NEW PROGRAMME 2026
The Owl And The Pussycat
Looking for something to do with the family in the winter months? Creative Basildon have lots in store for the community to enjoy, with a suite of events launching soon as part of their ‘The Owl and the Pussycat’ activity programme.
Running from January to March, the programme will feature a range of fun activities taking place across the borough.
Come along to the family fun day on Saturday 14th February 2026, running from 11am to 3pm at Eastgate Shopping Centre, which will bring crafts, storytelling and theatre to Basildon. The free event will unveil a new public art piece, as well as providing a free storytelling workshop for children and showcasing an original theatre performance by a local drama group.
Alongside this, ‘The Owl and the Pussycat’ artists will be working with three primary schools to deliver and run creative activity days in local schools over the next few months.
This new programme follows Creative Basildon’s breathtaking Museum of the Moon event, which took place in February last year and brought a seven-metre-wide art installation of the moon by artist Luke Jerram to Basildon Town Centre. This impressive installation also included a programme of events including community workshops and dance performances, which the new ‘The Owl and the Pussycat’ programme will build on.
Inspired by ‘The Owl and the Pussycat’ poem by Edward Lear, this Creative Basildon programme links to the Cats Cradle Pussiewillow III Clock in the Eastgate Centre, which was created for Basildon New Town in 1981 by Rowland Emett, who also designed the car in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The clock animates throughout the day, with a full display of rotating and spinning each hour.
The Museum of the Moon event marked the start of ‘a year and a day’ of programmes usingthis theme – referencing a second line from the poem. These 2026 events mark one year since Museum of the Moon and hope to wow the community in just as many ways, with three months of themed activities including celebrating the anniversary of the Moon with the free family fun day on Saturday 14th February.
Rachel Brown, Programme Director, comments:
“We’re proud to present our ‘The Owl and the Pussycat’ programme, which began almost a year and a day ago with the launch of the Museum of the Moon in Basildon.
This ambitious project celebrates the incredible creativity within our community, showcasing local talent alongside professional artists from across South Essex. Together, we’ve brought this beloved story to life in a way that reflects Basildon’s vibrant cultural spirit.”
‘Museum Of The Moon’ came to Basildon in February 2025.
The Owl and The Pussycat programme inspiration came from the poem with dancing under the moon.
What does the programme look like?
Creative Family Fun Day
Saturday 14th February, 11–3.
Enjoy a packed programme including:
🎨 Arts, crafts, performances and walkabout acts
🌙 The reveal of a brand-new light installation by Connor Turansky
📖 Drama Geezers with their fun, interactive workshop.
🐱🦉 The day also launches our Owl & Cat Trail, read more below.
A free, fun day for families- everyone welcome for this one year celebration since ‘Museum of the Moon’ visited Basildon, inspired by the much-loved Owl & Pussycat clock.
‘The Owl & Pussycat Clock’ Performance
A new piece of theatre has been commissioned with New Town Theatre. Read more here.
Drama Geezers Library Tour
Join The Drama Geezers on their storytelling tour of Basildon schools and libraries. This tour celebrate ‘The Owl and the Pussycat’ poem, bringing the tale to life in a very special way!
Touring to…
🎭 The Unity Centre, Eastgate Shopping Centre: Saturday 14th Feb, 13:00
🎭 Basildon Library : Saturday 14th Feb, 15:00
🎭 Laindon Library : Tuesday 17th Feb, 11:00 & 13:00
🎭 Vange Library, Wednesday 18th Feb, 11:00 & 15:00
🎭 Fryerns Library: Thursday 19th Feb, 11:00
🎭 Billericay Library: Thursday 19th Feb, 14:00
🎭 Wickford Library: Friday 20th Feb, 11:00
See Facebook events on how to reserve your child’s free space!
Owl and Cat Trail around Eastgate
This new trail launches on Saturday 14th February.
9 local groups look part in a colouring competition, where 10 winners were selected. These winners will be displayed around the Eastgate Shopping Centre from Saturday 14th February- Sunday 1st March. Can you find all 10 owls and cats?
Project in collaboration with Signpost, Essex Police, Basildon Borough Council, Fun Parx, and Eastgate Shopping Centre.
Artwork by Lucy Gould.
Schools Engagement
Artist have been working with 3 local schools within the Basildon Borough! More details coming soon.
