Creating unique and memorable experiences, the IF Milton Keynes International Festival is designed to encourage residents and visitors to see a different side to Milton Keynes. Presenting a world-class, multi-arts programme the Festival includes new commissions, site-specific and community participation projects, large-scale/outdoor and family events, concerts, theatre, dance, music and visual arts installations.

Here are a few family friendly highlights and you can find lots more summer events in Milton Keynes in the Red Kite Days Buckinghamshire what’s on guide.

Rebecca Louise Law: The Place Between immersive installation &  soundscapes – FREE

Friday 14 – Sunday 30 July
10.30am – 5.30pm daily
Middleton Hall, centre:mk

Artist Rebecca Louise Law is known for creating immersive installations with natural materials. Preserved flowers – individually sewn and suspended – have become the signature of her most recognised works across the globe, with visitors invited to navigate through them.

Gijs van Bon: Blom – FREE

Friday 21- Sunday 23 July, 10.30am – 2.30pm daily
Friday: City Square, MK9 2AD
Saturday: Midsummer Place, MK9 3GB
Sunday: Festival Square (outside Door 18, centre:mk), MK9 3FN

The mechnical sandwriter Blom draws on the streets, decorating the ground as it moves along, creating a variety of picture outlines such as a large flowery carpet, an ivy garland or a flock of little hearts.  Small buckets filled with coloured sand are placed close to the drawings so that everyone can join in and add their own personal touch.

Gobbledegook: Ear Trumpet – FREE

Fred Roche Gardens, 406 Silbury Boulevard, MK9 2ND

A playful installation that allows audiences to delight in the secret sounds under their feet.

De Machienerie: Carnivale – FREE but book ahead

Friday 21 – Sunday 23 July
Festival Central, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

The fairground is coming to town! Belgian theatre company De Machienerie’s Carnivale is an ingenious, interactive ‘fairground village’ full of extraordinary installations, curiosities, mechanical animals and beautiful attractions handcrafted from recycled materials… all partly operated by you, the audience.

Nick Cope Family Concert

Saturday 22 July
The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Nick has an incredible fan base from all over the UK which has just grown immeasurably over the last year due to the phenomenal success of his CBeebies show Nick Cope’s Popcast, now into its third series.

Drumming Workshop – FREE

Sunday 23 July 11:00am

Following the drumming and effects spectacular of Les Commandos Percu’s Silence!, this is a chance to try your hand at making a big percussive sound and to help research new ways of making music.  Suitable for ages 10+ years

Monster Colours – FREE

Friday 28 – Sunday 30 July
Festival Central, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Step up to an array of interactive games to test your puzzle–solving, cup–stacking and coordination abilities. Monster Colours is a collection of 30 traditional games, built from wood and beautifully illustrated for all the family to enjoy.

Gratte Ciel: Place des Anges

Friday 28 – Saturday 29 July
Secklow Gate D3 Car Park (near The Point), MK9 3NE

A beautiful, astonishing and breathtaking spectacle to enchant audiences of all ages.  As night falls across the city, angels begin to appear, high up in the sky. They move through the air, magically suspended above the crowd below. The angels start to glide down into the audience, releasing white feathers which float across the sky. Each angel has their own unique character and style and as their aerial antics become more boisterous, the clouds of feathers thicken, creating a sense of awe and wonder.

Comedy Club 4 Kids

Saturday 29 July 2:00pm
The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

The show is family friendly, but without any patronising idiocy. In fact, it’s just like a normal comedy club, but it’s on in the day, kids are allowed in, and thus there is a higher than usual chance of heckles like “why is that your face!?” Suitable for ages 6+

Big Fish Little Fish: Family Rave

Sunday 30 July 1:00pm
The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Award-winning, family rave sensation, Big Fish Little Fish, will be bringing the tunes to the family massive with an old skool drum and bass and jungle set from DJ Raks. Throw some wicked shapes on the family-only multi-sensory dancefloor filled with bubbles, balloons, snow foam, smoke rings and topped off with a giant parachute finale.

Dizzy O’Dare: Kevin Tickle’s Dogs! – FREE

Sunday 30 July
Campbell Park Bulbfield, MK9 3FT

Kevin walkies you through categories such as Best in Show, Best Bitch and the ever–unpredictable Open Class to showcase the bombastic breeds and classy canines he has been working with over the years. Expect theatrics and hijinks, acrobatic feats and impressive skills from daring dogs.