Vintage by the Sea returns to Morecambe for a stunning sixth year of culture and creativity

This year’s free and family-friendly Vintage by the Sea returns to Morecambe this weekend (September 1 and 2).

Now in its sixth year, the festival’s 2018 programme features immersive sound and theatre performances from nationally recognised artists, peerless gypsy jazz from the returning Benoit Viellefon, a knees-up celebration of The Midland Hotel’s 10th Anniversary, TWO RAF Lancaster Bomber Flypasts, free heritage bus rides up and down the promenade and all the trappings you’ve come to expect.

Programme highlights include:

• National Performers bring Morecambe History to life with immersive sound & theatre installation on the prom. Vintage by the Sea are proud to present an immersive sound and theatre installation that's sure to fill you (and your kids) with wonder and excitement! 

• Local stories retold through 60s style hair dryers. Visit artist Dan Fox's installation Voices From the Hood, inspired by Sixties hair salons. Fox has cleverly converted original hood hairdryers to bespoke listening posts. Take a comfy seat and immerse yourself in the audio of Elizabeth Roberts ‘Working Class Oral Archive’ capturing local stories from 1890 to 1970. 

• The Midland’s 10th Anniversary is celebrated in style with the sold-out Torch Club Ball and classic afternoon teas. It’s been a decade since the iconic Midland Hotel was reborn for the modern age, and Vintage by the Sea is proud to celebrate their anniversary with them in style.

• Catch the stars of the sold-out Torch Club Ball on the Melodrome Stage. Prince William's go-to jazz mastermind Benoit Viellefon brings his HOT CLUB back to the Melodrome Stage on Saturday at 4pm, whilst Alexander Wells makes his Vintage debut, entertains visitors at 3.30pm.

• Not one Lancaster Bomber Flypast, but two! Come and salute the brave boys and girls of the Royal Air Force as they soar over the blue skies of Morecambe’s matchless Bay. Preliminary times have been announced as follows: Saturday at 11am and Sunday at 4.15pm, subject to the vagaries of the weather.

• Vintage Mobile Cinema - as featured in Channel 4’s Amazing Spaces - makes its Vintage debut. In 1967, The Ministry of Technology built seven of custom mobile cinema units to tour the country, promoting modern production techniques to British industry. Fast-forward fifty years and Vintage by the Sea are very proud to present The Vintage Mobile Cinema.

• Bumper bargains in store with record-breaking number of Vintage Market stalls. The very best authentic traders have been hand-picked by Dotty’s Vintage, filling the Morecambe’s Platform with stalls to make you swoon. Keen shoppers will discover magnificent mid-century homewares, refined frockery, fantastic fashion from the 20s to the 90s and a cornucopia of unexpected delights.

• Vintage teams up with Morecambe BID to bring festival benefits to independent businesses. An innovative programme voucher scheme will offer Vintage weekend discounts across scores of stores in the town centre - keep a look out for the Vintage poster in participating businesses and pop in to find out the special promotional offers.

• Heritage buses will be on hand all weekend to ferry festival goers from Happy Mount Park to Heysham Head. Thanks to the Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust visitors can park & ride from any of the bus stops to beat the traffic. Curious visitors are also encouraged to explore the strange and beautiful new artwork being installed in Heysham Head over the festival weekend.

• Book now for the exclusive @Vintage by the Sea afterparty! Saturday night at Vintage will be alive with a host of funk-fuelled performers and DJs. Advance Purchase discounted tickets are available to buy online and also available at Morecambe Visitor Information Centre and on the door (subject to availibility.)

• Festival regulars return to make sixth year sparkle. With festival favourite performers Jean & Morag and Viv the Spiv parading the promenade, the magnificent Melodrome Stage, award-winning street food, classic cars, the Guys & Doll’s Vintage Hair Boutique, Vintage fairground rides and art workshops, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this year’s Vintage by the Sea.

Wayne Hemingway MBE said: “Six years and still going strong, Vintage by the Sea has become something of an institution. It’s so uplifting to see people from all over the country and now Europe coming to Morecambe, filling hotels and caravan parks for miles around. Vintage by the Sea wins awards, brings in substantial income to the town but more importantly it makes over 40,000 people very happy.”

Coun Darren Clifford, Cabinet member with responsibility for leisure, culture and tourism on Lancaster City Council, added:  "Vintage by the Sea is always a terrific event for the area. Not only does it add a spectacular and exciting splash of colour to Morecambe promenade and attracts thousands of people to the town each year but it’s also great for the local community and a welcome boost for the local economy too. It is Morecambe’s flagship, multi-award winning event and we are proud to support and host this fantastic festival.”

Vintage by the Sea was the proud winner of Visit Lancashire’s ‘Large Tourism Event of the Year in 2016’ and has been shortlisted for the UK Festival Awards ‘Best Non-Music Festival’ for two years running. It returns with new funding from Arts Council England.

The festival is co-delivered by Morecambe’s Deco Publique, Lancaster City Council and Hemingway Design’s Vintage Festival Team, led by Morecambe-born Wayne and Gerardine and Jack Hemingway.

Last updated: 28 August 2018