Arts by the Sea Festival 2026 is a festival at Bournemouth Town Centre & Gardens, over 2 days in September 2026.
When and where
It runs from Friday 25 September 2026 to Saturday 26 September 2026, 2 days in all. Listed dates: 25–26 September 2026.
It is held at Bournemouth Town Centre & Gardens. The map shows where that sits against the rest of the bay.
Tickets and entry
Ticket prices are not recorded here; the organiser is the place to check them.
Before you go
The busiest hours are the middle of the afternoon. Arriving either side of that is the difference between a seat and a scrum.
Where it happens
There is no single site. Work is set up across the Lower Gardens, the traffic-free streets and the squares, which makes this a festival you walk through rather than one you queue for.
Dates and money
The main festival is two days, Friday 25 and Saturday 26 September 2026. A Fringe programme, walking tours and neighbourhood Bitesized events stretch the celebration either side of that weekend.
The core of it is free and open to all ages: outdoor installations, street theatre, live music. Some indoor or special events are ticketed or need booking.
Timing your day
It is an outdoor festival, so activity builds through the day and the largest pieces are after dark. Stage times are confirmed close to the weekend.
What else is on
The events calendar lists every dated event across the bay, and the map shows how the venues sit relative to each other.
Dates & times
- 25–26 September 2026
