What's On 4 Kids National Children's Activities Awards 2026 Event and Ceremony
What's On 4 Kids National Children's Activities Awards 2026 Event and Ceremony
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TWENTY YEARS IN THE MAKING
THE GREATEST AWARDS
Our 20th anniversary ceremony. Thursday 26 November 2026, Athena, Leicester.
Roll up, roll up. This is the industry event of the year.
Step into the big top for a spectacular red carpet celebration of the very best in children's activities, and twenty years of What's On 4 Kids. Join finalists, industry leaders and innovators for an evening of showmanship, sparkle and unforgettable moments as we honour this vibrant sector.
Twenty years ago we launched the first awards because the people running brilliant activities for children deserved to be found, and deserved to be celebrated. Back then nobody was doing it. Two decades on, this is our biggest night yet. Find out more about the National Children's Activities Awards.
Thank you to our 2026 sponsors
This ceremony would not happen without them. Ceremony sponsor the British Franchise Association and Welcome Reception sponsor the Institute of Children's Activity Providers, Celebration After Party sponsor JMW Solicitors and Programme sponsor Big Design and Print, alongside all of our sponsors and supporters below.
See more about our 2026 sponsors and supporters.
Which ticket do you need?
| You are | You need | How to book |
|---|---|---|
| A 2026 finalist | Finalist ticket, plus guest tickets for anyone you bring | Use the access code in your finalist email |
| A 2026 finalist and a What's On 4 Kids customer | Finalist ticket, plus guest tickets for anyone you bring | Use the access code in your finalist email, then apply the discount code from your account dashboard. Login here |
| A sponsor | Your complimentary ticket, plus sponsor guest tickets | Use the access code we have sent you |
| A What's On 4 Kids customer, not a finalist | Industry ticket | Use the discount code from your account dashboard. Login here |
| Anyone else in the sector | Industry ticket | No code needed |
| Bringing a group of ten | A table | Contact us now, tables are limited |
Your evening
5.15pm Welcome Reception
Sponsored by the Institute of Children's Activity Providers
A glass of fizz or soft drink and canapés with finalists, guests, sponsors and supporters. Celebrate, meet, network and mingle as the excitement builds.
6.15pm The Ceremony
Sponsored by the British Franchise Association
It's time. Our greatest showman, actor, singer and presenter, Jonathan Bremner, takes to the stage once again, and for our 20th anniversary he will be donning his top hat and tails. Expect very special guests, breath-taking entertainment and thrilling surprises.
Get ready for the tears and the laughter as our 2026 winners and highly commended finalists step into the spotlight.
A sumptuous three course dinner, with half a bottle of wine or a soft drink, is served during the ceremony.
10.30pm Celebration After Party
Sponsored by JMW Solicitors
After the closing speeches, take to the dance floor with our live DJ or catch up with friends and colleagues at the bar, open until 1am.
Midnight One for the road
Grab a hot bacon roll, or an alternative, before heading home. The perfect way to round off the night.
1am Carriages
All timings are approximate and may change on the night.
Dress Code: Black Tie and Showstoppers
This is your cue to dazzle us!
Your ticket includes all of this
- Access to the National Children's Activities Awards 2026 Ceremony, sponsored by the British Franchise Association
- Arrivals reception with a glass of fizz or soft drink, canapés and networking, sponsored by the Institute of Children's Activity Providers
- Fine dining three course meal with half a bottle of wine or a soft drink, served at the ceremony
- Souvenir programme, sponsored by Big Design and Print
- Breath-taking live entertainment
- Celebration after party with a live DJ, sponsored by JMW Solicitors
- Midnight snack
- Free cloakroom
If you are a finalist
BRING EVERYONE
You did not get here on your own, so we want you to bring the people who helped you do it. There is no limit on guest tickets.
Your family. Your friends. Your team. Your franchisees. Book as many guest tickets as you like, right now, and let's give them a night they will talk about for years.
Use the access code in your finalist email to unlock finalist ticket options. Finalist tickets start at £99 and guest tickets at £135 (plus a few pence!). Your tickets are heavily subsidised by What's On 4 Kids and thanks to our amazing sponsors.
Every finalist at the ceremony will receive:
- Your finalist certificate in a presentation folder to display proudly
- An exclusive finalist sticker for your car to share your achievement everywhere you travel
- A special gift on the table to take away with you as a memento of the night
- The chance to add your favourite song to our DJ set. We will ask you when you book
Not a finalist? You should still be here
This is the one night of the year our whole industry is in the same room. You do not need to be shortlisted to be part of it.
- Meet the sector in one evening. Hundreds of activity providers, franchisors, suppliers, judges and sponsors, all in one place, once a year.
- Be part of the 20th celebrations. Twenty years only happens once, and this is the one to have been at.
Industry tickets are open to everyone. What's On 4 Kids customers pay a lower price.
Sponsors
Thank you for supporting the Awards. Your complimentary places and any additional sponsor guest tickets are unlocked with the codes we have sent you. If you would like a table for your team or your clients, or you have not received your codes, please get in touch.
Bringing a group? Book a table
Ten seats, together, in a prime spot
A table booking is the only way to guarantee ten seats together. We always try to seat parties together, but we cannot promise it with individual tickets.
Your table booking also includes:
- A prime table location with one of the best views
- A complimentary bottle of prosecco for the table
- Your business name on the table card
- A table gift for everyone on your table
Table bookings are open to everyone. Perfect for finalists bringing their team, franchisors bringing their franchisees, multi-site operators bringing their managers, and suppliers bringing their clients.
A table booking is paid for as a table rather than as ten individual tickets. Table bookings are made directly with us and there are a strictly limited number available. If you would like one, please contact us now and we will set it up for you.
Ticket prices
What's On 4 Kids customers booking before 30 September get our lowest prices, with finalist tickets from £99
| Ticket | Early bird Book by 30 Sept |
Standard From 1 October |
|---|---|---|
| Finalist, What's On 4 Kids customer | £99.20 | £124 |
| Finalist | £124 | £155 |
| Finalist guest, What's On 4 Kids customer | £135.20 | £168.80 |
| Finalist guest | £169 | £211 |
| Industry ticket, What's On 4 Kids customer | £152 | £212 |
| Industry ticket | £190 | £265 |
All ticket prices are plus VAT and a ticket platform fee of 72p per ticket. We use Ticket Tailor to keep this as low as possible.
New: ticket protection
Following your feedback, ticket protection is now available as an optional extra when you book. You can add it at checkout, and it is entirely up to you whether you do.
Not yet listed with What's On 4 Kids?
The customer discount applies to every seat in your booking. A finalist and one guest saves £58.60, and a finalist with three guests saves £126.20.
For most bookings the saving is worth more than a listing costs, and your listing works for you all year. Sign up here, then use the code in your account dashboard.
Deadlines
Tickets are strictly limited and demand is expected to be high, so please do not delay.
The deadline for booking all tickets is 12pm on Thursday 29 October 2026, or until sell-out, whichever is soonest.
Getting there and staying over
Hotel
The Ramada Encore Leicester City Centre is just a few minutes walk from the venue.
Book your room here or email sales@encoreleicester.com.
Parking
The nearest parking is on Queen Street and there are other public car parks available nearby. Please note that the NCP nearest the venue has now closed.
Before you book
Strictly over 18s only. All timings are approximate. There will be flashing lights, photography and videography at this event. Please advise any dietary or access requirements when booking.
Full terms and conditions apply to all tickets. Any queries, please contact us here.
Location
Athena, Queen Street, Leicester, LE1 1QD