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 was 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.

SIRF 2026: Full Artistic Programme Online

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

XTRAX Professional International Programme at SIRF 2026

View Professional Programme Booklet 2026

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At SIRF 2026, from 31 July to 2 August 2026, we welcomed delegates from across the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Australia, Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong – and more.

Friday 31 July 2026 | 2:30 – 4:30pm:  The Engine Room: Tees Valley Spotlight 

Presented by Tees Valley Combined Authority’s The Engine Room, this session brought together artists, producers, and cultural leaders from across the Tees Valley to share how local talent development, festival programming, and regional investment are creating pathways to international stages.

Delegates heard directly from a new generation of Tees Valley creatives and joined Heather Walker (Creative Place Programmes Manager, TVCA) and other UK and international voices for a panel discussion, From Local Roots to Global Reach.  The session explored what it takes for artists rooted in place to build genuine international careers.  The ambition, strategy and partnerships that make touring possible, without losing the sense of place that shapes the work.

Delivered by SIRF and The Engine Room on behalf of the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority. Funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

 

The Engine Room is a transformative programme designed to position Tees Valley as a nationally recognised hub for creative production and export. It aims to grow the region’s cultural economy by investing in talent, infrastructure, and business support, while fostering inclusion, sustainability, and strategic alignment with the Tees Valley Investment Zone. The Engine Room is being delivered in partnership with key cultural organisations including ARC, Stockton Arts Centre, MIMA, New Writing North and Creative Factory through investment from Arts Council England, Tees Valley Combined and UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The programme aims to
  • Grow the creative sector and build resilience in the creative economy 
  • Raise the profile of the Tees Valley as a hub of creative production.
  • Build skills and capacity across all career stages
  • Strengthen infrastructure by acquiring and refurbishing creative spaces and piloting a Creative Land Trust model across Tees Valley.
  • Support entrepreneurship through a new Creative Agency and a Creative Export Loan Scheme.
  • Promote inclusion and sustainability in all aspects of delivery.

Logos for Tees Valley, UK Government funding, National Lottery, and Arts Council England, indicating support and funding from these organisations.

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

Presented in partnership with OutdoorArtsUK.  International panel discussion chaired by Dr Beatriz Garcia, panellists include:

🇫🇷 Olivier Lataste – Director of Le Cratère and Cratère Surfaces.
🇬🇧 Sho Shibata – Director of Outdoor Arts UK

🇬🇧 Kate Wood – Artistic & Executive Director of Activate Performing Arts, Producers of Inside Out Dorset

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

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.

XTRAX Shorts is a strand of showcasing developed by XTRAX, designed to complement our showcase programme by providing an opportunity for artists to give a presentation to an audience of promoters and street arts professionals about new or recent outdoor projects.  

Featuring 

In 2026, we offered 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

With participation from Australia, Taiwan, France, Spain, Japan and across the UK, the SIRF 2026 programme offered 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, look out for future networking and showcase opportunities by following us on Instagram and subscribing to XTRAX Free Newsletter.

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A Look Back at SIRF 2026 Programme of Events

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.

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Image credit: Euforia, el origen photo by Ovidiu Matiu

 

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.

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LINKS: 2026 / 2025