Fringe Festival Reviving Morecambe’s Performance Heritage Has ‘Art for Everyone’

The Morecambe Bay Fringe arts festival is a takeover with 40 shows across pubs, theatres, libraries and cinemas from 20 July to 9 August 2026, along with an expanded Carnforth fringe of 30+ shows. An essential stop for performers en route to Edinburgh, the festival has its roots in community, inclusion and fun with a promise of ‘art for everyone’.

The alternative to the mainstream is something that runs proudly through the fringe, with the programme featuring Nigel Planer and Alexei Sayle taking a very special look back at The Young Ones, while the legendary rock pioneers Hawkwind return to close the festival.

Artistic director Matt Panesh said: “Ten years ago, we began the first Morecambe Fringe with a question: could fringe culture embed performing arts here? The town had a statue of a comedian but no comedy night. A glorious performance heritage locked in memory, not in use. A community waiting for permission to feel alive again.

“Now the town has comedy, poetry, cabaret, and chaos that runs through Morecambe's West End like a second heartbeat. We've proven Fringe, even in the smallest rooms, can dramatically impact the life of a town. The fire was lit.”

Showcasing this creative spark will be ten shows created by the local artists ranging from stand up to full theatrical performances as part of the ‘Make Your Own Fringe Show’ development strand run by the West End Players.

One such artist is Jo Jinty, who will be performing her darkly funny and honest show about her cancer diagnosis ‘If I Had A Magic Wand’, raising funds for Cancer Research UK.

Jo said: “After a cancer diagnosis in 2020, I made a ‘living list’ and took a chance on the West End Players ‘Make your Own Fringe workshops’ despite having no experience. I arrived nervous and unsure, but found a welcoming, supportive community that helped me grow in confidence and creativity.

“The cancer show was always the end goal, but I knew I needed to learn first. Now, I'm finally performing the show I set out to. The show is honest and darkly funny about cancer, resilience and reclaiming life. The Playhouse gave me a voice, a sense of belonging and the courage to keep showing up. I genuinely believe fringe festivals change lives. Mine certainly has. They've given me the confidence to try things I never imagined I could do - if my story encourages someone else to take a chance on themselves, that's special.”

A world premiere of The Good Soldier - the animated Ukrainian film widely regarded as the first modern anti-war satire - will see the West End Players voice the film that follows the comic adventures of the Good Soldier Schweik as he’s drawn inexorably to the front lines of the First World War. The film is now seeking a distribution partner for international release.

Other highlights include the candid portraits taken by local photographer Richard Davis of many of the famous names who have played in the seaside town, and the return of the famous Comedy Crawl around the Morecambe promenade.

Hawkwind will perform a full concert in the historic Morecambe Winter Gardens on Saturday August 8, followed by an aftershow party. The celebration continues on Sunday August 9 with a full day of music and events from midday, featuring Hawkwind Friends and Relations’ bands, family friendly activities and a Q&A with the Hawkwind team.

The event closes with a special premiere film screening of a live Hawkwind concert. The return of the rock pioneers for the 10th edition of The Bay Fringe Festival follows their first show at the town’s iconic Winter Gardens in 2022, which is credited with helping to secure its future as a music venue for the North.

Funders and sponsors over the years have included Arts Council England, Morecambe Town Council, Lancashire County Council, Creative Lancashire, Lancaster City Council and Eden Communities.

Tickets are available HERE

Follow the festival socials @MBfringe for tickets, updates, behind the scenes and much more.