Free events announced for great new celebrations across the UK

It is the largest and most ambitious program of creative events ever held in the UK. UNBOXED: Creation in the UK invites you to explore the solar system here on Earth with a spectacular 10km sculptural trail; Party in the pop-up woodland garden and marvel at the beauty of the UK landscape as 20,000 people come together to create exceptional pieces of outdoor art – and much more.

Funded by four UK governments, SKIP can be enjoyed live, on TV, radio or online from March 1 to October 2, and it’s completely free!

Led by Martin Green CBE, who hosted the epic opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, the show features hundreds of must-see events and digital experiences across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Enjoy family-friendly days, plus the chance to enjoy awe-inspiring sights and discover unique stories about where you live – and gain a renewed appreciation of your natural surroundings Friend.

Roam through cities with virtual reality guides that recreate the past. Dive into prehistoric times and watch your local landmarks become the canvas for the breathtaking Big Bang and travel into the future with this film that imagines life in Wales in 2052.

The 10 UNBOXED projects say something about who we are, reflect our past and present, with ideas for our shared future and cover a wide range of topics, from development and sustainability to identity and community.

Whatever inspires you – art, science, history, the environment – has something for you to enjoy. Visit unboxed2022.uk and sign up for the newsletter to stay informed of all upcoming events and make sure you’re part of this once-in-a-lifetime UK celebration of creativity.

About us

LOCATIONS Caernarfon, Derry-Londonderry, Hull, Luton and Paisley

DAY March-May

WHAT HAPPENS? State-of-the-art projections and thrilling animations projecting downtown landmarks at night time will take us through 13.8 billion years of cosmic history from the Big Bang to the present day – All made up of the vibrant sounds of an original music, poetry and live performances by local choirs, About Us is a spectacular open-air performance for those who have been Look up at the starry sky with wonder at the universe and everything in it.

StoryTrails

LOCATIONS Blackpool, Bradford, Bristol, Dumfries, Dundee, Lincoln, London (Lambeth and Lewisham), Newport, Omagh, Sheffield, Slough, Swansea, Swindon and Wolverhampton

DAY September july

WHAT HAPPENS? StoryTrails turns your phone into a town guide, using virtual reality to bring local stories of the past to life. Enter the app and discover a story, which will guide you on a unique tour of your town; or step into an immersive dome and see a virtual map of your town like never before; or put on a virtual reality headset and discover new ways to experience a piece of our shared history.

Dreamachine

LOCATIONS Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London

DAY May-October

WHAT HAPPENS? Imagine a work of art that is “seen” when you close your eyes. Have a plot? Then don’t miss Dreamachine. A little-known 1959 invention that creates patterns that come to life in the mind through flashing lights has been reimagined by the Collective Act, in collaboration with the Turner Assemble Prize-winning artists, the composers of which were nominated. Grammy and Mercury Prize nominees, Jon Hopkins and a group of leading technologists, scientists and philosophers. Dreamachine will allow audiences to experience a vibrant environment of light and sound – but it’s an environment that’s unique to each person.

PoliNations

LOCATIONS Birmingham and Edinburgh

DAY August and September

WHAT HAPPENS? Enjoy live music, poetry, costume design workshops and light shows in a downtown pop-up garden. Huge architectural trees are among thousands of species of trees and flowers co-planted by the townspeople. The Forest Garden hosts a spectacular program of free events that celebrate the color, beauty and diversity of nature. Don’t miss the Ballistic Seed party – imagine Carnival and Holi combined in one bright, messy, playful party and everyone is invited!

WATCH THE MONSTER

POSITION Weston-super-Mare

DAY September july

WHAT HAPPENS? A decommissioned North Sea offshore platform has been transformed into a giant public art installation on the site of a former crate lid. Step aboard to see how waterfalls, solar trees and wind turbines help power the plant. Explore renewable technologies in a garden full of greenery. And participate in fun experiments to teach us more about the main talking point of all Britons: the weather.

dandelion

LOCATIONS Across Scotland

DAY April-September

WHAT HAPPENS? Gardens will spring up in unexpected places: on canals, parking lots, downtown. There will be music specially crafted for each of them. And hundreds of Permanent Light Blocks – miniature vertical farms and artworks – will be scattered across Scotland. The two festivals, in Glasgow and Inverness, will offer live music, locally grown food and free plants and seeds.

Tour de Moon

LOCATIONS Leicester, Newcastle, Southampton and satellite locations across the UK

DAY May-June

WHAT HAPPENS? A touring festival of live events and immersive experiences created by artists, musicians, writers, scientists and digital creators aged 18-25. Across the UK and online, enjoy eight series of shows, from Moon Cinema and Moon Music, to the Interactive Moon Hotline and the all-electric Moon Convoy – all designed to help them We consider the consequences of human life on Earth.

Our place in space

LOCATIONS Belfast, Cambridge and Derry-Londonderry

DAY April-October

WHAT HAPPENS? Walk around the sun, meander around Mars and hit Neptune as you explore our vast solar system recreated here on Earth as a 10km, author-designed trail Oliver Jeffers children. The project also includes an immersive learning experience that you can participate in from anywhere in the world through an interactive augmented reality app.

GALWAD: a story from our future

LOCATIONS Blaenau Ffestiniog, Merthyr Tydfil and Swansea

DAY September October

WHAT HAPPENS? GALWAD is a story set 30 years into the future, which will take place across TV series, digital platforms and live events in three Welsh locations – Blaenau Ffestiniog, Merthyr Tydfil and Swansea . GALWAD brings together the best of Welsh talent in film and television, creative technology and live performance, including award-winning production designer Alex McDowell (who has worked on the Minority Report ).

Dark sky in blue space

POSITION Online and across the UK

DAY April-September

WHAT HAPPENS? For the Dark Sky in Blue Space project, 20,000 participants carrying low-impact lights will create models in mountains, lakes and moors across the UK. So-called ‘Lumenators’ will gather at secret locations and landmarks as dusk falls, creating digital choreography captured on film for online audiences anywhere in the world. These amazing works of art are happening at 20 locations in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty across the UK.

Sign up for the newsletter at unboxed2022.uk to get the latest information and be part of this once-in-a-lifetime UK celebration of creativity.