The Full Festival Programme is Here
Updated: 2d
Between the Tides - The Walton Arts Festival is happening soon and the Full Festival Programme is now online. Come and join us for a jam-packed weekend of live music, art, storytelling, performance, and fun for kids. A celebration of coastal community and creativity across Walton-on-the-Naze. Here's a quick rundown of what you can expect.
Thursday 17th, evening
A free outdoor cinema, hosted by popular local eaterie East Coast Five, on the grass amphitheatre overlooking Walton Pier. Arrive for pizza and popcorn from 6.30 pm, followed by a screening of ‘The Greatest Showman’ from 7 pm.
Friday 18th, evening
Festival visitors can arrive aboard the ‘Old School Disco Train’ (running from Colchester North to Walton-on-the-Naze) and continue their musical journey with a short walk down to the Walton Tavern, where the Jam Project DJs will continue the party into the night. Across the road, at Bruff Bar, local blues duo Broomwagon will be playing, and Boogaloo Dudes will be performing at East Coast 5. At the Nose bookshop there's a play called Sundream. And for something more nautical, go and listen to the Harwich Bawley Shanty Singers at the yacht club.
Saturday 19th
Today the Festival centres around the Millennium Square with the Market Between the Tides, an artisan market with arts and crafts stalls, local producers, art workshops, and a live music stage with music from local community choirs, shanty singers and an amazing Soul Band.
You can start your day on the beach with a Sunrise Dip, followed by an amazing sound bath in Gong with the Wind. Or have a go at the Sandcastle Competition. Watch out for some large-scale sand art being sketched on the beach. And if you've still got some calories to burn, there's a 5k Park Run from the pier.
And there's loads more Family Fun on Saturday - no fewer than three Teddy Bear Parachute Jumps starting from 12.40 at the Naze tower and a host of storytelling workshops including East Anglian Folklore, a pop-up audio experience from Katharine, stories of the mythical world of the Tiganites, storytelling by children's authors, and local history in My Hat, Some Sand! There's also a book signing by local author David Evans and a play by Rose Lawes called Waspi Women.
If Music is your thing, prepare for a treat on Saturday with young singing stars Evy Frearson and Sam Eagle playing at All Saints church in the evening. Listen to Sammy B delivering her Amy Winehouse show at Bruff. The inspirational Lou Strong will lead a Natural Voice Singing Workshop. There's a Saxaphone Player at East Coast 5, a Comedy Night at East Coast Studios, and She Brings the Rain plays at Bruff. Don't miss visiting Format, the coolest record shop in Essex, if not the planet, which is featuring live music and DJ'S from 11.30 am on Saturday. Visit Ear at the Nose where DJ Ewan dishes up an eclectic groove.
Walton and Frinton Yacht Club in Mill Lane will showcase the Exploring Walton's Secret Backwaters exhibition by local photographers inspired by the Arthur Ransome book 'Secret Water’. Throughout the weekend there will be opportunities to explore local art and artists through an Art trail, with workshops and exhibitions at local shops and venues including High Tide, Beside the Seaside and Sea La Vie.
In terms of venues, the Market Square is a great place to hang out for all kinds of artisan fare, music and kid's entertainment while Bath House Meadows hosts many outdoor activities, especially for kids. Emmanuel Church is offering a wide range of music and artistic activities throughout the weekend. East Coast 5, the Nose Bookshop and the Amphitheatre near the train station are going to be active hubs over the Festival. Format Records is also an good place to hang out for DJs and live music.
Sunday 20th
First thing at the seashore, we've got beach yoga, a clay pottery workshop in the afternoon and more live largescale sand art by our visiting master from Holland. The fun continues with local eco-artist Jane Stewart leading a Shoe Box Carnival, a miniature procession for kids which meets at Bath House Meadows at lunchtime and parades to Walton Pier.
Tons more for kids on Sunday too, such as Circus Skills with Captain Long John, storytelling in the Amphitheatre, Family Tales from John Row, Voices of the Ocean and talks and workshops at the Essex Wildlife Centre at the Naze.
More music all day Sunday, with live bands performing on the Dodgems stage on the Pier, DJs at Bruff Beat Club and Format, the Landed Accoustic at East Coast 5, and live bands at the Queen's Head and Revved Up.
Other events on Sunday include local car club Frinton Gaskets, a magnificent Fancy Dress Dog Show, African drumming workshops, a Reggae DJ at M&G Seaside Treats, and a Family Ceilidh.
The festival is designed to bring people together, support local artists, and shine a positive spotlight on Walton and the wider Tendring coast.
We hope you enjoy the Festival!