Arts, Bournemouth, Events & Entertainment | Posted on August 6th, 2026 | return to news

Arts by the sea in Bournemouth

The Arts by the Sea Festival takes place from Friday 25 to Saturday 26 September, with a fringe event from 27 September to 11 October.

Bournemouth town centre is to be transformed into a vibrant celebration of creativity this September.

With the theme of ELEMENTAL the Arts by the Sea Festival takes place from Friday 25 to Saturday 26 September. The South West’s largest free festival of arts, culture, people and place will fill the Lower Gardens and town centre with bold installations, live performance and immersive experiences, before expanding across the town with an extended, two-week Fringe.

Leading the 2026 festival is Bournemouth-based multidisciplinary artist Rhea Hanlon, better known as Lost Lines, who has been announced as this year’s Artist in Residence. Known for her playful, character-led work across digital illustration, traditional media and public art, she will shape the festival’s look and feel while creating new commissioned work and engaging local communities through activity and workshops.

Rhea said: “Being invited to return to Bournemouth as the 2026 Artist in Residence feels incredibly special. I first came here as a student and completely fell in love with the place, so to now be living here and creating work for the festival feels like a real full-circle moment. I’m looking forward to bringing colour, energy and a sense of joy to the festival and its communities.”

Also joining the 2026 programme as associate artists are Bombay Dance Club, the Bournemouth-based duo Sona and Shweta, who bring the joy, energy and inclusivity of Bollywood dance to audiences across the UK. They will present a new performance inspired by the ELEMENTAL theme, alongside opportunities for audiences to take part.

Shweta said: “We feel incredibly honoured to be part of one of Bournemouth’s biggest and most loved festivals. To contribute to the event through dance means a lot to us.”

Arts by the Sea, founded by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, receives regular funding from Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation. From 2023-2026 BCP Council will receive more than £150,000 per year to increase opportunities and improve access to creativity and culture in the region.

Cllr Andy Martin, portfolio holder for Culture, Customer and Communication at BCP Council, said: “Arts by the Sea continues to be a cornerstone of our cultural calendar, transforming the town centre into a vibrant, open-air playground of creativity and bringing people together in the heart of Bournemouth and across our neighbourhoods. The return of the Fringe alongside these exciting artist announcements reflects our commitment to supporting creativity at every level and giving more people the opportunity to take part.”

Following a successful pilot in 2025, the Arts by the Sea Fringe runs from Sunday 27 September to Sunday 11 October.

More information can be found at artsbythesea.co.uk.