Skip to main content

What's On

Festival of the Sea is completely FREE for everyone, with performance and activities taking place across Grimsby Town Centre and Alexandra Dock Waterfront.

Before the big day rolls in, check out our pre‑engagement activities bringing you a whole wave of creative, community‑powered fun you can get involved in as we build up to Festival of the Sea 2026. There’s plenty to get your fins into.

Our full 2026 programme is coming soon, and trust us… it’s going to be an absolute shoal‑stopper. Keep your eyes peeled, things are about to get reel exciting.

Get onboard. Get involved. Get ready to make a splash.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PDF PROGRAMME

*New for 2026*

The seafood village

Seafood Village
Cat Zero
Join Horizon Youth Zone & Made Great in Grimsby at our Seafood Village and get involved with some fishy fun and activities. 
Seafood Village
Horizon Youth Zone
Join Horizon Youth Zone & Made Great in Grimsby at our Seafood Village and get involved with some fishy fun and activities. 
Seafood Village
Poetry Takeaway
Join RED SAIL for a delightful tasty poetry takeaway activity, you will be able to order poems from a menu inspired by the restaurants present at Festival of the Sea.
Family Cookery Workshops
Family Cookery Workshops
Join Modern Matriarchs & Brownie & Bake for a series of family cookery workshops throughout the day. 
Seafood Cookery Demo
Seafood Paella
16:15 - 16:45 Join students from local Grimsby Institute Seafood School in a cookery demonstration showcasing local young talented chefs.
Seafood Cookery Demo
Hook, Line & Dinner: Norwegian Seafish in Grimsby
15:15 - 16:00 Join award winning local chef Rachel Green for Hook, Line & Dinner: Norwegian Seafish in Grimsby a cookery demonstration inspired by Norwegian fish,
Seafood Cookery Demo
THE KING OF FILLETING: From Fishmonger to Frying Pan
14:15 - 15:00 From the fishmonger to frying pan catch fishmonger Duncan Lucas with chef Rachel Green in a live cooking demonstration
Seafood Cookery Demo
SMOKED MACKEREL & SARDINES
13:15 - 14:00 Join chef Andrew Johnson sponsored by the Myton Group for a live cookery demonstration as he shows you how to use smoked mackerel and gooseberries to create ...
Seafood Cookery Demo
Making Seafood Exciting at Home
12:15- 13:00 - Join chef Duncan Lewis and Chef Steve Bennett from Healing Manor Hotel for a live cookery demonstration.
Seafood Cookery Demo
Smoking Hot: Cooking with Grimsby Smoked Haddock
11:15 - 12:00​ - Join award winning local chef Rachel Green for Smoking Hot: Cooking with Grimsby Smoked Haddock a cookery demonstration using locally sourced produce inspired by Alfred Enderby.

Alexandra Dock activities

Street Theatre
Cali & Mari the Octopuses
12:30 – 13:00 | 14:00 – 14:30 | 15:00 -15:30 About They have 8 legs, they have three hearts, they are very intelligent, but did you know that octopuses are...
Street Theatre
The Big Fish Family Quiz Show!
This interactive, ocean-themed game full of trivia, splashtastic challenges, and laughs for all ages.
Activities
National Coastwatch Cleethorpes
Meet the team at National Coastwatch Cleethorpes and discover how this vital part of the UK’s search and rescue network keeps the coast safe. Learn about their lifesaving work and ...
Activities
Sensory Circus Workshop
Step into a world of colour, movement and creativity with our Sensory Circus Play drop-in sessions — a relaxed, free-play space where you can explore juggling, hula hoops, props and ...
Activities
Sea Themed Facepainting & Glitter Tattoos
Dive into festival fun with free Sea-Themed Facepainting & Glitter Tattoos - sparkly, creative designs for all ages!
Food & Drinks
Street Food, Bar, & Artisans
Check out our selection of local food, drinks, makers and charities with sea themed gifts, food and initivatives dotted around the Festival!
Water activities
Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Join Us for an Exciting Day of Stand-Up Paddle Boarding! Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Adventures: Experience a variety of fabulous SUPs and hit the water for fun-filled adventures. Intros and Mini ...
Tours
Paddle upstream With The Canoe River Cleaner
10.30 – 12.30 | 13.30 – 15.30 All Things Good And Nice Canoeing for Two With The Canoe River Cleaner  As part of our commitment to inclusion and accessibility, the...

