Five acrobats perform an aerial routine above a transparent, illuminated glass structure suspended in the air, with black background and stage lights shining from above. Five acrobats perform an aerial routine above a transparent, illuminated glass structure suspended in the air, with black background and stage lights shining from above.
A performer dressed as a mermaid balances on a tightrope whilst two assistants watch. A circus tent and a crowd are visible in the background on a sunny day. A performer dressed as a mermaid balances on a tightrope whilst two assistants watch. A circus tent and a crowd are visible in the background on a sunny day.
A group of people in earthy-toned clothing sit on the ground in a park, raising their arms and tossing sand into the air, surrounded by trees and other people in the background. A group of people in earthy-toned clothing sit on the ground in a park, raising their arms and tossing sand into the air, surrounded by trees and other people in the background.
A pair of hands gently holds a wooden vessel engraved with a symbol and the words TENDER EXCHANGE against a pink gradient background. A pair of hands gently holds a wooden vessel engraved with a symbol and the words TENDER EXCHANGE against a pink gradient background.
Five men perform an expressive contemporary dance outdoors in a city square, with a crowd of people watching in the background. The dancers wear casual clothing and appear deeply focused on their movements. Five men perform an expressive contemporary dance outdoors in a city square, with a crowd of people watching in the background. The dancers wear casual clothing and appear deeply focused on their movements.
Two older adults stand side by side in a tall grassy field. The woman wears a red headband, blue shirt, and brown trousers; the man holds a tall stick and wears a blue jacket, red shirt, and brown trousers. Bushes and sky are in the background. Two older adults stand side by side in a tall grassy field. The woman wears a red headband, blue shirt, and brown trousers; the man holds a tall stick and wears a blue jacket, red shirt, and brown trousers. Bushes and sky are in the background.
People sit and relax on grass near several pushchairs in front of large illuminated letters spelling SIRF against a brick and white wall, with fairy lights above, suggesting a festive outdoor event. People sit and relax on grass near several pushchairs in front of large illuminated letters spelling SIRF against a brick and white wall, with fairy lights above, suggesting a festive outdoor event.
Three men sitting on a sofa against a green wall. The man on the left wears a patterned outfit and cap, the man in the middle wears a patterned shirt and smiles, and the man on the right wears a black outfit and points forward. Three men sitting on a sofa against a green wall. The man on the left wears a patterned outfit and cap, the man in the middle wears a patterned shirt and smiles, and the man on the right wears a black outfit and points forward.

31 July – 2 Aug 2026: XTRAX at Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF) UK

XTRAX partners annually with Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF) to deliver a showcase and professional networking events alongside the festival.
  • Dates: Friday 31 July - Sunday 2 Aug 2026: Stockton on Tees, UK.

XTRAX partners annually with SIRF, one of the UK’s leading outdoor arts festivals, and a vital platform for international exchange and creative collaboration.

XTRAX in partnership with SIRF, OutdoorArtsUK and Without Walls present a professional showcase and networking programme alongside the festival, held at ARC Stockton Arts Centre, UK.

FREE: Register NOW to attend SIRF 2026

XTRAX Professional International Programme at SIRF 2026

We’re already welcoming delegates from across the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Australia, Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong – and more daily – we’d love you to join us.

Friday 31 July 2026: Informal Networking Sessions (details to be confirmed)

Sat 1 Aug 2026 | 10:00 – 12:00: Culture, Identity & Belonging in the Streets.

International panel discussion chaired by Dr Beatriz Garcia, panellists include:

🇫🇷 Olivier Lataste – Director of Le Cratère and Cratère Surfaces.
And other International panellists (tbc)

As public spaces become increasingly shaped by politics, identity and competing claims of belonging, this panel explores how outdoor arts can foster inclusion, empathy and shared ownership of space.  Drawing on perspectives from the UK, Europe and Asia, speakers will examine the challenges facing the sector and ask what role outdoor arts can play in a world marked by deepening division. 

Register to join XTRAX Exchange Live on Zoom on 23 July 2026 09:30-10:30 BST

Everyone is welcome to attend this online session, whether or not you are attending the professional programme at SIRF 2026. Hear about the festival, the professional programme and network online with delegates from across the world.

