Festival of the Sea Grimsby returns on Saturday 20 June 2026 with an expanded programme of arts, seafood experiences and inclusive activities across Alexandra Dock and Riverhead Square, following a successful funding award from Arts Council England and sponsorship from several seafood industries partners.
Festival organisers have announced the launch of a new Seafood Village in Riverhead Square. In partnership with Seafood from Norway, Seafish, Myton Food Group, Made Great in Grimsby and The Hawerby Trust, together we’re bringing seafood producers, street food, live cooking experiences and food tours in the heart of the town centre.
A packed cookery demo programme will take place throughout the day inside the Seafood Cookery Tent, hosted by renowned chef Rachel Green and supported by Grimsby Institute Seafood School students and Duncan Lucas the king of fileting – showcasing local industries, regional recipes and practical skills, and celebrating Grimsby’s reputation as a leading seafood destination.
A passionate campaigner for local and seasonal produce, award-winning chef Rachel has fronted national food campaigns, written bestselling cookbooks, and hosted four TV series. With her coastal roots, infectious enthusiasm and years of experience promoting the very best fish and shellfish, there’s no one better to showcase the quality, flavour and versatility of British fish and seafood at the Festival of the Sea.
‘Grimsby is internationally recognised for its seafood expertise and heritage, making it a natural partner for the Norwegian Seafood Council in the UK. Supporting Festival of the Sea, and being part of the Seafood Village through Seafood from Norway, is a great opportunity to celebrate the people, products and traditions behind the industry – and to show how much we can achieve when we come together.”, Bjørn-Erik Stabell, UK Director, Norwegian Seafood Council
Thanks to the Ewan Cornish Grassroots fund, a more family focused seafood workshop area will get mums and their children involved in hands-on cooking workshops with Modern Matriarchs making fish tacos, fish pies and fish cakes. Mums can take part in free pre-engagement sessions beforehand to learn delicious recipes, get Free level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate and get paid to cook with us on the festival day! Workshops run from Monday 18th May to 1st June, to get involved, email [email protected]
Situated next to the festival hub, Horizon will be doing art activities around the Seafood Industry in the week leading up to the event at the Youth Zone.
Arts Council England funding will enable an ambitious and wide-ranging artistic programme for this year’s festival, bringing together new inclusive and commissions, participatory works and site-specific performances rooted in Grimsby’s maritime and seafood heritage.
Highlights include Sea Stories, a new collaboration with community creative organisation, Unseen Arts inviting younger audiences to explore local histories and connections to the sea through immersive soundscapes and animation. Grimsby born international artist Annabel McCourt will present bespoke guided tours of her forthcoming exhibition at The Fishing Heritage Centre, I’m Sorry, alongside a striking public drawing installation where audiences are invited to contribute their own handwritten apologies, building a collective and evolving artwork.
The programme will also feature an interactive performance by lowercase theatre, bringing to life the character of William Elwood-Robinson, a Grimsby oyster seller from 1856, and reimagining his story on the historic high street through immersive storytelling and live performance.
Festival of the Sea has also outlined their continued commitment to improving accessibility and inclusion across the event, as the festival works towards accreditation through the Attitude is Everything Live Events Access Charter.
As part of that work, this year’s festival will introduce the Ørsted Calm and Care Hub in Victoria Street which is generously sponsored by the Ørsted community fund. Taking over the newly opened CARE hub community space for the day, the area will provide a quieter environment for visitors who may benefit from time away from the main festival activity. The programme will include mindful activities and creative workshops centred around sustainability, the sea and local heritage.
Activities planned for the space include “My Sustainability Pledge”, bespoke colouring sheets with Grimsby iconic landscapes designed by local artists and sensory circus play sessions delivered by Abstract Circus.
The festival will also introduce an Access Information Manager across festival sites, alongside the provision of a Mobiloo toilet facility to support visitors with additional accessibility requirements.
“At Ørsted, we’re proud to support Festival of the Sea’s commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive experience for everyone in the community. The new Calm and Care Hub is a fantastic addition to this year’s festival, providing a dedicated space where people can take time out, connect creatively, and enjoy the event in a way that works for them. Supporting projects that strengthen wellbeing, accessibility and community connection is hugely important to us, and we’re delighted to help bring this initiative to life in Grimsby.” – Lauren Little, Senior Stakeholder Advisor, Ørsted
The festival is also proudly supported by North East Lincolnshire Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
More programme announcements will be revealed in the coming weeks. For updates and event information, follow Festival of the Sea on social media @festivalofsea and visit: www.festivaloftheseagrimsby.co.uk.
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