Festival of the Sea 2026 set to make waves in Grimsby Saturday 20th June

Residents, visitors and food lovers are invited to save the date as Festival of the Sea returns to Grimsby on Saturday 20 June 2026 for a packed day of celebration on Alexandra Dock and in the town centre.

Now in its sixth year, this free, family-friendly festival celebrates the town’s proud maritime heritage and world-leading seafood industry, with a vibrant programme of entertainment, activities and food experiences. Only last year, the festival got "Highly Commended" as Festival of the Year at the Greater Lincolnshire Tourism Awards.

This year’s artistic programme will feature:

• A chance to meet the crew from RNLI Cleethorpes and learn about their lifesaving work
• The Big Fish Family Quiz Show! - fun, interactive entertainment for all ages
• Live Seafood Cooking Demonstrations with the UK Seafood School
• A Main Stage showcasing local musicians, plus a sea shanty singalong
• A curated food and drink offer celebrating the town’s connection to the sea
• Guided tours, street theatre and circus sensory workshops

The festival is proudly supported by North East Lincolnshire Council and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Cllr Hayden Dawkins, Cabinet member for Culture, Heritage and the Visitor Economy, said: “I am delighted that this Festival is back for another year and will once again provide a showcase for our area with a leading seafood sector and local creative talent. Looking at the programme, it will be packed with family entertainment and will be a great day for local families.”

The 2026 festival is being shaped with strong input from the community steering group and partners from across the seafood sector, marking an exciting step towards a more community-led future for the event.

Nigel Edwards of Seachill, a member of the festival steering group, said: “This year’s Festival of the Sea is a real testament to Grimsby’s heritage as a global seafood hub. We’re incredibly proud of the industry here and the people behind it, and we’re looking forward to businesses, residents and visitors joining us to help make 2026 the best festival yet.”

More programme announcements will be revealed in the coming months. Follow Festival of the Sea on social media @festivalofsea @swans_events 

Applications are now open for traders, with organisers encouraging street food vendors to apply and showcase the very best produce - particularly seafood dishes that reflect Grimsby’s identity. Traders interested in being part of the event can find application details here: www.festivaloftheseagrimsby.co.uk.

Every year in September, places across the country throw open their doors to celebrate their heritage, community and history – there were 29 events across North East Lincolnshire last year!

It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore, so earmark the date in your diary!

The festival opens on Friday 11 through to Sunday 20 September with several Heritage Open Days events being held.

The theme for 2026 is Everyday Histories, with organisers being urged to put on events, exhibitions, talks and more about daily working life through the ages.

Details of events and activities in North East Lincolnshire will be announced in the summer.

Thinking of organising something? Registration for organisers is now open, and there’s lots of information to support you on the Heritage Open Days website, www.heritageopendays.org.uk. There’s also an advice session for those looking to organise an event at Grimsby Town Hall on 25 March at 1pm - email createnortheastlincolnshire@nelincs.gov.uk  for more details.

If you want some inspiration, why not visit thekasbah.co.uk/heritage, where you can hear and read stories of some of the people who worked on the Port of Grimsby. There’s a collection of old photographs and documents, audio recordings of people who worked and visited there, and written memories and creative stories too.

Cllr Hayden Dawkins, Cabinet member for culture and heritage, said: “We’ve had some excellent Heritage Open Days through the years, and some brilliant activities in North East Lincolnshire. I can’t wait to see what will happen this year – we have some fantastic local history, and as a working, seaside area, there’s so much variety that people could explore!”

Don't forget, we're backing the Town of Culture bid too - visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/GY28 for more information.