Cultural, Arts & Exhibitions in Bournemouth

Bournemouth Writing Festival is a festival celebrating creativity and talent in Bournemouth's local writing scene. Talks, seminars, panels, and performances are all available over a weekend in April, with something for anyone - from young children to published authors.

Arts by the Sea Festival is Bournemouth's annual celebration of art, culture and people, normally held at the end of September. Enjoy a weekend of festivity in the centre of Bournemouth including amazing parades, colourful live music, imaginative installations and fun for all ages! Find out more about this year’s artists, performances and events.

JAM Art Club is a welcoming life-drawing and drawing fundamentals club that offers a unique opportunity to develop your creative abilities, for beginners and seasoned artists alike. You can expect a diverse variety of models and poses accompanied by some good tunes, and a well-stocked bar downstairs.

The Bournemouth Writing Festival 2027 is set to return to Bournemouth from 23–25 April 2027, bringing together writers, authors and publishing professionals for a weekend of talks, workshops and networking events. While the full programme is still to be announced, visitors can expect over 100 free and ticketed activities across Bournemouth town centre. This page will be updated as soon as organisers release further details.

Experience one of Dorset's biggest cultural weekends at the free Arts by the Sea Festival 2026 in Bournemouth. Taking place on 25-26 September, this award-winning festival fills Bournemouth Gardens and the town centre with spectacular outdoor performances, live music, street theatre, art installations, dance and interactive experiences. With its 2026 ELEMENTAL theme celebrating creativity, sustainability and community, Arts by the Sea is one of the highlights of the Dorset events calendar.

Nestled in the vibrant Iford area of Bournemouth, The Factory Space has quietly established itself as one of the South Coast's most delightfully authentic creative venues. Far from the polished tourist traps that line the seafront, this community-driven gem offers visitors a genuine taste of Bournemouth's thriving arts scene whilst serving some rather excellent coffee to boot.

Bournemouth Arts Club aims to foster a love of visual art through exhibitions, workshops and studio visits. Their annual exhibition showcases at least one artwork of each full member. To become a full member, you must be elected by existing senior members. Associate Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the arts.

Join the Romance Writing Festival 2026 in Bournemouth for a day of inspiring talks, writing workshops, expert masterclasses and networking with bestselling romance authors, literary agents and publishing professionals. Taking place at the Marsham Court Hotel on 3 October 2026, this unique Dorset literary event is ideal for aspiring and established romance writers looking to improve their craft, connect with the writing community and take the next step towards publication.