Arts by the Sea Festival: 25th - 26th September 2026

Arts by the Sea Festival 2026 | Dorset Events 2026 | Dorset Lifestyle

Dates: Friday 25 - Saturday 26 September 2026
Location: Bournemouth Gardens and Bournemouth Town Centre, Dorset
Admission: Free

Arts by the Sea returns to Bournemouth this September for another inspiring weekend celebrating art, culture, people and place. As the South West's largest free arts festival, it transforms Bournemouth Gardens and the town centre with spectacular performances, interactive installations, live music, dance, street theatre and creative experiences for all ages.

The 2026 festival explores the theme ELEMENTAL, celebrating the powerful forces that connect us with each other and the natural world. Visitors can expect thought-provoking artwork, large-scale outdoor performances and hands-on activities designed to encourage creativity, sustainability and community, while showcasing both internationally acclaimed artists and outstanding local talent.

• Free festival taking place across Bournemouth Gardens and the town centre.
• 2026 theme: ELEMENTAL.
• Large-scale art installations and outdoor spectacles.
• Live music, dance, circus and street theatre performances.
• Interactive creative activities and participatory experiences.
• Green Hub with sustainability-focused organisations and family activities.
• Opportunities to discover local artists alongside nationally recognised performers.
• Community Festival events taking place across West Howe, Bourne Valley and Townsend during September.
• Arts by the Sea Fringe returns after the main festival with events hosted at independent venues across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. 

Friday 25th September 2026

The Square

• 8:00pm - 8:30pm - Gugge 2000

Lower Gardens

• 5:00pm - 5:20pm - Rusty the Horse
• 6:00pm - 6:20pm - Rusty the Horse
• 7:00pm - 7:30pm - Elsie the Dragon
• 7:30pm - 7:45pm - Fireshow - Steamship Circus
• 8:00pm - 8:05pm - Frequency Rider - Lords of Lightning
• 8:15pm - 8:45pm - Elsie the Dragon
• 8:45pm - 9:00pm - Fireshow - Steamship Circus
• 9:00pm - 9:05pm - Frequency Rider - Lords of Lightning
• 9:15pm - 9:45pm - Elsie the Dragon
• 9:45pm - 10:00pm - Fireshow - Steamship Circus
• 10:00pm - 10:05pm - Frequency Rider - Lords of Lightning

Bandstand Area

• 11:00am - 10:00pm - Lost Lines Sculpture
• 5:45pm - 6:00pm - Festival Welcome
• 6:00pm - 7:00pm - Freefall Collective
• 7:45pm - 8:45pm - CJP Band
• 9:15pm - 9:45pm - Gugge 2000

Picnic Park Deli

• 5:00pm - 10:00pm - Read by the Sea

Street Food Corner

• 5:00pm - 10:00pm - The Centaur Stage Open Mic

Saturday 26th September 2026

The Square

• 12:00pm - 5:00pm - Hydropunk
• 1:00pm - 1:40pm - FLOOD
• 3:30pm - 4:10pm - FLOOD
• 6:00pm - 6:30pm - Earth, Wind and Choir and the High Priestess of Pop

Lower Gardens

• 10:30am - 5:00pm - The Story Works
• 11:00am - 11:40am - Roots to Rise
• 11:30am - 12:15pm - Walk of the Dandelion
• 12:00pm - 12:30pm - Bombay Dance Club
• 1:00pm - 1:15pm - Breakin’ Free
• 1:15pm - 1:45pm - Lords of Veg Funk
• 2:00pm - 2:20pm - Rusty the Horse
• 2:00pm - 2:40pm - Pirate Taxi
• 2:45pm - 3:30pm - Walk of the Dandelion
• 2:45pm - 3:15pm - Bombay Dance Club
• 3:15pm - 3:45pm - Lords of Veg Funk
• 3:45pm - 4:05pm - Rusty the Horse
• 3:45pm - 4:25pm - Roots to Rise
• 4:30pm - 5:10pm - Pirate Taxi
• 4:30pm - 5:15pm - Walk of the Dandelion
• 5:15pm - 5:45pm - Bombay Dance Club
• 5:30pm - 5:50pm - Rusty the Horse

Saturday After-Dark Programme - Lower Gardens

• 7:00pm - 7:30pm - Elsie the Dragon
• 7:30pm - 7:45pm - Fireshow - Steamship Circus
• 8:00pm - 8:05pm - Frequency Rider - Lords of Lightning
• 8:15pm - 8:45pm - Elsie the Dragon
• 8:45pm - 9:00pm - Fireshow - Steamship Circus
• 9:00pm - 9:05pm - Frequency Rider - Lords of Lightning
• 9:15pm - 9:45pm - Elsie the Dragon
• 9:45pm - 10:00pm - Fireshow - Steamship Circus
• 10:00pm - 10:05pm - Frequency Rider - Lords of Lightning

Lower Gardens - Community and Green Zones

• 10:30am - 5:00pm - Community Zone
• 10:30am - 5:00pm - Green Hub

Bandstand Area

• 11:00am - 10:00pm - Lost Lines Sculpture
• 12:45pm - 1:45pm - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
• 2:30pm - 3:30pm - Evision
• 4:00pm - 5:00pm - Pachango
• 5:45pm - 6:45pm - Zeñel
• 7:30pm - 8:30pm - Lords of Veg Funk
• 9:00pm - 10:00pm - Earth, Wind and Choir and the High Priestess of Pop

Picnic Park Deli

• 11:00am - 5:00pm - Bournemouth & Poole College Takeover

Street Food Corner

• 12:30pm - 1:00pm - The Hide
• 3:00pm - 3:30pm - The Hide
• 5:00pm - 5:30pm - The Hide
• 6:00pm - 10:00pm - The Centaur Stage Open Mic

Planning Your Visit

Families visiting on Saturday will find plenty happening from 10:30am, including The Story Works, Walk of the Dandelion, Hydropunk, Breakin’ Free, Pirate Taxi and activities within the Green Hub and Community Zone.

For the festival's biggest evening spectacles, head to the Lower Gardens from 7:00pm on either Friday or Saturday, where Elsie the Dragon, Steamship Circus and Lords of Lightning will perform a repeating sequence of fire, light and electricity shows until just after 10:00pm.

Please note: Festival timings and locations may be subject to change, particularly due to weather. Check the official Arts by the Sea website and social media before travelling for the latest schedule updates.