Puppets Up

06/02/2026

🎭 Over 20 Years of Wonder, Whimsy, and Puppetry Magic! 🎭

Did you know Puppets Up! began with a simple idea and a whole lot of imagination?

Back in 2004, a group of enthusiastic Almonte residents, inspired by the legendary Noreen Young, creator of Under the Umbrella Tree and Hi Di**le Day, set out to share the vibrant art of puppetry with the world. What started as a dream quickly became something extraordinary.

From 2005 to 2016, the streets of Almonte came alive with puppets, performers, parades, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Artists travelled from around the globe to perform in intimate theatres, on historic main streets, and under festival tents, delighting audiences of all ages.

Then, after a brief pause...

WE CAME BACK! 🎉

Since returning in 2022, Puppets Up! has once again filled Almonte with world-class puppetry and family fun. In 2023, PuppetCon invited curious minds behind the curtain with workshops and industry panels. In 2025, we gathered for Noreen’s Night of Nonsense, celebrating the life, legacy, and joyful spirit of our founder.

And now, as we look ahead to August 8 & 9, 2026, we're preparing for another spectacular chapter in our story.

To everyone who has attended a show, marched in a parade, volunteered their time, built a puppet, laughed until they snorted, or helped bring this festival to life: thank you. ❤️

Here's to twenty years of wonder and many more still to come.

What's your favourite Puppets Up! memory? Share it below! 👇

Ottawa Festivals Ottawa Tourism

06/01/2026

✨ A fairy tale is coming to life in Almonte… and it’s absolutely MARIONETTE MAGIC.

👠 Cinderella (Ages 4+)
Presented by Tanglewood Marionettes (Massachusetts, USA)

Picture this:
A giant storybook opens…
Lavishly costumed 30” marionettes step into the spotlight…
A magnificent ballroom appears…
And suddenly you’re swept into an 18th century fairy tale full of wonder, whimsy, and a few delightful surprises.

Yes, Cinderella still goes to the ball…
But let’s just say her ride is a little less “pumpkin carriage” and a little more “wait WHAT?!” 👀

And when things seem lost? A clever little bluebird may just flutter in to save the day. 🐦✨

Founded in 1993, Tanglewood Marionettes are internationally celebrated masters of the craft, known for their breathtaking hand-crafted puppets, immersive storytelling, and award-winning performances. (Seriously. They’ve won TWO UNIMA awards. That’s basically the puppet equivalent of taking home Olympic gold medals while balancing on strings.)

This is classic storytelling with heart, humour, artistry, and enough theatrical magic to delight kids, grandparents, puppet lovers, and anyone who’s ever secretly wished mice could help with household chores.

🎭 Puppets Up! International Puppet Festival
📍 Almonte, Ontario
📅 August 8 & 9, 2026

More lineup announcements coming soon, puppet pals!
Ottawa Tourism Ottawa Festivals

05/28/2026

🚨 CALLING ALL VOLUNT-HEROS! 🚨

Yes yes yes, we need puppet wranglers, parade pals, ticket takers, tent titans, crafty humans, people who can carry folding chairs like absolute champions, and folks who simply love making magic happen…

BUT.

We’re also looking for one very special Volunt-Hero to help guide the whole glorious puppet-powered ship…

👀 The Vice Chair of the Puppets Up! Board of Directors.

That’s right, dear pals. One of the BIG ones.

This role is perfect for someone who loves community, creativity, collaboration, and maybe the occasional wonderfully chaotic conversation about giant puppet logistics.

As Vice Chair, you’ll help support the leadership of one of the most joyful festivals around, work alongside an incredible volunteer board, and help shape the future of the as we march toward August 8 & 9, 2026 with confetti in our pockets and puppet dreams in our hearts.

You do NOT need to be a professional puppeteer.
You DO need enthusiasm, kindness, community spirit, and a willingness to jump in and help make wonderful things happen.

Because Puppets Up! has always been powered by people. Neighbours. Dreamers. Builders. Volunteers. Folks who believe joy matters.

Interested?
We would LOVE to hear from you.

📧 [email protected]

And if “Vice Chair” isn’t your thing, never fear! There are dozens of other Volunt-Hero roles waiting for you too.

