals to capture their memories, myths and everyday stories, creating an immersive audio journey through the place we call home.
Music
Event
Procession
Town Square, Headland
Come together and be part of Wintertide’s glowing constellation! As night falls, our community will move as one - a procession of light, creativity, and togetherness. Step into the story, bring your star and help us form a living constellation that celebrates the power of connection and imagination.