New performances inspired by this year’s ELEMENTAL theme join the programme for festival taking place in Bournemouth Town Centre, Friday 25th and Saturday 26th September 

Arts by the Sea has announced the next wave of artists set to transform Bournemouth this September, with internationally acclaimed dance, immersive theatre, giant puppetry, family performances and live music joining the festival’s 2026 programme.

Returning on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th September, the South West’s largest free celebration of arts, culture, people and place will continue its exploration of this year’s ELEMENTAL theme through performances inspired by Water, Earth, Fire and Air.

An ensemble from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra have joined this year’s line up to present a specially curated family concert taking audiences on an elemental journey across our planet. Blending classical masterpieces with contemporary favourites, the performance travels through oceans, landscapes and skies with music ranging from Malcolm Arnold and Vaughan Williams to Disney’s Frozen.

Also joining the programme is Roots to Rise, a powerful outdoor dance performance from choreographer Nandita Shankardass. Blending contemporary movement with Indian classical and folk dance, the performance explores resilience, migration, belonging and our connection to the earth through three women’s intertwined journeys. Supported by outdoor arts network Without Walls, the piece reflects the festival’s Earth strand while celebrating shared histories and new beginnings.

Elsewhere, families can see the Pirate Taxi, an inventive outdoor circus show from award-winning company Pirates of the Carabina. Performed in, on and around a classic London black cab, the production combines aerial circus, live music, acrobatics and juggling in a joyful story inspired by migration, birds and the adventures that shape our lives.

Representing the festival’s Water theme is FLOOD, a fully BSL integrated, interactive production by Theatre Témoin. Set in a future transformed by rising seas, audiences will be given sound umbrellas as they journey through an immersive story exploring climate change, community and our evolving relationship with the ocean. 

Meanwhile, audiences of all ages can immerse themselves in Hydropunk, a giant interactive installation by Artizani that challenges participants to work together to keep water flowing through an elaborate gravity-powered machine. Blending engineering, play and environmental awareness, the installation invites families to discover just how precious every drop can be.

Visitors can also discover Walk of the Dandelion by Luke Brown Company, where an eight-foot puppet will gently roam sharing messages of hope, kindness and resilience. Alongside the performance, festivalgoers will be invited to take part in a free workshop creating woollen dandelions and sharing their own messages of positivity.

Festival Director Andrea Francis, said: “Arts by the Sea has always been about bringing people together through extraordinary shared experiences. This year’s programme is a real mix of internationally recognised companies, upcoming local talent and performances that invite audiences to come along and join in. All of these artists perfectly capture the curiosity, creativity and sense of connection at the heart of ELEMENTAL.”

Beyond the main festival weekend, Arts by the Sea Fringe also returns from Sunday 27th September to Sunday 11th October, extending the celebrations across Bournemouth with an expanded programme of live music, theatre, comedy, exhibitions and creative events hosted by local venues, organisations and independent producers. Following a successful launch in 2025, the Fringe once again invites venues to sign up and showcase the town’s thriving creative scene, while celebrating the breadth of talent across the region. Venues wanting to sign up should head to: https://artsbythesea.co.uk/fringe-festival/ 

Councillor Andy Martin, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Customer and Communications at BCP Council, said: “Arts by the Sea continues to demonstrate why culture plays such an important role in our town. By bringing exceptional artists into our public spaces alongside opportunities for local people and venues to participate, the Festival makes Bournemouth an exciting place to visit while strengthening our communities. This latest programme offers something for every generation and showcases the imagination, ambition and creativity that defines Arts by the Sea.” 

Arts by the Sea is a free event bringing together diverse music, intriguing installations, dance, street theatre and participatory experiences in one unique and celebratory programme. It is founded by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council. The 2026 festival follows a successful extension-year funding award from Arts Council England. The festival is supported using public funding by Arts Council England. BCP Council continues to support the festival through Officer resource, partnership development and sponsorship activity.