Keep Freedom Festivals Outdoor Programme FREE for All!

In a bold effort to support Hull’s flagship arts event, Freedom Festival Arts Trust Director, Phil Hargreaves, is lacing up his running shoes and committing to 30 miles a week for four weeks, a total of 120 miles, to raise vital funds for Freedom Festival’s much-loved free-to-access outdoor programme.

As costs continue to rise, delivering the same high-quality, accessible and free experiences has become more difficult, but we are determined to keep one of Hull’s most iconic international arts festivals 90% free to access.

“Freedom Festival belongs to the people of Hull,” says Phil Hargreaves. “They deserve to experience world-class performance, circus, music, and dance on their doorstep without cost being a barrier. But with rising production costs, we urgently need support to keep our free programme alive.”

As part of Freedom Festival 2025, Freedom Festival will be presenting 30 free to access cultural events, bringing local communities face-to-face with international artists, powerful stories, and new perspectives.

Many people don't know this, but Freedom Festival Arts Trust is a registered charity, who work year-round to ensure we provide access to the best arts, culture and heritage activity, for the people of Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire. We aim to advance public education in the arts and encourage public participation in creative activities, exhibitions, and festivals. We focus on performance, music, drama, poetry, sculpture, painting, handicrafts, and other related arts, particularly within Kingston upon Hull and its surrounding areas. The Trust also aims to celebrate the city's social justice and freedom heritage, including its role in the abolition of slavery through William Wilberforce's work.

Donations raised through the run will go directly towards covering the costs of staging the outdoor performances, including artist fees, infrastructure, and accessibility measures. The total costs of the free to access programme is over £150,000, and by supporting Freedom Festival 2025, your funds will pay it forward for people to enjoy incredible experiences in the streets and will enable Freedom Festival Arts Trust to continue to keep 90% of our programme free to access.