OUR STORY

Where It All Began

The Minehead Bay Festival started in 2022 with a simple idea: to bring art, music, and culture to the stunning West Somerset coastline while celebrating our community. Born from a shared passion for creativity and connection, the festival is about more than just performances—it’s a space where everyone can get involved, discover new things, and make amazing memories together.

A group of people engaged in arts and crafts inside a tent at the Minehead Bay Festival. A young child in the foreground is focused on colorful yarn and ribbons spread across the ground, while adults and other children around them work on various creative projects. The scene is vibrant, with banners and natural light adding a festive atmosphere.

“We enjoyed…the wonderful community spirit the Festival has. Loved that it had something for everyone, regardless of age“

A lively performance at the Minehead Bay Festival featuring a colorful band in bright pink outfits playing brass and percussion instruments. A guitarist stands on stage behind them with raised arms, adding to the excitement. The band members' playful costumes and energetic demeanor create a festive and joyful atmosphere.

The Backstory and Funders

The Minehead Bay Festival was initially made possible by funding from Hinkley Point C Community Impact Mitigation Fund and the Coastal Communities Fund which saw a range of projects delivered on Minehead’s seafront under the Enterprising Esplanade scheme. Secured by Somerset Council, the funding was then transferred to Minehead and Coast Development Trust (MCDT) to deliver the projects. Out of these funding pots, the Minehead Bay Festival was born. After two successful years, the festival is now funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.

Explore. Dance. Make. Learn. Relax.

At the Minehead Bay Festival, it’s all about joining in! Whether you’re exploring the art, dancing to the live music, trying your hand at something new, or relaxing in one of the wellbeing workshops. It’s a time for people to come together, feel inspired, and have a great day out by the seaside.

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Shaped By Our Community

We’re all about working with our community to create more chances for people to get creative and express themselves, bringing people together and making us feel proud to live in Minehead.

We want the Minehead Bay Festival to attract people from near and far. As the festival evolves, we’d love for it to become even more community-led, with plenty of opportunities to get involved.

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A mother and her two children engage with arts and crafts activities with Ema Rowe from Wild Wellies Forest School. They are sitting on the sandy beach on Minehead seafront at the Minehead Bay Festival.
Two women dance at the Minehead Bay Festival while festivalgoers sit on haybales watching. It's a cloudy day and the festival is in full swing on Minehead Seafront.
A vibrant crowd of people stand with their arms in the air at the Minehead Bay Festival. It's a bright sunny day and the Minehead Bay Festival is in full swing on Minehead seafront.