Following its initial announcement, Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) has officially unveiled the full, highly anticipated line-up for its brand-new flagship event, the Festival of Creativity 2026.
The immersive weekend will be officially opened by Jessica Toale, MP for Bournemouth West, marking the start of a spectacular celebration of regional talent.
Taking place across a fully transformed AUB campus on Saturday 4 July (15.00–20.00) and Sunday 5 July (11.00–17.00), this free event is set to celebrate the power of imagination and showcase the future of the region's creative industries.
For families and creatives of all skill levels, a series of hands-on, free workshops will run across both days. Offerings include dynamic acting masterclasses with professional director Dr Louie Jenkins, family crafting with local children's charity Creative Kids, a collaborative weekend-long Games Jam, traditional sun-printing cyanotype workshops, fun activities for kids with BH Live, and an interactive live Art Wall hosted by Boomtown festival veterans, the Topsy Turvey Collective.
On the live stages, music-lovers can look forward to a diverse line-up spanning genres from psychedelic blues to high-octane soul-disco. Saturday’s billing welcomes the UK’s ultimate ‘Loop Wizard’ Connor Ryan, acoustic jazz from Rue Giddens, Portland electro-rock via Jest Fordham, and South Coast favourites The Surfin’ Birds.
Sunday shifts to a soulful fiesta with Danny Peacock, multi-instrumentalist Anatol Just, singer-songwriter Dennieze, an explosive Latin-ska set from Pachango, and a heavy '70s soul-disco headline performance from London-based outfit The Wild Violets.
The festival’s other main stages will feature high-calibre performing arts and live literature. These include the Bournemouth Writing Festival Stage – curated by festival director Dominic Wong and featuring local poets and spoken word artists like Abu Ibrahim, Tobi Aluko, and the award-winning charity theatre company Vita Nova – and the Dance Stage, a highly technical showcase of boundary-pushing contemporary movement, featuring CO EVO, The Remix and the First Position Performance Company.
For the gamers, AUB is hosting a Game Jam where anyone can come and have a go at brand new games made by developers who had just one week to build a brand-new video game around a top-secret theme. Festival-goers are invited to play the final submissions, test their skills, and vote for their favourite games to help crown the champions!
Visitors can browse a vibrant independent makers market, with an eclectic range of stalls curated from AUB’s talented community of alumni, staff, students, and local creatives. The market showcase spans unique handmade crafts, fine art prints, lino prints, and custom illustrations from creators like Kaboodledoodle and Smart Cookie Design, alongside bespoke handmade jewellery, custom knitwear, and striking costume displays.
Book lovers can look forward to dedicated book stalls hosted by local authors and AUB’s own Creative Writing staff, while fashion enthusiasts can explore vintage clothing, upcycled apparel, and high-fashion garments from the Alta Moda collection.
Additional festival favourites on offer include natural henna body art and biodegradable glitter from Lenka Nencevova, and interactive photography stalls, including a pull-up challenge with CLIMBUNITY.
Attendees will also have the exclusive opportunity to witness the grand opening of AUB's brand-new on-campus cinema, playing host to debut graduate film screenings from the internationally acclaimed Bournemouth Film School.
Lisa Mann, Vice-Chancellor and CEO of Arts University Bournemouth, expresses her excitement for the upcoming festival:
“The Festival of Creativity 2026 represents the ultimate realisation of AUB's civic and creative mission. By opening our doors, launching our new state-of-the-art cinema, and bringing together local businesses, world-class performers, and Dorset's community, we are establishing a vibrant cultural beacon for the South Coast.
“We invite our neighbours, industry partners, and prospective students to experience this inspiring collision of ideas entirely free of charge.”
The festival is open to the general public with admission to all areas, including the live music stages, exhibitions, and cinema screenings, entirely free of charge.
The Festival of Creativity is on Saturday 4 July 15.00–20.00 and Sunday 5 July 11.00–17.00. More information is available on our website.
