Final programme additions for Arts by the Sea include family activities, local performers and Bite Sized Festivals in West Howe, Bourne and Townsend before the Bournemouth weekend. Arts by the Sea has added final acts and neighbourhood events to its 2026 programme. The festival returns to Bournemouth Town Centre on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 September, with new additions including The Hide, Breakin’ Free, Read by the Sea, The Story Works, Freefall Collective and a Bournemouth and Poole College Takeover. Before the main weekend, Bite Sized Festivals will visit Henry Brown Youth Centre in West
Arts by the Sea has added final acts and neighbourhood events to its 2026 programme.
The festival returns to Bournemouth Town Centre on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 September, with new additions including The Hide, Breakin’ Free, Read by the Sea, The Story Works, Freefall Collective and a Bournemouth and Poole College Takeover.
Before the main weekend, Bite Sized Festivals will visit Henry Brown Youth Centre in West Howe on Saturday 5 September, Bourne Community Hub on Sunday 6 September and Townsend Community Centre on Saturday 12 September.
The Hide follows G463, a disabled White Tailed Eagle, while Breakin’ Free will bring Pavilion Dance participants together with young people who learn choreography inspired by ELEMENTAL at community days before performing it at the festival.
Read by the Sea will include local poets and an open mic for children and adults, while The Story Works will help children create stories through words and pictures, and college students will present games, photography, workshops, makeup and live music.
Festival director Andrea Francis said families are a huge part of the event and children should feel “the festival is theirs to explore”, while Councillor Andy Martin said the extra neighbourhood events bring the programme “beyond the town centre”.
