Events & Entertainment, Poole | Posted on April 8th, 2026 | return to news

Kaiser Chiefs to headline Poole Harbour Festival

The ‘I Predict a Riot’ band are topping the bill at the festival in Baiter Park which takes place from 31 July to 2 August.

The Kaiser Chiefs are headlining at this year’s Poole Harbour Festival – which takes place in Baiter Park from 31 July to 2 August.

There will be a re-energised DJ lineup, 15 top UK tributes and the best local talent, as well as a full weekend of free kids’ entertainment.

Festival organiser Serena Wren said: “Kaiser Chiefs were always first choice for our 10th anniversary so there’s even more excitement than usual this year.”

Having enjoyed its most successful year to date, Poole Harbour Festival won Gold in the Event of the Year at the DMB Tourism Awards and Silver in the Tourism Event/Festival of the Year at Dorset Tourism Awards, impressing judges with its consistency and organisation.

Up to 15,000 music fans and families are expected to attend the three-day festival with Early Bird tickets already snapped up.

Featuring alongside Kaiser Chiefs are festival favourites Scouting For Girls, Republica, The Fratellis and Dodgy, pop legends East 17 and Heather Small from M People, and a star-studded DJ line up topped by Groove Armada with UK garage heroes Artful Dodger and rave stalwarts Judge Jules, Lisa Lashes, Seb Fontaine, Leeroy Thornhill, Dave Pearce and Phats and Small singer Ben Ofoedu.

Tributes include Queen, Coldplay, Bon Jovi, Bob Marley, REM, Fleetwood Mac, Oasis, Adele, Arctic Monkeys and Pink; and the cream of local bands in the Smugglers Inn – including Britain’s Got Talent trailblazers SOS who, despite winning hordes of fans on prime-time TV, are committed to return for their ninth appearance at Poole Harbour Festival.

Above all, the key to the festival’s success is its famous family-friendly atmosphere and there are daily kids’ activities with pirate shows, entertainers, circus skills workshops, the incredible bubble shows and walkabout performances from some of the region’s top family acts. The fun continues in the arts and crafts tent where imaginations can run free and for the ultimate chill-out zone, make your way to the storytelling sessions… and relax.

Once again, off-site camping is available, and shuttle buses will run on a continuous loop bringing people from Bournemouth, Westbourne, Branksome and Poole to the festival site.

“With camping, weekend parking and drinks bundles all bookable in advance, this is the party weekend that Poole is known for!” adds Serena.

Poole Harbour Festival opens at 5pm on Friday, noon on Saturday and Sunday, closing at 11pm on Friday and Saturday and 8pm on Sunday.

Find out more and book tickets at www.pooleharbourfestival.com.