Bournemouth town centre is preparing for a spectacular weekend of creativity. The highly anticipated Arts by the Sea festival returns this Friday the 25th and Saturday the 26th of September. This year's event embraces an exciting 'ELEMENTAL' theme, promising a vibrant mix of live music, theatre, dance and hands-on activities. The best part is that it is completely free for everyone to enjoy.

With the final line-up now revealed, there is even more for families to look forward to. Things kick off on Friday night with a warm Festival Welcome. Afterwards, the Freefall Collective will get the party started. Their feel-good fusion of dub, reggae and hip hop is sure to bring incredible energy to the streets.

Saturday offers a packed schedule of captivating performances. Audiences of all ages can become budding birdwatchers with 'The Hide'. This story-driven experience from Tilly Ingram Theatre follows a disabled white-tailed eagle and encourages everyone to get curious about local wildlife. Young people will also take centre stage in 'Breakin' Free'. This celebratory dance piece unites Pavilion Dance South West participants and local community members in a beautiful display of movement.

There is plenty to inspire young minds throughout the weekend. The Story Works will run a drop-in storytelling space where children can bring their wildest ideas to life. Meanwhile, 'Read by the Sea' brings the National Year of Reading out of the classroom. Curated by Mayu Rousant, this poetry event features an open mic session welcoming voices of all ages. Adding to the creative energy, the Bournemouth & Poole College Takeover will showcase emerging local talent with live music, photography and workshops.

The festival magic has actually been spreading beyond the town centre all month long. Earlier in September, three free Bite-Sized Festivals brought the arts directly into local neighbourhoods. Henry Brown Youth Centre in West Howe hosted a fantastic opening event on Saturday the 5th of September, followed by a wonderful day at Bourne Community Hub on Sunday the 6th. Finally, a brand new addition arrived at Townsend Community Centre on Saturday the 12th, giving even more families a taste of the creative fun before the main event.

Festival Director Andrea Francis notes that families are a huge part of Arts by the Sea. The 2026 programme provides countless ways for young people to discover theatre, share poetry and see where a passion for the arts could take them. Councillor Andy Martin also highlighted how important the recent Bite-Sized Festivals have been for bringing free cultural experiences directly into our communities.

Get your diaries out and start planning your visit for this weekend. For the latest updates and the full schedule, keep an eye on the official Arts by the Sea website. We cannot wait to see you there!

‍