Bhangra Active Dance
Join Sohan Kailey is this vibrant and dynamic Bhangra dance workshop.
Learn fun Bhangra dance movements and steps accompanied by vibrant music. Bhangra is a popular farming and agricultural dance which originates from the North of India (the Punjab).
Sohan Kailey is a Professional Bhangra Dancer, Entertainer and Storyteller. We welcome him to Deer Shed for the first time and can't wait to dance the night away on Friday night in the Wilderwild.
Wild Service with Right to Roam
The Right to Roam movement for equal access to the countryside has been inspiring and empowering people since its inception in 2020. Now, its pioneers have come together with a new concept that argues that humanity’s loss and nature’s need are two sides of the same story. ‘Wild Service’ calls for ordinary people to reconnect to the land and commit to its restoration.
Whether it is polluted rivers or the decline of pollinators, Wild Service invites you to discover the power in participation and community. Join poets, musicians and speakers from the Right to Roam movement around the Wilderwild Campfire for a night not to be missed.
Field Recording Sessions with Alice Boyd
Explore and capture the unique sonic environment of the Baldersby Fields in our Field Recording Sessions with Alice Boyd. Join Sound Artist Alice Boyd and foster a deeper connection with nature. Alice will introduce you to the important field recording techniques, as well as displaying helpful tips for capturing sounds and little, subtle nuances of the natural world around us.
You will have the chance to practise these techniques in the festival surroundings, and have the chance to record a diverse range of sounds like flora, fauna, and environmental waves.
Botanical Soundscapes
We are delighted to welcome Botanical Soundscapes to Deer Shed this year, to present an interactive sonic art installation that aims to inspire deeper appreciation of plants through the use of music. Designed and curated by the Bristol based artist Lucy Shuter.
Connecting plans to electrodes, it is possible to receive electric signals and use these to create sound, demonstrating the fascinating intelligence and beauty of the natural world. A creative and thought provoking installation that highlights our connection to nature and place. Join the team to listen and learn from the science tent. We can't wait!
Blind Panic Ceilidh Band
Last year we did our first Ceilidh at the festival - thanks to Blind Panic Ceilidh Band - and we are glad to say (due to popularity) the band are back! Some choreographed dancing to live music and lots of audience participation is a must for this performance.
Head on down to the Wilderwild with friends and family of all ages to get your jig on!
Saltburn Smugglers Fire Side Session
Down on the coast, in the heart of Saltburn-by-the-Sea, where the cliffs drop into the sea and the past feels close, the Saltburn Smugglers FireSide Session brings old tales to life. This local shanty group puts a fun, fresh spin on stories from the town’s smuggling days, turning them into amazing bold, modern sea shanties.
It’s not just a performance – it’s a musical trip through Saltburn’s vibrant history. You are invited to sing along and soak up the spirit of the festival, one shanty at a time.
Sycamore Dragonflys
Come and make your very own Sycamore Dragonfly – a fun, hands-on craft for kids (and grown-ups too!).
Using sycamore seeds, twigs and a bit of imagination, you’ll be creating a charming little flying friend to take home from Deer Shed with you. A lovely way to get creative with nature and share some festival magic with the whole family.
City of Play
City of Play’s Tinkertown are on a mission to revive the lost art of den building and are heading back to Deer Shed, this time armed with more pallets than ever before! An incredible 2,000 of you visited our City of Play last year, helping our placemaking team design and build all sorts of structures from scrap timber. The open nature of Tinkertown empowers children to explore their ideas, safely learn about risk and collaborate both physically and socially on an inhabitable, autonomous project that is as big as their imaginations.
We’ve been busy collecting too, so be prepared to turn Baldersby Park into your very own Timber Town or Pallet Palace.
Willow Bird Feeders
Don't miss our willow bird feeder workshop - you will learn to weave natural materials into beautiful, functional feeders for the birds in your garden.
A wonderful, hands-on, family-friendly activity, that is perfect for people of all ages — you will connect with nature, explore traditional craft techniques, and get to take home a unique creation that will bring life to your garden. A relaxing, eco-conscious experience at the festival!
Natural Lip Blams and Bath Salt workshops
Indulge in self-care at our Natural Lip Balms, Floral Face Steams and Bath Salt Workshops! Learn to make soothing lip balms, floral face steams and fragrant bath salts using botanical ingredients.
It's fun, educational and relaxing – this hands-on session is perfect for all ages. Come and create your own eco-friendly pamper products and unwind naturally at the festival.
Wild Potions
At Deer Shed, gather the family for our amazing Wild Potions adventure with Wild Earth Movement – we will be mixing herbs, glitter and imagination in bubbling cauldrons.
Laughter echoes as kids stir mystery brews, guided by whimsical "wizards". It’s messy, magical fun that blends creativity and nature, sparking joy and wonder in everyone, young and old. Let the spellbinding family adventure begin!
Hapa Zomes
Discover the art of Hapa Zomes at the Wild Earth Movements family-friendly workshops! Using natural leaves, flowers and fabric, you will create beautiful botanical prints through the Japanese technique of flower pounding.
This activity is super fun, creative and eco-friendly – perfect for all ages. Join us at Deer Shed and make beautiful, nature-inspired memories together!
Fire Side with Niki Stevens
Niki Stevens is usually busy behind the scenes looking after the artists onsite. But this year we thought we’d ask if she’d have time in her schedule to pop back to the Wilderwild for a Fire Side Session with her. She said yes, obviously!
