Turner Sims Summer Family Day 2025
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Join us this summer for a day of magical musical activities and events for children and grown-ups of all ages.
Register now
About
Get the whole family involved with performances, workshops, music, dance, craft – and of course the chance to make LOTS of noise. Bring your picnic lunch to enjoy in the gardens, get your face painted – a perfect day out!
The Sleeping Seeds
A playful music theatre show for families. Two musical gardeners go on an adventure to raise a seedling and raise a racket. Rake & Roll!
The Sleeping Seeds are a pair of musical gardeners who have a very special seed asleep in their seed bed. Join them as they nurture and encourage this little seed to mature and take its place in the world.
The artists Fox & Rocha combine their signature sounds of voice, harp, strings and bellows, alongside sounds with unusual instruments, including garden objects such as watering cans and trowels.
Expect catchy songs, unusual instruments and fun joining in!
This is a relaxed performance suitable for ages 2+ and their adults
This show is British Sign Language interpreted.
Find out more and book your tickets
Music Making Workshop
Join Yetta and Emma from Yes! Creative Beats for an inclusive, participatory rhythm workshop, using boom whackers and sound shapes. YES! Creative Beats, from the Isle of Wight, specialise in interactive samba drumming and percussion workshops.
When?: 11.30am / 1.30pm
Where?: Marquee on the lawn / Running time: 45 minutes
Suitable for all ages
This event is FREE. No need to book – just come along!
Limited numbers: first come, first served
Community Stage
Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hub present our Community Stage this year. Join us to celebrate local talented young people as they take to the stage with an exciting line up of performances.
When?: 11.30am / 2pm
Where?: Courtyard Stage / Running time: 1 hour
Suitable for all ages
This event is FREE. No need to book – just come along!
Early Weaves
Ascension Dance present this introduction to dance theatre for young children, using beautiful movement. This non-verbal show features a set and props made almost entirely from willow.
Discover a story of friendship and re-connecting with loved ones. Two people meet, uncertainly at first, and journey through building trust and comfort with each other again. Using fabulously flexible willow, they explore sound and movement, creating magic and laughter. They invite you to explore imagination, creative thinking and play.
When?: 12.30pm / 3pm
Where?: Under the trees on the lawn / Running time: 55 minutes
Suitable for ages 0 – 5 and their adults
This event is FREE. No need to book – just come along!
Tales from the Lighthouse
A musical voyage full of stories, songs and the sea…
Upon a distant shore, a lonely lighthouse keeper has grown fearful of the sea and its wild and stormy nature. But when a mysterious stranger appears with songs of the sea’s magic and power, the keeper is forced to confront his fears. He slowly rediscovers the beauty of the ocean that surrounds him.
Experience storytelling, traditional music, original songs and spellbinding puppetry. This is a captivating show full of myths, magic, music and folklore. Join Little Seeds Music for the perfect voyage into the world of theatre, puppetry and music for children.
When?: 3pm
Where?: main auditorium / Running time: 1 hour
Suitable for ages 5+ and their adults
All tickets: £5
Find out more and book your tickets
Drop-in Craft Workshop
Join us in the foyer for a drop in craft workshop. We will provide all the materials, just bring your creativity!
When?: 11am – 4pm
Where?: Turner Sims Foyer / drop in all day
Suitable for all ages
This event is FREE. No need to book – just come along!
Location and contact
Turner Sims
Turner Sims
University of Southampton
SO17 1BJ