Cleethorpes town centre and seafront will come alive this March as Love Cleethorpes returns for 2026, transforming Seaview Street, St Peter’s Avenue, the Market Place, St Peter’s Church and the beach into a vibrant celebration of community spirit, local creativity and coastal character.
From 10am to 4pm, Seaview Street will host a lively local talent area featuring choirs, acoustic artists and performers, including Rachel Garrett and the All For One Choir. The programme reflects the diversity and creativity of Cleethorpes’ music scene, providing a joyful soundtrack that carries through the town centre throughout the day.
Street theatre and roaming entertainment will animate Seaview Street, St Peter’s Avenue and the Market Place with colour and humour. Larger-than-life panto favourites from Talegate Theatre will pop up unexpectedly, bringing playful antics and singalong moments, while the ever-popular Stilt Walking Grannies tower above the crowds with mischievous charm.
Postcard Posers Milly and Willy will channel 1950s seaside nostalgia with sing-songs and cheeky jokes, with wet-weather contingency characters Sherlock Crones on hand to keep the streets clean and the comedy flowing.
Random Acts of Kindness performers will also roam throughout the day, sharing uplifting interactions and spontaneous moments of warmth that capture the heart of the event.
Art and storytelling are woven throughout the town centre, with the Heart of the Community Art Trail bringing a series of striking heart sculptures to shop windows and venues across Cleethorpes. Created with local groups, each piece reflects stories of pride and belonging.
Alongside this, the Loved by Locals Red Plaque Trail celebrates favourite businesses, people and places nominated by residents, encouraging visitors to explore and rediscover Cleethorpes through the eyes of the community.
Inside St Peter’s Church, visitors can enjoy a programme of creative workshops, storytime sessions with local author Katie Hopper and interactive stop-motion animation activities delivered by Unseen Arts. A colourful silent disco will run throughout the day, offering an inclusive, all-ages party atmosphere in an indoor setting, allowing families to dance and celebrate whatever the weather.
A local artisan market will take place in a marquee on Seaview Street, showcasing independent makers, artists and traders from across North East Lincolnshire. Visitors can browse handmade crafts and gifts while exploring nearby shops, cafés and hospitality venues.
Food also plays a central role in the celebration. The Comfort Food Trail, a special ticketed walking experience, will invite guests to visit four independent venues across Cleethorpes. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, the tour offers small tasters and the stories behind nostalgic dishes, supporting hospitality businesses and encouraging visitors to explore the town’s evolving food scene.
A signature highlight for Cleethorpes will take place on the beach near The Pier, where the Love Your Pet celebration brings together the town’s dog-loving community. Following a pre-event digital competition, shortlisted dogs will take part in four fun categories including Best Dressed, Dog Most Like Its Owner, Waggiest Tail and Best Rescue, with local host Adam Blow hosting proceedings. The beach will be filled with wagging tails, proud owners and plenty of heartwarming moments as Cleethorpes celebrates its four-legged residents in true seaside style. This activity is sponsored and judged by Bark and Bubbles. Don’t miss the Cutest Canine competition, which will be online only through Discover North East Lincolnshire social media channels.
Councillor Hayden Dawkins, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and the Visitor Economy, said “Cleethorpes is a real jewel in the crown of North East Lincolnshire and this is the perfect opportunity to show everyone why that’s the case. With the beach, the independent businesses and everything else in between, it really does have everything and I can’t wait to see the smiles on everyone’s faces.”
Katie-Lou Green at Checkmate Productions Ltd, said “We created Love Your Town programmes to celebrate the places and people that make our communities so special. Cleethorpes has such a vibrant spirit, and it’s been wonderful to see local residents, performers and businesses come together to shape the day. From family activities and live performances to our much-loved dog competition, the event is all about bringing people into the town centre, creating joyful shared moments and reminding everyone just how much there is to be proud of locally.”
Love Cleethorpes forms part of a connected Love Your Town programme delivered across North East Lincolnshire, celebrating Cleethorpes, Grimsby (which took place on 21 March) and Immingham (which took place on 14 February) through shared creative concepts while allowing each town to showcase its distinct character.
Delivered by Checkmate Productions in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council through Discover North East Lincolnshire, the event has received funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
All tickets to be booked online via
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/checkmateproductionsltd
For all event information, please follow:
https://discovernortheastlincolnshire.co.uk/event/lovecleethorpes2026
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