Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival 2025

Arts by the Sea is a free, large-scale celebration of arts and culture held each autumn in Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, with the 2025 edition running from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 September. It is widely advertised as the South West’s biggest free celebration of arts, culture, people and place. The festival features headline shows, live music, puppetry, walking tours, theatrical performances, family-friendly installations, community art, and fringe events. It includes zones like the Green Hub (for sustainability activities), a Community Zone, and a range of artist residencies. Accessibility and inclusion are part of the festival’s mission, with programmes and infrastructure designed to support diversity and remove barriers for attendance.