Cirque Bijou to Headline with Gravity-Defying Show 'Bourne to Love' as Festival Celebrates Community
The Arts by the Sea festival has today revealed the full programme for its 15th anniversary edition, promising a spectacular and inclusive celebration of art, culture, and community. Taking place from Friday, September 26th to Sunday, September 28th, 2025, the South West’s largest free arts festival will feature a brand-new headline show and a diverse lineup of music, dance, and immersive experiences.
At the heart of this year’s festival is Bourne to Love, a new creation from renowned Bristol-based company, Cirque Bijou. This two-part evening show is set to be a landmark moment for Arts by the Sea, blending live music, circus, aerial artistry, and community performance. While the full magic of the show remains under wraps until the night, festivalgoers are encouraged to follow @ArtsbytheSea on Instagram for exclusive teasers and a chance to get involved in the performance.
Billy Alwen, Artistic Director of Cirque Bijou, said: "Bourne to Love is a joyful celebration of togetherness, created especially for Arts by the Sea. We've brought together circus, live music, dance and community performance to make something truly unique for Bournemouth. It’s about lifting spirits, connecting people and creating a moment that everyone can feel part of.”
The 2025 programme, themed “WE ARE HERE,” celebrates identity, belonging, and community. The festival will feature a rich tapestry of musical talent, including dream-pop sensation Nory J, BBC Radio 1-endorsed rising star, and Bournemouth’s own Four Corners Collectif, who will bring their fusion of Afrobeat, reggae, and Caribbean rhythms to the Bandstand Field. Other musical highlights include the genre-defying Afro-jazz of Matters Unknown, the whimsical indie-pop of The Daisy Chains, and the vibrant global grooves of The Thokozile Collective and South Sudanese rapper TR Craze.
Beyond the main stage, the festival will be alive with immersive and participatory experiences. Visitors can look forward to CODE, a high-octane fusion of parkour and live rap from Justice in Motion, complete with open workshops. The seafront will be transformed by Here We Glow!, a dazzling light trail, while the Company of International Artists will engage audiences with playful walkabout theatre.
Interactive performances will also be a key feature, with Joli Vyann’s circus-dance show Life’s a Beach and the family-friendly sound installation Noisy Noise Noise. The Community Zone and Green Hub will provide creative workshops and sustainability-led activities for all ages throughout the weekend.
The festival’s creativity extends with the Arts by the Sea Fringe, running from Friday, September 19th to Sunday, October 5th. In partnership with South Coast music curators We Broke Free, the Fringe will showcase local talent in independent venues across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole.
Arts by the Sea also continues its commitment to supporting local artists. This year’s Artist in Residence is Gabrielle Parker, whose bold illustrations will shape the festival’s identity. Additionally, Associate Artist Bobby Brewer will present a large-scale willow sculpture, In Hand, in the Lower Gardens, with visitors able to see him create the piece in the week leading up to the main festival.
Andrea Francis, Festival Director, said: “This year’s programme celebrates what makes Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole so special – creativity, diversity and community spirit. Bourne to Love will be a landmark moment for Arts by the Sea, but every act on the line-up contributes something unique to the theme WE ARE HERE. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to experience it.”
Councillor Andy Martin, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Customer and Communications at BCP Council, added: “Arts by the Sea is one of the region’s proudest cultural events, bringing people together in joyful, inclusive and inspiring ways. The 2025 line-up reflects the vibrancy and creativity of our community while showcasing incredible talent from right here in Bournemouth to across the UK and beyond.”
Arts by the Sea is a free event, delivered by BCP Council and regularly funded by Arts Council England.
