ACTIVITIES & WORKSHOPS
At Costa Festival, you’ll find a vibrant mix of activities designed to inspire, relax, and delight. Whether you fancy unleashing your creativity in Watercolour Art Classes, finding your flow in Pilates or Tai Chi, raising your voice in joyful Choir, or making music together in the Costa Ensemble – there’s something for everyone. Add in Ukulele and other music workshops, plus birdwatching trips in the stunning surroundings, and you’ve got a festival experience that’s as enriching as it is unforgettable.
WATERCOLOUR ART CLASSES
Paul Clark is a published author, professional artist, and internationally recognised YouTuber with over 250,000 subscribers. With more than 40 years of experience teaching watercolour and drawing techniques, Paul has a gift for making creativity accessible, enjoyable, and rewarding for learners of all levels.
He’s joined by Margot Lofts, a talented watercolourist in her own right, who brings fresh perspectives and extra classes to ensure a varied and inspiring programme.
Whether you’re picking up a brush for the first time or refining your technique, these classes are open to all abilities. (A full list of equipment required is available here.)
PILATES
Rosie’s morning Pilates classes have become a popular activity over the years at Costa Festivals. Suitable for all ability ranges, the daily Pilates class will definitely help improve your posture, flexibility, strength, balance and set you up for the day ahead.
TAI CHI
Melvin has practiced and taught Tai Chi for over 35 years and has combined his love of folk music and the Taoist arts by leading Tai Chi workshops at festivals. The sessions have been developed to give absolute beginners an understanding of the foundations and practice of Tai Chi and provide an opportunity for the more experienced to explore a wider range of activities.
UKELELE
Why not join Andy at the daily ukulele sessions running at Costa Festival? With just four strings and unlimited chords this is a great instrument to get into, even if you haven’t played much before. You will learn how to play a few songs but, most importantly, have fun whilst doing so! On the final day of the festival you will perform to the Costa audience.
COSTA ENSEMBLE
Joe Broughton (Conservatoire Folk Ensemble) and Tom Chapman (Urban Folk Quartet) run our Costa Ensemble workshops. The emphasis for the workshops will be for everyone to be able to join in, so whether you just got your first two ukulele chords together or you have been playing fiddle tunes at your local session for years, this is an opportunity for you to be part of a band, to learn something and to have a good time.
Joe’s core teaching approach is that people learn more and play better when they are having a good time, so don’t come expecting any pressure or to get away with not having a laugh. Bring your instrument if you can and, if not, you can join the percussion/singing/dancing section!!
BIRDWATCHING
What started as a little experiment has quickly become one of the festival’s most popular activities! Join our birding guides for a morning walk through beautiful surroundings, spotting a variety of species along the way. Walks typically last 3–4 hours and cover around 5km – mostly on flat paths, with the occasional rocky patch – and you’ll be back at the hotel just in time for lunch. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned spotter, everyone is welcome to share in the wonder.
CEILIDH
Simon Care, Nina Zella, Tim Walker and Mark Jolley, who come together as Banter, host our Costa Ceilidhs. As always, they will play all your favourite ceilidh dances with high energy and their own unique flair. Whether you are an experienced ceilidh dancer or a beginner you will definitely have lots of fun!
COSTA CHOIR
Join Celia for the much-loved Costa Choir workshops – the perfect chance to make new friends, discover fresh songs, and explore vocal techniques in a relaxed, joyful setting. Whether you’re a seasoned singer or just love to belt out a tune, it’s all about having fun together. And the best bit? You’ll get to share the magic with a live performance for the Costa audience at the end of the festival!
QUIZ, BINGO & MORE!
From quick-fire quizzes to lively bingo sessions and our ever-popular panel games, there are plenty of chances to test your wits, join in the fun, and even take home a prize or two. With special guests popping up along the way and a warm, light-hearted atmosphere throughout, these sessions are all about coming together, having a giggle, and making memories.
THEMED DISCO NIGHTS
We round off our festivals in true Costa style with a themed disco night with our resident DJ Simon Care. It’s the perfect chance to let your hair down, kick off your shoes, and dance the night away with friends old and new. Expect plenty of laughs, a great mix of tunes, and a splash of fancy dress fun as we celebrate the week in style. It’s the ultimate feel-good finale!