Bumper week of events kick-starts summer of community culture

A packed programme of festivals, live music, family fun and community events is kicking off summer across BCP.

From high-energy moving and grooving and a celebration of our armed forces, to classic cars on the Quay and (hopefully) another England win – a packed week of events is launching a summer of community-led fun across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

The warm weather is keeping our award-winning beaches as busy as ever – with millions of trips made to BCP’s coastline every month – but, beyond the sand, there is no shortage of things to see and do for residents and visitors, alike.

Dozens of events, festivals and cultural activities will take place across our towns this summer – with BCP Council’s events team helping to facilitate the fun.

And whilst the weather is expected to be significantly cooler over the next week anyone heading down to the coast or to an event should remember to pack their sun cream, stay hydrated, and keep a close eye on changing weather conditions.

At the heart of the summer offering is celebrating our communities: from volunteers and event organisers to local businesses and residents, the vibrant mix of events on offer highlights the people who bring Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to life.

This week’s events promise something for everyone; the always-popular Poole Quay Folk Festival returns for a full weekend of music and Morris dancing whilst the Shake and Stir Armed Forces Weekender promises a memorable celebration of our Armed Forces, family fun, and even BCP Fostering’s very own Benji the Bear.

The fun continues into the week and beyond including Summer Sounds on Christchurch Quay (1 July), classic cars along Poole Quay (3 July), Upton Country Park Festival (3 & 4 July) before tastebuds get tickled at Muscliff Park’s Foodie Fest (4 July) and the fantastic Swing Unlimited Big Band at Highcliffe Castle during Sunday’s sunset (5 July).

Cllr Andy Martin, BCP Council’s Portfolio Holder for customer, communications and culture, said: “These events showcase the incredible diversity of our three towns and the strength of the communities that make them such a fantastic place to live, work and visit.

“It is brilliant to see so many people coming together to enjoy everything on offer – from large-scale festivals to local community celebrations – and this is just the beginning of what promises to be a fantastic summer.

“As a Council, we’re proud to support a programme that brings people together, supports local businesses and highlights the best of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.”

There’s also a range of shows and concerts on offer from our partners BHLive with a full cultural celebration lined up this summer: from Elvis impersonators and former Strictly Come Dancing stars to stand-up chuckles and even Dinosaurs Live!

So, if you’re looking for something to do in the coming weeks, why not get involved in celebrating the communities that make our area so special and make the most of a fantastic line-up of summer fun.