Cullercoats Festival is a one-day free festival on 15 June 2024 bringing visitors and local communities together with a varied programme of engaging and participatory activities. The 2024 Festival theme - “Putting Cullercoats on the Map” - aims to raise the profile of Cullercoats through celebrating and consolidating its communities, their experiences and the rich heritage of the village. It showcases the wide range of local arts, culture, sports and leisure opportunities available locally, in collaboration with many community groups, businesses and organisations. Activities include contributing to our specially commissioned Textile Map project, singing sessions, poetry, dance, a variety of local musicians, and learning to play our special Festival tune. Have a go at yoga, sea swimming, paddle boarding and family martial arts. Children can try sea-themed crafts, explore rock pools, listen to spellbinding stories and see how far they can throw the traditional “heaving stick"!

What we'll deliver:

• A Textile Map created in a range of community workshops with a leading textile artist.
• Themed Arts & Crafts activities for adults and children including sea themed crafts, and writing a Message in a Bottle.
• A programme of Music & Dance events showcasing local talent and opportunities to take part.
• Poetry-based activities led by a world renowned local poet, supported by a local press.
• A range of Heritage-focused activities and exhibitions that raise awareness of the area’s rich history.
• Wellbeing and s-based activities on the shoreline offering tasters of what’s on offer in the village
• A brand new piece of music composed for the festival.

Why it's a great idea:

Cullercoats Festival widely benefits those who help create the festival, its participants and those who engage with our online presence. Key benefits include positive impacts on wellbeing, making connections with others, and growing community pride. The festival programme aims to positively impact the mental and physical health of those taking part through activities including water sport, martial arts, yoga, singing and more. It provides a great family day out but also, through its collaborative and participatory nature, gives residents and others the chance to combat loneliness by meeting new people and learning new things. It showcases our artistic and musical colony and attracts visitors to our heritage venues and businesses. The Festival is created with the support of local councillors, heritage organisations such as the Watch House, community groups such as the WI, churches, businesses of all types from food and drink to yoga to water sports, the Dove Marine Laboratory.

Steps to get it done:

• Programme finalised and promoted
• Textile Map and other preliminary Workshops take place
• Festival takes place

The Festival revives for the 21st century the local tradition of seaside festivals and carnivals. By raising the profile of Cullercoats in the local area, within the region and internationally, we will bring people to the area and share Cullercoats stories more widely. The Festival creates opportunities for people and organisations to celebrate on a particular day but also to connect and collaborate in formal and informal ways going into the future. It will offer families new and familiar enjoyable activities, showcase our varied businesses, and stimulate community growth and pride.