A new partnership between Strike A Light and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust sees Robinswood Hill in Gloucester transformed into a natural stage for 'world-class' performance art this August 2026.
Up The Hill takes place from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 August 2026 and features a programme of free, family-friendly performances and immersive outdoor art installations.
Performances include 'BUG' with movement and sounds inspired by insects; 'Lady Garden', a blend of street dance, comedy and live art celebrating 'the weird and wonderful world of flowers'; and 'Can I Live?' – a digital performance from BAFTA-nominated actor and activist, Fehinti Balogan, exploring social justice and environmental challenges.
Strike A Light's artistic director, Emma Jane Benning, said: 'At Strike A Light we’re all about bringing one-of-a-kind moments to unexpected places across Gloucester, for our local communities to enjoy. Up The Hill is a chance to experience incredible performances in the middle of nature – laughing together at dancing insects, enjoying a colourful flower-filled family show or taking time to reflect on our relationship with the natural world.
'We hope people will come along, explore Robinswood Hill and enjoy something they wouldn’t experience anywhere else.'
Visitor programming manager at Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Rhys Howell, added: 'We're excited to be working with Strike A Light to bring such a varied programme of free experiential art to the people of Gloucester. We hope this event will entertain whilst also inspiring people to feel more connected to nature and wildlife.'
All events are free to attend, with no booking required – and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust encourages visitors to spend the day exploring the country park while they soak up the art, with the cafe open for hot drinks, lunch, and ice creams across the weekend.
Accessibility is at the heart of the programme, with BSL-interpreted performances, captioned screenings, wheelchair-accessible routes, and dedicated access support available, too.
Up The Hill is funded by Arts Council England and Barnwood Trust, with support from Gloucestershire's Holiday Activities and Food Programme, Global Streets, and Complicité.
