A brand-new Fringe Festival is coming to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole this autumn as part of Arts by the Sea 2025.
The new Arts by the Sea Fringe will run from Friday 19 September to Sunday 5 October, surrounding the main festival weekend and opening up more opportunities for local venues and artists to take part.
The organisers are now calling on spaces of all kinds to apply to host events. Pubs, cafés, studios, theatres, galleries and other venues across the area can register now via artsbythesea.co.uk/fringe.
Andrea Francis, Festival Director, said the aim is to create “a cultural celebration that reaches far and wide” and highlighted how the Fringe supports grassroots creativity in local communities.
Councillor Andy Martin from BCP Council welcomed the new addition, saying it “empowers local venues and artists to shape the cultural heartbeat of our towns”.
Participating venues will be promoted as part of the wider Arts by the Sea campaign. Last year, the main festival reached over two million people via social media.
The Fringe is being delivered in collaboration with live music curators We Broke Free, who will help shape a diverse programme of gigs, workshops, exhibitions and performances.
Applications for venues are open now until 18 July. Final details of events need to be submitted by 1 September.