Thirty Years of Stories, Stages and Community Spirit at Eastleigh's Beloved The Point
A local theatre that opened its doors in 1996 is still the beating creative heart of its community — and it's throwing a free birthday party to prove it.
Three Decades, One Remarkable Venue
For thirty years, The Point in Eastleigh has been doing something quietly extraordinary — giving ordinary people extraordinary experiences. Since swinging open its doors in 1996, the beloved arts venue has welcomed generations of families, young performers and creative minds, cementing itself as the cultural backbone of the borough. And now, it's time to celebrate.
The venue is marking its milestone 30th anniversary with a year-long programme built around a simple but powerful idea: 30 events for 30 years. It's the kind of ambition that reminds you why local arts venues matter in the first place.
What's Been Happening This Year
The anniversary celebrations have already delivered a seriously impressive run of events. Theatre, dance, comedy and family activities have all featured, alongside outdoor performances and special community moments that have drawn people together across Eastleigh.
Highlights have included Pop Up Unwrapped, Unwrapped, Summer Social Friday evenings and poetry readings from the venue's own local poetry group. The Point Youth Theatre has also taken centre stage, while events exploring sustainability and creativity have added real depth to the programme.
This isn't just a venue patting itself on the back — it's a community gathering around something it genuinely loves.
Mark Your Diary: The Big Birthday Open Day
The celebrations are far from over. On Saturday 12 September, The Point throws open its doors for a free, all-ages Birthday Open Day running from 10am to 4pm — and the lineup is genuinely exciting.
Visitors can go behind the scenes at the venue, try youth theatre and dance sessions, and browse a local makers market. Craft activities, sustainable businesses and live performances on the Garden Stage are also on the bill.
And for those wanting something a little more theatrical, Hoglets Theatre will be performing The Tale of the Loneliest Whale in the Studio Theatre, with tickets available from just £5. That one alone sounds like a must for families.
More Than Just a Theatre
It would be easy to describe The Point simply as a theatre — but that would massively undersell what it actually is. Over three decades, it has functioned as a creative home, a safe space for young people discovering the arts, and a community hub where ideas are sparked and stories are shared.
The venue has supported local talent and presented inspiring work while keeping its doors open to people of all ages and backgrounds. That kind of sustained commitment to a community doesn't happen by accident — it takes dedication, year after year.
For residents across Eastleigh borough, The Point isn't just a place you visit. It's a place that belongs to you.
What Happens Next
With the 30th Birthday Open Day on 12 September fast approaching, The Point is inviting everyone — regulars and first-timers alike — to come and be part of the celebration. After that, the venue says it remains firmly committed to nurturing artists, inspiring young people and keeping creativity at the heart of Eastleigh for the decades ahead.
Thirty years down. Many more to come. And if the energy of this anniversary year is anything to go by, the next chapter looks very bright indeed.
Source: The Point marks 30 Years as the cultural Heart of Eastleigh