News

Arts by the Sea, the South West’s largest free celebration of art, culture, people and place,  has revealed three more vibrant acts joining the 2025 festival, taking place from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th September.

From a 12-foot tall spinning wheel of unity to interactive hip hop and floral puppetry, the festival’s 2025 lineup is shaping up to be one of its most diverse yet. This year’s theme, We Are Here, champions identity, belonging and the power of presence. Whether playful or powerful, each of the newly announced performers explores this message in bold, creative ways that invite audiences of all ages to engage.

Autin Dance Theatre will bring their spectacular Parade to Bournemouth, a moving street performance celebrating people from all walks of life. Featuring a 12-foot high wheel powered by five street artists, the act invites audiences to reflect on our shared humanity and cyclical life journeys. Blending striking choreography with community involvement – including Performing Arts students from Bournemouth & Poole College – Parade offers a striking visual metaphor for shared journeys and collective movement through life.

Known for electrifying live shows and razor-sharp freestyles, multi-award-winning hip hop act The Scribes will ignite the Bandstand stage with beatboxing, rhythm and audience-fuelled energy. With boundary-breaking performances at Glastonbury, WOMAD and Wireless, they embody presence in every sense, amplifying the message of We Are Here through voice, rhythm and community connection.

Larger-than-life floral puppets Buddy and his mate Rustle – also known as The Vortexes’ Spring-a-lings – will roam the festival throughout the weekend, delighting audiences with dazzling costumes, dreadful tree puns and playful, spontaneous encounters. Equal parts absurd and adorable, these colourful walkabout plants are set to spread laughter, spark conversations and create unforgettable photo moments among festivalgoers of all ages.

Andrea Francis, Festival Director, said: “Each of these acts represents a different interpretation of our theme We Are Here, from the monumental and moving to the utterly joyful. Autin Dance’s Parade is a poetic tribute to shared journeys, The Scribes’ vibrant energy reminds us of the power of self-expression and The Vortexes offer something light and hilarious that still makes you feel truly seen. We’re proud to bring artists like these to Bournemouth and we can’t wait to see how audiences connect with them.”

Councillor Andy Martin, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Customer and Communications, said: “Arts by the Sea is about more than performance, it’s about identity, inclusion and community. These acts embody the diversity and creativity that this festival champions every year. From local audiences to first-time visitors, everyone will find something that speaks to them and makes them feel part of something special.”

Arts by the Sea is a free festival that brings together large-scale spectaculars, diverse music, intriguing installations, dance, street theatre, participatory experiences and much more, in one unique and celebratory festival. It is founded by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) Council. Arts by the Sea festival receives regular funding from Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation. From 2023-26 BCP Council will receive more than £150,000 per year to increase opportunities and improve access to creativity and culture in the region. With thanks to taxpayers and National Lottery players across the country.