Bournemouth Reggae Weekender 2026

Bournemouth Reggae Weekender 2026 takes over Kings Park in Boscombe from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 July, three days of reggae, ska and dancehall put on by Afro*disiac Live Radio CIC. They're billing it as Bournemouth's #1 Reggae in the Park, a celebration of Afro-Caribbean heritage that runs across the whole weekend.

The music is the main draw, with a line-up that pulls from different corners of the scene. Maxi Priest headlines, alongside The Dualers, Hollie Cook, Channel One Sound System, Kiko Bun and Apache Indian. Between them, they cover a fair bit of ground: the smooth, melodic side of reggae, the upbeat skanking of ska, and the heavier, bass-led sound of dancehall. It's not just about the big names, either — the sound system brings that classic roots feel to the park.

There's more to it than just the stages. The organisers have built in dancing, authentic food, and workshops, so it's as much about the culture as the music. It's set up as an all-ages event, with family-friendly activities running alongside the live sets, and it's aimed at anyone who likes reggae, whether you've followed the scene for years or you're just looking for something to do on the south coast over a summer weekend.

It runs from 6pm to 9:30pm each evening, so you can drop in for one night or stick around for all three. Tickets are on sale through Eventbrite, and there's paid parking available nearby. If you're planning to go, keep in mind it's in Boscombe, so you'll be right by the coast for the rest of the weekend.