Come help us bring the magic to life. 🎭✨

05/27/2026

🎭 HOLY SMOKES, puppet pals… have you SEEN this lineup?!

The world-class wonder, whimsy, weirdness, music, mayhem, marionettes, pirates, fleas, raccoons, chameleons, Shakespearean nonsense, and zucchini-based drama are already rolling into Almonte for Puppets Up! International Puppet Festival 2026 and we are VERY NORMAL ABOUT IT. (We are not normal about it.)

Here are just SOME of the incredible performances already confirmed for August 8 & 9, 2026:

✨ Animal Adventure - Rock the Arts Puppets
✨ Buster Canfield’s Circus of Industrious Fleas - Eldritch Theatre
✨ Cinderella - Tanglewood Marionettes
✨ Emilio’s a Million Chameleons - Adam Francis Proulx
✨ Everybody Loves Pirates - Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers
✨ Felt Up! The After-Hours Cabaret sponsored by Joanne Beaton - Sales Representative, eXp Realty
✨ MacBeth: A Tale Told by an Idiot! - Eldritch Theatre
✨ Papa - Puzzle Théâtre
✨ Puss Sing Boots - Théâtre des Deux Mains
✨ Rabbit and Bear Paws — Little Spirit Bear Productions
✨ The Zucchini Club — Alexander Mantia

And that’s not all! More performances, schedule details, workshops, outdoor spectacles, and puppet-powered chaos are still to come. 👀 Check back here: https://puppetsup.com/plan-your-visit/

If you love giant puppets, tiny puppets, musical puppets, pirate puppets, Shakespeare puppets, educational puppets, slightly unhinged puppets, or puppets that may or may not yell at vegetables… there's something magical waiting for you in Downtown Almonte.

Mark your calendars, gather your puppet-loving pals, and prepare yourselves for a weekend packed with world-class artistry, community joy, and glorious nonsense.

🎪 Puppets Up! International Puppet Festival
📍 Almonte, Ontario
📅 August 8 & 9, 2026

Check back soon for the full schedule and show details!
Ottawa Festivals Ottawa Tourism

05/24/2026

Hold onto your zucchinis, puppet pals… things are about to get gloriously weird. 🥒✨

Please welcome Alexander Mantia to the 2026 PuppetsUp! International Puppet Festival lineup!

A puppeteer and theatre creator from Toronto, Alexander always knew he wanted to grow up to be a puppeteer, and now he’s living the dream in the most delightfully chaotic way possible. Mentored by legendary puppeteer Ronnie Burkett , Alexander has brought his unique puppet magic to stages and festivals across Canada.

And now… he’s bringing The Zucchini Club (ages 13+) to Almonte! 🎭

Join Pasquale Provolone as he wages an epic battle to defend his beloved zucchini garden from a cast of outrageous creatures including:
🦝 magician raccoons
🦨 singing skunks
🦄 unicorns
…and more vaudevillian nonsense than you can shake a giant squash at.

This firsthand puppet spectacular has already wowed audiences at WTF (2024), Toronto Fringe (2025), Winnipeg Fringe (2026), and beyond and now it’s headed to downtown Almonte for one wildly entertaining weekend.

Trust us, pals… you’ve never looked at a zucchini the same way after this show.

🎟️ Puppets Up! returns August 8 & 9, 2026.

05/21/2026

Calling all businesses, community champions, and lovers of whimsy! 🎪✨

The 2026 PuppetsUp! International Puppet Festival is looking for sponsors to help bring the magic to life!

Every giant puppet, every gasp of wonder, every parade moment, every laugh from a tiny human clutching a puppet snack in one hand and cotton candy in the other… it all happens because amazing community partners step up to support the festival.

Sponsoring Puppets Up! is a chance to:
🎭 Connect with thousands of festival-goers🎭 Support arts and culture in our community🎭 Showcase your business in a joyful, family-friendly event
🎭 Be part of something truly unforgettable

There are many ways to get involved, and we’d love to find the perfect fit for your business.

Ready to help create a little puppet-powered magic? Visit Puppets Up! or send us a message! Email [email protected] to discuss how we can showcase your business.

