Stir! Events
2026 Lineup
> 16/05 Southbourne Food & Fun Festival
> 27-28/06 Shake & Stir Vintage Festival
> 5-6/09 Cliff Top Music Festival
> Update on Poole Goes Vintage
> Volunteering with stir events cic
> about stir events cic
> trading & contact
Southbourne Food & Fun Festival’26
Location: Fisherman’s Walk, Southbourne, UK, BH6 3SQ
Date & Time: Saturday 16th may, 11am to 6pm
Entry: Free Entry
Stay up-to-date on Facebook: Click Here
The Southbourne Food & Fun Festival is a brand-new celebration of local food, drink, and community spirit - brought to you by Stir Events CIC.
Set in the beautiful surroundings of Fisherman’s Walk, this free one-day festival will be packed with flavours, creativity, and family fun. Visitors can explore a bustling market of local food and drink producers, meet the people behind Southbourne’s favourite cafés and restaurants, and discover handmade goods from Dorset and Hampshire artisans.
Alongside fabulous food experiences, the festival will inspire greener living with “grow your own” and “cook your own” workshops, led by local chefs, gardeners, and community groups. There’ll be plenty to entertain the whole family - from live music by The Hush Club, to cake baking competitions, food bingo, and a fancy-dress parade for anyone who loves to get creative!
The day will also shine a spotlight on local food banks, eco-projects, and good causes, reminding us how food connects us all and how small actions can make a big difference.
Join us for a day of flavour, fun, and community - celebrating the very best of Southbourne’s food culture and the people who make it thrive.
Free entry • Family friendly • Everyone welcome!
Shake & Stir Vintage Music Festival
Location: Fisherman’s Walk, Southbourne, UK, BH6 3SQ
Dates & Times:
Saturday 27th June > 10:30am – 7:00pm
Sunday 28th June > 11:00am – 5:00pm
Entry: Free entry – donations appreciated
Stay up-to-date on Facebook: Click Here
The much-loved Shake & Stir Vintage Festival returns in 2026 as something even more meaningful… the Shake & Stir Vintage Armed Forces Weekender, a two-day celebration honouring service, heritage, and community spirit!
Building on over a decade of award-winning events, this special Armed Forces weekend brings together everything that makes Shake & Stir so distinctive - live music, vintage culture, dance, and local flavour - with a renewed focus on recognising the Armed Forces, veterans, and the stories that connect our community to service at home and overseas.
We’re proud to confirm that Shake & Stir Armed Forces Weekender 2026 is officially approved and featured on the Armed Forces Day website:
https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/event/shake-and-stir-armed-forces-weekend-2026
What to Expect?
Across two vibrant days at Fisherman’s Walk, visitors can enjoy a rich mix of music, heritage, ceremony, and family-friendly entertainment.
Live Music & Dance
Vintage live music from the 1940s–1960s, including swing, big band, rock ’n’ roll and soul
Dance displays and workshops including Lindy Hop, Jive, Swing, and Bollywood dance
Opportunities for public participation throughout the weekend
Distinct musical eras across the two days, creating different atmospheres while keeping the classic Shake & Stir spirit
Military Heritage & History Hub
Military and heritage vehicle parade and static displays with owner-led storytelling
History Hub exhibition featuring:
Local and regional military history
Stories of service at home and overseas
Commonwealth and Indian Army contributions, delivered in partnership with the BCP Indian Association
Historic photographs, artefacts, and press cuttings
Family, Food & Festival Atmosphere
Children’s vintage games and interactive learning activities
Vintage traders and artisan stalls
Food and drink traders offering a varied, family-friendly selection
Community fundraising activities including raffles
Volunteer-led stewarding and welcome teams, creating a friendly, inclusive atmosphere throughout the weekend
Veterans, Skills & Community
Veterans’ organisations and Armed Forces charities offering welfare, information, and meet-and-greet opportunities
Skills-to-civilian-life demonstrations, including:
Military musicians and artists
Chefs and cooks
First-aid awareness supported by medically trained personnel
Community remembrance and reflection moments, with spoken thanks and short addresses
Armed Forces & Ceremonial Programme
Armed Forces parade and march-past
Beating the Retreat ceremony
Royal Marines Commando Display Team
Participation from Army, Sea & Air Cadets, including parade, drill displays, and information stands
Reservists showcase highlighting how civilian careers combine with military service
Cliff Top Music Festival
Location: Cliff Top Overspill car park, Wharncliffe Rd, Highcliffe, BH23 5DF
Dates & Times:
Saturday 5th September > 11:00am – 7:00pm
Sunday 6th September > 11:00am – 5:00pm
Entry: Ticketed, get yours - CLICK here
Stay up-to-date on Facebook: Click Here
Back by popular demand - and now bigger than ever! The award-nominated Cliff Top Music Festival returns to the stunning seafront at Highcliffe for two unforgettable days of live music, community spirit, and seaside celebration.
