IT’S carnival time at the Eastgate Theatre next week.

From Thursday to Saturday the Imaginarium Festival returns to entertain children of all ages during the school holidays.

The creative tone is set on the opening day with a range of art and puppet-making workshops, storytelling from Peebles personalities, free performances in the café, plus instruction in Capoeira – the Brazilian art form that combines the combative elements of martial arts, the strength of acrobatics, and the free-flowing beauty of dance and music.

And on Friday and Saturday, youngsters will have a chance to learn a host of new skills, from creating tropical paradise mobiles and Mardi Gras-style head dresses, to dance and djembe drumming. 

There will also be a special appearance by members of the Two Much Fun Club – festival circuit favourites who will share their expertise in the art of (often messy) outdoor art.

Inside, the Eastgate will also host a variety of family theatre over the three days. 

The theatre performances begin on Thursday afternoon (2pm) with Tales of a Grandson, which sees spell-binding story-teller Andy Cannon take audiences on a time-travelling adventure with his grandparents. 

In this epic journey, suitable for ages six and up, Andy weaves together all the Kings, Queens, friends and foes that make up Scotland’s story.

On Friday (11am and 2pm), specialist children’s theatre companies Starcatchers & Branar Téatar do Pháistí come together to create The Shape of Things – a magical, interactive show with puppets, objects, music and sound that is ideal for the under threes.

And finally, on Saturday (2pm), Indigo Moon Theatre takes to the stage with a mix of shadow theatre, table-top puppetry and live acting to bring a classic myth to life in Pandora’s Magical Box (age five plus).

The event runs from October 13-15 at the Eastgate Theatre. Tickets are available from the Box Office on: 01721 725777, or online at: http://www.eastgatearts.com