Become a Puppets Up! Sponsor The Puppet’s Up International Puppet Festival offers local companies a unique opportunity to showcase their businesses while contri

05/18/2026

🎪 Behind every magical moment at Puppets Up! there’s an incredible team working hard behind the scenes to make it all happen.

From setting up tents and sound systems to hauling tables, hanging signs, and solving last-minute challenges, the Puppets Up! Site Crew helps transform downtown Almonte into a puppet-filled wonderland each festival weekend.

Longtime volunt-hero Jared Young says:“It’s so rewarding to watch each show start up for the first time each year, knowing that we achieved our goal and everyone is now able to start enjoying it.”

The site crew is truly the backbone of the festival and we’re always looking for more amazing people to join the team.

Interested in becoming a Puppets Up! Volunt-hero for 2026? We’d love to hear from you!

📧 [email protected]

https://puppetsup.com/volunteer/

05/17/2026

Hey everyone - look what our very own Kris Riendeau does in her spare time!

Meet our Director!... Kris Riendeau has been in love with the theatre for as long as she can remember, and in fact met her husband Rob during a production of A Chorus Line in Kingston. Early roles with The Valley Players and the Almonte Social Action Players led her to shows written by local celebrity Fern Martin. Thanks to encouragement from Fern and Noreen Young, Kris transitioned to directing just over a decade ago and has since been involved in many amazing productions. Highlights include Roddy Ellias's Sleeping Rough (part of Ottawa's Music and Beyond festival), Fern's Spinning Yarns, and Humm Team Production shows like The Wizard is… Odd?!. What's special about The Perfect Time? "I think the level of talent in this show is going to knock the socks clean off our audiences, so play it safe and wear sandals to this one," enthuses Kris.

Get your tickets today and experience how Kris has brought "The Perfect Time" to life!
🎟️ https://the20bureau.ticketsplease.ca/events/the-perfect-time/
🗓️ May 22-24, May 29-31
⏰ Friday and Saturday at 7:30; Sunday 2:00 matinees
📍Almonte Old Town Hall, Almonte, Ontario
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05/14/2026

Remembering Noreen Young and Honouring a Legacy 🎭✨

Have you had a chance to visit the new website for the Noreen Young Award for the Arts yet? ➡️ https://noreenyoungawardforthearts.ca/

It’s hard to believe it has been more than a year since we said goodbye to Noreen Young, O.C. (1939–2025) — puppeteer, artist, community-builder, mischief-maker, and all-around titan of Canadian culture.

Noreen showed the world that you didn’t need a giant city stage to create world-class magic. You just needed imagination, heart, and perhaps a puppet or two with very strong opinions.

As the creator of Under the Umbrella Tree and the visionary behind Puppets Up!, Noreen helped turn Almonte into an international destination for puppetry, creativity, silliness, and joy. And while we miss her wit and sparkle every single day, her legacy is still growing in beautiful ways.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, the Noreen Young Award for the Arts Fund has already raised $13,115.09! 🎉

This endowed fund provides a $1,000 annual award to a Mississippi Mills student pursuing post-secondary studies in the arts, helping the next generation of creators take their first brave leap into creative life.

In 2025, the award was presented for the very first time, with ADHS student Mycah Olson named the inaugural recipient as they began Theatre Studies at the University of Guelph. We have a feeling Noreen would be absolutely delighted.

And this summer, during and beyond, we’ll be celebrating another side of Noreen’s extraordinary talent.

In partnership with Sivarulrasa Gallery, an exhibition of Noreen’s drawings will be presented, curated by her brother Stephen Brathwaite alongside Sanjeev Sivarulrasa. While many knew Noreen through her puppets, she was also a classically trained artist with a remarkable eye for character, humour, and humanity.

Even more wonderful? All proceeds from the exhibition will support the NYAA Fund and future young artists.

✨ Applications for the 2026 award are open May 1 to May 21
✨ Exhibition details coming soon
✨ Donations to the fund can be made anytime through the Ottawa Community Foundation portal

As Puppets Up! – Presented by Minto Homes Ottawa marches onward, we carry Noreen’s spirit with us in every parade, every puppet, every delighted gasp, and every glorious bit of nonsense.

Thank you, Noreen.

We’re still pulling rabbits out of hats over here, and we think you’d be pretty proud of the view. ❤️