A day of celebration, connection, and strategic dialogue for leaders, creators, and advocates of UK processional culture.

Processions are more than just parades - they are living cultural traditions, grassroots artistic expressions, and civic celebrations. The inaugural CPCUK Symposium brings together artists, organisers, researchers, and sector leaders to examine the present landscape and safeguard the future of outdoor art that processes.

Highlights of the Day:

Celebrating Processional Art: Explore showcases and insights into pioneering works - from our newly commissioned CPCUK Banner to the Arthur Wharton giant puppet and South Asian Morris dancing traditions.

Mapping the Sector: Participate in interactive sessions that contribute directly to mapping the scale, diversity, and impact of processional culture across the UK.

Sharing Research & Practice: Hear from leading practitioners on navigating risk assessments, local authority liaison, event safety, and funding.

Cross-Sector Networking: Connect with peers from across street arts, carnival, heritage, and outdoor performance.

Supported by Horse + Bamboo, Preston City Council, Manchester Met University, and Arts Council England.

Space is limited. Book your ticket now to secure your place in shaping the future of processional art!

Getting Here

Parking

There is free street parking to the front and rear of the building. The building can be accessed from front or via the back garden during performance times. Both entrances are ground level and there are no steps.

Transport

The best public transport links are by the X43 ‘Witch Way’ bus from Manchester to Rawtenstall, Rossendale (just over a mile from Waterfoot). These are reasonably frequent, and the journey takes about 40 minutes.

From Rawtenstall you can take a 464 Accrington-Rochdale bus to Waterfoot. These are every 15 minutes and it’s 10-minute journey.

Description supplied by the event organiser.