What's on in Sale: Refract:26 arts festival - full-line-up
Refract, Trafford’s leading arts festival, a six-day celebration of performance, music, dance, comedy, family fun and immersive experiences, returns to Waterside in July 2026.
Now in its nineth year, Refract: 26 takes place from Tuesday 21 to Sunday 26 July and continues to push boundaries with a bold and brilliant line-up designed to challenge perspectives, ignite imaginations and bring audiences of all ages together. This summer’s programme features a dynamic mix of indoor and outdoor events, many of which are free to attend.
From mind-bending circus to chaotic cabaret, joyful dance to bold conversations – Refract26 is back with a week of unforgettable performance inside and outside Waterside. The lineup for the summer arts festival has been announced – check out the full programme of listings below.
Mr Thing
Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 July, 8pm
Tickets £20
A TV variety show live on stage with surprise guests, games, live music and more.
TREES - A Tale of the Rootkin
Wednesday 22 July, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm
Waterside Plaza
FREE
An enchanting 20-minute pop-up performance for families.
Sound Board
Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 July, 1pm, 2.30pm and 4pm
Waterside Plaza
FREE
Part chat show, part game, part live performance. Duration: 45 minutes.
A Kate in the Hand is Worth Two in the Butch
Thursday 23 July from 8pm
Tickets £20
A new stand-up show with Kate Butch, star of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
The Fabric of Us
Friday 24 July, 1.45pm and 4.30pm
Waterside Plaza
FREE
A joyful and hopeful 20-minute outdoor dance performance.
Thingamabob
Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July, 1pm, 3pm and 5.15pm
Waterside Plaza
FREE
A 30-minute show that blends circus, invention and humour.
Bamboo
Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July, 1.45pm and 4.30pm
Waterside Plaza
FREE
A high-impact, high-skill circus show using UK-grown bamboo and human bodies.
House of Life
Saturday 25 July, 6pm and 8.30pm
Tickets £20 (20% discount for Waterside members)
A travelling cult collective with one goal: to get you happy, at any cost.
Move and Groove with 'Manny'
Sunday 26 July, 1pm and 2.45pm
Waterside Plaza
FREE
Global Grooves make a welcome return to Refract, bringing the carnival spirit to Waterside Plaza. This year Manny, a larger-than-life character, will be joining the party. Manny’s got the moves – he grooves through the streets offering flowers, charming the crowd and turning any street into a stage.
