Hijinx celebrate Inclusive Arts across Wales and wider Europe with Unity Festival 2026

max taylor - journalist

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Hijinx has announced details of the Unity Festival 2026, which will run from 30 June to 5 July across venues in Cardiff, with additional performances in Llanelli on 25 June and Mold on 27 June.

The festival, one of Europe’s largest inclusive arts events and the only one of its kind in Wales, will take place at Wales Millennium Centre, Chapter Arts Centre and The Glee Club, alongside a programme of free street performances in Cardiff Bay, Llanelli and Mold. Ticketed events go on sale from 17 April.

The programme spans comedy, music, drag, circus, theatre and dance, featuring Hijinx artists alongside UK and international companies including Theater Thikwa, Blaumier Atelier, Danza Mobile, Vero Cendoya, Collettivo Clochart and ADM-VZW.

Now in its 12th year, the Unity Festival is led by Hijinx, an inclusive theatre company focused on celebrating learning disabled and autistic artists. The event brings together local and international performers, while providing a platform for emerging talent across Wales to showcase their skills to the wider public.

This year’s festival features performances in Llanelli and Mold, marking a new partnership with Theatr Clwyd in Mold, reinforcing North Wales as a growing base for the organisation with the Hijinx academy already established in the area.

The main programme is based in Cardiff, beginning on 30 June, with performances staged at Wales Millennium Centre’s Weston Studio venue as well as outdoor spaces in Cardiff Bay. Chapter Arts Centre will host scratch performances while a comedy night will take place at The Glee Club.

Outside of the public programme The festival will partner with the Cardiff Food and Drink Festival, running from 3 to 5 July, to deliver pop-up performances in Roald Dahl Plass. Additionally, An Artist Exchange Conference will be hosted at Wales Millennium Centre in partnership with Cultural Bridge.

Artistic Director and Co-CEO of Hijinx, Ben Pettit-Wade said: “Performances that change the way that we perceive the world are the performances that remain with us forever. Visitors to this year’s programme will witness everything from the first man on the moon to a performance of Carmen with a difference!”

Executive Director and Co-CEO Eloise Tong said: “Through bringing artists together, both neurodivergent and neurotypical, Hijinx presents a world that champions inclusion and challenges perceptions. We have a loyal following of people who have seen our productions and love what we do. A festival setting offers us the opportunity for more people who haven’t yet discovered Hijinx or the Unity Festival to enjoy new experiences and to delight in inclusive performance and theatre.”