FAQs
When is the festival and what times do the performances & activities run from/until?
The festival takes place on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th September 2026. Things kick off around 10:30am on Saturday morning, with the festival running into the evening. Check out our full programme (coming soon!) for the times and locations of each performance/ activity.
Do we have to book tickets for performances?
No, this is an open festival and everything is free! Just turn up and enjoy. If there’s a certain performance you’re really keen to see then we recommend arriving for the performance in advance of it starting to be sure to get a good spot in the crowd.
Please note, many of our Fringe events are ticketed. Please check the event pages for ticket information and how to book your space.
How can I get involved?
We have a wonderful team of volunteers who help our festival to run smoothly and create an unforgettable experience for our visitors. We’d love for you to join our volunteer team! Find out more.
I have access needs - will I be able to attend everything?
We’re working to make the festival as accessible as possible and have details about this on our accessibility pages. If you have any specific questions then please get in touch and we’ll do our best to assist you.
Email: culture@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Telephone: 01202 128121
Are there toilets in the festival site?
The closest public toilets to our festival site are located in Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens by Exeter Crescent and on the seafront near the entrance to the Pier. We also have some Changing Places accessible toilets in the Lower Gardens. More information about toilets can be found here.
What family friendly activities will there be?
All ages can enjoy our festival and our team have made sure that we cater for little ones too. Along with a whole range of performances and immersive experiences that you can enjoy as a family, we have a lots of interactive activities in our Green Hub and Community Zones, and The Story Works will be hosting rolling workshops to help your children get the most out of the festival.
All children at the festival will have the opportunity to complete the nationally recognised Arts Award ‘Discover’. Simply pick up a booklet from our Info Point and complete it whilst enjoying the festival. You can then hand back to us or in to your local BCP library after the festival and we’ll send them all off for assessment. Your child will then receive their very own certificate sent to their school for awarding!