The Big Malarkey Festival is part of the Hull Libraries’ great offer for city schools.
We aim to encourage reading for pleasure and engagement with everything a library has to offer. We do this by providing opportunities for children to stretch their imaginations and discover their creative power, working alongside professional artists.
The festival will be back from Monday 23 to Sunday 29 June 2025, offering a programme of Activity Days for Schools from Tuesday to Friday, including the James Reckitt Hull Children’s Book Award, for all members of our Hull Schools Library Service.
The programme is free of charge and includes sessions for EYFS and KS1 – KS3 pupils, author talks and a range of practical workshops.
This year we’re going to have a fun time exploring what can happen when we start by asking ‘What if….?’
- What if we want to blow a giant bubble?
- What if my dog could talk?
- What if we build an invention?
- What if penguins get too cold?
Combining science, arts and storytelling, this year The Big Malarkey Festival will share answers and creative ideas in every tent! We invite teachers and pupils to come and explore what is possible with a whole host of authors, artists, musicians, illustrators, dancers and actors.
THE BIG MALARKEY FESTIVAL SCHOOLS PROGRAMME 2025
OPEN FOR BOOKINGS ON MONDAY 17 MARCH 2025. Bookings will be handled by the Schools Library Service Team. For any queries please contact HullSchoolsLibrary@hcandl.co.uk
JAMES RECKITT HULL CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARD 2025
The Schools Activities Programme will run alongside the Book Award voting days on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 June 2025. Please note that this is a separate event from the Activities Programme – please contact jrhcbookaward@hcandl.co.uk for further info.
The experience of The Big Malarkey is invaluable in raising the aspirations of Hull children. A unique experience incorporating dance, drama, poetry, art, music and technology. Appealing to all ages, this unmissable event needs to be a date in everyone’s diary!
We are grateful to the James Reckitt Library Trust for supporting the 2025 Activity Days for Schools festival programme.