Seafood festival returns to harbour and free entry

The festival is returning to Weymouth harbour

Organisers of a popular seafood festival say it will return to its original venue in 2026 and will be free to attend.

Dorset Seafood Festival has been running in Weymouth for 17 years but was cancelled in 2025 due to repairs to the peninsula sea wall.

The 2026 festival will take place on a "smaller scale around the harbour, near Weymouth Peninsula" over two days on 4 and 5 July.

The entry fee, introduced in 2022 to help cover costs, will also be scrapped.

The festival, originally held around the harbour, was relocated to the less-crowded peninsula in 2021 due to Covid restrictions.

Festival director Pippa Gibb said: "We've wanted to bring the festival back to the harbour for a long time, and 2026 is the year we can finally do it.

"It's where it belongs, and we're incredibly proud to make this happen.

"We're starting small, but with the community's support, we can grow it again and keep it thriving."

Organisers said the festival's relocation was thanks to a partnership with Dorset Council.

Deputy council leader Richard Biggs said: "It brings in £3.5m to the local economy so it is important that we support the festival's homecoming and to work alongside the organisers to bring it back to the heart of the town."