Sunday 2 August 2026 | 10:00  – 12:00: XTRAX Shorts: Artists Pitch Sessions

Presented in partnership with Without Walls. UK and international artists will pitch new work that has been developed and is ready for touring.

More details will follow soon.

In 2026, we offer even more opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and discovering ambitious new work. Including:

  • 40 leading UK and International street arts, circus, dance, music, installations and interactive projects
  • 7 new Without Walls commissions
  • Artist pitches in association with Without Walls
  • International producer presentations exploring opportunities in Taiwan and Japan
  • Spotlight on artists from Tees Valley and North East England 
  • International artists from France, Catalonia, Netherlands, Australia, Ireland and across the UK
  • Opening and closing shows 
  • Extensive professional networking programme
  • Plus, even more to be announced.

With participation from Australia, Taiwan, France, Spain, Japan and across the UK, the SIRF 2026 programme offers a genuinely global platform for festival programmers, producers, and arts organisations to connect with one another and identify opportunities for international touring and co-production.

Whether you are looking to programme new work, connect with industry colleagues, or simply immerse yourself in future-shaping conversations, join us in Stockton, UK!

___________________________________________________________

A look back at SIRF 2025

Short Film: XTRAX International Exchange at SIRF 2025

I loved the diversity and quality of the program, as well as the vibe of the festival. I was also impressed by how much local people are involved. There were so many opportunities for spontaneous moments and interaction between the audience and the artists — without it ever feeling forced.  I also had the pleasure of meeting many inspiring people, and I am grateful for all the connections made. – Maartje de Boer, Rapunzel Festival, Netherlands, SIRF 2025.

 

 

SiRF logo in large colorful letters, with STOCKTON INTERNATIONAL RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL written below in blue, green, and pink text.

Looking back: SIRF 2025 programme of events

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Information for International Presenters in 2026:  Edinburgh Festival runs from 7 – 31 August 2026. Why not attend SIRF before traveling to Edinburgh which is 2h.40minutes by train from Stockton (Thornaby station).
Travelling to Stockton-on-Tees, UK.
By Train: The nearest train station to get to the ARC and Festival events is Thornaby, or you can go to Stockton Station. Stockton On Tees (Thornaby Station) is 2h 30min by train from Edinburgh if you are visiting for Edinburgh Festival, and 3 hours by train from London Kings Cross and connections to Eurostar. There are direct trains to Thornaby from Manchester Airport (2h 43min) https://www.thetrainline.com
By Air: The nearest airport is Teesside International Airport in Durham, with flights connecting to Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands. The airport is only a 10-minutes train ride away from Stockton-on-Tees city centre. Manchester airport is also well connected to Stockton-on-Tees, with frequent direct trains running from the airport to Thornaby station in just under 3h. Newcastle Airport is 1.5 hours from Thornaby or Middlesbrough stations by train. If you would like further advice on travelling to Stockton-on-Tees, please do not hesitate to contact info@xtrax.org.uk or go to www.rome2rio.com for advice on your itinerary.
Accommodation suggestions for 2026 
  • Premier Inn hotels at Stockton on Tees (Preston Farm) and Stockton on Tees (Teeside).
  • Premier Inn in Middlesbrough Town Centre which is a short taxi ride or a 5 minute train journey from Thornaby Station

 

Reminder to apply for an ETA

An ETA is a digital permission to travel. It authorises a person to travel to the UK – it is not a visa and does not guarantee entry to the UK.  You can find more information on crossing the border via gov.uk.

  • Visitors are advised to apply for an ETA before booking their travel to the UK.  Visitors are also advised to allow three working days for a decision on their application.  This is to take account of the small number of cases that may need further review.  
  • An ETA currently costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever is sooner. 

 

Image credit: Euforia, el origen photo by Ovidiu Matiu

 

Black and white logo featuring the Arts Council England emblem, a hand with crossed fingers, and text stating Lottery Funded and Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.The image displays the text Delivered by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council with a blue circular wave logo to the left of the councils name. The text and logo are on a light background.Text logo reading Outdoor Arts uk with each word in a different color (dark blue, pink, teal, yellow) on a light peach oval background.Black text reads Without Walls next to a stylized W logo with a wavy, abstract design, all on a white background.

Back to projects

LINKS: 2026 / 2025