Following the success of its inaugural year, SPARK returns to the Villa Marina on Saturday 5th July with a bigger and more varied programme of family-friendly performances and activities. SPARK 2025 will once again transform the Villa Marina into a hub of creativity and imagination, and this time with a new theme celebrating nature.
SPARK has grown significantly since its launch, with more events being curated and delivered by local creatives and performers. This year the programme also extends into the Villa Marina Gardens with the Island-based Active Souls who pioneer playful activities and engage children with playground games that encourage wellbeing.
With a programme of events taking place throughout the day, SPARK’s headline performance in the Villa Marina’s Royal Hall will be the Olivier Award-winning company Little Bulb Theatre with their touring production of Four Seasons. Created for children aged 3-7 the show explores the changing seasons with puppetry, music and audience participation, and will visit SPARK as part of a worldwide tour.
Along with the following programme of events, new for this year is delicious treats from the Manx Whippy Van and Food Monkey Food Van, making the festival experience even more fun.
Your Festival - Your Way.
VillaGaiety have curated the SPARK programme to ensure that children and their families can access as much or as little as they like in terms of both events and creative experiences, including some free, fun and educational experiences. We appreciate that for young families, planning your day is important so we've put together this overview of the Spark 2025 schedule to help plan your festival experience - your way. Scroll down to view the the individual Spark events and click on each thumbnail for more information.
| Event | Time | Recommended Age | Price |
| Mini Musicians | 9.30 - 10.15am | 1 - 5 | £8 - only children require tickets |
| Save our Seabirds with Manx Birdlife | Durational - 9.30 – 11am | Suitable for all | FREE |
| The Perfect Spot | 10 – 10.40am | 3 - 6 | £8 - only children require tickets |
| Magic Nature Wand-making Workshop | 10 – 10.45am | 3 – 11 | £3 |
| Discover Island Habitats | Durational 10 – 3pm | Suitable for all | FREE |
| Palettes Face Painting | 10 – 4pm | Suitable for all | FREE |
| Dragon’s Castle Pop in and Play | 10 – 12pm | 7 and under | 1 and over £5.20 / Under 1 £3.60 |
| Little Bulb’s Four Seasons | 11 – 11.45am | 3 - 7 | Under 16 £11 / Adult £14 |
| The Perfect Spot | 11 – 11.40am | 3 - 6 | £8 - only children require tickets |
| Magic Nature Wand-making Workshop | 11 – 11.45am | 3 - 11 | £3 |
| Mini Musicians | 11.15 - 12pm | 1 - 5 | £8 |
| The Perfect Spot | 12 - 12.40pm | 3 - 6 | £8 - only children require tickets |
| Magic Nature Wand-making Workshop | 12 - 12.45pm | 3 - 11 | £3 |
| Manx Family Concerts The Lion Inside | 12.30 - 13.30pm | Suitable for all | Adult £5 / Child £3.50 |
| Active Souls | 12.30 – 1.45pm | 4+ | £3 |
| Magic Nature Wand-making Workshop | 1 – 1.45pm | 3 - 11 | £3 |
| Dragons Castle Pop in and Play | 1 - 3pm | 7 and under | 1 and over £5.20 / Under 1 £3.60 |
| The Perfect Spot | 13.30 - 14.10pm | 3 - 6 | £8 - only children require tickets |
| Little Bulb’s Four Seasons | 1.30 – 2.15pm | 3 - 11 | Under 16 £11 / Adult £14 |
| Active Souls | 2.15 – 3.30pm | 4+ | £3 |
| The Lion King Singalong | 2.30 – 3.55pm | 4+ | £4.50 |
| Manx Family Concerts The Lion Inside | 3.30 – 4.30pm | Suitable for all | Adult £5 / Child £3.50 |
