Minehead Bay Festival Celebrates Milestone 5th Year

On Saturday 29th of August 2026, Minehead Bay Festival marked its fifth year, bringing thousands of people together on Minehead seafront for a day of live music, entertainment and community celebration.

With sunshine and showers taking turns throughout the day, festival-goers turned out in force to enjoy a fantastic programme of entertainment.

Running from 12pm to 6pm, the festival featured two live music stages. On the Main Stage, performances from Dakka Skanks, Alcohol Licks, Nothing Concrete, Nick Parker, Sebastian Tesouro and St. Fian drew growing crowds as the day went on, while local musicians of all ages and genres brought the energy on the Busk Station Stage.

This year’s festival introduced a community yarn-bombing installation on Circus Green, created in collaboration with Minehead Women’s Institute and over 100 community members, adding colour and creativity to the celebrations.

Elsewhere on the seafront, the festival came alive with the rhythms of Minehead Samba, sea shanty performances and breathtaking circus acts, while street artists painted murals live on the Esplanade and visitors took part in art workshops in the East Quay tent.

Down on the beach, a dedicated nature area gave festival-goers the chance to unwind and get creative, with seashore treasure hunts and beach art workshops hosted by Field Studies Council, Plastic Free Exmoor, National Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Wild Wellies. Those looking to slow the pace down could relax in the Wellbeing Tent. Traders from near and far took part throughout the day, offering food, drink and local crafts.

A big thank you goes to this year’s main festival sponsors, Minehead Town Council and Hollam Solicitors, for their generous support, along with Sheppys, Butlins, Jewsons, Eagle Plant Hire, Active Signs and Danas Fish and Chips. The festival was also made possible thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.

Zara Aitken, Event Manager and Charity Operations Manager at Minehead and Coast Development Trust, said:

“It’s amazing to see how the festival has grown into such a firm favourite in the Somerset calendar over five years. Right from the outset, our goal has always been the same: to bring people together, celebrate our incredible community, and give everyone a free day out. None of it would be possible without the incredible support of local performers, volunteers, and businesses. We’re thrilled to have celebrated this milestone with the whole community.”

Minehead Bay Festival is organised by Minehead and Coast Development Trust (MCDT) as part of its ongoing work to support community events and engagement across West Somerset.