Return of Festival of the Sea in Grimsby

Festival of the Sea will make a welcome return to Grimsby Town Centre on 15 July 2023.

For the last couple of years, the festival has drawn thousands of visitors to the town to take part in activities, markets and discussions about the town’s historic links with its sea-faring past.

This year, the new festival partners, Swans Events, want to build on that wonderful first few years, and develop a complementary strand to the festival, working with the local community and creating a community steering group to deliver a fabulous festival on 15 July.

Noemi Antonelli, Managing Director at Swans Events, explained some of her vision: “We want to showcase Grimsby’s relationship with the sea through an exciting programme that celebrates the past, but also one that offers a fresh perspective of the future.

“As part of that, we want local individuals, community groups and organisations to get involved and help us to build content for the main festival as well as fringe events.”

If you’re interested in getting involved, whether as an artist or performer, a local school or community group, visit www.grimsbycreates.co.uk/opportunities for more information, or email [email protected].

Cllr Tom Furneaux, Cabinet member for culture at the Council, said: “The Festival of the Sea has been really well attended over the last few years, and it’s great that the new organisers are developing it and involve our local communities. I hope people will take the offer up and get involved, and help us celebrate our town!”

The festival programme will be developed in the coming months, so until more details are released, watch this space!

Festival of the Sea will be funded primarily through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, building upon the Grimsby Creates programme which helped support arts and culture individuals and organisations, funded art installations like Paint the Town Proud and #MyFish, and delivered activities and events in the town centre. 

This project has received £25,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.