Seafood and Sounds Returns to Poole Quay on September 13th & 14th, 2025
Poole’s much-loved community event, Seafood and Sounds, is set to return to Poole Quay and Lower High Street for its third year on the weekend of September 13th and 14th, 2025. The organisers are excited to announce an enhanced lineup of daytime musical performances and an expanded selection of local hospitality businesses providing evening entertainment. This year, Fresh Fish sellers will be featured on the Waterside of Poole Quay, and the Daily Artisan Market will find a new home at Scaplen’s Court at Poole Museum. The Artisan Market will be open daily from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, showcasing an array of local crafts and produce. The event will kick off with a vibrant Parade on Saturday, September 13th, starting at 11:00 AM at the Slug & Lettuce.The Dolphin Poole continues to their support as the main sponsor for this year’s event, with Centre Manager John Grinnell expressing enthusiasm for the partnership. John Grinnell, Centre Manager of The Dolphin Poole, “The Dolphin is pleased to sponsor Seafood and Sounds for another year. It’s a fantastic event that celebrates Poole’s seafood heritage and brings the community together.” Continuing its support for the event, Poole BID has secured funding for the third consecutive year. Poole BID CEO Jacqui Rock said: “Seafood and Sounds showcases the vibrant spirit of our town. Supporting this event aligns perfectly with Poole BID’s commitment to celebrating and revitalizing our local area.”Local businesses are generously providing services at no cost or at reduced rates, including ACO Security Consultants and Poole-based Brown Booth, which continues to support the event’s website at no charge. One of the Event organiser Jeanette Walsh commented, “Organising an event of this scale involves significant costs, and we are grateful for the unwavering support from our local business community. We are thrilled to welcome The Dolphin who continues as our main sponsor and appreciate Poole BID’s consistent contribution”. The Seafood and Sounds Parade, sponsored by Poole Quay restaurant Oriels, will open the weekend festivities. Children are invited to participate in the parade dressed in their best seafood-themed fancy dress, beginning at the Slug & Lettuce and concluding at Oriels Restaurant around 11:20 AM. Following the parade, a Fancy Dress competition will take place, leading into various children’s entertainment activities for the weekend. Ryan Porter from Oriels remarked, “I’m delighted to sponsor the Seafood and Sounds Parade for the second year, fostering community involvement and supporting local businesses.” A Weekend of Music and Seafood Musical performances will follow a beloved format, showcasing 24 acts ranging from violinists to folk and shanty bands, providing continuous entertainment from 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM each day. Expect approximately 40 performances across six designated stages within the event area, including Fish Shambles, The Poole Arms, The Sea Sculpture, The Customs House, and outside The Poole Museum. Additionally, Music at St. James Church is a new highlight this year. As the daytime performances wrap up, participating local pubs and restaurants will offer evening music programming, including venues like The Angel, The Customs House, Drift Bar, Harry Paye, Hotel Du Vin & Bistro, The Lord Nelson, The Poole Arms, The King Charles, and The Blue Boar. More participants will be announced shortly. In keeping with its name, Seafood and Sounds celebrates local seafood, with numerous restaurants creating special Seafood and Sounds dishes such as chowders, pizzas, platters, and fish pies. A full list of participating establishments will be available online closer to the event and in the event programme.The popular Seafood and Sounds Oyster Trail also returns, featuring a free-to-enter competition throughout the weekend. Participants will seek oyster shells hidden in windows, each representing a letter. Collect them all and rearrange them to form a “fishy phrase.”The winner will be drawn at 10 AM on Monday, September 15th. This year, the Oyster Trail is sponsored by Hotel Du Vin. Clare Rocket from Hotel Du Vin remarked, "We are excited to be sponsoring the oyster trail this year. This is the third year we have been involved with Seafood and Sounds; it's a fantastic event that draws the community together"This year’s official charity for Seafood and Sounds is Forest Holme. A Grand Raffle will be organized to raise funds, with 20% going to the charity and the remainder supporting the 2026 Seafood and Sounds event.Kirsty from Forest Holme “We’re absolutely delighted to be chosen as charity partners and there’s already a real sense of excitement about taking part in the festival weekend. This fantastic support will really help us raise awareness about Forest Holme as well as provide vital funds to ensure we continue to provide compassionate care and support to anyone in our local area affected by a life-limiting illness or bereavement”There will be an Oyster Bar outside St Tropez Lounge and Coastal Cruises Poole are offering a special Seafood Afternoon Tea with a Harbour Cruise on those days. See www.coastalcruisespoole.co.uk for more info For those interested in participation or sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to Jeanette Walsh at 07951 217268 or via email at [email protected]. For more information, please visit our website at www.seafoodandsounds.co.uk, and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SeafoodandSoundsFestival and Instagram at @seafoodandsounds.
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