Get ready for a summer packed with toy fun at Festival Place! Join us for a fantastic programme of FREE family events and creative workshops with exciting challenges to bring laughter and joy throughout the summer holidays.
Event Highlights:
Friday 24 July - Help us film the UK’s biggest ‘Andy’s Coming!’ moment
Be a part of something unforgettable as we attempt to create the largest gathering of people taking part in the famous ‘Andy’s Coming!’. Come along dressed as your favourite Toy Story character, join in the fun and be a star for the day! Just head to Porchester Square from 11am, with filming starting at 12:30pm. It’s FREE to come along, so bring your family, strike a pose and help us capture an amazing record-breaking moment on film!
Saturday 25 July - A Jam-Packed Day Full of Family Fun!
There’s something for everyone with a full programme of FREE activities!
Toy Swap Shop
Bring along a toy you want to donate and swap it for one from our Toy Swap Shop. All toys have been kindly donated by members of the surrounding community and from those here at Festival Place. It’s a fun way to recycle toys and reduce waste by giving pre-loved toys a new home!
Be in with a chance to win a £100 shopping voucher!
Every toy swap at our swap shop earns you a raffle ticket to win a £100 Festival Place Gift Card!
We’ll pick one lucky winner at 1:15pm, who’ll have just 60 minutes to spend it across Festival Place before returning to the stage to reveal their fantastic finds!
Retail Therapy Couch
Take a seat and enjoy a series of inspiring talks and activities throughout the day.
- 11am - Meet Amelia Tait, the inspirational child author behind Waterstones' June book of the month ‘Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveller’ for a book signing and Q&A session.
- 11:45am - Basingstoke Discovery Centre Summer reading challenge!
- 12pm - Join family food creator Holly Dorman and get inspired as she shares simple, budget-friendly meals and snacks that kids will love! Perfect for busy parents looking for summertime food tips and tricks.
- 1:15pm - The winner of the £100 Festival Place gift card is announced, and the shopping spree begins before returning to the stage to reveal their fantastic finds!
- 2pm - Sports Centre talk! Discover how you can keep fit and have fun as a family over the summer.
- 2:30pm - Come along and try a range of Starbucks' new summer drinks!
- 3pm - Can you beat the clock? See how quickly you can pack a bag and be in with a chance to win a prize!
Summer Workshops – Every Saturday throughout August 11am – 4pm
Keep the summer fun going with free drop-in craft workshops every Saturday!
- 1st August – Make your own slinky dog
- 8th August – Build, design & create a plane
- 15th August – Paint your own ‘brick’ minifigure
- 22nd August – Bug building brilliance
Each workshop is FREE to take part in and runs from 11am - 4pm. Perfect for little makers ready to get hands-on and showcase their creative minds.
Don’t Miss Out!
Whether you’re helping us recreate the iconic Andy’s Coming moment, donating toys, or getting involved with all the fun activities we have planned, there’s plenty to enjoy at Andy’s Backyard this summer in Porchester Square.
*content is subject to change.
