YOU may come across a giant 13ft puppet in town this weekend.

This comes as Warrington celebrates the opening weekend of the Rugby League World Cup.

And with various family events planned, spotting a sea giant puppet may be a highlight for some.

It will feature in a large-scale outdoor performance by Autin Dance Theatre which is inspired by the themes of the climate emergency and the biodiversity crisis.

This spectacle is designed specifically for family audiences and tells the magical story of Eko, a sea giant who rises from the deep ocean and who encounters, on the shore, a courageous little girl called Violet.

You can meet Eko in Time Square and follow the performance along Dolman’s Lane, up Bridge Street and into Golden Square’s Old Market Place, where you will be ‘enthralled’ by a performance combining puppetry and dance.

Out of the Deep Blue will be performed twice at the following times on Sunday, October 16: 

• 10.30am – promenade from Time Square to Golden Square

• 11am till 11.30am – static performance in The Old Market Place, Golden Square

• 1pm - promenade from Time Square to Golden Square

• 1.30pm till 2pm – static performance in The Old Market Place, Golden Square

As well as England’s opening game in Newcastle being screened at the fan zone in Golden Square on Saturday, October 15, a number of family-friendly events and activities will take place at the weekend.

From 11am to 5pm on Saturday and 11am till 4pm on Sunday, you can find The Actual Reality Arcade which is a life-sized interactive game zone for all ages inspired by classic arcade games.

This activity will take place in Time Square outside Warrington Market’s Cookhouse.

And on Sunday, Culture Warrington will host a day of free family-friendly art activities in Warrington’s New Art Spaces - in the former Marks and Spencer building – to celebrate the Rugby League World Cup coming to town.

A team of artists will lead a jam-packed programme of drop-in workshops themed around the environment, sustainability and caring for the planet.

Children can bring an old piece of clothing that they can upcycle, make crafts out of recycled materials, learn how to make create their own puppets and even help build a cardboard city.

All activities are free and available on a first come first served basis, no booking is required and all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Bow Jangles Quarter will also be bringing music, song, dance and comedy in a way ‘never seen before’ on Sunday.

You can watch their performances live at:

  • Golden Square, 12.30pm till 1pm
  • Market Gate, 2pm till 2.30pm
  • Time Square, 3pm till 3.30pm
  • The Cookhouse at Warrington Market, 4pm till 4.30pm

For more information, visit RLWC Warrington events.