Basingstoke Hosts World’s First AOIBA International Bubble Convention
An extraordinary international gathering celebrating the art, science and joy of the humble soap bubble is coming to Basingstoke — and the public are invited to be part of it.
Basingstoke will host the world’s first AOIBA International Bubble Convention this March, bringing together more than 100 performers, artists, scientists and educators from over 30 countries.
From 11–14 March, the town becomes the home of POP! – The International Bubble Convention, organised by the Association of International Bubble Artistes (AOIBA).
The event places Basingstoke firmly on the international map of an unusual and rapidly growing art form.
Delegates will spend four days exploring the extraordinary possibilities of the humble soap bubble through lectures, workshops and hands-on experimentation — from artistic performance and intricate bubble sculptures to educational and wellbeing applications.
POP! also provides a rare opportunity for professionals working in this unusual field to share knowledge, develop new techniques and explore the growing artistic and scientific potential of bubble work.
“For a few days, Basingstoke will become the meeting place for people from around the world who share a passion for bringing joy to audiences.”
Damian Jay - Lead Organiser
Bubbling in the Park – A Free Community Celebration
One of the most joyful moments of the convention will take place at Popley Community Park on Saturday 14 March, when POP! hosts “Bubbling in the Park.”
Running from 11:30am until 3:30pm, this free community event invites families and residents to enjoy an afternoon of spectacular bubble displays created by visiting artists.
Throughout the afternoon the park will fill with floating spheres, drifting giant bubbles and playful displays of bubble artistry.
The highlight of the event will be a spectacular “Bubble Release” at 3:00pm, when more than 60 bubble artists release bubbles into the air at the same moment, filling the sky with thousands of shimmering bubbles.
Bubbles may seem simple, but their fleeting beauty has a powerful effect — encouraging people to pause, look up and share a moment of wonder.
“Sometimes something as simple as a bubble drifting through the air can create a moment of wonder that brings people together.”
Damian Jay - Lead Organiser
POP! – The Bubble Show at The Haymarket Theatre
The celebrations continue that evening with POP! – The Bubble Show, a special gala performance at the Haymarket Theatre in Basingstoke.
📅 Saturday 14 March
🕖 7:30pm
🎟 Tickets available at: https://www.anvilarts.org.uk/book/instance/774001
The show brings together some of the world’s most celebrated bubble performers for an evening of theatrical storytelling, comedy, magic and astonishing bubble artistry.
Audiences can expect everything from delicate floating bubble forms to giant bubbles large enough to surround a person — moments of visual theatre that transform an everyday material into something extraordinary.
Although bubbles are often associated with childhood, the organisers emphasise that the performance is far more than a children’s show. POP! – The Bubble Show is designed as a family theatre experience, combining humour, performance and visual spectacle to delight audiences of all ages.
Adding to the evening’s atmosphere will be Hampshire Harmony, a well-known local choir whose uplifting performances have become a familiar and much-loved part of community events across the region.
The Mayor of Basingstoke will also be attending the gala performance in recognition of the international significance of the convention taking place in the town.
Featured performers include internationally renowned artists such as Tom Noddy, widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern bubble performance, Pep Bou, the celebrated Spanish bubble theatre artist whose poetic productions have toured worldwide, Russian performer Alexander Kross (The BubbleBoss), known for pushing the technical boundaries of bubble artistry, and Kole Kitanov, a superb clown, from Macadonia, whose energetic performance style brings his own brand of hilarious chaos and comic mischief to the stage.
Convention organiser, Damian Jay, says the event is about far more than bubbles.
“What makes this gathering special is the spirit behind it. People from many different backgrounds and cultures share the same goal — bringing joy to audiences.
Bubbles are simple, beautiful and universal — everyone understands them, no matter where they come from.
At a time when the world can feel complicated, this convention is about people coming together in friendship, creativity and generosity of spirit.
We’re incredibly proud to welcome our international bubble family to Basingstoke and to share that joy with the local community.”
Come and Experience the Magic
Bubbling in the Park
📍 Popley Community Park
📅 Saturday 14 March
⏰ 11:30am – 3:30pm
⭐ Bubble Release at 3:00pm
🎟 Free to attend
POP! – The Bubble Show
📍 The Haymarket Theatre, Basingstoke
📅 Saturday 14 March
⏰ 7:30pm
🎟 Tickets: https://www.anvilarts.org.uk/book/instance/774001
For one weekend in March, Basingstoke won’t just be hosting a convention — it will become the centre of the world’s bubble artistry.