Tours

Tours
Imag(in)ing Space
About Join artist Wes Foster for an exploration of Grimsby’s dockside: noticing the details of a place that’s been shaped by the sea, industry and time, and finding new ways...
Tours
Seafood NEL Food Map Guided Tour by Connor Stannard
About Discover the seafood that puts Grimsby on the map! Join us for a special FREE Guided Seafood Tasting Tour as part of Festival of the Sea 2026 on Saturday...
Tours
Exploring Grimsby’s connection to the water – Guided history walking tour by Emma Lingard
11:00 - 12:00 | 13:00 - 14:00 In this short walk we focus on Grimsby’s connection with the water. Exploring The Haven, and Alexandra Dock, and how these helped shape ...
Tours
Paddle upstream With The Canoe River Cleaner
10.30 – 12.30 | 13.30 – 15.30 All Things Good And Nice Canoeing for Two With The Canoe River Cleaner  As part of our commitment to inclusion and accessibility, the...

Main stage

Main Stage
Stories of the Sea
13:35 - 14:05 Featuring 15 min audio series of interviews with people from our migrant community sharing their fishing heritage and memories of the sea. Live singing performance by Jafar ...
Main Stage
The Shortround
15:45 - 16:05 - The Shortround are a highly energetic, original local indie/rock band from Grimsby. Known for their electric guitar riffs and indie vibes reminiscent of bands like the ...
Main Stage
Sea Shanty & Singalong
14:30 - 15:15 - Join Caistorways for a rousing sea shanty and singalong session packed with traditional maritime songs, harmonies, and plenty of audience participation
Main Stage
Ruby & The Lighthouse
11:15 – 11:35 & 12:45 – 13:05 About Ruby & The Lighthouse Set sail on a magical journey with Ruby & the Lighthouse, an original family puppet show. Featuring live...
Main Stage
Elson
16:30 - 17:00 - The Grimsby native shoegaze outfit crafting dreamlike guitar soundscapes mixed with a raw, indie sensibility. A must-see act, Elson deliver emotionally charged and immersive performances that ...
Main Stage
East Marsh United Peace Choir
East Marsh United accompanied by pianist Dean Stockdale will be joined by members of The Rock Foundation and friends for a pop up choir experience, starting with warm ups and ...

Pre festival Workshops

Workshops
Mixed Media Yarn Bomb and Net Sculptures
Weekly on Tuesdays Centre 4, The Snug Cafe & Kitchen & Cafe delight community hive 10:00 - 12:00 weaving spinning knitting crochet and felting 13:00 -15:00 mixed media.
Workshops
Take The Helm – Cookery Workshop – Fish Tacos
Monday 1st June – 18:00 – 20:00 The Snug Cafe & Kitchen Why join our ‘Taking the Helm’ sessions? It’s more than just a recipe! Master new skills in a...
Workshops
Take The Helm – Cookery Workshop – Fish Pie
Monday 25th May- 18:00 – 20:00 The Snug Cafe & Kitchen Why join our ‘Taking the Helm’ sessions? It’s more than just a recipe! Master new skills in a supportive,...
Workshops
Take The Helm – Cookery Workshop – Fish cakes
Monday 18th May- 18:00 – 20:00 The Snug Cafe & Kitchen Why join our ‘Taking the Helm’ sessions? It’s more than just a recipe! Master new skills in a supportive,...
Workshops
Sea Stories: A Community Co-Created Animation Workshop.
Saturday 23rd May – 12:00 – 14:00 Fishing Heritage Centre – Fred Smith Room Create a collaborative animated film inspired by Grimsby’s relationship with the sea. Participants will design sea...
Workshops
Sea Stories: Soundscape Workshop
12:00 – 15:00 Join us as we journey our Cleethorpes oysters to Grimsby! Following our creative exploration at Beach of Dreams – where we honoured our oyster heritage through sand...

Fringe Programme

Step off the main trail and dive into a day of creativity with our Festival of the Sea Fringe Events. On Saturday 20th June, Grimsby comes alive so explore, wander, and see what you discover there’s something happening around every turn.

Some of these workshops have limited capacity so please book your place now to avoid disappointment!
Fringe Programme
Workshop: Cyanotype Taster with Nikki Mabbit
Discover the magic of one of photography's oldest printing techniques in this hands-on Cyanotype Portrait Workshop, led by photographer Nikki Mabbitt. All materials provided.
Fringe Programme
I’m Sorry Exhibition Guided Tours
About Step inside I’m Sorry with artist Annabel McCourt as she leads intimate guided tours through her powerful and deeply personal exhibition at the Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre. Rooted in...
Fringe Programme
Orsted Care & Calm Hub
Get creative and make a difference! Colour in, make your own windmill, and share your sustainability pledge for a greener future in a calmer space with TARGET NEL.