Mafwa Theatre’s annual Refugee Week celebration returns to the Roxby Community Garden for its biggest year yet, expanding across three days for the first time as Mafwa Midsummer.
Across the weekend, the Roxby Community Garden will host performances, workshops, exhibitions, music, play sessions and drop-in activity from artists, performers and community groups from across Leeds.
Whether you come along for a particular performance, bring the family for an afternoon of creativity, or simply spend some time in the garden, we'd love to welcome you.
What’s on
Friday 19 June: 3pm–5pm
Gather, Listen, Begin
We'll open the festival with art, music, storytelling and conversation in the garden.
Explore the Mafwa x Lens Lab Art Club photography exhibition, join a garden tour, hear community voices, enjoy live piano music and spend time getting to know the people and stories that shape Mafwa's work.
Featuring:
Mafwa x Lens Lab Art Club, Garden Tours, Community Voices, Leeds Piano Trail and Conversations with the Mafwa Team.
Saturday 20 June: 12pm–6pm
Play, Move, Create
A family-friendly afternoon of dance, storytelling, creative workshops, performances and play for all ages, with opportunities to join in throughout the day.
Take part in hands-on activities, enjoy performances from artists and community groups, explore creative workshops and finish the day at BoomChikkaBoom's family rave.
Featuring:
Garden Gremlins, Leeds Piano Trail, Brave Words, Yorkshire Dance, Company of People and BoomChikkaBoom.
Sunday 21 June: 12pm–4pm
Sing, Share, Celebrate
We'll close the weekend with music, creative activities, community showcases and performances from groups across Leeds.
The day includes the premiere of Of Course, Flowers!, a new outdoor dance performance created by artist Mahshid Alavi and members of Kuluhenna Drama as part of our routing/re:rooting project. Developed through workshops exploring movement, memory and cultural dance traditions, the project brings together professional artists and community performers to create a shared movement language shaped by the experiences of women from across the world now living in Leeds.
Featuring:
Kuluhenna Drama, Hind & The Jafar Cakes, Harmony Choir, Asmarina Voices, Space2, Lincoln Greeners, Refugees at Home and community performances.
Dates:
Friday 19 June – Sunday 21 June 2026
Location:
Roxby Community Garden, LS9 7LR
Entry:
Free and open to everyone
Booking:
No ticket or advance booking required
More programme details and timings will be announced over the coming weeks.
Refugee Week 2026
Mafwa Midsummer takes place as part of Refugee Week 2026, the world's largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
This year's theme is Courage.
Courage can be found in extraordinary acts, but also in everyday moments: introducing yourself to somebody new, sharing a story, learning a new skill, standing alongside a neighbour or stepping onto a stage for the first time.
Supported By
Mafwa Midsummer is supported by The National Lottery Community Fund through Reaching Communities and The Tilehouse Trust.
Part of the Leeds400 celebrations in 2026.