News

BCP’s Arts by the Sea, the South West’s largest free celebration of art, culture, people and place, has today revealed the full programme for its 15th anniversary edition, taking place from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th September 2025. 

At the heart of the line-up is Bourne to Love, a spectacular new creation from Bristol’s renowned Cirque Bijou. Blending live music, circus, aerial artistry and joyful community performance, this two-part evening show promises to be unlike anything the festival has ever staged before. Expect gravity-defying stunts, soaring melodies and mesmerising surprises, but the full magic will only be revealed on the night. Festivalgoers are encouraged to follow @ArtsbytheSea on Instagram for exclusive teasers and to discover how they can play a vital role in the performance itself.

Billy Alwen, Artistic Director of Cirque Bijou, said: “Bourne to Love is a joyful celebration of togetherness, created especially for Arts by the Sea. We’ve brought together circus, live music, dance and community performance to make something truly unique for Bournemouth. It’s about lifting spirits, connecting people and creating a moment that everyone can feel part of.”

Beyond the headline spectacle, the 2025 programme showcases a diverse mix of music, dance and interactive experiences. 

Audiences can look forward to dream-pop rising star Nory J, whose lush soundscapes and indie-jazz influences have already caught the attention of BBC Radio 1, while Bournemouth’s own Four Corners Collectif bring a fusion of Afrobeat, reggae and Caribbean rhythms to the Bandstand Field. 

Matters Unknown will deliver a genre-defying blend of Afro-jazz, soul-funk and celestial blues, while The Daisy Chains invite festivalgoers into their whimsical world of indie fairytale-pop. The Thokozile Collective continue the global celebration with vibrant jazz grooves rooted in southern Africa and South Sudanese rapper TR Craze offers a powerful mix of hip hop, rap and R&B that explores identity and resilience. 

Adding a bold theatrical flourish, Momo:Tempo will bring their unique electro-pop cabaret style and Namaste Bournemouth will light up the festival with a colourful celebration of Indian dance and culture.

Immersive and participatory experiences remain a hallmark of Arts by the Sea. Highlights include CODE by Justice in Motion, a high-octane fusion of parkour, trial bikes, live rap and physical theatre, alongside open workshops for audiences to try their hand at the action. 

The seafront will glow with creativity thanks to Here We Glow!, a dazzling mini light trail full of colour and Instagrammable moments, while the Company of International Artists will transform festivalgoers into undercover “art agents” with playful walkabout theatre. 

Circus and dance collide in Life’s a Beach by Joli Vyann, an edge-of-your-seat exploration of life’s ups and downs, while interactive sound installation Noisy Noise Noise will keep families busy with its playful, press-and-play library. Across the weekend, the Community Zone and Green Hub will bring together local organisations with creative workshops and sustainability-led activities for all ages.

Extending beyond the main weekend, the creativity continues with the Arts by the Sea Fringe, running from Friday 19th September to Sunday 5th October. The Fringe brings the festival spirit into independent venues across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, showcasing local talent and vibrant events in partnership with We Broke Free, South Coast music curators and specialists.

This year’s festival theme, WE ARE HERE, celebrates identity, belonging and community through a vibrant programme of live music, dazzling installations and unforgettable performances across Bournemouth’s town centre and seafront.

Arts by the Sea also continues its commitment to supporting local and emerging artists. Gabrielle Parker has been named as the 2025 Artist in Residence, with her bold illustrations and technicolour characters shaping this year’s festival identity, while Associate Artist Bobby Brewer will present a large-scale willow sculpture, In Hand, for visitors to explore in the Lower Gardens. Visitors to the area in the week leading up to the festival will be able to see Bobby bring his creation to life as part of the Fringe line-up. 

Andrea Francis, Festival Director, said: “This year’s programme celebrates what makes Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole so special – creativity, diversity and community spirit. Bourne to Love will be a landmark moment for Arts by the Sea, but every act on the line-up contributes something unique to the theme WE ARE HERE. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to experience it.” 

Councillor Andy Martin, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Customer and Communications, added: “Arts by the Sea is one of the region’s proudest cultural events, bringing people together in joyful, inclusive and inspiring ways. The 2025 line-up reflects the vibrancy and creativity of our community while showcasing incredible talent from right here in Bournemouth to across the UK and beyond.”

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 celebration. Founded and delivered by BCP Council (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole), the festival receives regular funding from Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation.