Five Years of Minehead Bay Festival!
Saturday the 29th of August 2026 saw the fifth Minehead Bay Festival bring Minehead seafront to life, with thousands turning out for a day built entirely around what this community can pull off together – live music, a procession, and heaps of entertainment. The day made us feel so proud to be part of this wonderful community!
The weather couldn’t quite make up its mind, swinging between sunshine and showers, but that did nothing to dampen the crowds or the atmosphere.
Live music from bands such as Dakka Skanks, Alcohol Licks, Nothing Concrete, Nick Parker, Sebastian Tesouro and St. Fian headlined the Main Stage. Over on the Busk Station Stage, local musicians of every age and genre kept the energy high throughout the day.
New for this milestone year was a yarn-bombing installation on Circus Green – a joint effort between Minehead Women’s Institute and more than 100 community members, all of whom gave their time and skill to fill the space with colour and creativity.
The rest of the seafront had plenty going on too: Minehead Samba Band, sea shanty singers, circus performers, live mural painting on the Esplanade, and hands-on art workshops in the East Quay tent. There really was something for everyone!
Down on the beach, the Nature Area gave families plenty to get stuck into, including seashore treasure hunts, beach art sessions and other activities run by Field Studies Council, Plastic Free Exmoor, National Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust, Field of Dreams and Wild Wellies. For anyone after a quieter moment, the Wellbeing Tent offered a spot to slow down and unwind. Meanwhile, traders lined the beachfront with food, drink and local crafts.
None of this happens without volunteers. A huge thank you to everyone who marshalled on the day, everyone who helped spread the word beforehand, and everyone who picked up a needle for the yarn-bombing installation – this is a festival made by Minehead, for Minehead.
Thanks go to main sponsors Minehead Town Council and Hollam Solicitors, and to supporting sponsors Sheppys, Butlins, Jewsons, Eagle Plant Hire, Active Signs and Danas Fish and Chips. The festival was funded in part by the National Lottery Community Fund.
Zara Aitken, Event Manager and Charity Operations Manager at Minehead and Coast Development Trust, reflected on the milestone:
“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.