The Creative Emporium

12/06/2026

🐉 FRIDAY 19 JUNE - THE PARADE OF MYTHICAL BEASTS 🐉

Join us in celebrating the uniqueness of being just a little bit different! From glittery unicorns to fiery phoenixes, there's a place for every misfit, dreamer and wanna-be hero.

Come and release your inner beast!

📅 FRIDAY 19 JUNE
⏰ Parade starts 5:30 PM
📍 Meeting points: Outside Willows Coffee Shop & Willis Museum
🏁 End point: Amphitheatre near Vue Cinema

🎨 WHAT TO WEAR? Anything animal themed!

FREE performances for the whole family at the end of the parade!

See you there!

20/05/2026

The Beast of Basingstoke competition deadline is getting close! Have you designed your creature yet?

Look at the incredible entries we're already receiving—from dark fairies to colour-changing protectors, the imagination is flowing!

Will your beast be next? Draw it, paint it, write it—whatever you can imagine!

📝 Deadline: Saturday 30 May
🎭 Opening Parade: Friday 19 June, 5.30pm

Enter your design: https://forms.gle/w8zh5UmGmEiztDZf6

19/05/2026

17/05/2026

ART COMPETITION NOW OPEN have a look at just a few of our entries!

Design the Beast of Basingstoke!

Liverpool have the Liverbird, Wales have a Dragon... what will Basingstoke have? 🐉

This is YOUR chance to create the star of the Basingstoke Festival opening parade (19 June, 5.30pm). Will your beast be scaly? Furry? Spiky? How will it protect our community?

Draw it, paint it, write it—entries can be anything! The winning design will be brought to life by local puppet maker Nick Ash and featured in the opening parade. All entries displayed at The Creative Emporium, Festival Place.

📝 Deadline: Saturday 30 May
🎭 Parade: Friday 19 June, 5.30pm

Enter here: https://forms.gle/w8zh5UmGmEiztDZf6

More info: https://www.scratchbuiltproductions.com/whatsson

Questions? [email protected]

We can't wait to meet your Beast! ✨

09/05/2026

What an amazing workshop! Last night we got creative with parade ready hats! We’d love to see you all next week. Link in bio to book on!

09/05/2026

DYING MATTERS

An event discussing everything to do with death, dying and grief.

Today 11-4 at The Creative Emporium, upper level, Festival place.

Celebrants, glass urns, photography, final wishes, will writing, legacy inventories and more.

04/05/2026

This Saturday, the Makers Market is doing something a little different. We’re opening the doors of the Creative Emporium for a Dying Matters event—a space dedicated to the conversations we often avoid: death, dying, and grief.

We know it’s a heavy topic, but we believe that discussing it openly can be a beautiful, creative, and even healing experience. Whether you’re navigating a loss, planning for the future, or just curious, come join us for a day of community and reflection.

Where: The Creative Emporium
When: This Saturday [Insert Time]
What to expect: A safe space, creative tributes, and open conversation.

The event will feature talks from professionals in the death and bereavement sector.

04/05/2026

👑 ADULT'S ONLY PARADE CLUB👑

Get ready to turn heads at the Basingstoke Festival Parade! Join us for fast-paced, hands-on costume workshops where you'll create a stunning, wearable headdress.

Three workshops to choose from:

Parade Headdress Workshop - Friday 8th May,
Giant Wing Workshop - Fri 15 May,
Sparkly Head Wrap Workshop - Fri 22nd May, 6:00-8:30pm

📍 Festival Place, The Creative Emporium
🎟️ FREE to attend (donations welcome!)
🪑 Limited spaces - book your spot now!

No experience needed, just bring a creative spirit and steady hands. All materials provided.
Your cretaions will be ready for the parade on 19 June!

Book here:https://www.tickettailor.com/events/scratchbuilt