Sidmouth Sea Fest 25 is gearing up to launch Sidmouth’s festival season on Saturday 17th May at its new temporary venue - Connaught Gardens, Peak Hill Road, Sidmouth EX10 8RZ

This year the theme is Sidmouth Sea Spot @Connaught  - homegrown festival platform by the sea  - a nursery ground where talent spawns.

  • supporting young and local musical talent
  • raising awareness to protect our unique marine and coastal environment
  • celebrating our coastal community together

A multi-generational event promoting community wellbeing, fun and creativity.

Sea Fest will feature local schools, choir, dancing, comedy, live music, art activities, community and ‘green’ groups, local craft, food and drink and much more.

This special edition event at Connaught Gardens will also shine a spotlight on grassroots music supported by an Arts Council England grant, with ‘talent spots’ for bands and djs showcasing multigenerational, culturally diverse and mixed genre music, and dance talent.

As is tradition, the Sea Fest Community Choir starts rehearsals this weekend – Saturday 29th March 2pm too 4pm at St Francis Hall, Woolbrook Rd – open to all, and will headline at 11am on the main stage. 

Festival producers - Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub, are set to open the Sidmouth festival season with their community focused not-for- profit event.

Sea Fest will open with a Free Family Day on Saturday 17th May from 10am to 5pm at Connaught Gardens followed by the Sea Fest Party ticketed event from 6pm to 11pm. 

The new site includes Sea Fest Arena – main stage, The Clock Tower Stage in association with the Clock Tower Café, Creativity on the Coast in the sunken garden, The Boatyard and the Craft & Community Trail. 

Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub Director Louise Cole:

“We are excited to be bringing Sea Fest together in a beautiful new location.  We had to relocate for two years whilst work is ongoing near the Ham and have risen to the challenge and opportunity to do what we do best – to share, create and celebrate together. 

Working closely with a range of partners including Devon In Music Initiative, Devon Music Education Hub, festivals, venues and local schools we are supporting young people in Sidmouth and East Devon, through developing our grassroots music ecosystem. 

This year we have also opened a new volunteer pathway to give young people at Sidmouth College vital work experience to develop their confidence and employability skills as well as others who want to volunteer for the many benefits it brings.

We have adapted to the new space at Connaught Gardens creatively.  Curating a wonderful content mix of activities and performances to create a shared community-spirited experience. Everyone is invited to support the event by coming along to the free day and to buy tickets for the evening.”

 

Sea Fest Artistic Director, Coco Hodgkinson added “A really exciting menu of free art and creative activities – connecting with our Sea Spot theme, will be on offer inspiring, reusing and encouraging everyone to connect with their creative side, to have fun and have a go.  This new garden setting, overlooking the sea, will be a wonderful backdrop for everyone to get a much-needed boost to our collective wellbeing in Sidmouth.”

 

The ticketed event supports production costs as Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub remain committed to produce this much-loved free community celebration at a time when live events and venues face multiple challenges.  Opportunities for bands and musicians to learn their craft through performing have reduced, local festivals are a vital part of nurturing the talent of the future.

 

£15 Early Bird tickets are available to book until 31st March: click here to book