The Beach Life Festival is Eastbourne’s free, high-energy celebration of extreme sports, outdoor life and fun by the sea. Held over a weekend each July on the eastern seafront, it packs in skateboarding, BMX, roller derby and watersports alongside live music, street food and family fun — a brilliant kick-off to the summer holidays. Here’s what to expect.
What is the Beach Life Festival?
Beach Life is a free two-day festival on Eastbourne’s eastern seafront, billed as the ultimate celebration of extreme sports, outdoor life and fun by the sea. Organised by the council, it traditionally lands in July and helps launch the summer holidays with a weekend of adrenaline, music and food. Formerly known as Eastbourne Extreme — a name that lives on in its popular roller-derby tournament — the festival spreads across the eastern end of the front, taking in Princes Park, the promenade, the skate park, Fisherman’s Green and the surrounding beaches. There’s something for every age, whether you want to try a new sport, watch the pros, or simply soak up the atmosphere with a bite to eat.
Extreme sports and skating
Action is at the heart of Beach Life. Expect skateboarding, BMX and scooter displays, a large pump-track circuit open to all ages for scooters, skateboards, BMX and balance bikes, and skating games, lessons and demonstrations from local clubs, often with world-class guest performers. A festival highlight is Eastbourne Extreme, a free roller-derby tournament held in the cage at Fisherman’s Green — billed as Europe’s only outdoor roller derby event — drawing teams from across the country for a fast, full-contact spectacle across the weekend. Down on the water, Buzz Active runs taster sessions in sailing, windsurfing and stand-up paddleboarding from the promenade, so you can give a watersport a go with the family.
Local tip: watersports taster sessions and some activities are usually bookable for a small fee and fill up fast — check the festival website in advance if you’d like to get on the water rather than just watch from the prom.
Music, food and family fun
Beach Life is far more than sport. Princes Park — the pretty park at the eastern end of the seafront, with its gardens, boating lake and children’s play — serves as the festival hub, with a live music stage running through the day and a line-up of local bands and tribute acts. Around it you’ll find street-food stalls serving everything from Greek to Thai, plus a licensed bar with beers, wines and soft drinks. With the beach, the play park and the boating lake all on hand, it makes for an easy, relaxed family day out in the sunshine — and it’s all free to enjoy.
When, where and tips
Beach Life takes place over a weekend in July on Eastbourne’s eastern seafront, centred on Princes Park. It’s free to attend, though a few activities (such as watersports tasters) are bookable for a small charge. The eastern seafront is served by local buses and is a pleasant walk or cycle along the promenade from the town centre; parking near the front gets busy on event days, so it’s worth arriving early or using public transport — see our guide to getting around Eastbourne. As with any annual event, exact dates and the line-up change from year to year, so check the latest details before you go.
Beach Life Festival: FAQs
When is the Beach Life Festival in Eastbourne?
Beach Life is held over a weekend in July on Eastbourne’s eastern seafront, usually helping to kick off the summer holidays. Exact dates change each year, so it’s best to check the latest listing before planning your visit.
Is the Beach Life Festival free?
Yes — it’s free to attend. A few activities, such as watersports taster sessions with Buzz Active, are bookable for a small fee, but there’s no charge to come along, watch the sports and enjoy the music and food.
What is Eastbourne Extreme?
Eastbourne Extreme was the festival’s original name and survives as its free roller-derby tournament, held in the cage at Fisherman’s Green. Billed as Europe’s only outdoor roller derby event, it draws teams from across the country over the weekend.
Where does it take place?
It’s held on Eastbourne’s eastern seafront, centred on Princes Park, and spreads across the promenade, the skate park, Fisherman’s Green and the nearby beaches. Princes Park hosts the music stage, street food and bar.
More of what’s on: see what’s on in Eastbourne, the Airbourne airshow, and the town’s best parks.