Morecambe Vintage by the Sea festival - what to look out for in 2024

Morecambe's annual vintage festival was the biggest ever last year and looking at the line-up for 2024 this year's could be even better!

The annual celebration of 20th century culture is set to bring vintage sights and sounds - and clothes! - back to Morecambe on Saturday August 31 and Sunday September 1.

Described by The Guardian newspaper as one of the Top Five Retro Events in the World’, the festival attracts more than 40,000 people each year to the Promenade area around the Midland Hotel and the Platform.

Co-organised by designer and TV personality Wayne Hemingway MBE and his family, Hemingway Design and Morecambe arts company Deco Publique, this year's programme looks mouthwatering.

Here are some of the highlights:

DJ Paulette

Legend of Manchester's famous The Hacienda nightclub, will perform at the Vintage by the Sea After Party inside The Little Big Top on the green behind the Midland Hotel on the Saturday night. One of the Haçienda’s first female DJs, Paulette has scaled the heights of the music industry, playing to crowds of thousands all around the world, and is a true legend of the UK's dance music scene. 

Also appearing, DJ Hux and Paul Thornton. 

Tickets for the After Party available HERE.

The People's Bandstand

Organised by Good Things Collective, this is a safe and inclusive space all weekend, with good company and good vibes. 

Saturday will offer relaxed, hands-on creativity to connect over and stay as long as you like, with bunting making and open mic, and Sunday will host the End of the Pier all-day cabaret!

The Poetry Machine

Free poems created in conversation with you! Just follow the clatter of poet Beth Calverley’s vintage typewriter. Beth will ask you some gentle questions and weave your words into a typewritten poem to take away with you. Just follow the clatter of her vintage typewriter and look out for the machine’s bright yellow umbrella, flagpole and bubble engine.

Let's Make it '80s

Step back into the '80s in this brand new commission for Vintage by the Sea - perfect for families. Decorate a jacket to wear around the festival or take part in other craft activities, all inspired by the iconic decade. Pop on some silent disco headphones to get in the groove.

The Vegetable Nannies

The Let’s Grow Nannies are two eccentric gardeners who're out for a day trip with their family of little ones. So, if you see an old pram brimming with some beautiful bouncing baby fruits and vegetables, come over and say hello! 

Bird Rave

A project by live artist Miss High Leg Kick about extraordinary birds and the choreography of nature. It is also a celebration of classic rave music and the 'freedom to dance' days of early UK rave culture.

Kitsch & Sync

A curiously quirky dance theatre and performance collective.

More Music’s Walking Down the Street Gamelan

A beautiful-sounding collection of recycled instruments for pre-school children aged 0 – 5 and their families.

Jukebox - The Teenage Revolution

Throughout 2024, Mirador and its partner, Lancaster University Library, are creating an outstanding artistic and heritage programme celebrating the jukebox and teen culture in the 1950s & 60s. 

The Tar Pit

After 20 years of weathering, Morecambe Skatepark has been resurfaced. To celebrate the re/opening of this now vintage skatepark, Jwllrs are hosting a two day jam around iconic ramps, producing new artworks, and hosting music from the local skate community. Expect a deck-shaping workshop; screenprinting of artwork from Harry Mills, Shaun Wilkinson and logo artwork by French; Skateboard Lessons with Doug Duckett and yoga for skaters with Rachel Walsh. More details coming soon.

Caravanalogue

A retro mobile touring workshop, on the green behind the Midland Hotel.

Other music at this year's festival, centred around the Melodrome stage on the Promenade Gardens and the Winter Gardens theatre, includes:

Rumbi Tauro (pictured below)

Phillippa Zawe

The Surellas

Hattie Bee

TC and the Swing Cats

noyou

Baybeat Street Band

The Luca Brasi Group

Georgie Weston

Family workshop activities inside the Seaside Make Space on the green behind the Midland Hotel will include:

Collaging with Amy Quinn

Bookbinding with Bonnie Craig

Paper weaving with Molly Bland

Winding with Nowshin Prenon

Diamond Awl Leather Workshop

Plus lots more of activities including:

Vintage Bike Ride

Street theatre

Vintage Market Place (The Platform, both days)

Best In Show

Face painting

Dance with Hoc and Mark (The Midland)

Dance with Anthony and Steph

Laura Sandham School of Dance

Vintage Bus Rides

DJs

Street food

Classic Car Show

Bradford to Morecambe Car Rally 

Makers' Market (The Midland Hotel)

Vintage Fairground

Boogie Ballroom (The Little Big Top, the Midland Green)

Vintage Hair and Beauty Salon (The Midland Hotel)

More details HERE.

LOOK and LISTEN BACK with Beyond Radio on Vintage by the Sea 2023.

INTERVIEWS: Wayne Hemingway hails Vintage by the Sea 2023 as the biggest ever - Beyond Radio