The Findhorn Bay Arts Festival has revealed its programme for the sixth edition, promising a packed ten-day celebration of culture, community and creativity across the coastal and rural areas around Findhorn Bay.
Dates, scale and recognition
The festival will run from 24 September to 4 October and comprises more than 100 events, organisers said. The event returns after being named Best Large Festival at the 2025 Scottish Events Awards, a distinction that has helped establish it as one of Scotland’s more distinctive cultural gatherings.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Edition | Sixth |
| Dates | 24 September – 4 October |
| Number of events | More than 100 |
| Notable award | Best Large Festival, Scottish Events Awards 2025 |
Theme and programme focus
This year’s programme is built around the theme of ‘connection’, intended to explore relationships between people, place, culture and community. Festival director Kresanna Aigner MBE said the theme threads through the line-up and the settings chosen for performances and activities.
“This year’s theme, connection, runs throughout the programme, inviting us to explore our relationship with each other, our environment and the wonder world.”
Organisers emphasise that events will range from work by internationally acclaimed artists to showcases for emerging practitioners and community-led celebrations. Many performances will be staged in unusual or scenic locations, with the festival using the local coastline, farmland and community halls to create varied cultural experiences.
Partnerships and backing
The festival’s line-up is strengthened by partnerships and official support. Culture Ireland has contributed to a strand of programming that examines cultural connections between Scotland and both Northern and Southern Ireland. Further backing comes from Creative Scotland, while VisitScotland and a number of local businesses, sponsors and community partners are also involved.
Rebecca Edser, head of events at VisitScotland, described the festival as an opportunity for communities and visitors to connect and share creative experiences, while Lorna Duguid, head of international at Creative Scotland, praised the diversity of the programme.
What this means locally
For Moray, the festival is both a cultural highlight and an economic draw. Over ten days it will bring audiences into villages and coastal areas that may see increased footfall in cafes, shops and accommodation. The mix of high-profile performers and community activity is intended to widen appeal — from visitors seeking headline shows to locals interested in workshops, family events and community celebrations.
- When: 24 September–4 October
- Where: venues across the Findhorn Bay area and surrounding communities
- Scale: more than 100 events across ten days
Tickets, event details and venue information will be released by the festival team in the coming weeks. Residents and visitors planning to attend are advised to check the official Findhorn Bay Arts Festival programme on release for booking and accessibility information.
The festival’s continued growth, and its recognition at national awards, underlines the increasing cultural profile of the Findhorn Bay area while offering a sustained period of activity likely to benefit both artists and local enterprises.
