We’re looking forward to welcoming you all to Arts by the Sea 2026 this September for another exceptional weekend of art, culture, people and place.
Our theme, ELEMENTAL, celebrates the powerful energies that connect us to each other and to the world around us. From the crackle of ideas that light up our imaginations to the steady rhythms that keep us grounded, these forces remind us of all that creativity is.
Join us to celebrate creativity as a catalyst for positive change, encouraging collective action, sustainable thinking and a deeper connection to the world we share, starting in Bournemouth Gardens.
Frequency Rider by Lords of Lightning
This year’s spectacle performance comes in the form of Frequency Rider by Lords of Lightning, sister company of the world-renowned Arcadia Spectacular.
Expect a breathtaking display as performers fire multi-million-volt bolts of electricity from their bodies, transforming electrical energy into music in a show unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Part science, part spectacle and completely unforgettable, Lords of Lightning captures the raw power and unpredictability of nature in a truly awe-inspiring performance.
Meet Rusty the Horse and Elsie the Dragon by Paka the Uncredible
Joining us in the Lower Gardens across both evenings will be the extraordinary creations of internationally touring artist Paka the Uncredible.
Keep your eyes peeled for Rusty the Horse, a half-robotic character who will roam the Lower Gardens, bringing playful interactions with audiences to create theatre, surprise and plenty of mayhem.
You’ll also encounter Elsie the Dragon, a magnificent animatronic dragon engineered with 36 distinct body movements. Breathing smoke and fire as she comes to life, Elsie embodies the fiery spirit of this year’s ELEMENTAL celebrations.
Steamship Circus
Joining the line-up are Bournemouth favourites Steamship Circus, whose mesmerising fire performances will illuminate the gardens throughout both evenings.
Combining circus skill, choreography and flames, their performances will bring energy, excitement and a touch of magic to the festival after dark.
