Welcome to Nova scotia’s newest festival

COMING to the Bella Rose Arts Centre August 13-16, 2026

BRAVO is a vibrant children’s festival that celebrates the thrill of live performances and the joy of being part of an audience. Designed especially for young viewers, BRAVO brings together theatre, music, dance, puppetry, and storytelling in an atmosphere filled with energy, imagination, and applause. Every show is crafted to be engaging, age-friendly, and bursting with colour and creativity.

At BRAVO, children experience the magic of cheering, laughing, gasping, and responding together—discovering how live performance can entertain, inspire, and spark curiosity. The festival highlights the importance of arts access, creating welcoming spaces where kids feel included, excited, and encouraged to explore big emotions and bold stories. With a name that captures the joy of the final bow, BRAVO celebrates young audiences as essential participants in the world of performance.

BRAVO is more than a festival—it’s a moment for children to feel the power of creativity, community, and imagination… and to join in the cheer: BRAVO!

LINE UP

The Three Questions – Thursday, August 13, 2pm

Experience the magic of storytelling, movement, and imagination in The Three Questions from Phin Performing Arts – a beautiful theatrical journey for children and families inspired by the beloved illustrated story by Jon J. Muth. Brought to life through expressive contemporary dance, imaginative scenery, shadow puppetry, and gentle narration, The Three Questions follows a curious child searching for how to do good in the world.

Michael Harrison – Thursday, August 13, 6pm

Get ready for side-splitting laughs, outrageous characters, audience participation, and jaw-dropping comedy as comedian and ventriloquist Michael Harrison brings his hit VENTASTIC show to Halifax. Seen on America’s Got Talent and beloved by audiences around the world, Harrison has entertained families everywhere from theatres to Disney stages for more than 20 years.

Razzmatazz for Kids – Friday, August 14, 10am

Razzmatazz for Kids is a joyful interactive musical adventure for young audiences and families. Combining catchy songs, live music, physical comedy, and playful audience participation, the duo of Sandy Greenberg and Thomas Cormier create a heartwarming show where children are encouraged to move, imagine, and join the fun every step of the way.

The Skeleton Dance – Friday, August 14, 2pm

Created and performed by Nova Scotia artists, Emma James and Ella MacDonald,

The Skeleton Dance is a highly physical and imaginative production combining clowning, puppetry, creative movement, and interactive storytelling in a way that is both hilarious and deeply touching. The Skeleton Dance is a unique family theatre experience that celebrates curiosity, compassion, and the power of connection, exploring one of life’s biggest questions: what happens when someone dies?

Magical Adventures with Patrick Drake – Friday, August 14, 6pm

With over 25 years of professional experience, professional magician Patrick Drake has amazed audiences around the world – from Las Vegas and New York to Singapore, Jamaica, and even Iqaluit. He was crowned Canada’s National Champion Magician and won the People’s Choice Award, making him one of the country’s most beloved performers. His incredible magic show and interactive performance is full of fun, comedy, and unforgettable tricks.

Lullabies From Around the World – Saturday, August 15, 10am – FREE SHOW

Lullabies from Around the World with acclaimed cellist, pianist, and vocalist Anna Shabalina is a magical family concert experience filled with beautiful melodies, stories, and sounds from across the globe. From the snowy mountains of Norway to the vibrant rhythms of Africa, from Celtic songs to gentle melodies from Vietnam, Bolivia, Armenia, and beyond, this interactive performance invites children and families on a musical adventure celebrating how cultures everywhere comfort, soothe, and sing to their children.

Platypus Play – Saturday, August 15, 2pm

This joyful, silly, and energetic show features an insecure platypus who is worried about all the ways that they are different. Written by the award-winning team Dan Bray and Colleen Arcturus MacIsaac, The Platypus Play is a fun new musical, featuring catchy songs and a cast of characters who each have something in common with our platypus friend, this story is about finding your people and celebrating who you are!

Bird Watch – Saturday, August 15, 6pm

Join two enthusiastic birdwatchers as they journey across the beautiful landscapes of Nova Scotia in search of some of the province’s most fascinating feathered friends in the wildly fun aerial circus adventure, Bird Watch. Audiences will meet a flock of unforgettable characters brought to life through breathtaking circus arts, physical comedy, and imaginative storytelling.

Bird Watch is a joyful celebration of curiosity, nature, imagination, and the courage to try something new.

Adventures of the Fairies – Saturday, August 16, 10am – FREE SHOW

Five young fairies are searching to earn their magical artifacts. Each fairy is searching for their own special item, with one searching for her wings, one for her wand, one for her crown and two for their magical arm cuffs. Together, they will overcome obstacles and face challenges to become true fairies. To face these trials, they adventure through the wild world of silks and acrobatics, using their friendship and individual strengths to achieve their collective goals. This show focuses on the use of teamwork and individual strengths to reach goals and achievements, and highlights the importance of both hard work, and supporting those around us.

The Comfort Tree – Sunday, August 16, 2pm

Step into a living storybook inspired by The Comfort Tree, the luminous follow-up to Light in the Forest by Holly Carr. This immersive theatrical experience transforms the stage into a breathtaking forest world, where a towering, ever-changing tree becomes the heart of connection, comfort, and imagination. Audiences are invited to wander through the seasons alongside a gentle community of animals and birds, brought vividly to life through expressive dance, enchanting puppetry, and an original musical score that ebbs and flows like the natural world itself.

Visit the festival Website for more information!

“Experiencing live performance isn’t just entertainment — it’s an essential place where young people discover creativity, build confidence, and see themselves reflected onstage. When live experiences are curated with youth in mind, they don’t just watch art — they feel invited into it, inspired by it, and empowered by it.”

Amie Moore

Executive Director, Bella Rose Arts Centre