Puppetry This WeekA living guide
A living guide to performances, screenings, workshops and the people bringing characters to life—wherever they appear.
A note from Mike · Welcome
I recently discovered, purely by accident, that puppetry was happening at an event I was already attending. I found myself asking, “How on earth did I, of all people, not know?” That led me to think: we need one place where any kind of puppet-adjacent event can be posted and easily found. I hope everyone finds this useful. I want it to become as comprehensive as possible, with a fresh update every Sunday. Enjoy!
Sunday edition · 4 October 2026
Three-month focusOctober–December 2026
Dates describe runs or selected sessions, not daily performances. Please check the official source for times, access and ticket availability.
September’s remaining dates · Some runs continue into October
Family puppet performance
Center for Puppetry Arts · Atlanta, Georgia
Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers stage a comic sea adventure with hand-crafted puppets and a papier-mache pirate ship. Approximately one hour. Performances occur on selected dates; check the venue’s current timetable and booking.
October–December 2026 · Plus ongoing discoveries
Official publicity imagePuppetry This Week© Apple · Courtesy Apple & The Jim Henson CompanyHMajor exhibition · Henson · Cinema
Gallery of Modern Art · Brisbane
Explore original puppets, animatronics, props and drawings from The Jim Henson Company, including the Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Great Hall set. An ongoing exhibition: it overlaps the autumn and winter windows despite opening in September. Check entry arrangements with QAGOMA.
Family performance · Puppets & songs
Little Angel Theatre · Islington, London
Puppets, songs and interactive play bring Pip and Posy to the stage in a roughly 45-minute production aimed at ages 2-5. The venue currently lists remaining dates from 3 October to 22 November; earlier September performances also existed. Some dates are sold out: check the selected performance before travelling.
International puppet festival
Ruang Pana, Komplek Kampoeng Media · Yogyakarta
Papermoon Puppet Theatre’s festival brings puppet performances, talks and workshops together in Yogyakarta. The festival information confirms 6-11 October 2026. A separate hotel offer contains an old 2024 date; accommodation packages are not included in this recommendation. Check access for individual performances.
Puppet cabaret · Live music · Ages 18+
Center for Puppetry Arts · Atlanta, Georgia
An adult Halloween cabaret combines live music, macabre stories and several styles of puppetry at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Ages 18+. Selected performances within 7-31 October; check individual dates and availability.
International festival · Puppet & object theatre
Multiple venues · Meppel
Puppet and object theatre fills venues across Meppel, with an international programme for adults and families. Choose individual productions through the festival programme; age guidance and booking vary.
String marionettes · International festival
Multiple venues · Salzburg
A festival centred on string marionettes brings European companies to Salzburg, including Upfront’s Stanelli’s Super Circus. Productions use different venues and languages; check each listing for audience guidance and performance times.
Family exhibition tour · Jim Henson
Gallery of Modern Art · Brisbane
An interactive family tour explores Jim Henson’s characters, followed by early exhibition access. The activity is pitched at ages 4-8, with all ages welcome. Adults and children each need a ticket. This is an exhibition visit, not a live puppet performance; ticket availability is not guaranteed.
Puppet festival · Live performance
La MaMa venues · New York City
La MaMa brings contemporary puppet artists together for a festival curated by Denise Greber and Federico Restrepo. Shows run on different dates within the festival; consult each production for its venue, time and audience guidance.
Puppet-project producing workshop
La MaMa · New York City
Jean Marie Keevins leads a one-day intensive in building a budget and pitch for a puppet project, with an evening performance and talkback as a working example. The workshop start time and runtime are not confirmed on the page. The 6pm time refers to the accompanying performance. Enrolment is limited; places are not guaranteed.
Film screening · Live orchestra
Eventim Apollo · London
Watch The Muppet Christmas Carol on the big screen with its musical score performed live by an orchestra. A film-and-orchestra event, not a live Muppet performance or advertised puppeteer appearance. Check the selected booking time.
