The summer is moving fast, and next weekend brings one of the biggest fixtures on the local calendar. From Friday 31st July to Sunday 2nd August 2026, the Poole Harbour Festival returns to Harbourside Park at Baiter Recreation Ground for its 10th anniversary edition. Having scooped the BCP Event of the Year award back in 2024, the festival has built a strong reputation as a massive regional family and live music weekend, setting up four stages right alongside the harbour waters.
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Across the three days, around 60 live acts are lined up. The main stage features a mix of high-profile headliners and top-tier tribute bands. Friday opens from 5pm to 11pm, with tribute acts to Kings of Leon, Coldplay and Foo Fighters taking the evening slots. Saturday runs from 12pm to 11pm, featuring live sets from Republica, Artful Dodger, Heather Small and The Fratellis, before Groove Armada bring the night to a close with a DJ set. Sunday shortens the hours slightly from 12pm to 8pm, hosting Dodgy, Scouting For Girls and closing out the weekend with the Kaiser Chiefs.
Beyond the main stage, the festival spreads its music across three other distinct spaces. The Big Top Stage focuses heavily on popular tribute acts spanning rock, pop and indie, including Link N Park, Born Jovi, Fleetwood Mad and The Marley Experience. Dance and electronic fans will find Stage 3 packed with nostalgia and big beats, hosting sets from Leeroy Thornhill (formerly of The Prodigy), Jaguar Skills, Judge Jules, Dave Pearce, N-Trance and Ian Van Dahl. Meanwhile, the Smugglers Inn tent provides a more relaxed venue for acoustic, folk and alternative performers like Beans on Toast and Funke and The Two Tone Baby.
It is an event clearly tailored to all ages, including a dedicated family area with a Big Top, Storyteller Cove, pirate shows and performances from Krazy Kev and Mr Merlin. Food and drink options are extensive, with local and regional traders serving everything from Chicken and Blues and Big Bear Burgers to Afghan Street Food, Montien Thai and Cheeky Fox Churros. Tickets are available as single day passes or full weekend options, with adult day entry starting at £25, weekend passes at £89, family tickets at £189, and camping passes also available on site.
Published Date
21 July 2026
