This March, Z-arts will once again be filled with colour, creativity and wonder as we welcome the Manchester International Bubble Festival (MiBF) back to our building from 3–7 March 2026.

Now in its fourth year, and returning to Z-arts for the second time, MiBF has grown into the UK’s leading festival celebrating bubble artistry – bringing together world-class performers, educators and creative practitioners from across the globe. Curated and hosted by World Record holder Ray Bubbles, the festival promises five dazzling days of learning, play and performance.

Following the success of previous sold-out BUBBLE UP! training events, the 2026 programme is the most ambitious yet. Across the week, participants will explore everything from foundational bubble skills to advanced performance techniques, discovering how bubbles can be used in theatre, education, SEN settings, community arts and creative businesses.

A Week of Bubble Magic

The festival programme is carefully designed to support all levels of experience, from curious beginners to seasoned professionals:

To take part in the training programme, please get in touch with festival director Ray at info@parisbubbles.com for booking and participation enquiries.

• Tuesday 3 March – Beginners’ Toolkit Day
  Learn outdoor bubbles, hand bubbles and DIY recipes to build strong foundations.

• Wednesday 4 March – Creative Techniques & Innovation
  Explore bubble sculpture, helium, steam and fire effects, and inventive new methods.

• Thursday 5 March – Performance & Storytelling
  Develop bubble table work, movement and creative writing, with a professional photoshoot.

• Friday 6 March – Advanced Tricks & Audience Engagement
  Dive into bubble walls, poi, special effects and strategies for engaging audiences — including on social media.

Alongside the training programme, audiences can also enjoy a series of spectacular public bubble shows that demonstrate just how imaginative, playful and powerful bubble art can be.

Zoe, Co-Creative Director at Z-arts, says:

“We are so excited to be hosting the Manchester International Bubble Festival for the second year running. It’s a place to share just how awesome bubbles can be and how they can be used for all kinds of creative practice. The shows on offer are absolutely brilliant and demonstrate bubbles in such imaginative ways — I can’t wait to be part of the audience and see the magic come alive.”

The festival is led by Ray Bubbles, widely recognised as one of the UK’s most influential bubble artists. Over the past year alone, Ray has delivered more than 130 theatre performances across the UK and Ireland, alongside 120+ shows in special needs schools – championing bubbles as both an art form and a powerful tool for engagement.

Book Your Tickets!

Whether you’re a bubble enthusiast, a creative practitioner, or looking for a truly joyful family experience, the Manchester International Bubble Festival offers something special for everyone.

🎟 Tickets for public bubble shows and visiting productions are on sale now.
👉 Explore what’s on and book your tickets here:
https://www.z-arts.org/whats-on/?event-categories=visiting-productions

Spaces are limited – we recommend booking early to avoid missing out on this unforgettable week of bubble magic ✨🫧