January–March 2027 · Early dates for your diary
Save the dates · International festival
Multiple venues · Chicago, Illinois
Plan ahead for Chicago’s international puppet festival, with performances across venues in the city. Festival dates are confirmed. This listing does not promise a particular artist, show or ticket availability; follow the organiser’s developing programme.
Permanent source watch
Recurring screenings, museum programmes, guild news and returning guests can become watch subjects. Dates are only published after fresh verification.
For fans
Screenings, live orchestras, conventions, guest appearances and those delightful surprises hidden inside much bigger events.
For makers
Workshops, craft conversations and professional opportunities—with a natural bridge to Secrets of Puppetry Academy.
How trust is built
The puppetry bookshelf & workbench
Explore books, publications, puppet-making supplies and specialist puppet builders.
Country not independently confirmed
A practical introduction to making, stringing and performing three increasingly challenging marionettes: a bird, a dancer and a wooden man.
Publisher lists print and ebook options; stock, delivery and regional access were not tested.
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United States
UNIMA-USA’s magazine explores puppetry and performing objects across theatre, film and video, with international articles, reviews and research.
Print purchasing and online reading are offered; access varies by issue and format.
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Country not independently confirmed
Exercises connect puppet design, movement, improvisation and directing: useful reading for developing a character as well as making it.
Publisher lists print and ebook options; stock, delivery and regional access were not tested.
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South Africa
An illustrated account of Handspring’s work, philosophy and technical innovations, offered as a reading resource through the company’s own website.
Follow the official reading link; no copying, image reuse or redistribution permission is implied.
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Country not independently confirmed
A broad guide to puppet design, construction and performance, covering practical decisions from the workbench to the stage.
Publisher lists print and ebook options; stock, delivery and regional access were not tested.
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Country not independently confirmed
A specialist guide to string puppets, including construction, control systems and the performance techniques that make them expressive.
Publisher lists print and ebook options; stock, delivery and regional access were not tested.
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Country not independently confirmed
A practical route into shadow theatre, exploring figures and controls alongside the lighting and staging that shape their projected world.
Publisher lists print and ebook options; stock, delivery and regional access were not tested.
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Country not independently confirmed
Puppet-making fabrics and features, including fleece and faux fur, alongside patterns for makers.
Some products are marked sold out. Check individual stock and shipping terms; worldwide delivery is not assumed.
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United States
A California puppet studio offering custom puppet design and fabrication for stage and screen, alongside theatrical puppet rentals.
A specialist production service, not a promise of open commissions or immediate rental availability.
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United Kingdom
Modelling and sculpting tools, including Tiranti-branded products, provide useful starting points for puppet-making work that involves sculpted forms.
Not a dedicated puppet supplier. Check the suitability, stock and delivery terms of each product.
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Country not independently confirmed
Character and puppet design for screen production, with fabrication spanning maquettes, moulds, armatures and costumes.
Specialist production services; project capacity and commission availability are not confirmed.
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United States
A design, fabrication and production studio in Bloomfield, New Jersey, creating puppets for film, television and theatre.
A professional studio rather than a retail supplies shop; current project capacity is not confirmed.
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United Kingdom
A Greater London studio making bespoke puppets and characters, from hand-operated designs to animatronic work.
Current commission capacity, fees and turnaround times are not confirmed.
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United Kingdom
Puppet and creature-costume design and fabrication for screen and stage, with a portfolio of character-led production work.
Current commission capacity and delivery times are not confirmed.
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United Kingdom
Puppet and creature design and fabrication for television, film and theatre, based around London and Kings Langley.
The public portfolio is readable; current commission capacity is not confirmed.
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Country not independently confirmed
A puppetry resource offering design/build and production consultation, with work across film, television and theatre.
Design & Build explicitly states BOOKS CLOSED FOR 2026. No 2027 availability is inferred.
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Country not independently confirmed
Hand-and-rod puppetry training, workshops, direction and consultation: a skills resource alongside the making directory.
Not verified as a custom puppet-building supplier. Check current course dates and access directly.
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