Her amazing set last year captured the heart of every Deer Shedder in attendance and Niki will be leading the final fireside session of 2025.
The Wilderwild Stage
The Wilderwild Stage, based – you guessed it – in the Wilderwild! Back for it's second year, this is a vibrant and immersive experience where music and nature converge to create unforgettable moments of harmony and connection.
Alongside our stellar music programme the Wilderwild Stage will also host raves, yoga and some of our well-being workshops. Sitting within the lush greenery, the stage offers a one-of-a-kind setting for both performer and audience members alike. Picture yourself surrounded by towering trees, swaying grass and the gentle sounds of flowing water as you soak in the magic of live music- that is exactly what our Wilderwild Stage will be like.
Fire Side Stories with Jenna Drury
Gather round for Fire Side Stories with Jenna Drury of Mud Pie Arts- they'll be a tall tale or two… Mud Pie Arts have been baking up interactive, multi-sensory stories for over 20 years. So we can’t think of anyone better to hand-pick their very best yarns and finest capers for you, the quick-witted folks of Deer Shed.
Be sure to bring your imagination, as well as a blanket and some snacks; who knows what adventures are in store!
Spoon Carving with Amerton Studios
Discover the exciting, unexpected art of spoon carving with Amerton Art Studios at our festival workshop. This session will be guided by amazing skilled artisans and you’ll be learning all about traditional wood carving techniques, using safe tools.
You will have the chance to create your own fab wooden spoon to take home. This is a mindful, creative experience perfect for beginners and craft lovers of all ages.
Tree Climbing
If you’re anything like us, the first thing you want to do when you see a tree is climb it! Well, lucky for you we’ve invited professional tree climber Jessica Herbert and her tree climbing team back to Topcliffe so they can show us how it’s done.
Long-time festival friends and honorary Shed Heads, Jessica and co. will be on hand to help you safely scale some of the most magnificent specimens that Baldersby Park has to offer; don’t forget to tell us what the festival site looks like whilst you’re up there admiring the view in our Tree Climbing sessions!
Carnival Dance Party
Great news, Tricia is back with her fun-filled, sun-soaked Carnival Dance Party! You’re never too small or tall to treat yourself to a slice of the Caribbean, so don one of Tricia’s marvellously multicoloured scarves and take inspiration from her incredible carnival costumes as you learn how to dance, island-style.
Whether you’re a carnival connoisseur or this is your first foray into festival footwork, Tricia’s workshop will have you grinning from ear to ear and dancing for days.
Wand and Sword Making with Amerton Studios
Using the traditional carpentry tools of a shave horse and a spokeshave, you will while away your time whittling wood into beautiful objects to take home. In Amerton Studios Wands and Swords sessions, children craft quality wooden magic wands and swords!
Hand Spinning & Rag Rugging
Have you ever wondered how wool goes from fleece to skein? Well find out in our Hand Spinning & Rag Rugging workshop with Hermione from Environmental Art! Hand spinning is a slow technique but incredibly satisfying and promises you a truly unique ball of yarn.
In this class, you will learn how to handle a drop spindle and about twist, ply and fibres techniques. It's fun for everyone!
Candle Lanterns and Bottle Openers at the Forge
Join Environmental Earths resident Blacksmith Piers to personalise a fabulous new Bottle Opener by heating it on the forge and then hammering letter stamps on the anvil - or making a Candle Lantern in this fun-filled hands-on blacksmithing experience! Don't miss this unique session.
The Wilderwild Fire Side
It doesn’t get much cooler than this… or should we say cosier? The famous fireside at Deer Shed has grown more popular year on year and really is a staple of the festival. Running each evening, either join live performances or just sit and relax with the roaring fire.
Remember to pack your best blankets and prepare to snuggle down next to a proper campfire alongside some suitably soothing songsmiths.
Secret Sessions
Last year we introduced the Deer Shed secret sessions to the programme, a bit of spontaneity never hurt anyone right? And it's safe to safe Ellur and She Drew the Gun didn't disappoint. This year we will be continuing the tradition, selecting a few acts from our music programme and getting them to do surprise performances from our Wilderwild Fire side.
These sets won’t be in the programme, but we might drop a few hints on socials... you’ll just have to wait and see who’s there on the day.
Stone Carving
Take a step back in time and find your inner cave man or cave woman - with a little Stone Carving. Carve your own amulet, talisman, or fetish for good luck, protection, positive energy and healing, in a workshop starting every hour on the hour and taking around 60 to 90 minutes to complete.
Recycled Copper Ring Making
Under the guidance of Bean Creative, this is a lovely opportunity to try something a little different in our Recycled Copper Ring Making workshop.
Make your own unique ring from old plumbing parts! Inspired by the trees around you, you’ll hammer, texture, file and polish to produce a beautiful ring that is the perfect piece of jewellery for the festival!
Pottery Workshops
The Father and son team, Claude and Louis Frere-Smith, are returning to the Wilderwild with their traditional potter’s kick wheels for our amazing Pottery Workshops, running throughout the festival weekend.
Make sure you pre-book a time slot that suits you to make your first Deer Shed pot, along with a little extra help from the duo.
Bee Watering Stations
Join our exciting hands-on Bee Watering Stations workshop at the festival! Learn how to create safe, bee-friendly hydration spots using simple, natural materials. Perfect for all ages, this fun activity supports local pollinators and biodiversity.
Take home your own personal station and help our buzzing friends thrive in your garden!