Arts by the Sea Festival 2026

Arts by the Sea returns to Bournemouth on the weekend of 25 and 26 September 2026, marking its sixteenth edition. It's a multidisciplinary festival that brings art, culture, music, dance and street theatre into the town centre and out into the surrounding neighbourhoods, rather than keeping it all in one spot. This year's theme is ELEMENTAL, which the organisers describe as a celebration of the powerful energies that connect people with each other and with the world around them.

Across the two days, you'll find large-scale installations, a wide range of music, dance, street theatre and participatory experiences. It's not just things to watch from the side; a good part of the festival is built around getting involved. The whole thing kicks off at Bournemouth Gardens and spreads from there across various locations around the town, so it's the kind of weekend where you can wander between different sites rather than staying in one place.

There's a bit of history to it, too. The festival first launched in 2011, and since then it's worked with local schools and communities to bring cultural experiences into the heart of Bournemouth and the neighbourhoods around it. It's also a platform for local artists and emerging talent, so you'll see people from the area alongside the bigger acts.

On the funding side, it's part of Arts Council England's national portfolio, which means it's supported by taxpayers and National Lottery players. The festival lists inclusivity, diversity and sustainability as its core values, and it's aimed at the local community and the general public. It runs from Friday 25 to Saturday 26 September, starting at Bournemouth Gardens.