Key Takeaways
- Bournemouth Soul & House Weekender (1st–4th May) brings four days of music and activity across multiple seafront venues
- Westbourne Motor Show continues to grow in scale, featuring up to 160 vehicles and national-level appeal
- Southbourne Food & Fun Festival (16th May) delivers a strong, family-friendly day of food and entertainment
- A diverse programme of events strengthens the overall destination offer across all coastal districts
- These events support increased footfall, visibility and trading opportunities for local businesses
- Building momentum into the summer season remains key to sustained coastal growth
As we move further into the season, it’s great to see a strong line up of events taking place across our coastal districts. From large scale music experiences to community led festivals, these events continue to drive footfall, support local businesses, and reinforce our areas as vibrant destinations.
Here’s a look at what’s coming up.
Westbourne Car Show – 16th May
The Westbourne Motor Show is back bigger and better than ever returning as a major highlight in the district’s events calendar.
Delivered in collaboration with the British Motor Show, it continues to grow year on year and forms part of one of the largest motor show programmes in the UK. For 2026, the event will expand significantly, featuring up to 160 vehicles, up from 80 in previous years.
Seamoor Road will be closed and transformed into a showcase of classic cars, supercars and custom builds, alongside appearances from national TV motoring personalities. Visitors can also expect live displays, interactive experiences, family activities and a range of food and drink from local businesses.
Now firmly established as a key regional event, the Motor Show attracts thousands of visitors and continues to grow in scale and reputation each year.
Bournemouth Soul & House Weekender 1st-4th May
The Bournemouth Soul & House Weekender lands this May Bank Holiday, bringing four days of music and activity to the town.
This multi-venue event will take place across several locations close to the seafront, with a packed programme of DJs spanning soul, house, jazz and funk. From daytime sessions through to late night events, the weekend is set to create a lively and energetic atmosphere across Bournemouth.
Visit Southbourne Rebrand
We’re getting ready to launch a refreshed brand identity for Southbourne, marking an exciting step forward for the district.
Led by Coastal BID, this work includes a full update across key touchpoints introducing a new visual identity, the launch of a dedicated website, and a refreshed approach to social media. The aim is to better showcase Southbourne’s unique character and strengthen its position as a distinctive coastal destination.
This refreshed branding will provide a more consistent and engaging platform to promote local businesses, events and the wider area, supporting ongoing visibility and future growth.
Keep an eye on Visit Southbourne website and socials for updates.
Supporting Footfall and Local Growth
Events like these play a vital role in supporting our coastal economy driving visitor numbers, increasing dwell time, and creating opportunities for local businesses to grow.
As we move towards the summer season, maintaining this momentum will be key to ensuring our districts remain attractive, competitive and thriving destinations.
Making the Most of Your Levy
As always, thank you for your continued support and commitment. By working together, we are creating stronger, safer, and more successful coastal communities.
If you have any questions or would like to get involved in upcoming initiatives, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Best regards,
Coastal BID Team