Two Days. Two Headliners. One Iconic Setting. Soul Saturday brings powerhouse vocals and feel-good energy, headlined by none other than Robert Arkins & The Commitments Live - the original star of the legendary film, performing all the hits that made you fall in love with soul.
Pop & Glam Sunday ramps up the sparkle with glittering costumes, big voices and timeless classics - closing with a show-stopping performance by the Fleetwood Mac Experience.
What to Expect:
Full live music programme across both days
Artisan food and drink stalls
Park & Ride service
Family entertainment: , face painting & street theatre
Big screens with sponsor features & artist visuals
VIP area, bar zones, and a vibrant community vibe
Set against panoramic views of the Isle of Wight, this truly is one of Dorset’s most scenic and spirited festivals. Tickets on sale soon – stay tuned for early bird offers!
More info at: https://www.highcliffevillage.com/music-festival
Cliff Top Music Festival!
5th & 6th September 2026
Poole Goes Vintage, 2026 Update
The team behind Poole Goes Vintage has made the decision to take a planned pause in 2026, with the intention of returning in 2027.
Delivered by Stir Events CIC, Poole Goes Vintage has become a much-loved highlight of Poole’s summer calendar, bringing thousands of people into the town centre and Quay to enjoy vintage music, style, classic vehicles, markets, and community celebration.
Despite extensive efforts throughout 2025 to secure funding, the 2026 event has been postponed due to a lack of confirmed sponsorship support. Like many community events, Poole Goes Vintage relies on sponsorship to remain free and accessible, and ongoing economic pressures have made commitments more challenging this year.
We’re incredibly grateful to Poole BID for their support in recent years, which has helped us deliver some truly memorable events and a significant boost to local footfall and town-centre vibrancy. This pause allows us to regroup, refocus, and plan for a strong return in 2027, with a refreshed approach to sponsorship and community involvement.
This isn’t goodbye… just a pause with purpose. If you’re a business, organisation, or individual who’d like to be part of Poole Goes Vintage 2027, we’d love to hear from you.
Volunteer with Stir Events CIC
Love bringing people together? Got a spark for creativity and community? Join the Stir Events CIC volunteer team and help us make magic happen across Dorset.
Whether you’re hands-on at one of our festivals, supporting behind the scenes, or welcoming visitors with a friendly face, your time, energy, and passion make a real difference. Volunteering with Stir isn’t just about giving back - it’s about gaining new skills, meeting brilliant people, and playing a key role in events that uplift and inspire.
Many of our events, including commemorative weekends like the Shake & Stir Vintage Armed Forces Weekender, rely on volunteers to help keep them free, inclusive, and accessible to all. From stewarding and visitor support to helping with community fundraising and engagement, there are lots of ways to get involved.
Be part of something unforgettable - and help us bring people together through music, heritage, and community spirit.
About Stir Events CIC:
Stir Events CIC is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to creating inclusive, high-quality, community-focused events across Dorset. From lively vintage festivals to meaningful commemorative gatherings, we bring people together through music, heritage, and shared experiences, while supporting local businesses, charities, and volunteers.
We’re proud to work collaboratively with a wide range of partners to ensure our events are welcoming, educational, and impactful. This includes working alongside: Helping Homeless Veterans UK, Royal British Legion, Rotary, BCP Indian Association, Local cadet units, A BCP Council funding officer, supporting grant and sponsorship activity.
To keep our events (including the Shake & Stir Vintage Armed Forces Weekender) free and accessible for everyone, we welcome support from businesses, community groups, and individuals. There are many ways to get involved:
Sponsorship or donations
Volunteering your time and skills
Fundraising activities or raffle prizes
Every contribution helps us honour service, celebrate heritage, and create events that strengthen community spirit across Dorset.
Trading with Stir Events CIC:
We love working with traders who add colour, character, and quality to our events. If you’re a vintage trader, artisan, food vendor, or local business interested in trading at one of our festivals or community gatherings, we’d love to hear from you
General trading, Sponsorship, and participation enquiries: 📧 mandy@eventsbystir.com