Culture and Community in Christchurch
Christchurch is stepping into peak summer with a packed calendar of coastal culture and entertainment. From big music moments on the Quay and open‑air theatre at Highcliffe to a spectacular river pageant and the return of the Mudeford Arts Festival, July is full of reasons to visit our coastal town.
Circus Zyair
7-11 July at Christchurch Quay
Billed as the Greatest Show on Earth, fearless acrobats and daredevil stuntmen offer thrilling performances and breathtaking stunts in this circus big top. An onsite cafe is available throughout the performances, which last 2 hours, with a short interval.
Christchurch Music Festival
17-19 July at Christchurch Quay
Christchurch has held a summer festival on Christchurch Quay since the 1990s. Rebooted and revived by local pub owners and community organisers in 2023, it is back once again in mid-July with something for everyone: soul, motown, disco, rock, pop, country, global sounds - take your pick! It ends with a feel-good family day, bringing everyone together on the Quomps. Click to buy tickets, grab your folding chairs and blankets, put on your festival gear and head down to the Quay for a fantastic weekend of live music, food and drink!
As You Like It
23 July at Highcliffe Castle
Shakespeare’s iconic comedy will be performed at Highcliffe Castle in the great outdoors, by a 5-strong cast of classically trained professional actors. Join international award-winning Illyria this summer for a memorable night of laughter and romance under the stars.
Running time (approx): 140-minutes (including a 20 minute interval)
Recommended for all ages!
Bring your own seating/rug & picnic. The Castle Pantry tearooms will be open for refreshments until after the interval. Well-behaved dogs on leads are permitted.
Christchurch River Pageant
25 July from Tuckton Tea Gardens
The Christchurch River Pageant was launched in 2025 as a floating charity fundraiser, which raised over £2,500. This year, they are hoping to go ‘bolder, brighter and better’! Participants are encouraged to dress (themselves and their boats) to impress: think pirates and smugglers!
The event will start at 10:30 at Tuckton Tea Gardens, with stalls, activities, water safety demonstrations and presentations about the history of Christchurch. The Pageant will start at 12 noon, with the finish line at Christchurch Quay.
This event raises essential funds so that three charities can continue to support local people and improve their lives. Your support truly matters.
Mudeford Arts Festival
25-26 July at Mudeford Quay Green
The much‑loved Mudeford Arts Festival is back, bringing two full days of live entertainment, creativity and community spirit to the Green at Mudeford Quay. Running from 11am to 5pm each day, the festival features a packed programme including a ukulele band, Bollywood‑style dancers, jazz musicians, soloists, a rock choir, and children’s theatre groups. Visitors can explore more than 70 creative craft stalls, enjoy hands‑on demonstrations, vote in the local art competition and relax with refreshments from the church tea tent and a wide mix of food trucks. A brilliant weekend for families, friends and visitors and a great way to support local arts.
My Coast has the Most
Were you one of over 20,000 viewers who enjoyed our recent Visit England campaign video on Facebook, Instagram or our website? We spent a few days in and around the town filming this video during last week’s heatwave, in order to feature in the national My Coast has the Most tourism campaign. It’s presented by the Town Mayor of Christchurch, and generously funded by Christchurch BID.
Thanks to Bournemouth Boating Services for providing us with the opportunity to film from one of their river cruisers: a great way to catch a breeze when it’s hot on land! You may also recognise some of our local favourite places: Christchurch Priory, the Castle and Constable’s House, Red House Museum & Gardens, Mudeford Harbour and Quay, Avon Beach, Druitt Gardens, Stanpit Marsh, the Victorian Bandstand, and Christchurch Quay.