BURNHAM-ON-SEA will welcome the return of BOSfest today, as the popular festival will provide a weekend of free entertainment.

Run solely by volunteers, the immersive festival of music and art culture captures the hearts of those in attendance.

The festival will kickstart proceedings tonight (Friday, September 1) with acts performing from 7:30pm.

Here's everything you need to know for BOSfest 2023.

Friday, September 1

Friday's acts will perform at The Ritz Social Club on Victoria Street from 7:30pm onwards.

  • Droogz: 7:30pm - 8:15pm
  • Black Friday: 8:45pm - 9:30pm
  • Trampolene: 10pm - 11pm

Saturday, September 2

This will be the festival's biggest day, with 30 music and poetry acts performing, all spread across four venues.

You can catch the following acts at The Victoria Hotel this Saturday September 2:

  • The Elswoods: 1:00pm - 1:30pm
  • Lee Smith: 1:30pm - 2pm
  • Man About a Dog: 2:15pm - 3pm
  • Flo Parker Bombosch: 3:30pm - 4:15pm
  • JD Revelator Acoustic: 4:45pm-5:30pm
  • The Idle Silence: 6pm - 7pm
  • Standly Duke and the Kindred Spirits: 7:30pm - 8:15pm
  • Lewis Poole: 8:45pm - 9:45pm
  • Giant Robot Bodies: 10:15pm - 11:30pm

Poetry lovers can head over to the Ritz Social Club's Gatsby Lounge for a relaxing afternoon of live poetry.

  • Gilly James: 2:00pm
  • Gary Law: 2:15pm
  • Tawnie Radford: 2:30pm
  • Paul Parkin: 2:45pm
  • Janine Wharmby: 3:00pm
  • Val Morley: 3:30pm 
  • Richard Baum: 3:45pm

Even more music will be going on at the Ritz Social Club's Ben Travers Suite, for those who want to experience a bit of everything.

  • Jem: 1:30pm - 2pm
  • Big Joe Bone: 2:30pm - 3:15pm
  • Glass Ankle: 3:45pm - 4:30pm
  • Bob Gallie: 5:00pm - 5:45pm
  • Typan: 6:15pm - 7pm
  • The Ska Mechanics: 7:30pm - 8:15pm
  • Ratoon: 8:45pm - 9:30pm
  • XSLF: 10pm - 11:15pm

On the Community Stage at Victoria Street, children can enjoy entertainment from Kidzone and Katz Circus Skills, whilst parents enjoy some great live music from 12pm onwards.

  • Wivilele: 12pm - 12:30pm
  • The Beach'd Buoys: 12:45pm - 1:15pm
  • Nutty Noah: 1:45pm - 2:30pm
  • The Chalice Morris Men: 2:45pm - 3:15pm
  • Arquebus Trio: 3:30pm - 4:15pm

Sunday, September 3

The last day of the festival will be held outdoors at Manor Gardens (next to Berrow Road).

Five bands will perform as well as entertainment again from Kidzone and Katz Circus Skills.

There will also be a bar selling Rich's Cider, Cheddar Ales' Gorge Best, red and white wine, prosecco, lager, and an assortment of soft drinks.

  • The Worlewind Band: 12:30pm - 1:15pm
  • Funky Monkey Bubble Club: 1:45pm - 2:30pm
  • Rock Choir: 3pm - 3:40pm
  • September Son: 4pm - 4:40pm
  • The P'Hogues: 5pm - 6pm

As BOSfest is a free event ran by volunteers, donations will be welcomed over the course of the weekend to ensure the festival's future.

A spokesperson for the event said:

"We do get some help through grants but this doesn't cover half of what we spend and we have to rely on fundraising and donations to make up the rest.

"Any spare change will always be welcome as we aim to keep BOSfest free and therefore inclusive for everyone who wishes to attend."